The Oregon Army National Guard Chaplain Corps inducted a new officer, the first Jewish Rabbi chaplain candidate in the organization Rabbi Menachem M. Orenstein, during a commissioning ceremony at 41st Armed Forces Reserve Center Auditorium, in Clackamas Ore., Aug. 18, 2024. (Aaron Perkins)
(Tribune News Service) — The Oregon Army National Guard made history last week with the commissioning of its first Jewish chaplain, Rabbi Menachem M. Orenstein. The Aug. 18 ceremony took place at the 41st Armed Forces Reserve Center Auditorium in Clackamas, marking a significant milestone for the Guard and the Jewish community, according to the Tigard Chabad Jewish Center.
Orenstein, who serves as a rabbi at the Tigard Jewish Center, said he is honored to take on the part-time position as chaplain and serve his country and community at the same time.
“I have a military background, and three of my grandparents served in World War II,” Orenstein said. “It was always something I considered — to become a chaplain. I also wanted to lead a community and be a rabbi … that’s what I’m doing now.”
As the first Jewish chaplain in the Oregon Army National Guard, Orenstein is eager to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment.
“It feels really good to be the first one to do it,” Orenstein said. “There’s not too many soldiers or service members in Oregon that are Jewish, and a big part of my responsibility is to serve everyone, regardless of religion, in a very open way. That’s what I look forward to doing. But it’s definitely exciting to be the first Jewish [chaplain].”
While the path to his commission was long and challenging, taking a year to apply and be accepted after many assessments and qualifications, Orenstein described it as a rewarding experience.
“It just made a lot of sense, and I was really excited when I learned about [the position],” Orenstein said. “It’s definitely a blessing. I feel honored to be able to do it. I feel honored that such an opportunity exists.”
Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at cprofenna@oregonian.com
The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit oregonlive.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
