Department of Defense honors Michele Schipper, ISJL

From left to right, Lt. Col. R. Robert Bartran III, Rabbi Aaron A. Rozovsky, Michele Schipper, Major Terry Adair. Photo by Rachel Glazer, courtesy Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

On June 24, the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life’s annual education conference had an event unlike anything in previous conferences. Michele Schipper, ISJL chief executive officer, was honored with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award.

The award was presented to her by Lieutenant Colonel R. Robert Bartran III, Battalion Commander of the 112th Military Police Battalion Mississippi Army National Guard and Full-Time Mobilization Readiness Officer for the Mississippi National Guard; and Major Terry Adair, Executive Officer and Full-Time Administrative Officer for the 112th Military Police Battalion Mississippi Army National Guard.

Schipper was given this award in recognition of extraordinary support of ISJL’s director of rabbinical services, Rabbi Aaron Rozovsky, who serves in the National Guard.

Schipper was nominated by Rozovsky, who serves as Battalion Chaplain of the 112th Military Police Battalion Mississippi Army National Guard.

Between ISJL and the Army National Guard, “I have two of the best jobs in the world,” Rozovsky said, as he introduced the award presentation. He spoke of the challenges of balancing civilian employment with deployment and service, adding: “If it wasn’t for our families, our communities, our employers… we could not do what we do.”

Bartran thanked Schipper for her support of the Guard, and of Rozovsky. Bartran also noted that “there are only five rabbis in the National Guard — and so to have (Rozovsky) assigned to me, and here in Mississippi, is such a thrill.”

Adair then read the text of the award presented to Schipper: “The Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognizes Michele Schipper, Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, as a Patriotic Employer, for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force.”