http://www.genami.org/en/ – Excursions in Jewish Military History and Jewish Genealogy

Soldiers of The Great War: Jewish Military Service in WW I, as Reported in l’Univers Israélite (The Jewish World) – Le lieutenant Jacques Lévy (Lieutenant Jacques Lévy), February 12, 1915

Only a week about presenting the stories of Lieutenants Aboucaya and Oulman, l’Univers Israélite continued its coverage of Jewish military casualties in the French Army with an article about Sous Lieutenant Jacques Lévy.

A member of the 31st Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Levy was killed at the Plateau de Bolante, in the Argonne, on January 8, 1915. Awarded the Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honour (the latter posthumously), he was the husband of Esther (Zadoc Khan) Levy, and the son of Camille and Blanche (Blum) Levy. He was born on February 17, 1884, in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris.

As per the (prior) post covering Lieutenants Aboucaya and Oulman, I’ve included the “Partie à Remplir Par le Corps” cards from the “Mémoire des hommes” website. Lieutenant Levy’s name appears on page 55 of Les Israelites dans l’Armée Francaise.

The article in l’Univers Israélite is not a biographical profile as such.

Or even, at all.

Rather, it’s presentation of a speech given on Sunday, February 7, 1915, in the chapel of rue de la Victoire, by Chief Rabbi J.H. Dreyfuss. Certainly sincerely meant, it is – perhaps inevitably – far more hagiographical than biographical, giving the reader insight into questions of patriotism within theology; theology with patriotism.

Throughout a war that would last four more long and terrible years, both the l’Univers Israélite and The Jewish Chronicle would be forced by circumstance to present many further stories, often – at least early in the war – in the same tone and manner.

A PDF of the article is available here.

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Le lieutenant Jacques Lévy

Lieutenant Jacques Lévy

l’Univers Israélite
February 12, 1915

The Jewish World
February 12, 1915

Chaque jour s’allonge la liste de nos jeunes héros, fauchés à l’aurore de leur carrière et dont la mémoire est déjà entourée de la triple auréole de la vertu, de la vaillance et du martyre. Nous avons, l’autre jour, cité le lieutenant Aboucaya, le lieutenant Oulman. Parlerons-nous du lieutenant Jacques Lévy? Les souvenirs qui s’attachent maintenant à lui sont si poignants que nous aurions hésité à y toucher, même d’une plume discrète, si au service qui a été célébré, à sa mémoire, dimanche dernier, dans l’oratoire de la rue de la Victoire, M. le grand-rabbin J.-H. Dreyfuss n’avait retracé sa carrière et évoqué ses vertus.

Every day lengthens the list of our young heroes, broken in the dawn of their careers and whose memory is already surrounded by the triple halo of virtue, bravery and martyrdom. We, the other day, cited Lieutant Aboucaya, Lieutenant Oulman. We speak of Lieutenant Jacques Lévy? The memories that are now attached to him are so poignant that we would hesitate to touch, even a discreet pen, if the service which was celebrated in his memory on Sunday, in the chapel of rue de la Victorie, the Chief Rabbi J.H. Dreyfuss had traced his career and mentioned his virtues.

Voici quelques passages de la touchante allocution de M. le grand-rabbin de Paris.

Here are some passages of the touching speech by the Chief Rabbi of Paris.

“Notre regretté frère Jacques Lévy avait appris de bonne heure à connaître le côté sérieux de l’existence; son adolescence fut mûrie par l’épreuve, et une épreuve cruelle: la perte de son bien-aimé et respecté père. Il se considéra aussitôt comme appelé par la Providence au plus noble et au plus difficile des devoirs, d’autant plus difficile pour lui qu’il était tout jeune encore: celui d’assumer, en faveur des siens, la responsabilité du chef de famille. Ce fut là l’idée directrice de toute sa jeunesse: il n’en dévia pas un instant. Et ici, mes frères, admirez la force peu commune de ce caractère dé jeune homme. Tous ses goûts le portaient vers les choses intellectuelles; affamé de culture, particulièrement attiré vers les sciences spéculatives, ce qui ne l’empêchait pas, d’ailleurs, de posséder le sentiment exquis de l’art et surtout de la peinture, mais préoccupé, d’autre part comme nous l’avons dit, de ses devoirs de famille, de l’obligation, de compter avec les réalités pratiques de la vie, il eut le courage et la ténacité de mener de front ses études et les soins de son emploi. Il fut licencié en philosophie en méme temps qu’il achevait son apprentissage commercial. Comment un caractère d’une telle trempe ne devait-il pas refuser? Et il réussit en effet.” [réu-sir is probably an error]

“Our late brother Jacques Levy had learned early to know the serious side of life; his adolescence was matured by a test, and a cruel test: the loss of his beloved and respected father. He immediately looked as called by Providence to the noblest and most difficult of duties, all the more difficult for him as he was still young: to assume, on behalf of his family, the householder’s responsibility. This was the thrust of his youth: he did not swerve a moment. And here, my brothers, admire the unusual strength of character this young man. All tastes were to intellectual things; a hunger for culture, particularly attracted to the speculative sciences, which did not prevent him, however, from possessing an exquisite sense of art and especially painting, but concerned about the other part, as we said his family duties, the obligation, to reckon with the practical realities of life; he had the courage and tenacity to juggle his studies and the care of his employment. He graduated in philosophy in the same time he completed a commercial apprenticeship. He graduated in philosophy in same time he completed a commercial apprenticeship. How should he not refuse a character of such calibre? And he indeed succeeded.”

L’orateur rappelle avec émotion le marriage qui, il y a moins d’un an, avait uni le défunt à la fille “d’un pasteur qui est cher à nos coreligionnaires, non seulement par son mérite personnel, par son talent, par sa science, par son dévouement à toute épreuve, mais encore parce qu’il est l’époux de la fille du grand pasteur que fut l’inoubliable Zadoc Khan – je dis inoubliable dans le réelle acception du mot, car plus les années s’écoulent, plus son souvenir revit et revivra sans cesse dans toutes les circonstances de la vie de notre communauté.”

He recalled with emotion the marriage, of less than a year, that had united the deceased to the daughter “of a pastor who is dear to our fellow believers, not only by his personal merit, by his talent, by his science, his foolproof dedication, but because he is married to the daughter of that great shepherd who was the unforgettable Zadoc Khan – I say memorable in the real sense of the word, because the more years flow, I remember him and saw live again and again in all circumstances of life in our community.”

“Mais hélas ! sur cette maison à peine édifiée, si pleinement heureuse, a passé également le souffle de la tempête qui a déjà dévasté tant de foyers.

“But unfortunately ! this house built only if completely happy, has also experienced the breath of the storm that has already destroyed so many homes.

