The January 5 Coast Guard Auxiliary ceremony in Miami Lakes was a unique event. Coast Guard officers, auxiliary members, and guests came together for a Change of Watch Event. The new flotilla commander, Isaac Rosenberg, his family and many of the guests who attended the program were Orthodox Jews. The atmosphere was a friendly and respectful exchange, with lots of good-natured banter and obvious affection.
Isaac Rosenberg, known as Yitzy to friends and family and Rabbi Isaac to his Coast Guard buddies, is an exceptional individual. Although Rosenberg has a mobility issue, he never lets it get him down. In fact, he is an accomplished licensed pilot, has flown as a Coast Guard mission pilot, and is about to begin his third deployment on a Coast Guard vessel in a grueling maritime patrol.
Rosenberg’s challenges are met head on. His only accommodations usually involve kosher food and adherence to various halachot he needs to deal with while at sea. He is grateful for the Coast Guard’s cooperation in these matters. A recent deployment coincided with Chanukah and “Rabbi Isaac” lit a menorah through the eight nights.
The Change of Watch program included an invocation given by Miami Beach Rabbi Pinchas A. Weberman, award presentations, recognition of the accomplishments of District 7, Division 9, guest speakers, and the swearing in of both new members and flotilla staff officers.
Flotilla Commander Rosenberg says, “It is an honor to give back and show that Jewish-Americans participate and appreciate America.”