Jewish Chaplain Candidate Sues Army over Beard

Chabad.org updates the case of Rabbi Menachem M. Stern, previously mentioned, who is suing the US Army over its policy prohibiting his service due to his beard.  The Army gave him a commission and then rescinded it the next day, citing an administrative error.

Stern’s case cites the fact the military has allowed three Sikhs and one Muslim to have grooming waivers even as his application was denied.

Attorney Nathan Lewin, who represented Air Force chaplain Mitchell Geller in his successful 1976 effort to maintain a previously-sanctioned beard, is serving as Stern’s counsel. He believes the Army has a weak case.

“Given its acceptance of Sikhs and Muslims with beards and its policy of allowing beards to be grown after initial entry on service, I see little wiggle-room for the Army,” he said.