“Du même élan irrésistible qui, a l’appel de la patrie, a jeté à nos frontières tous les enfants de la France, le sergent Jacques Lévy quitte sa jeune femme et sa famille, va résolument prendre sa place a coté de ses frères d’armes. Pour que rien ne manquât a cette nature d’élite, un patriotisme vibrant s’alliait en lui à une haute conscience. Il prend part aux glorieux exploits de la Marne, se bat comme un brave, de sergent passe adjudant, d’adjudant sous-lieutenant, est cité à l’ordre du jour, et suprême récompense, proposé pour l’etoile de l’honneur. Mais il tombe blessé et rest ramené du front. Il aurait assez fait maintenant pour donner la mesure de sa vaillance; mais il veut faire plus que son devoir; il est heureux d’ailleurs et fier des lauriers glorieux qu’il a déjà cueillis… Apres un court repos qui lui est imposé par sa convalescence, il demande à son colonel de le renvoyer au front. Ce fut dans l’Argonne; a peine arrivé, il tombe une seconde fois, et helas ! pour ne plus se relever.

“At the same irresistible force, that has the call of his country, threw all the children of France upon our borders, Sergeant Jacques Lévy leaves his young wife and family, and will definitely take his place next to his brothers in arms. That nothing might be wanting in this elite nature of vibrant patriotism was combined in him to a higher consciousness. He took part in glorious exploits on the Marne, fights like a brave sergeant is promoted adjutant, and adjutant lieutenant, is quoted on the order of the day, and receives the star of honor for a supreme reward. But he falls wounded and is brought back from the front to rest. He would have done enough now to give the measure of his valor; but he wants to do more than his duty; he is also happy and proud of the glorious laurels he has already selected… After a short rest imposed on him by his convalescence, he asked his colonel to return to the front. It was in the Argonne; he has just arrived, he falls a second time, and alas! to rise no more.

…La consolation! Vous la trouverez dans le souvenir attendri, dans le souvenir béni de celui que n’est plus, vous la trouverez dans ces paroles écrites par lui, pour les siens, avant de retourner au front. Dans cette page admirable, que j’ai lue et qui m’a remué profondément; l’homme se révèle tout entier. C’est la page d’un philosophe et d’un croyant tout à la fois, d’un époux tendre, heureux et reconnaissant, d’un fils respectueux et pieux, d’un parent dévoue; c’est aussi la page d’un patriote, la page d’un soldat. Dans quelques mots brefs, il parle de tout et de tous, de sa foi en l’idéal, éternellement beau et bon, de son culte de la vérité, de la loyauté, du devoir, de Dieu à qui il croit et à qui il rend grâces pour le bonheur des jours passés… de tous les êtres chers qu’il confie à sa femme, de sa joie à repartir, ne laissant, comme il dit, aucune dette matérielle ni morale, de son amour de la France, de sa ferme confiance dans la victoire. La dernière parole est une parole de touchante humanité en même temps qu’une parole de consolation. “Si Dieu, le maître de ma vie, la prend, que tous les êtres chéris que je vais quitter à nouveau gardent, s’ils le peuvent, mon souvenir; mais qu’ils se consolent très vite de ma mort”.

The consolation! You find it in the tender memory, in the memory of blessed one is not, you will find in these words written by him, for his family before returning to the front. In this admirable page, I read and it stirred me deeply; man is proven whole. This is the page of a philosopher and a believer at the same time, a tender husband, happy and grateful, a respectful son and pious, devoted parent; it is also a page of a patriot, a page of a soldier. In a few brief words, he talks about everything and everybody, his faith in the ideal, eternally beautiful and good, worship of truth, of loyalty, duty, God whom he believes and to which he gives thanks for the good of bygone days…of all the loving things that he told his wife, his joy at leaving, leaving, as he says, no material or moral debt of his love of France, his firm confidence in victory. The last word is a word of touching humanity along with a word of consolation. “God, the master of my life, takes all the loved ones that I’ll leave and keep, if they can, my memory; but let them console themselves quickly of my death.”

Soldiers of The Great War: Jewish Military Service in WW I, as Reported in l’Univers Israélite (The Jewish World) – DEUX HÉROS (Two Heroes – Aboucaya and Oulman), February 5, 1915

The following article, from l’Univers Israélite, is the first such item in that periodical that covered – in detail – the lives and military service of Jewish soldiers who died while fighting for France.

Alas, many more such items would appear l’Univers Israélite prior to November 11, 1918.

The article covers two Jewish officers: Lieutenant Maurice Simon Oulman, and, Sous Lieutenant David Robert Aboucaya.

Lieutenant Oulman, who served in the 246th Infantry Regiment, was killed at Crouy (Aisne), on January 12, 1915. Born on May 12, 1893, he resided at the 3rd Arrondissement, in Paris. His name appears on page 67 of Les Israelites dans l’Armée Francaise.

Sous Lieutenant Aboucaya, a member of the 136th Infantry Regiment, was killed near Reims on September 14, 1914. Born on October 15, 1892, he also resided in Paris; in the 19th Arrondissement. He received the Legion of Honor (posthumously), and, the Croix de Guerre. His name appears on page 1 of Les Israelites dans l’Armée Francaise, and, page 184 of Le Livre d’Or du Judaisme Algérien (1914-1918).

A PDF version of this article is available here.

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Along with the text of the article, I’ve included the “Partie à Remplir Par le Corps” cards for both men (from which the above information was obtained) which were found at the French Government’s “Mémoire des hommes” (Memories of the Men) website.

Very strongly akin to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s database, Mémoire des hommes provides biographical records covering French military deaths incurred during World War One and the Second World War, as well as French military action in Indochina, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Coverage of the First War World is particularly detailed, encompassing, “more than 1.3 million individuals deceased during the Great War”, 74,000 records concerning men who served in the French Air Force, as well as records for the 1,009 soldiers and civilains who were – as the website says – “…sentenced to death and shot in accordance with military judiciary decision or summarily executed.” (Think: Paths of Glory). The website also allows users to search for information about military casualties interred in French military cemeteries.

The digital records covering both men were obtained as part of a (slightly…somewhat?…much!) larger project involving identifying the names of all Jewish soldiers who were killed while serving in the French military during WW I. The results of this research have resulted in the identification of nearly 4,600 men.

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DEUX HÉROS
TWO HEROES

l’Univers Israélite
February 5, 1915

The Jewish World
February 5, 1915

Combien sont-ils déjà, les officiers dont une mort héroïque a couronné une carrière courte, mais glorieuse? Le plus souvent, nous apprenons leur mort par un avis laconique. Quelquefois nous pouvons connaître des détails qui, en avivant nos regrets, augmentent aussi notre admiration pour ces braves qui unissent la bonté à la vaillance et la douceur à l’héroïsme.

How many are there already, officers whose heroic death capped a short, but glorious, career? Most often, we learn of their deaths by a terse notice. Sometimes we can know details which, heightening our regrets, also increase our admiration for these braves uniting kindness the valor and heroism sweetness.

