The quota of Jewish chaplains in the U.S. armed forces which is four percent of the total in the Chaplaincy Corps is being raised to six percent, Brig. General William R. Arnold, Chief of Chaplains of the War Department announced at a press conference here today.
Jews, he said, are among the four denominations which “on a month to month basis are either slightly ahead or are keeping pace with the procurement schedule for Army chaplains. He added that the Jewish communities, through the Jewish Welfare Board, provide civilian rabbis in many places throughout the country when chaplains are not available locally.
According to the records of the Jewish Welfare Board there are now 159 chaplains on active duty with the Army, 25 with the Navy and one with the Merchant Marine. In addition, 49 have received ecclesiastical endorsement from the Committee on Army and Navy Religious Activities of the JWB and are awaiting assignment.
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