December 7th is The Date That Will Live In Infamy.

Remember Pearl Harbor.

The night of December 7th, light the first candle on your Menorah.

This eight-day holiday commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where Judas Maccabee and his brothers led a group of Jewish rebels, who defeated their oppressors and re-took control of Judea.

Happy Chanukah to all!

Third Sunday of the month, Department of Michigan will host a Chanukah party for it' members and their guests at to be determined site. The party will begin at 11:15.

Headcounts are necessary! Please RSVP to your Post Commander or the Auxiliary President.

Third Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at Temple Kol Ami. Posts meet at 10am.

Third Monday in January, 15th, the USA honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January 27th is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. On November 1, 2005, the United Nations designated January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) in 2023 begins sunset, April 17th. That date (on the Hebrew calendar) marks the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

February 3rd is the anniversary of the sinking of the USAT Dorchester by a German U-boat in 1943. Rabbi Alexander Goode, along with Protestant chaplains Rev. John Washington and Rev. Clark Poling, and Catholic priest Rev. George Fox gave up their life jackets so that soldiers being transported to the front might live. In 1988, Congress officially declared Feb 3rd to be Four Chaplains Day. Flags should be flown at half-staff, if possible. The full story of the Four Chaplains can be read here.

Monday, February 19th, the USA honors Presidents Washington and Lincoln. Lincoln's actual birthday is Feb 12th. Washington's actual birthday is Feb 18th.

Sunset on Saturday, March 23rd begins Purim - commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman.

As described in the Book of Esther, Haman was the son of Hammedatha the Agagite. After Haman was appointed the principal minister of the Persian king Ahasuerus, all of the king's servants were required to bow down to Haman, but Mordechai refused to. Angered by this, and knowing of Mordechai's Jewish heritage, Haman convinced Ahasuerus to allow him to have all of the Jews in the Persian empire killed.
The plot was foiled by Queen Esther, the king's recent wife, who was also a Jew. Esther invited Haman and the king to two banquets. In the second banquet, she informed the king that Haman was plotting to kill her (and all the other Jews). This enraged the king. On the king's orders, Haman was hanged from the gallows that had originally been built by Haman to hang Mordechai.

On March 15, 1896, Jewish War Veterans of the USA was founded in New York City (as the Hebrew Union Veterans Association).

Third Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at Temple Kol Ami at 10am.

April 5th of each year is Gold Star Spouses Day.

Gold stars represent family members killed during active duty. They stand for sacrifice made for honor and freedom. Honor the spouses of those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

For history of the Blue/Silver/Gold Stars, go to: this link.

April 6th is Army Day. Fly your flag proudly.

Army Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1928. But starting in 1929, Army Day was changed to April 6, the anniversary date of the United States' entry into World War I.

Third Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at 10am. We will be meeting at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield.

Monday night April 22nd is the 1st Passover Seder.

Passover commemorates the Israelites liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the forces of destruction, or the sparing of the firstborn, when the Lord “smote the land of Egypt” on the eve of the Exodus.

April 30th is Yizkor, when we implore G‑d to remember the souls of our relatives and friends that have passed on. Light Yahrzeit (Memorial) candles the night of April 12th.

Silver Star Service Banner Day is marked on May 1 of each year to honor those who've received the Silver Star Medal. The Silver Star service banner also honors those who have died, become sick, or who have been injured in combat.

Your service will not be forgotten.

Sunset on May 5th begins Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Yom Hashoah was established in Israel in 1959 by law. It falls on the 27th of the Jewish month of Nissan, a date chosen because it is the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

The Zekelman Holocaust Center's annual Yom HaShoah program will be held on TDB day.

May 8th we celebrate the end of World War II in Europe.

Sunset on May 12th begins Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel.

While Yom HaZikaron has been traditionally dedicated to fallen soldiers, commemoration has also been extended to civilian victims of terrorism.

Sunday, May 12th is Mother's Day. Enjoy quality time with family.

Sunset on May 13th begins Israel's Independence Day.

The 2nd Saturday thru 3rd Sunday in May is Armed Forces week. Armed Forces Day is the final Saturday of Armed Forces Week.

Third Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at 10am. We will be meeting at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield.

Sunset on Saturday, May 25th begins Lag B'Omer.

The Omer is the forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot. The period of the Omer is a time of semi-mourning, during which traditional Jewish custom forbids haircuts, shaving, listening to instrumental music, or conducting weddings, parties, and dinners with dancing.

The 33rd day of the count, Lag B'Omer, mourning practices that occur during the Omer period are lifted. Communities may celebrate Lag B'Omer by having bonfires for family and friends, while some people may choose to get married on this day.

Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day in the USA. Events will be listed here as they become known. If you attend, be sure to wear your JWV hat.

Friday, May 24th, 9:00 AM, City of Southfield Veterans Commission & Mayor Ken Siver host their annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Council Chambers. Open to the public and all veterans.

Sunday, May 26th, 10:30 AM, JWV Department of Michigan will hold a service in the Veterans Section of Machpelah Cemetery on Woodward S of 9 Mile in Ferndale. Also Sunday, at 1:00 PM, JWV Department of Michigan will hold a service in the Veterans Section of Hebrew Memorial Cemetery on Gratiot N of 14 Mile in Mt. Clemens. Both open to the public.

Monday, time as-yet unknown – but DEFINITELY before 9:00 AM - JWV Michiagn will be in the Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade. Summer Parade uniform (White shirt WITH A COLLAR – T-Shirts will NOT do - dark slacks – No Shorts – Black shoes, JWV HAT). White (no off-white) “golf” shirts will be OK. White “golf” shirts with the JWV LOGO can be ordered on the National JWV website.

June 6th is the anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy.