Nous voulons en citer pour aujourd’hui deux exemples, qui nous sont fournis par le lieutenant Aboucaya et le lieutenant Oulman.

We want today to name two examples, which are provided to us by Lieutenant Aboucaya and Lieutenant Oulman.

Le lieutenant Aboucaya
Lieutenant Aboucaya

Nous avons déjà signalé la mort au champ d’honneur du sous-lieutenant de réserve Aboucaya, du 136e d’infanterie, fils de M. Léon Aboucaya, l’industriel connu, membre du Consistoire central.

We have already reported the death in battle of Reserve Second Lieutenant Aboucaya, 136th Infantry, son of Leon Aboucaya, known industrialist, member of the Central Consistory.

Nous avons pu avoir communication d’une bien belle lettre écrite au père du jeune officier par son chef direct, le capitaine Fournier, lui-même grièvement blessé d’une balle à la tête.

We have had communication via a beautiful letter written to the father of the young officer by his immediate superior, Captain Fournier, himself seriously wounded by a bullet to the head.

Le capitaine dit d’abord “toute l’estime que le caractère et le courage” du jeune sous-lieutenant, à l’ “allure décidée et franche”, lui avaient gagnée auprès de ses supérieurs et de ses égaux et qui s’était vite changée en une bonne amitié quand ils avaient reconnu le côté affectueux de sa nature et la cordialité de ses sentiments de famille.

The captain initially said “all the esteem that the character and courage” of the young lieutenant, to the “determined and frank look,” had won him over to his superiors and his equals and that had quickly turned into a good friendship when they recognized the affectionate side of his nature and the warmth of his family feelings.

L’officier était digne de l’homme. “Pendant toute la période des marches en France et en Belgique, malgré la grande chaleur, les étapes très longues, le lieutenant Aboucaya avait tenu à donner l’exemple à ses hommes. Il avait, sac au dos et malgré son peu d’entraînement, supporté ces grandes fatigues du début et donné ainsi la mesure s’un caractère énergique, qui faisait bien augurer de lui pour le combat. Promesse tenue, car à F. ., à St-S… R… (combat de Guise), à Ch…, à S…, enfin, son attitude a été celle d’un chef imposant la confiance à ses homes”. [Probably error in original a “u’un”.]

The officer was worthy of man. “Throughout the period of marches in France and Belgium, despite the great heat, the very long intervals, Lieutenant Aboucaya had wanted to set an example to his men. His backpacking, despite his lack of training, supported these with great fatigue early and given so far as an energetic character, which augured well for him for the fight. The promise was kept, because at F., at St. S… R… (combat at Guise), at Ch…, at S…, finally, his attitude was that of a leader imbuing confidence in his men.”

A F.., notamment, la section Aboucaya tint vigoureusement une hauteur, de 4 heures du matin à midi, sous un feu infernal d’infanterie et d’artillerie, répondant coup pour coup et fort habilement à l’attaque de l’ennemi. Le lendemain soir, à O…, au moment où le régiment allait faiblir dans une charge à lâ baïonnette, le lieutenant Aboucaya, aux cris de en avant ! en avant ! réussit à arrêter la panique grâce à son attitude énergique. “Le chef de bataillon et le colonel le félicitèrent d’ailleurs chaudement à la suite de cet acte de courage, qui valait une citation à l’ordre du jour”.

At F…, including Aboucaya’s section vigorously held a height from 4 A.M. to noon under a hellish fire of infantry and artillery, responding blow for blow and very skillfully attacking the enemy. The next evening at O…, when the regiment’s bayonet charge was weak ing, Lieutenant Aboucaya, chanting forward! forward! managed to avert panic through his energetic attitude. “The Battalion Commander and Colonel also warmly congratulated him after this act of courage, worthy of an Order of the Day.”

A Ch…, le lieutenant Aboucaya se distingua encore par sa “vaillante attitude pendant les heures de lutte émouvante qui eurent pour théâtre le village en flames”. C’est à S…, qu’à la tête de sa section, soumise à un feu terrible d’artillerie, il tomba, au premier rang, “la où depuis le debut il avait eu à cœur de sa tenir toujours”.

At Ch… Lieutenant Aboucaya was still distinguished for his “courageous attitude during the emotional struggle that took hours to the village theater in flames”. This is at S…, where at the head of his section, subject to a terrible artillery fire, he fell in the front line, the “where from the beginning he was to keep his heart always.”

J’ai perdu, conclut le capitaine, “un officier ardent et courageux, sur lequel je savais pouvoir compter. Je garderai fidèlement son souvenir; son nom et son image seront encore évoqués souvent dans nos tranchées; plus d’une fois encore, les soldats qui restent de sa section parleront de lui avec le regret du chef qu’ils aimaient pour sa bonté et son entrain”.

I lost, concludes the captain, “an ardent and courageous officer, on whom I knew I could count. I faithfully keep his memory; his name and image still come up in our trenches; more than once again, the soldiers who remain in his section will discuss him with the head of regret that they loved for his kindness and enthusiasm.”

Cette lettre, si noble et si émouvante que nous aurions voulu la citer tout entière, est un titre de gloire pour celui qui en est l’objet, elle fait honneur aussi à celui qui l’a écrite.

This letter, so noble and so moving that we wanted the whole quote is a claim to fame for the one who is the object, it also does honor to the one who wrote it.

Le lieutenant Oulman
Lieutenant Oulman

Le lieutenant Maurice Oulmàn, dont nous avons annoncé la semaine dernière la mort au champ d’honneur, avait été promu à ce grade le 6 septembre 1914, à la bataille de la Marne, pour son courage, son sang-froid, son énergie, pour l’enthousiasme qu’il avait su inspirer à tous ses soldats, lorsque, ce jour-là, ses chefs, le capitaine et le lieutenant en premier, avaient été frappés mortellement.

Lieutenant Maurice Oulman, whose death in battle we announced last week, had been promoted to the grade on 6 September 1914, at the Battle of the Marne, for his courage, his composure, his energy, for the enthusiasm that had inspired all his soldiers, when on that day, the leaders, the captain and first lieutenant, had been mortally wounded.

Son colonel l’aurait nommé capitaine si Oulman n’avait été trop jeune pour ce grade: il n’avait que vingt-et-un ans. Malgré sa jeunesse, tous les hommes qu’il avait sous ses ordres l’adoraient comme un père. De fait, il remplissait les fonctions de commandant de compagnie.

His colonel would have appointed him captain but Oulman had been too young for this degree: he was only twenty-one years. Despite his youth, all the men he had under him loved him like a father. In fact, he acted as the company commander.

