By Susan Laume:
Those who live in the Washington D.C. metro area often forget that national news makers also are often neighbors. This includes Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was abruptly removed from his position at the National Security Council, and escorted out of his office, after testifying in the impeachment investigation of President Trump.
Vindman became a national figure during his October 2019 Congressional testimony, part of the U.S. House of Representatives’ impeachment investigation. Vindman was the first White House official to testify who actually took part in a July 25, 2019, telephone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Trump asked Zelensky for “a favor ” — investigation of political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Two days after Trump’s acquittal of impeachment charges by the Senate on Feb.5, Vindman was removed from his office at the NSC and later was reassigned to attend the US Army War College. At about this time, Trump accused Vindman of saying “horrible things” about him.
Vindman’s lawyer, Ambassador David Pressman, said, “There is no question in the mind of any American why this man’s job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House. … During his decades of service to this country, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman has served quietly but dutifully, and he has served with honor. He came into the public eye only when subpoenaed to testify before Congress, and he did what the law demanded. …The truth has cost …his job, his career, and his privacy.”
He may be a hero to Democrats and a scoundrel to Republicans, but around Springfield, VA, Vindman and his family have long been simply known as members of a small Jewish synagogue, Congregation Adat Reyim. “The Vindman family is a valued member of Congregation Adat Reyim’s community of friends,” said synagogue Co-President Rebecca Geller.
Vindman has asked those who want to show their support for him to write and donate to the synagogue, and the small congregation of about 250 members and families has been overwhelmed by hundreds of letters in support of the Vindmans.
“We are proud to support Lt Col. Alex Vindman during this challenging time,” said Geller. “If community members are seeking ways to show support, we are honored that the Vindman family has requested that donations be made to the synagogue… (as well as) letters and postcards of support on his behalf.”
Adat Reyim, which means “community of friends”, is a non-affiliated Jewish sect which celebrates the diversity of Jewish beliefs.
Donations can be made to the synagogue at www.adatreyim.org, or mailed to 6500 Westbury Ct, Springfield VA 22152.
Susan Laume is a member of the Springfield District Democratic Committee and director of the Virginia Dog Army, an animal advocacy group. She and her dog work as a therapy dog team.
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