Is it possible to go the services and to fast during the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah/ Yom Kippur) while attending BOLC?

2020-09-29T15:20:37-04:00

I just got my AMEDD BOLC dates, and despite requesting Winter/Spring dates, I got August. This falls during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I'm wondering if it's possible to go to services and fast while in BOLC. I realize this is more of a question for a chaplain, but I'd appreciate it if someone could share any personal experiences of observing Jewish holidays while in Army training.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 29 at 2020 3:51 PM

2020-09-29T15:51:35-04:00

I would contact the schoolhouse ahead of time and ask. The fasting is on you, you don't need anyone's blessing for that, no one can force you to eat, but the possibility of attending services and it interfering with POI time is definitely something you need to discuss with them ahead of time. A Chaplain can give you advice and perhaps some POC's to reach out to, but they can't give you permissions for anything, the schoolhouse is your best bet.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 4:53 PM

2020-09-29T16:53:30-04:00

It has been my experience that schools will attempt to make all religious accommodations as humanly possible, mission dictating. The Fasting is the easy part, really. The Sunday Services, or when ever the Judaism services are offered, your ability to attend will be dependent upon the mission. If services are after POI, there shouldn't be a problem unless there is a mandatory study hall. Regardless, just check with the Cadre and Chaplain once you arrive on station to start BOLC.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 7:39 PM

2020-09-29T19:39:40-04:00

Reach out to the cadre of the school (shoot me a message and I can privately give you a couple names to reach out to for cadre to ask if need be) and ask them these questions directly. I do know per schoolhouse rules and requirements you can only miss so much training time. Not sure about due to religious reasons. I do know when I went to BOLC short course most sundays we were off and could attend religious ceremonies except for the Sunday we were in the field. I can not recall if religious services were offered but I am guessing they were.

You will be in the long course and not in the field until the last 3 weeks or so of BOLc so I would think fasting and religious services for most of BOLc would be no issue, but reach out to cadre to be sure.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 30 at 2020 12:13 AM

2020-09-30T00:13:16-04:00

Can a Rabbi come to you during class and meet your religious requirements? We strive to meet everyone's religious needs however there will be times mission simply will not allow it and this is a peace you will need to find in your heart when these times happen. Ask yourself this if a Rabbi cannot come to you, what is the travel time to and from the service and the time of the service? I am betting you would miss at least 2-3hours of the course and while BOLC will be accommodating, how much would you really be missing?

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 30 at 2020 11:32 PM

2020-09-30T23:32:30-04:00

It is interesting why you would want to during military training. I am a Catholic and my religion teaches during military operations it's fine to skip religious sacraments since military duty is viewed as having a higher priority. I have a hard time believing the Jewish religion is different. Additionally shortcuts are taken like a chaplin going around and granting "general absolution" which means you do not have to attend confession and all your sins to that point are forgiven. So yes you should ask your chaplin or rabbi. All that aside on the table, when a chaplin visits your unit on a Sabbath and offers mass and you have the option of attending.........military does not care if you attend or not as long as you don't skip out on duties assigned to you (like if your Officer of the Guard or something).