Lorsqu’à la terrible bataille de l’Aisne, son sous-lieutenant tomba, frappé d’une balle au ventre, il s’elança sous le feu meurtrier. En vain, un sergent, blessé à côté de lui, le supplie de ne pas s’exposer; malgré une plaie au pied qui gêne sa marche, il va de l’avant, jusqu’à ce que la mitraille l’abatte. Trois des combattants vont ramasser le corps, pour l’enterrer au cimetière de C…; deux tombent à leur tour.

When at the terrible Battle of the Aisne, his lieutenant fell, struck by a bullet in the stomach, he darted under the murderous fire. In vain, a sergeant, wounded beside him, begs him not to expose himself; despite a sore foot bothering his walk, he goes ahead until the landslide of shrapnel. Three fighters will pick up the body, burying him in the cemetery of C…; Both fall in turn.

Il aura l’honneur posthume d’être inscrit à l’ordre du jour, ainsi que, dans sa lettre de condoléances à la famille, le colonel du régiment l’écrit.

He will have the posthumous honor to be included on the Order of the Day and, in his letter of condolences to the family, the colonel of the regiment wrote.

Voici en quels termes émus M. T…, un collègue du défunt, fait son éloge dans une lettre adressée aux parents de la victime:

Here is how Monsieur T… moving words…a deceased colleague, praising him in a letter to the victim’s parents:

“…Je voudrais tant que ma premiere lettre fut pleine de l’affection admiration que j’avais pour votre cher fils dont la mort m’a déchiré.

“… I want as my first letter to be full of the affection and admiration I had for your dear son whose death tore me.

“Nous étions au repos à St-P… quand est venu l’ordre, le 13, vers dix heures du matin, de se porter rapidement à C…, ou les Allemands attaquaient. Maurice était étendu sur son lit, depuis 8 jours il souffrait un peu du pied gauche… Mais dés que l’ordre d’alerte et de départ lui parvint, il se leva; se fit refaire par un infirmier un pansement réduit pour pouvoir marcher. “Vous feriez mieux de rester au repos, mon lieutenant”, lui dit l’infirmier. Il ne répondit pas. Avec ce courage calme et réfléchi qui a toujours forcé notre admiration et qui était le secret de son ascendant sur ses 250 hommes, des gens de 30 à 35 et 40 ans, parfois, qui lui obéissaient aveuglément, il prit la tête de la compagnie.

“We were standing at St. P… when came the order, the 13th, about ten in the morning, to stand fast in C… or the Germans would attack. Maurice was lying on his bed for 8 days suffering a little in his left foot… But as soon as the order for alert and departure reached him, he stood up; a nurse came by again with a small dressing to walk. “You better stay at rest, sir,” said the nurse. He did not answer. With this calm and thoughtful spirit that has always forced our admiration and that was the secret of his ascendancy over his 250 men, people from 30 to 35 and 40 years, sometimes, who obeyed him blindly, he led the company.

“Il arrive à C…, appuyé sur canne, ayant traversé sans perdre un homme le terrain nu balayé par les feux de l’éperon 132. Là il reçut l’ordre de monter rapidement sur le plateau de P… occuper les tranchées de repli pour soutenir le régiment que les Allemands bousculaient en première ligne. Il fait le cheminement habituel, mais, hélas ! les Allemands tenaient déjà les positions même qu’il allait occuper.

“We arrived at C…, pressed the sticks, passed through without losing a man on the bare ground swept by the fires of spur 132. There he was ordered to quickly climb the Plateau of P… to occupy the fallback trenches to support the regiment’s as Germans were jostling the frontline. He made the usual path, but alas! The Germans already held the same position he would occupy.

“Un sous-lieutenant tombe près du lieutenant Oulman. Celui-ci s’avance vers lui, lorsqu’un sergent le prend par le bras: “Mon lieutenant, ne vous montrez pas, nous avons besoin de quelqu’un pour nous commander” … Mais lui se dégage avec fermeté et dit: “Laissez-moi, ne vous occupez pas de cela”. Il n’avait pas fait trois pas qu’il tombait en arrière, sans un cri; une balle lui avait traversé la téte. Toute la compagnie s’arrête, figée par l’atroce nouvelle qui court de rang en rang.

“A second lieutenant dies near Lieutenant Oulman. He advances towards him, when a sergeant takes him by the arm: “Lieutenant, do not show yourself, we need someone to lead us”… But he emerges firmly and said, “Leave me, do not mind that.” He had not taken three steps when he fell back, without a cry; a bullet had passed through his head. The whole company stopped, frozen by the terrible news that runs from rank to rank.

“Si vous saviez comme ils l’aimaient, leur jeune chef si simple, si brave, si énergique et si pur! Pour les officiers, c’est un peu la Jeanne d’Arc de cette guerre. Et j’ai vu le lendemain encore des hommes pleurer en me contant tout cela. Au reste leur opinion est faite: “Ce petit-là, on l’aurait suivi partout, oh! nous perdons gros! Et personne ne saura nous conduire comme lui”.

“If you knew how they loved, their young leader so simple, so brave, so strong and so pure! For officers, he’s a little Joan of Arc of the war. And I saw it again with next men crying telling me all this. Besides, their opinion is made: “This little one, we would have followed him everywhere, oh! we lose big! And no one will take us like him.”

“Ils disaient vrai, nul d’entre nous n’a ce sang-froid que rien ne troublait, cette énergie méthodique qui n’était pas de son âge”.

“They were right, none of us has the coolness that nothing disturbed, this methodical energy that was not of his age.”

Le lieutenant Oulman avait 21 ans.

Lieutenant Oulman was 21.

References

Le Livre d’Or du Judaisme Algérien (1914-1918) (Réédité par le Cercle de Généalogie juive, Paris, 2000) [Avec la collaboration de Georges Teboul et de Jean-Pierre Bernard]

Les Israelites dans l’Armée Francaise, Angers, 1921 (Réédité par le Cercle de Généalogie juive, Paris, 2006)

Mémoire des Hommes, at http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/en/

Soldiers who Died for France in the First World War, at http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/base_morts_pour_la_france_premiere_guerre/index.php?

Soldiers of The Great War: Jewish Military Service in WW I, as Reported in The Jewish Chronicle – “The Chief Rabbi of France and The Troops at The Front”, October 2, 1914

Throughout the war, both The Jewish Chronicle and l’Univers Israélite, carried articles about religious services conducted by and held for Jewish soldiers, often describing such services in great detail, and in a larger sense, presenting many essays and thought pieces – from highly varied viewpoints, let alone a diversity of writers – about religion in the context of war.

l’Univers Israélite, in particular, published several lengthy, detailed, and moving items about Jewish religious services – held in or near front-line positions – within 1915. (I hope to post those items in the future…)

The item below covers a request presented to M. Alfred Levy, Chief Rabbi of France, to arrange religious services for British Jewish soldiers, with and among French Jewish troops.

