Living Voices - Memories of Jewish War Veterans

Jersey Shore Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Post 125 has had a long and illustrious history. This group of dedicated men and women, supported by an active Ladies Auxiliary, continues to play a vital role as they undertake numerous programs and missions which serve to benefit all veterans as well as the community.

Accomplishments include raising funds for charities, helping hospitalized vets and decorating graves of fellow veterans at Monmouth County cemeteries on Memorial Day. The JWV continues to ...

have an active involvement with Troop 71, Boy Scouts of America, and annually attend several Memorial Day services. Additionally, they will be sponsoring a job fair for veterans at Brookdale Community College on August 27.

On Tuesday, November 13 at 7:15pm at the old Oakhurst School Auditorium, 163 Monmouth Road, a panel of six JWV members who served in World War II, the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War tell about their experiences in a guided interview format.

Marie Curtis will serve as moderator for the program. Ample time will also be allotted for a question and answer session with the audience.

The presentation is open to the public free of charge, however donations are always appreciated. Also, refreshments will be served. Please bring a non-perishable item for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Exhibits, Holiday Boutique and Bakery - "Home for the Holidays - 1945"

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Museum transformed for two days At no time were the separation and sacrifices of World War II more acutely felt than at Christmas. In the four years—from the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor to the surrender of Japanese forces in August 1945, the country struggled to keep the spirit of season alive despite shortages, uncertainties, and missing loved ones. Imagine then, the joy of the first post-war Christmas celebrations. Better yet, join us the first weekend of December when the Woolley House is t... ransformed to tell the story of “Home for Holidays, 1945.” For two days, 11 to 4, Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, the Museum becomes a stage for telling the story of the local homefront and recreating the joy of Christmas and Hanukkah, 1945. It was an extraordinary time in our history. At war’s end, the U.S. government went to heroic lengths to get GIs so long separated from loved ones home for the holidays. “Operation Magic Carpet” returned tens of thousands of GIs from Europe and Asia. “Operation Santa Claus” expedited their discharge. Veterans filled the airports and train and bus stations to overflowing in their rush to get home. Strangers hosted stranded veterans. Neighbors reached out to those who had lost loved ones. For the first time in years, goods and materials once needed to supply the warfront were available on the homefront. Hanukkah, 1945, fell early and was celebrated on November 29. It held special significance for families in light of the horrors of the Holocaust. The holidays of 1945 were an unprecedented and perhaps unmatched time of celebration, gratitude, and joy. Housing shortages, unemployment, labor strife, and civil injustices faced the nation. But for a few days, the country could put its challenges aside and rejoice in the war’s end and the return of loved ones. Our “Home for the Holidays” weekend captures the spirit. - A mini-exhibit contrasts the bitter-sweet war year holidays with the exhuberance of 1945. - War-era model trains, doll houses, and toys fill the Our Town Gallery - The Ocean Township Garden Club fills the Woolley House porch with freshly made wreaths and swags - A Holiday Shop and Bakery--filled with one-of-a-kind, handmade crafts (perfect for gift-giving) and homemade goodies to eat and share--take over the Hearth and Home Gallery. - There’s a “Santa Hunt” for the kids, caroling by the Ocean Township Choir at 2 on Sunday, walking tours of the Museum grounds Saturday and Sunday, and, as always, the drawing of the winning quilt raffle ticket Sunday at 3. “Home for the Holidays” is another in the Museum’s series of exhibits and programs exploring the World War II homefront. Our major exhibit, “Loved Ones Go to War: Local Stories of World War II” forms a backdrop for this two-day event. Start the celebration of this year’s holiday with a visit to the remarkable season of 1945. Consider holiday shopping for locally crafted, hand-made gifts from our Holiday Shop. Please join us.