Speaking Engagements

My love for history was forged with Jewish generations before me in York PA. My Great Grandfather was a founding member of the JCC in 1910. Both my Father and myself were boy scouts in Troop 37 - founded by Rabbi Alexander D. Goode. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth Israel as a Board Member, Vice President & President. And my daughter Danielle was the 3rd Lavetan to serve as the JCC Board President.

Seeking more historical perspectives led me to the Four Chaplains' Memorial of York County, where I served as VP/Co-Chair for the Annual Memorial Prayer Breakfast. This organization is dedicated to educating the local community on the story of the four U.S. Army Chaplains who demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness during World War II during the sinking of the USS Dorchester, as well as honoring those who display selflessness in their own service efforts. Among them, York's Rabbi Alexander D. Goode.

Today I am embarking on a program to provide education about Rabbi Goode & Jewish History in York to religious groups, civic organizations and classrooms throughout the county – ensuring that Rabbi Goode’s message of "Unity over Uniformity" will continue to have an impact on future generations.

I am very passionate about the Four Chaplains' legacy and Jewish history in York. And I continue to be fascinated with every new nugget of history I discover.

Let me bring my passion, my historical knowledge, and my experience to your group. They will leave with a new-found sense of understanding and wonder. And most importantly - hopefully - they will continue to repeat the stories to keep Jewish history alive in York PA.

When can we talk about this for your group? (click to schedule)

Jewish History in York County, PA

York's Jewish community has roots dating back to the mid-18th century, with the first Jewish family, the Ettings, arriving in 1756.

A more established Jewish presence emerged in the mid-1800s with German Jewish immigrants, leading to the formation of the first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel, in 1877.

Over time, other congregations like Ohev Sholom and Adas Israel were established, alongside the York JCC, reflecting the growth and diversification of the community.

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The Story of The Four Chaplains

On Feb. 3, at 12:55 a.m., an officer aboard the German submarine U-223 spotted the U.S.A.T. Dorchester carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers.. He gave orders to fire the torpedoes. The hit was decisive--and deadly-striking the starboard side, amid ship, far below the water line.

Quickly and quietly the four chaplains spread out among the soldiers. There they tried to calm the frightened, tend the wounded and guide the disoriented toward safety. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers. Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, 672 died, leaving 230 survivors. When the news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and heroic conduct of the four chaplains.

Rabbi Alexander D. Goode

Alexander David Goode was a rabbi and a lieutenant in the United States Army. He was one of the Four Chaplains who gave their lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the Dorchester during World War II.

In 1941, Rabbi Goode founded Boy Scout Troop 37 in York as a multi-cultural mixed race troop, the first troop in the U.S. to have scouts earn Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant awards.

An elementary school in York, PA is named in Rabbi Goode's honor. A mural of Rabbi Goode and the other three chaplains who died with him is displayed in the school's lobby.

Charles Walter David Jr.

Another hero who served as a Steward's Mate in the United States Coast Guard, died of pneumonia after rescuing other sailors from the frigid North Atlantic.

He was assigned to the USCGC Comanche during World War II, which was assigned to escort the Dorchester.David volunteered to dive into the frigid waters to rescue exhausted crew and passengers from the Dorchester. David also rescued several other Comanche crew members, who grew exhausted.

The Four Chaplains' Memorial Prayer Breakfast

The Four Chaplains’ Prayer Breakfast started in 1993, when a small committee gathered with the mission to honor the Four Chaplains, and in particular, Rabbi Goode.

Gordon Freireich (RIP), former editor of the York Sunday News, and Allen Damashek (RIP), a local businessman and director of the York Jewish Community Center, led the group, with the initial idea to host an event, invite a speaker, and raise money for a scholarship.

The Four Chaplains’ Prayer Breakfast is held each year in memory of the Four Chaplains. We honor their selfless sacrifice by recognizing local leaders who live by their values and continue their legacy by awarding former students from the Rabbi Alexander D. Goode Elementary School with scholarships that impact their future.

Four Chaplains' Story Set in Steel

On Memorial Day, 2025 the Four Chaplains of the Dorchester and Charles David of the Comanche were honored as a quintet in the groundbreaking for a new monument in York’s Veterans Memorial Park.

That marker commemorates the brave deeds on that winter night in the North Atlantic when heroism was demanded and Four Chaplains and a Coast Guard messmate answered the call.