Rabbi Levy’s reply states, “We have had the misfortune to lose one of them, the Chief Rabbi of Lyons, who fell on the field of battle, shot by an enemy’s bullet.” Rabbi Levy is almost certainly referring to Aumonier Militaire Abraham Bloch, born in Paris in 1859, who was killed while serving with the “14eme Section d’Infirmieres Militaires; Groupe de Brancardiers Divisionnaire” on August 29, 1914, at Anozel, in the Vosges area.

Rabbi Bloch posthumously received the Medaille militaire. The story of his death (as opposed to how he actually died) – as reported and portrayed by the press – had great symbolic impact, and would be covered in l’Univers Israélite on November 27, 1914, and May 21, 1915.

Information is readily available concerning Rabbi Bloch. I particularly refer readers to the book Les Juifs de France et la Grande Guerre, by Philippe-E. Landau (CNRS Editions, Paris, 1999), which devotes a full chapter to this story.

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THE CHIEF RABBI OF FRANCE AND THE TROOPS AT THE FRONT

The Jewish Chronicle
October 2, 1914

The Chaplain recently wrote to the Chief Rabbi of France, M. Alfred Levy, asking him to endeavour to arrange for the English Jewish soldiers to join the French troops at any religious services during the campaign. He has now received the following reply –

M. Place St. Georges, Paris
18th September, 1914.

DEAR COLLEAGUE – In reply to your letter, I beg to inform you that nearly all the members of the French Rabbinate are serving their country, either as chaplains, or as soldiers. We have had the misfortune to lose one of them, the Chief Rabbi of Lyons, who fell on the field of battle, shot by an enemy’s bullet.

I gave instructions to all to hold divine service in the field if they can collect a [minyan]. I am unable to see the Minister of War at present, as he is absent from Paris, but I am sure that our chaplains will know how to fulfill their duty, and that the generals to whom they apply will grant the necessary permission, so far as the exigencies of the military service will permit.

With best wishes for _____

Yours very sincerely,

Rev. Michael Adler, B.A., London A. LEVY, Chief Rabbi

Soldiers of The Great War: Jewish Military Service in WW I, as Reported in l’Univers Israélite (The Jewish World) – Les soldats juifs dans l’armée russe (Jewish Soldiers in the Russian Army), January 15, 1915

Oddly, despite the enormous losses thus far incurred by the French armed forces, the first detailed account of Jewish military service carried by l’Univers Israélite did not cover French Jewish soldiers. Instead, it concerned the military services of Jews in the army of Imperial Russia, and paralleled The Jewish Chronicle’s coverage of military service of this topic.

This item – published on January 15, 1915 – appears below.

The article is different from similar items in the Chronicle, in that the source of the information is revealed – J. Antokolsky – but no further information about him is presented. Given the details in the article, perhaps Mr. Antokolsky was a Russian citizen, and therefore had direct access to the Russian media, as well as newspapers issued by the Jewish press – details from which were forwarded to l’Univers Israélite. Or, perhaps he was living in France and maintained contact with news sources in Russia, or, subscribed to Russian news publications.

In any event, even considering any embellishment to these stories, they do suggest the level of assimilation, acculturation – and ultimately, patriotism – present among the Jews of Russia at this time.

As for the image at the head of this post – from The Jewish World of September 9, 1914?

Perhaps this man is the “Miller” referred to in the concluding paragraph, who is said to have become an assistant sergeant in the Cossacks…

A PDF version of this item is available here.

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Les soldats juifs dans l’armée russe

Jewish Soldiers in the Russian Army

l’Univers Israélite
January 15, 1915

The Jewish World
January 15, 1915

Les préoccupations que nous avons ici ne doivent pas nous empêcher de suivre avec une attention vigilante ce qui se passe en Russie, où le sort de sept millions de juifs se joue en ce moment. Nous nous proposons de revenir, et de revenir sans cesse, sur la question juive en Russie et sut le rôle des juifs dans la guerre actuelle. Nous publierons prochainement une étude statistique sur le nombre des juifs dans l’armée russe. Pour amorcer ce sujet, voici quelques renseignements qu’a bien voulu nous communiquer un de nos lecteurs, M. J. Antokolsky.

The concerns we have here should not prevent us from following with careful attention what is happening in Russia, where the fate of seven million Jews is being played right now. We intend to come back, and come back constantly, on the Jewish question in Russia and know the role of Jews in the present war. We will soon publish a statistical study on the number of Jews in the Russian army. To initiate this, here is some information kindly sent us by one of our readers, Mr. J. Antokolsky.

J’applaudis de tout cœur à votre idée de publier dans le journal que vous dirigez avec tant d’habileté les faits d’armes extraordinaires accomplis par nos frères sur les champs de bataille. Il n’est pas douteux que vos lecteurs ne soient heureux d’apprendre que nos coreligionnaires russes se montrent dignes de leurs camarades en France. Vous me permettrez donc de vous signaler quelques actions d’éclat dont les héros sont nos coreligionnaires russes et dont les journaux russes ont parle avec admiration.

I applaud with whole heart your idea of publishing in the newspaper that you lead so skillfully extraordinary feats performed by our brothers on the battlefield. There is no doubt that your readers will be pleased to know that our fellow Russians show themselves worthy of their comrades in France. So allow me to point out some brilliant actions of our heroic fellow Russian coreligionists of whom Russian newspapers speak with admiration.

Aïsik Goutman, en reconnaissance à la tête d’un peloton de cavalerie, a fait preuve d’une grande intelligence et bravoure. Blessé aux deux mains, il continue à diriger le mouvement en avant. Ayant eu son cheval tué sous lui et ne pouvant se relever, il continue à donner des ordres à son peloton et lui indique le chemin à suivre pour éviter l’ennemi. Fait prisonnier et questionné par l’ennemi sur l’emplacement et l’importance de sa troupe, il donne des renseignements volontairement erronés. Profitant du sommeil de son gardien, il s’évade dans la nuit, se cache tout le jour dans les bois, et rejoint son régiment, d’où il est aussitôt transporté à l’Hôpital de Wilna. Il y reçoit la visite de son chef de corps, qui lui apporte deux croix de Saint-Georgés — la plus haute récompense en temps de guerre — et lui dit textuellement “Mon petit frère, toute ma vie je me souviendrai de toi et de ta bravoure, et je te propose pour la troisième croix.”

Aïsik Goutman in reconnaissance at the head of a squad of cavalry, has shown great intelligence and bravery. Wounded in both hands, he continues to lead the movement forward. Having had his horse shot out under him and being unable to get up, he continued to give orders to his platoon and shows them the path to follow to avoid the enemy. Captured and questioned by the enemy on the location and extent of his troop, he gave deliberately misleading information. Taking advantage of his sleeping guard, he escaped into the night, hiding all day in the woods, and joined his regiment, where he was immediately taken to the Hospital of Wilna. He is visited by his commanding officer, who brings him two Crosses of St. George – the highest award in wartime – and told him verbatim “My little brother, all my life I will remember you and your bravery, and I propose for you the third cross.”

