Orthodox Jewish Chaplaincy Board Honored

(L-R) OJCB Director and Senior Chaplain Howard Winkler; Chaplains Israel Hirsch and Gavriel Cohen; Sheriff Lee Baca; Lt. Joseph Badali; Nutritionist Lillian Saldana; and OJCB Executive Administrator Chaplain Devorah Lunger.

Orthodox Jewish Chaplaincy Board Honored

Date: Wednesday, April 28 2010

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca recognized members of the Orthodox Jewish Chaplaincy Board (OJCB) and members of the LASD Food Services Unit who've worked vigorously to set up and maintain a kosher food program for Jewish inmates. An awards ceremony took place in Baca's office at Sheriff's Headquarters in Monterey Park. Baca commended the OJCB director, Chaplain Howard Winkler, OJCB Chaplains Rabbi Israel Hirsch, Rabbi Gavriel Cohen and Rabbi Shimon Raichik, and the OJCB's executive administrator, Chaplain Devorah Lunger, for "dedicated and outstanding service to the Sheriff's Department" and "for ministering to the needs of inmates, educating our law enforcement constituency, and providing religious support and spiritual guidance."

The sheriff presented certificates to Lieutenant Joseph A. Badali and Lillian Saldana, MPA, RD, of the Food Services Unit. Winkler presented Baca with a plaque from the OJCB, "In recognition of outstanding assistance, continued support and endorsement of the Orthodox Jewish Chaplaincy Board." Winkler also presented plaques to Badaliand Saldana from the OJCB, which read, "In recognition of your outstanding contribution of time, talent and energy to the Kosher Food Program at the Los Angeles County Jails. Your hard work and personal responsibilities have had a positive impact on the lives of the needy and those who are truly dependent upon your actions."

OJCB chaplains regularly visit Jewish inmates in many of the LASD jail facilities located throughout the sprawling 4,082 square- mile county. There are approximately 20,000 inmates in the county jail system. Nearly 100 of those inmates are Jewish, and many of them are served by OJCB chaplains.