U.S. Air Force Chaplaincy
U.S. Air Force Rabbi, Chaplain, Captain Sarah D. Schechter (standing and wearing a tallit, prayer shawl) leads the evening le'il shabbat service on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 at Lackland Air Force Base's Airmen Memorial Chapel. The more than 25 basic military trainees and other attendees participated in a religious education class, then Ma'ariv prayer service for the setting of the sun, followed by a meal provided by lay leaders supporting the service. Because of training schedules some ceremonies and events are earlier than traditionally held. By order of commanders, those who want to attend any or all religious services of their choosing are given full permission and opportunity to do so. Chaplain, Captain Schechter is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and considers her deployment there to be one of the highlights of her career. Schechter is the first woman rabbi in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lance Cheung)