Oswald, jeune soldat de 20 ans, arrache à l’ennemi le premier drapeau, décoré de la croix de Saint-Georges, soigné à l’Hôpital de Wilna.

Oswald, a young soldier of 20 years, snatches the enemy’s first flag, decorated with the Cross of St. George, treated at the Hospital of Vilna.

Elie Archin, pointeur dans une batterie. Toujours à son poste de combat, a pris part à six grandes batailles; décoré de la croix de Saint-Georges pour sa bravoure hors ligne et sa grande intelligence. Son commandant écrit personnellement une lettre au père Archin pour lui marquer combien il est heureux d’avoir sous ses ordres un soldat d’une si grande valeur.

Elie Archin, aimer in a battery. Always at his post, took part in six major battles; decorated with the Cross of St. George for bravery offline and great intelligence. His commander personally wrote a letter to Mr. Archin to mark him how happy he is to have under him a soldier of such great value.

Katz, promu au grade de sous-lieutenant sur le champ de bataille (fait tout à fait rare en Russie) pour faits d’armes tout-à-fait exceptionnels. Le journal russe qui rapporte ce fait avec enthousiasme ajoute qu’il est heureux d’annoncer que Katz, en reconnaissance de son grade, a embrassé la religion orthodoxe. Mais notre héros riposte immédiatement par une lettre au même journal: “Je suis né juif, je reste et mourrai juif.”

Katz, promoted to sub-lieutenant on the battlefield (in fact quite rare in Russia) for feats made entirely exceptional. The Russian newspaper reported this fact with enthusiasm adding that he was pleased to announce that Katz, in recognition of his rank, embraced the Orthodox religion. But our hero responded immediately by a letter to the same newspaper: “I was born Jewish, I am and will die a Jew.”

Un jeune écolier de quinze ans et derni quitte la maison sans prévenir ses parents, suit un régiment et combat sur le front héroïquement. Blessé et fait prisonnier, il est torturé par les Autrichiens, qui veulent obtenir des renseignements sur son regiment; mais le jeune héros ne répond rien. Il est jeté dans un hangar froid où il reste plusieurs jours sans nourriture; il s’évade et rentre dans son regiment. Nommé sergent malgré son jeune àge.

A young schoolboy of fifteen and a half leaves home without telling his parents, following a regiment and fighting at the front heroically. Wounded and taken prisoner, he is tortured by the Austrians, who want to obtain information about his regiment; but the young hero does not answer. He is thrown into a cold shed where he remained many days without food; he escaped and returned to his regiment. Named sergeant despite his young age.

Je ne vous parle pas du jeune cosaque Miller (vingt ans), nommé sergent-adjoint, décoré trois fois sur le champ de bataille, car tous les journeaux de Paris et de province ont publié des articles élogieux en son honneur.

I’m not talking about the young Cossack Miller (twenty years), appointed assistant sergeant, decorated three times on the battlefield, because all the newspapers of Paris and the provinces have published favorable articles in his honor.

Soldiers of The Great War: Jewish Military Service in WW I, as Reported in l’Univers Israélite (The Jewish World) – Pour nos combattants et pour nos blessés (For Our Veterans and For Our Wounded), December 11, 1914

After nearly five months, the Great War had steadily and devastatingly taken its toll – alas, how could it not? – on France, and inevitably French Jewry, as well.*

This, and more, is reflected in the following essay, by J.H. Dreyfuss, Chief Rabbi of Paris, covering sacrifice and hope; healing and solace; patriotism and victory.

This item is available in PDF format, here.

* For a superb read on this period of The Great War, I highly – very highly – recommend Max Hastings’ superb book Catastrophe 1914: Europe Goes to War.

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Pour nos combattants et pour nos blessés
Pour nos morts et pour leurs parents

PRIÈRE

For Our Veterans and For Our Wounded
To Our Dead and Their Parents

PRAYER

l’Univers Israélite
December 11, 1914

The Jewish World
December 11, 1914

Seigneur, toi à qui appartiennent, comme dit l’Ecriture, “la grandeur, la puissance, la victoire et la majesté, — car, tout, dans le ciel et sur la terre, est à toi ; c’est en ta main que se trouvent force et puissance, c’est ta main qui peut tout grandir èt tout affermir, — Eternel, souverain maître de toutes choses”, daigne étendre ta grâce, ta miséricorde, ta protection efficace sur les nobles et vaillants enfants de la France qui, animés d’une foi ardente et d’une volonté inébranlable, se sont léves pour défendre le sol sacré de la patrie. Ils ont tout abandonné, parents, épouses, familles, leurs intérêts les plus précieux, tout ce qui donne du prix à la vie, pour n’écouter que la voix du devoir, le devoir qui se résume pour eux, à l’heure présente, dans ce seul mot: vaincre; vaincre en dépit des obstacles, en dépit des épreuves même qui ne pourront entamer ni leur courage indomptable, ni leur patriotique abnégation; vaincre, non pas par orgueil, non pas pour dominer, pour conquérir, mais pour défendre, pour protéger la terre de notre patrimoine héréditaire, pour venger l’injure faite au droit et à la justice.

Lord, to thou that belongs, as the Scripture says, “the size, power, victory and majesty – because, everything, in heaven and on earth, is yours; it is in your hand strength and power, it is your hand that all can grow and all strengthen – Lord, sovereign master of all things, “deign to extend your grace, your mercy, your effective protection of the noble and valiant children of France who, animated by an ardent faith and an unshakable will, rose to defend the sacred soil of the homeland. They gave up everything, parents, wives, families, their most precious interests, anything that gives value to life, to listen only to the voice of duty, a duty that comes down to them at the present time in the single word: overcome; defeat despite the obstacles, despite the same events that can not begin nor their indomitable courage, nor their patriotic self-sacrifice; overcome, not by pride, not to dominate, to conquer, but to defend, to protect the land of our ancestral heritage, to avenge the insult to law and justice.

Car tu le sais, ô Seigneur, notre cause est juste et droite. Et c’est parce quelle est juste et droite que, d’un bout du pays à l’autre, un même frisson a secoué toutes les poitrines, frisson de révolte, de resolution, de courage et d’espérance; c’est parce qu’elle est juste et droite qu’elle a trouvé un si merveilleux echo, au-delà de nos frontières, dans la conscience de ces peuples amis qui continuent à donner la mesure de leur fidélité héroïque; c’est parce qu’elle est juste et droite que nous avons vu stoïquement partir nos enfants et tous ceux qui nous sont chers, certes, non point sans larmes, mais avec une volonté résolue et réfléchie; enfin, c’est parce que notre cause est juste et droite que nous là confions, sans hésiter, à ta bonté et à ta miséricorde. Prends-la, Seigneur, sous ton égide toute-puissante, et exauce nos priéres.

