Rabbi Dovid Goldstrom

United States Army, Baghdad, Iraq

Feb 10, 2015

Rabbi David Goldstrom was born in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in New Milford, New Jersey where he attended school, graduating from both New Milford High School and the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Prozdor High School in New York City in 1983.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1984 at the age of nineteen and remained on active duty until 1994, when he left active duty as a special warfare combatant craft captain. He then entered the U.S. Army Reserves Transportation Corps, serving as a non-commissioned officer and boatswain, and then as a chief warrant officer in command of the Army ship, Harpers Ferry, from 1996 until 2000.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English literature from the University of the State of New York; a combined Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and biology from Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington; and, a Master of Science degree in counseling psychology from Tarleton State University, Stephensville, Texas, and a Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Seminary, Due West, South Carolina. While serving in the Army Reserves, he studied full time at Yeshiva Ohr Somayach, Monsey, New York, where he earned a degree in Talmudic Studies and received semicha in 2001. His major assignments have included: Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; Assault Craft Unit Five, Camp Pendleton, CA; Special Boat Unit XI, Mare Island, CA; 481st Transportation Company, Stockton, CA; 15th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Hood, TX; 404th Aviation Support Battalion, Tikrit, Iraq; Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX; Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX; 4th Squadron, 3d US Cavalry, Fort Hood, TX and Baghdad, Iraq; 10th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, NY; and the 2d Brigade Combat Team, Paktika, Afghanistan. He has served as the Brigade Chaplain for the 2d Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), in Fort Drum, NY since 2010.

Rabbi Goldstrom is a Board Certified Jewish Chaplain, a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Approved Supervisor.

Rabbi Goldstrom's military education includes U.S. Army Marine Deck Officer and the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, a one year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education, the Captain's Career Course, the Brigade Chaplain Functional Course, and is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College.

His awards and decorations include: Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Bronze Star Medal (4th Award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), US Navy Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, US Navy Battle "E", US Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Unit Battle "E", Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Rabbi Goldstrom and his wife Hadassah live in the United States of America with their two children.