On June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the coast of Normandy, France. With a huge force of 156,000 soldiers, the Allies landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of Normandy. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and gained a victory that became the turning point for World War II in Europe.

Approximately 15,000 French civilians died in the Normandy campaign, partly from Allied bombing and partly from combat actions of Allied and German ground forces.

Sunset on June 11th begins Shavuot, commemorating the revelation of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai.

June 13th is Yizkor, when we implore G‑d to remember the souls of our relatives and friends that have passed on. Light Yahrzeit (Memorial) candles Wednesday night.

June 14th is Flag Day in the USA. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.

June 14th is also the birthday of the U.S. Army, which was authorized by Congress on June 14, 1775. Happy birthday, Army!

June 19th we celebrate the emancipation of the last Black American slaves, in Texas on June 19, 1865, after the end of our Civil War.

Fourth Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield at 10:00 AM. This is also usually the time of the JWV Department of Michigan Annual Convention. Stay tuned for details as they are finalized.

July 1st is Canada Day. Formerly known as Dominion Day, it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the British North America Act, when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada.

July 4th is Independence Day in the USA.

JWV Michigan events will be announced here when they have been confirmed.

Third Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield at 10:00 AM. This is also usually the time of the JWV Department of Michigan Annual Convention. Stay tuned for details as they are finalized.

On Aug. 4, 1790, the first Congress authorized the production of 10 vessels to enforce laws and prevent smuggling. Today, the Coast Guard continues to protect our nation's coastline, holding true to its motto of "Semper Paratus."

August 7th is Purple Heart Day - a day to honor the brave men and women who have served our country and, in battle, were either wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Purple Heart award was established in 1782 by General George Washington and is the oldest American military award.

September 2nd we celebrate the end of World War II hostilities in Japan.

First Monday in September, we celebrate Labor Day in the USA.

September 11th is Patriot Day. Remember all of the victims and first responders that died in the 9/11 attacks.

The third Friday of September is National POW-MIA Recognition Day. Our blessings go to all who have not returned from any of our worldwide conflicts.

The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mothers Day.

Gold stars represent family members killed during active duty. They stand for sacrifice made for honor and freedom. Honor the mothers of those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

For history of the Blue/Silver/Gold Stars, go to: this link.

The night of October 2nd begins Rosh Hashonah; October 3rd is the first day. Happy New Year to all of our members, friends, and relatives.

The Sunday between Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur is our traditional day to go out to our cemeteries and remember our beloved family members who now lie in the earth. We recite El Maelei and Kaddish.

Many cemeteries that are locked-up all year are opened on this day. Don't expect them to stay unlocked all day; some will re-lock at 1PM.

Sunset on October 11th is Kol Nidre - the beginning of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement); it is also Yizkor, when we implore G‑d to remember the souls of our relatives and friends that have passed on. Light Yahrzeit (Memorial) candles. We hope that all of our members, friends, and relatives have an easy fast. If you intend to build a sukkah, start immediately after Yom Kippur.

October 13th is the birthday of the U.S. Navy.

A 13 October 1775 resolution of the Continental Congress established what is now the United States Navy. After the American War of Independence, the U.S. Constitution empowered the new Congress “to provide and maintain a navy.” Acting on this authority, Congress established the Department of the Navy on 30 April 1798. In 1972, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized official recognition of 13 October as the birthday of the U.S. Navy, "to enhance a greater appreciation of our Navy heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service."

Sunset on October 16th begins Sukkot.

Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur and celebrates the gathering of the harvest. It's the only Jewish holiday whose date does not seem to commemorate an historic event. We celebrate Sukkot by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah) and by taking four special species of vegetation; an etrog (citron), a lulav (palm frond), three hadassim (myrtle twigs) and two aravot (willow twigs).

Sunday October 20th, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at Temple Kol Ami. Posts meet at 10 am. There will be a department-wide meeting at 11 am.

Sunset on Wednesday, October 23rd begins Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of Assembly. It is also Yizkor, when we implore G‑d to remember the souls of our relatives and friends that have passed on. Light Yahrzeit (Memorial) candles.

Sunset on Thursday, October 24th begins Simchat Torah - the celebration of reading the final passage of the Torah, and then rolling it back to the beginning.

October 27th of each year is Navy Day. Fly your flag proudly.

The Navy League of the United States organized the first Navy Day in 1922, holding it on October 27 because it was the birthday of 26th President Theodore Roosevelt(1858–1919, served 1901–1909), who was a naval enthusiast/promoter of sea power and former assistant Secretary of the Navy just before the Spanish–American War of 1898.

November 9th is the anniversary of Kristallnacht. “Kristallnacht” or “The Night of Broken Glass” was a violent attack against the Jewish community that took place on this night across Germany, Austria, and the occupied Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. Though portrayed as a spontaneous event, high-ranking German officials had been making plans for the nationwide pogrom for months prior. Jewish businesses, homes, and community centers were violently ransacked and nearly 1,500 synagogues were torched. Police and firefighters were ordered to stand by and only interfere when property owned by non-Jews was threatened. Nearly a hundred people were murdered in the violence, and 40,000 Jewish men were arrested in the immediate aftermath. Remember those whose lives were devastated by that night.

Nov 10th is the birthday of our Marine Corps. On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by resolution of Continental Congress.

Nov 11th is Veteran's Day. Freebies and/or discounts for Veteran's Day can be found at: http://www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html.

Events are scheduled by Temples, Synagogues, and Municipalities just prior to Veteran's Day. Those events, dates, times, and locations will be announced as they become known. Please wear your JWV hat.

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech that he thought people would soon forget.

Third Sunday of the month, all 3 Posts within Department of Michigan will meet at 10am at Temple Kol Ami.

4th Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day in the USA.