Moskowitz also took note of a “Torah-loyal soldier” named Ralph Kaplow of the 45th Infantry Division in the camp who prayed every morning with his tefillin in his barracks “in spite of the fact that he is the only Jewish soldier out of one hundred-twenty [in his unit] and the group is an outspoken anti-Semitic bunch mostly from Texas and Oklahoma.”
With the assistance of Mr. Tress, Private Moskowitz tried tirelessly to become an army chaplain. Not only would that have helped lighten his personal religious travails, but it would also enable him to assist his brethren-in-arms. Even while his application was being processed, Moskowitz arranged with a corporal for his private quarters to be used by any religious soldier who wanted to pray in the morning. He also arranged that “sincerely religious” soldiers be allowed to do their part of “Friday night scrubbing” on Thursday.
Moskowitz’s bid to serve in the chaplaincy went all the way to the White House before ultimately being rejected in 1943 for technical reasons (though later in the war he did become a chaplain).
Mr. Tress had the unenviable task of informing Private Moskowitz about his disqualification, writing to him in a letter, “I really regret that I have to enclose a copy of the letter… but you being a baal emunah [person of faith] will accept the situation.” Despite his profound disappointment, Moskowitz wrote in a letter of reply, “Gam zu l’tovah – this too is for the best and I must take it in the right spirit.”
The more I research these soldiers’ accounts in the Kleinman Holocaust Education Center’s Archives, the more I am in awe of their dedication and commitment to fulfilling the mitzvos despite all obstacles.
In January 1944, the aforementioned Private Lieberman wrote once again to Mr. Tress. “I am expecting my shipping orders in the next few days. It is most probable that we go somewhere in the Pacific. Ich verlos zich auf Hashem Yisborach [I rely on Hashem]… I am here in the US Army and am fighting with the [Agudath Israel] symbol, ‘Victory through Torah’” Let us hope that this symbol [will] be spread throughout the world and bring yemos haMoshiach [the era of Moshiach].”
It was that core belief in Hashem and the Torah that carried those soldiers and imbued their spirits come what may. And yes, it was they who emerged victorious.
