Jews in Green notes the services of Kosher Troops, a non-profit whose purpose in life is to create and ship kosher care packages to deployed servicemembers.

Kosher Troops now sends packages to Jewish soldiers stationed around the world, including kosher meals and staples of kosher products to supplement what they are getting from the military. Kosher Troops also sends at least 300 traditional- themed holiday baskets before each Yom Tov. It’s not just for holidays either. On a weekly basis, Kosher Troops sends Shabbat packages to Jewish troops that include challah, grape juice, bentchers, candles, and more…

As with any other belief system, it can sometimes be challenging to obtain religious support materials when deployed around the world in support of military operations.  Sometimes, too, it is simply encouraging to receive support from like-minded people of faith “back home.”

JiG also mentioned The Aleph Institute, which ships “thousands of packages” containing Jewish materials to Jews in the US military around the world.  While these “bulk” shipments may be “contrary to Islam,” not unlike shipments of Bibles and other Christian items, these materials help protect the religious freedom of US servicemembers who are risking their lives to protect others.  While some critics have cringed, the US military has not been shy in permitting its religious adherents to practice their faiths even in countries where those religions might not be welcomed.  (The 6-foot Menorah in Saddam Hussein’s palace has been a popular example.)

The US military generally does an admirable job of providing religious resources to the faith adherents in its ranks, regardless of the particular belief system. When it cannot do so, or when more is desired, civilian support groups have fulfilled a valuable role in supporting the religious freedom of US troops around the world.