As you know, O Lord, our cause is just and right. And it is because what is just and right that, from one end of the country to another, the same thrill shook every throat, a thrill of revolt, resolution, courage and hope; it is because it is just and right that she has found a wonderful echo beyond our borders, in the consciousness of these peoples friends who continue to give the measure of their heroic fidelity; it is because it is just and right that we have been stoically from our children and all who are dear to us, certainly, not without tears, but with a resolute and thoughtful will; finally, it is because our cause is just and right there we entrust, without hesitation, to your goodness and mercy. Take this, Lord, in thy omnipotent aegis, and answer our prayers.

Nous te prions, Seigneur, d’un cœur ardent et ému, pour nos maris, pour nos fils, pour nos frères, pour tous ceux qui nous sont chers, et qui, depuis de longues semaines, combattent à côté de leurs frères d’armes, héroïquement, opiniâtrement, insouciants de toutes les fatigues, de toutes les souffrances, de tous les périls, tout leur être tendu vers cette espérance radieuse qui promet le salut et la déliverance. “Que ta main toute-puissante soutienne leur vaillance et que ta Providence miséricordieuse les couvre de ses ailes protectrices!”

We pray, Lord, with ardent heart and emotion, for our husbands, our sons, our brothers, for all those who are dear to us, and who, for many weeks, fighting alongside their brothers in arms, heroically, obstinately, heedless of all the hardships, all the suffering, all the dangers, their whole being tended towards that radiant hope that promises salvation and deliverance. “Let thy almighty hand support their valor and thy merciful Providence cover them with its protective wings!”

Nous te prions, Seigneur, en faveur de nos chers et glorieux blessés, qui souffrent de leurs blessures, mais qui souffrent davantage encore de l’impuissance où ils se voient réduits pour un temps, de leur impatience frémissante de reprendre bientot leur place dans les combats. Seigneur, toi qui es le “maître de l’a guérison” viens en aide à leurs souffrances; guéris leurs blessures et calme leurs peines morales; conserve-les à leurs parents, à leurs familles, conserve-les à la France.

We pray, Lord, for our dear and glorious wounded, suffering from injuries, but still more suffering from impotence where they see themselves reduced for a time, their simmering impatience soon to soon resume their place in the fighting. Lord, you who are the “master of the healing” have come to the aid of their suffering; healed their wounds and calmed their moral sufferings; keeping them to their parents, their families, keeping them in France.

Nous te prions, Seigneur, pour ceux, hélas! qu’il t’a plu de rappeler à toi, pour cette jeunesse, notre espoir, moissonnée au printemps de la vie. Ah ! pardonne-nous si nous pleurons ; pardonne-nous si nous paraissons nous élever contre les décrets de ta Providence. Non, nous ne voulons pas murmurer; nous voulons “glorifier ton nom” et nous dirons : Puisqu’il t’a plu de nous frapper par des épreuves si cruelles, nous te rendons grâces : d’avoir préparé à ceux que nous pleurons la mort la plus glorieuse, celle qu’on récolte au champ d’honneur. Seigneur, “nous recommandons leur âme pure aux célestes et immortelles félicités que tu réserves, au- helàs de la tombe, aux élus parmi les élus”.

We pray, Lord, for those, alas! it pleased you to remind you, for this youth, our hope, harvested in the spring of life. Ah! forgive us if we cry; forgive us if we seem to stand against the decrees of your Providence. No, we do not want to whisper; we “glorify thy name” and we will say: Since you wished to strike us with such cruel blows, we give thanks: we mourn those preparing for the most glorious death, that is harvested in battle. Lord, “we commend their pure souls to the heavenly and immortal welcomed you have reserve, over – alas! the grave, elected from among the elected.”

Mais si nous te prions pour ceux qui ne sont plus, nous te prions aussi pour ceux qu’ils laissent après eux; nous te prions pour ces parents, pour ces épouses, pour ces enfants, pour tous ces êtres chers qui les entouraient ici-bas comme d’un réseau de tendresse et de sollicitude. Toi qui es “le consolateur suprême”, daigne consoler les affligés, daigne faire descendre dans leur cœur la résignation, la paix, la sérénité. Qu’ils se glorifient dans le souvenir des chers disparus! Qu’ils vivent avec leur douce image! Qu’ils s’inspirent de leur exemple et ils seront, eux aussi, vaillants, intrépides, héroïques.

But if we pray for those who are not you any more, we also pray for those they leave behind them; we pray for these parents, these wives, for these children, for all those loved ones around them down here as a network of tenderness and solicitude. You who are “the supreme comforter,” deign to comfort the afflicted, deign to come down in their heart in resignation, peace, serenity. They pride themselves in the memory of loved ones! They live with their sweet image! They are inspired by their example and they too, will be brave, fearless, heroic.

Nous te prions enfin, Seigneur, avec l’assurance que tu accueillezas les purs hommages de notre foi, de notre foi en ton secours, les témoignages irrécusables de notre piété émue et consciente, avec l’assurance que tu tiendras compte des sacrifices douloureux que nous avons faits pour le salut et la grandeur de la patrie; —nous te prions de faire rayonner bientôt à nos yeux, rayonner dans tout son éclat la victoire, la victoire couronnée par la paix, par le bonheur.

We finally you pray, Lord, with the assurance that you welcome the pure homage of our faith, our faith in thy help, the unimpeachable testimony of our emotional and conscious piety, with the assurance that you will hold account of the painful sacrifices we have made for the salvation and the greatness of the country; – we pray soon to shine victory in all its brilliance, victory in our eyes, victory crowned by peace, by happiness.

“A toi, Seigneur, la délivrance; à nous, ta bénédiction!” (Ps., 3,9). — Amen

“To you, Lord, grant; to us, your blessing!” (Ps. 3.9). – Amen

J.-H. DREYFUSS,
Grand-rabbin de Paris

J.H. Dreyfuss,
Chief Rabbi of Paris

Soldiers of The Great War: Jewish Military Service in WW I, as Reported in l’Univers Israélite (The Jewish World) – “Les aumôniers du culte israélite” (Chaplains of the Jewish Faith), November 27, 1914

Paralleling my research in coverage within The Jewish Chronicle of Jewish military service during World War One, I’ve also reviewed the periodical l’Univers Israélite – The Jewish World – concerning the military service of French Jewish soldiers during that time. Due to the publication schedule of the periodical, as well as the length and format of each issue, the total number of such articles, though many, has turned out to be fewer, and typically of shorter length, than those in the Chronicle.

