During the week of 8th – 14th  February Rabbi Arnold Saunders, the UK Military’s first Jewish Civilian Chaplain visited Bergen-Hohne Garrison. The purpose of the visit was for Rabbi Saunders to better understand the Army and its units. Hosted for the week by 7th Armoured Brigade’s Senior Chaplain Philip Bosher, Rabbi Saunders enjoyed a varied calendar of events from school and unit visits, prayers in the garrison’s churches to a guided tour of Bergen Belsen.

During the school visits Rabbi Saunders had the opportunity to take assembly and speak to the children which he described as the “most enjoyed aspect” of his visit. The unit visits saw Rabbi Saunders embedded with a local Army Chaplain touring the unit, kitting up in greens, giving him an insight into Garrison Life, of this he said “It is important for a chaplain to be involved at unit level, as Rabbi to the whole Armed Forces it is important to get this view and for the soldiers and families to see the Rabbi.”

Rabbi Saunders received a guided tour of Bergen Belsen which was the most “poignant and emotional” part of the visit.

Born in Manchester Rabbi Saunders holds a commission in the Territorial Army as an Army Cadet Force (ACF) chaplain serving the Greater Manchester ACF, he is also an avid Manchester United Fan having once been mistaken as Malcolm Glazier at a match.