The following ideas may be helpful as you continue developing your supportive and caring community:
Reach out to nearby military base chaplains and retired military personnel and Rabbis in your community. Establish a relationship with a local base, ship or hospital by calling the head chaplain. Ask how you can partner with them in serving the religious needs of their personnel.
Let the base chaplain know you want to work with them to arrange for civilian clergy and lay volunteers from your congregation to offer religious services for personnel. Find out who the Jewish personnel on are the base or post a general invitation through the chaplain's office. Offer synagogue services, one-on-one spiritual counseling and home hospitality for Shabbat and holidays.
Finally, remember active-duty personnel and families who have someone serving in the armed forces may experience financial difficulties. While each congregation will determine what is appropriate for members called to active duty, no individual should be denied membership because of an inability to meet payments, particularly at a time when the support of a caring community is so important.
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