Wow- what an amazing night!  As it turns out, I will only be here at Camp Buehring tonight, not long enough to really enjoy my “wet” trailer- carpet, tv and a shared, indoor bathroom/shower.  But such a great night with a great group of soldiers.  Had seder with a dozen folks, + significant cigar/bonding time afterwards.  Photos to FB after I get back to Camp Arifjan tomorrow.  This location is where all units heading in to Iraq spend some time training, checking equip., adjusting to the time and then heading north, so it was hugely meaningful to provide this bit of spiritual infusion for them. 

 

Probably the most poignant moment of the seder was the discussion around Dayenu (though we did have the same sharing of war stories when we spoke of liberation). . . I asked, even in this deployed environment, what is it of which they can say “Dayenu”- we have, they reported:  Dayenu water bottles!  Dayenu food- to which one COL had to add- enough to feed an Army!  We have- Dayenu opportunities to be in touch with our families.  An oexperienced soldier commented that this is the first deployment he’s experienced where he had ice!  This is the same guy who talked about a mortar attack he was experiencing in Afghanistan, where the rounds abated on Fri. eve. and he connected with the peace of Shabbat and was moved to prayer.

 

Since most everyone is transient, I did notice that everyone here at Camp Buehring carries their weapon at all times- a big difference from Camp Arifjan where weapons are not the norm.

 

There were a couple of folks from a Combat Stress Team, including their young, female Captain chaplain who was especially charming.  One soldier mentioned that the best thing the Army has provided is their combat stress dog, who, interestingly, carries one rank higher than whoever serves as their handler. 

 

My itinerary home is in transition, and I have a full day planned on Monday, so, even though I would prefer not to travel on Shabbas I figured it’s best for me to get back tomorrow so that I can be more organized.  Also, it’s easier for my hosts, and I really work hard to be as low maintenance as possible, as many of my Rabbi-colleagues are not known for being flexible.

 

There is a small Reserve group here who are from my command at home, and they are suffering from too much togetherness- 50 of them working all day in one tent where everyone hears everything that goes on, and they are all entirely on each others nerves and not playing nicely with each other.  In fact, their Deputy Commander, when we met for lunch yesterday, used the words- “hostile mistrust, hatred, fear and discontent.  Their chaplain asked me to do some communications training for them and I will lead two classes on Mon. and one on Tues. to try to create opportunities for them to open up conversation.

 

Didn’t write yesterday so this is long. . . A bunch of random observations:

 

Last night I attended the “Maundy Thurs.” service.  The chaplain talked about the variety of interpretations of communion, and quoted a text from Corinthians which derided those who took communion in an unworthy manner.  I never realized that communion was originally a full meal, and as we visited after the service he explained that unworthy meant unrepentant and irreverent.  So Paul’s guidance was to cease gathering for a full meal and share only the symbolic bread and wine.  I commented that this was clearly the break from Judaism- certainly we would advise adopting a more reverent manner and doing teshuva, not eliminating a meal!  He laughed and agreed.

 

This is the same guy who, when I told him of my laundry plans the other night and then asked if that was too much information, told me that he would be a poor chaplain and husband if he was scared of a little dirty laundry!

 

From Ch. Coggins’ assistant- he told me that he laughed when he was asked to provide his “resilience plan”; having been deployed in dangerous situations he wondered why he would need a resilience plan in the relative comfort of Kuwait.  So his resilience plan was to make a list of all the friends he had lost, and, if he felt down, to contemplate that list and be reminded that he would likely not be adding to that list on this tour.

 

At the end of the Maundy Thursday service, the lights were dimmed and they stripped the altar of all the colorful cloths, and the congregation departed in silence.  I was reminded of how we change the Torah covers at Selichot and the importance of these visual symbols of transition.

 

It is unfortunate, to my mind, that there is not more interaction permitted with the Kuwaiti population.  I think it would be helpful to build bridges of understanding, and I am certain that there is much curiosity on both sides.  I took photos of some of the homes we drove by on the way up.  The Air Force chaplain who escorted me said that the average middle class home is 12K sq. feet, has 7 air conditioners and the electricity is provided free of charge.  They drill for water but are not allowed to go below 100 meters, because, if they do, they will hit oil!

 

There is some appreciation for our presence here- on the highway, which is the main road from Kuwait to Iraq, we passed two signs that read, “God bless U.S. troops.”

 

It is unfortunate, however,  that there is a lack of appreciation for the Third Country Nationals who are the servant class.  I was checked in to my housing by an Indian gentleman who has been here for 7 years.  I asked him about his experience and he said he has a great time as long as he stays on post.  When he is in town, he said, it is routine that young people throw stones at him and that he has been threatened with knives.

 

Everyone was so incredibly appreciative of my being here- so ironic as the honor and the thrill are all mine!