But, what was published within the l’Univers Israélite was nevertheless as compelling and interesting – sometimes as profound, in its own way – paralleling the nature of what appeared in the Chronicle. Items of note include biographical profiles of French Jewish soldiers (and inevitably military casualties) – many such items, news from foreign Jewish communities, discourses on religion and politics, and, lengthy descriptions of religious services held by, and among, French Jewish soldiers “in the trenches”.

Among the above, one such item is the following: Information aimed at the families of servicemen concerning contacting Jewish chaplains assigned to the various French army corps. Notably, this as the first really “lengthy” concerning French Jewish military service that appeared in l’Univers Israélite, this article did cover actually cover the military experiences of French Jewish soldiers, per se.

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The article is provided in the original French, accompanied by English translation. (My own translation.) Further articles from l’Univers Israélite will be presented in the future. Likewise, translated. In the meantime, a PDF of this article is available here.

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Les aumôniers du culte israélite

En CAMPAGNE

Chaplains of the Jewish Faith
In Campaign

l’Univers Israélite
November 27, 1914

The Jewish World
November 27, 1914

Tous nos coreligionnaires ne savent pas qu’aux armées en campagne sont attachés des aumôniers des différents cultes et que le culte israélite a droit à un aumônier par corps d’armée. Quelques-uns ne tiennent peut-être pas à le savoir. C’est un tort. Même en laissant de coté, si c’est possible, la question de religion et la question de dignité, une considération de sécurité devrait engager tous les israelites à faire appel, le cas échéant, aux bons offices de l’aumônier du culte dont ils relèvent. L’aumônier, qui marche à l’arrière du corps d’armée, peut se mettre en relation avec les militaires israélites dont il connaît l’existence, les visiter s’il y a lieu dans les ambulances, prendre ou se procurer de leurs nouvelles et communiquer avec leurs familles ; assimilé à un officier sans troupes, il peut se charger de recevoir et de distribuer des colis.

Not all of our coreligionists are aware that chaplains of various religions are attached to armies in the field and that Israelite worship is entitled to chaplains by the army corps. Some may not be keen to know. This is wrong. Even leaving aside, if possible, the question of religion and the question of dignity, a security consideration should engage all Israelites to appeal, if any, to the good offices of the chaplain under whom they worship. The chaplain, who walks to the rear of the army corps, can relate to the Israelite soldiers which he is aware, visit the place where the ambulances are taken or obtain their news and communicate with their families; compared to a non-troop officer, he may be responsible for receiving and distributing the packages.

Nous croyons donc rendre service aux familles Israélites qui ont quelqu’un des leurs à l’armée en dressant la liste des aumôniers israélites actuellement en fonctions, avec l’indication du corps d’armée auquel ils sont attachés:

We believe as a service to Israelite families who have someone of theirs in the army listing the current functions of Israelite chaplains, with indicating the army corps to which they are attached:

1er corps           MM     Hermann, rabbin de Reims (en congé).
2e corps                        Tchernaïa, rabbin; ministre-officiant d’Enghien.
3e corps                        Nathan Lévy, rabbin de Rouen.
4e corps                        Albert Hertz, rabbin.
5e corps                        Maurice Zeitlin, rabbin.
6e corps                        Joseph Sachs, rabbin de Châlons-sur-Marne.
7e corps                        Paul Haguenauer, grand-rabbin de Besancon.
8e corps                        Julien Weill, rabbin de Paris
(précédemment M. Schumacher, rabbin de Dijon).
9e corps                        Léon Sommer, sous-rabbin, ministre-officiant de Tours.
13e corps                      Marcel Sachs, rabbin à Paris.
15e corps                      Hirschler, ministre-officiant à Marseille.
16e corps                      Joseph Cohen, gran rabbin de Bayonne.
17e corps                      Moïse Poliatscheck, rabbin de Toulouse.
18e corps                      Ernest Ginsburger, grand rabbin de Genève.
20e corps                     Maurice Eisenbeth, rabbin de Sedan.
Place de Toul,             M. Isaac Bloch, grand-rabbin de Nancy.
Place de Verdun,        M. Jules Ruff, rabbin de Verdun.
Place d’Epinal,           M. L. Sèches, grand-rabbin de Lille.

First Corps                          M.M. Hermann, Rabbi of Reims (on leave).
2nd Corps                           Tchernaia, Rabbi; officiating minister of Enghien.
3rd Corps                            Nathan Levy, Rabbi of Rouen.
4th Corps                            Albert Hertz, Rabbi.
5th Corps                            Maurice Zeitlin, Rabbi.
6th Corps                            Joseph Sachs, Rabbi of Chalons-sur-Marne.
7th Corps                            Haguenauer Paul, Chief Rabbi of Besancon.
8th Corps                            Julien Weill, Rabbi of Paris
(formerly Schumacher, Rabbi of Dijon).
9th Corps                            Sommer Leon, Deputy Rabbi, Officiating Minister of Tours.
13th Corps                         Marcel Sachs, Rabbi in Paris.
15th Corps                         Hirschler, Officiating Minister at Marseille.
16th Corps                         Joseph Cohen, Grand Rabbi of Bayonne.
17th Corps                         Poliatscheck Moses, Rabbi of Toulouse.
18th Corps                         Ernest Ginsburger, Chief Rabbi of Geneva.
20th Corps                         Maurice Eisenbeth, Rabbi of Sedan.
Place de Toul                    M.L. Isaac Bloch, Chief Rabbi of Nancy.
Place de Verdun               M.L. Jules Ruff, Rabbi of Verdun.
Place d’Epinal                  M.L. Sèches, Chief Rabbi of Lille.

En écrivant à un aumônier, on libellera l’adresse comme suit:

M. le rabbin (grand-rabbin) X..
Aumônier du culte israélite
Groupe des brancardiers de Corps
…eme corps d’armée

Writing to a chaplain, words are addressed as follows:

Rabbi M. (Chief Rabbi) X…
Chaplain of the Jewish faith
Corps Stretcher Group
…th Army Corps

La première destination à donner à la lettre est le Bureau central militaire à Paris ou la ville qui est le siège du dépôt de la section d’infirmiers du corps d’armee en question (consulter le tableau affiché dans les bureaux de poste).

The first destination to give the letter is the Military Central Bureau in Paris or the city that is the seat of the filing of the nursing section of the corps in question (see the chart displayed in post offices).

On remarquera que les 10e, 11e, 12e, 14e, 19e, et 21e corps d’armée n’ont pas, à notre connaissance, ou n’ont pas encore d’aumônier israélite. Nous reviendrons sur cette lacune et sur quelques autres desiderata dans un prochain où nous étudierons l’organisation du service de l’aumônerie militaire, au point de vue Israélite, et la place faite à notre culte.

Note that the 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 19th, and 21th army corps have not, to our knowledge, or do not yet, have Israelite chaplains. We will return to this absence and upon some other desiderata in the future or we will study the organization of the service of the military chaplaincy, from the Israelite perspective, that has instead made our worship.