15th generation rabbi: Helping servicemembers keep faith

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  The candle flame danced a slow mesmerizing dance as it flickered from one side of the wick to the next. The light softly illuminated his face as his silhouette became a portion of the projection behind him -- images of Holocaust victims. Soft-spoken yet with a stern demeanor, Rabbi (Capt.) Raphael Berdugo's eyes glistened as he solemnly lead a prayer in Yiddish.

More than 30 servicemembers bowed their heads to pay their respects during the Holocaust Remembrance Vigil held here May 2, to remember the more than 6 million lives lost during World War II.

One of only nine Rabbis in the Air Force and the only one in U.S. Air Force's Central region, Rabbi Berdugo's area of responsibility extends far beyond the base.

"I once received a call in the middle of the night from the wing chaplain of a different base, asking me what would be appropriate to do as a memorial service for a fallen Jewish servicemember," said the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

A 15th-generation rabbi, he said one of his many tasks includes leading his people to a righteous path.

"First and foremost, (being a rabbi) means being a positive role model for others and a visible reminder of what's holy," Rabbi Berdugo said. "It also involves being a representative -- almost like an ambassador -- for the Jewish people and helping them with their religious needs."

One of those religious needs is keeping a strictly kosher diet, which has been easy, because of the efforts of the 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron members, Rabbi Berdugo said.

"For Passover, I received several requests for kosher (meals ready to eat). With the help of services we shipped several cases of them to numerous locations in the AOR," he said.

Rabbi Berdugo brings a different perspective to the table and said others enjoy asking questions about his religion and learning about Judaism.

"I am very often the first rabbi that most Airmen have ever met," he said. 

Some are curious about the significance of the "camouflage" yarmulke (a small round cap) he wears on top of his head. Its origination comes from a combination of two Hebrew words "Yare" and "Malka," which means fear of the king, he said. "Basically, we wear it to remind ourselves to be submissive to the one above." 

Any servicemember whose faith requires the head to be covered is authorized to wear (an item such as a) yarmulke in uniform.

With a relatively small Jewish population here, Rabbi Berdugo's religious services are only a small portion of the work he does, which allows him to focus on visitation and other aspects of a chaplain's ministry.

"(I am) readily accessible to the Airmen in all squadrons," he said. "After all, I am a pastoral caregiver for people of all faiths."

Ordained 15 years ago, he said being a Jewish religious leader was something he felt he was born to do.

"Becoming a rabbi was something I grew into," said the father of three boys and two girls. "Even at the young age of 12, while my parents ministered to the adults, I would minister to the children."

A British citizen born in Dublin, Ireland, to Moroccan parents, Rabbi Berdugo, said he always felt that a higher power had intervened and guided his path to becoming an ordained minister and ultimately joining the U.S. Air Force.

"My education led to my becoming an ordained rabbi," he said. "After receiving my rabbinical ordination from Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, N.J., I applied for and received my green card. I started out as a middle school teacher and for 10 years I taught the Torah and Judaic subjects at a private Jewish school."

Rabbi Berdugo thought he would end his career as a school principal, but after becoming a naturalized American citizen in 1999, he was recruited for the Air Force chaplaincy.

"Although I joined as a reservist, I knew that one day I would become active duty," he said.

Military service is not new to his family. His uncle is serving as a chaplain in the French army. Rabbi Berdugo also said he would like for his children to follow in his footsteps.

"My wish is for at least one of my five children to carry on the family tradition (of becoming a religious leader)," he said. 

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