A Jewish Chaplain in France

In Short

This narrative follows a chaplain’s service in the American Expeditionary Forces, detailing his work with the Jewish Welfare Board and his ministry to soldiers of all faiths. It is a firsthand account of the logistical and spiritual challenges faced by Jewish personnel, from the front lines to the armistice and the journey home. The book has endured because it captures a moment of rare, cross-denominational unity, preserving the voices and sacrifices of a generation that redefined American belonging through collective duty in the face of global catastrophe.

The Story

The narrative begins with the author’s deployment to France, where he serves as one of the first Jewish chaplains ever commissioned in the United States Army. This appointment is itself a historic shift, facilitated by new legislation necessitated by the diverse religious composition of the wartime military. Stationed first at the Service of Supply in Nevers, the chaplain navigates the logistical reality of ministering to thousands of sick and wounded men. He quickly learns that his duties extend far beyond formal religious observances; he serves as a confidant, a messenger for families, and a provider of essential comforts in an environment defined by scarcity.

The story intensifies as he is reassigned to the 27th Division at the front. Here, the grim reality of the war takes center stage. He describes the grueling work of burial details, where he and his colleagues—a group of chaplains representing five different denominations—labor together under fire. The scenes are stark and haunting, yet tempered by the profound camaraderie that develops among these ministers. They find relief in simple, human rituals—singing songs, playing games, and debating theology—which insulate them against the horrors of the battlefield. The climax of this section is a poignant, interfaith burial service, where soldiers of different faiths are laid to rest together, punctuated by the sounding of taps.

Following the armistice, the tone of the book shifts from the intensity of combat to the corrosive monotony of the occupation. The soldiers, now restless and disillusioned, grapple with the challenges of a long, cold winter in France, waiting for orders to return home. The chaplain details the friction between the American troops and the local French population, rooted in cultural misunderstandings and the lack of a shared language. During this period, his work with the Jewish Welfare Board becomes central. He organizes holiday celebrations, including a Seder that provides the men with a fleeting, vital sense of home and continuity.

As his tenure ends, the author reflects on the return to civilian life. He recounts the efforts of the Jewish Welfare Board to sustain the morale of troops and support their eventual reintegration. The narrative concludes with a firm declaration that the Jewish soldier has earned his place in American society. Having fought and served alongside men of all creeds, the author posits that the unity born of the war renders prejudice illogical and obsolete. He leaves France with a sense of pride, viewing the wartime experience as a crucible that not only tested the endurance of the soldiers but also shattered the barriers of religious isolation, proving that the shared experience of service is the ultimate equalizer.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The author receives his commission as a chaplain and departs for France, tasked with supporting Jewish soldiers who have lacked specific representation in the army’s chaplaincy. He arrives at the Service of Supply to find thousands of men in need of both spiritual guidance and tangible, everyday assistance.

The front lines He takes up his position with the 27th Division, transitioning from hospital visits to the grueling, somber responsibilities of battlefield burials. Working alongside Catholic and Protestant peers, he helps maintain order and humanity while under constant fire.

The armistice period As the fighting ceases, the narrative shifts to the psychological challenges of waiting. The author details the decline in morale and the cultural clashes that occur as soldiers occupy French towns during the winter months.

The mission of the Welfare Board The focus turns to the essential work of the Jewish Welfare Board in providing religious supplies and community connection. The author chronicles the efforts to celebrate Jewish holidays, culminating in large-scale events that sustain the spirits of thousands of men.

The return home The final chapters detail the conclusion of his service and his return to the United States. He reflects on the immense contribution of Jewish soldiers to the war effort and the lasting impact of the cross-faith cooperation he witnessed.

The People

The author, Rabbi Lee J. Levinger, serves as our reliable guide. He is a man of intellectual curiosity and deep empathy who wants to ensure that Jewish soldiers are not overlooked. His primary obstacle is the rigid, long-standing tradition of an army chaplaincy that was historically restricted to Christian denominations.

He is joined by his fellow chaplains, most notably Father Francis A. Kelley. Kelley stands as a beacon of selfless service; he is a man who thrives in danger, always moving toward the front lines to provide comfort. He and Levinger form a bond that defies theological barriers, serving as evidence of the profound unity found in shared sacrifice.

The soldiers themselves, the young men from Chicago, Sioux City, and the sweatshops of New York, are the most significant figures. They want only to return to the lives they left behind. They are often unversed in formal theology, preferring a "humanitarian" religion that prioritizes care for their fellow man over strict dogma. By the end of the narrative, these men are transformed; they return as veterans who have seen the world beyond their provincial origins and have realized their own worth as Americans, having proven their loyalty on the battlefield.

In Its Own Voice

They were not merely respectful to the service and the minority of Jews who took part in it; they were actively responsive to the message I brought them of conditions in America and the backing the people at home were giving them in their great work abroad.

In describing a typical Friday night service, the author notes how the lack of other recreational spaces led soldiers of all backgrounds to attend and engage with the religious message.

If we had allowed ourselves to dwell on it, we would have been incapable of carrying on the work: it was so ghastly, so full of pathetic and horrible details.

The author reflects on the emotional toll of the burial details at St. Souplet, emphasizing the necessity of camaraderie and humor to withstand the grim realities of the front.

The soldier wanted to know your attitude toward other human beings; the liberalism he wanted was social and humanitarian.

Reflecting on the soldiers’ lack of interest in complex theology, the author argues that the men were primarily concerned with the practical, moral application of religion to human interactions.

What It's Really About

The central argument of the book is that the crucible of war created a new, inclusive definition of what it means to be an American. Levinger asserts that the shared hardships of the trenches—the mud, the fire, and the proximity to death—erased the artificial distinctions that separated soldiers in civilian life. He argues against the "cant" of institutional religion, favoring a practical, social, and humanitarian approach to faith that resonates with the common soldier. Beneath the plot lies a deep-seated belief that the immense, disproportionate contributions of Jewish soldiers to the Allied cause represent a permanent, earned stake in the nation’s future, rendering old anti-Semitic tropes not just cruel, but fundamentally disconnected from the reality of the American military experience.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of the First World War or the development of the American chaplaincy will find this an invaluable primary source. The prose is clear, warm, and remarkably devoid of the flowery, jingoistic language common to 1921. You will experience the war not through grand strategic movements, but through the intimate, exhausting, and often muddy reality of the men who lived it.

The book is an honest document; it does not shy away from the monotony of the occupation, the frustrations of the soldiers, or the reality that many men were unimpressed by the architectural wonders of Europe, preferring the comforts of home. You may find the author’s occasional period-specific generalizations about "the average soldier" to be a limitation of his time, yet these observations provide a fascinating lens into the social attitudes of the era. What stays with you is the humanity of the interaction between the chaplains of different faiths—a testament to a level of cooperation that feels both rare and deeply necessary. It is a quiet, contemplative read that rewards those looking to understand the intersection of personal faith and national identity during the most turbulent years of the early twentieth century.