A swearing in ceremony was held on Friday at Wake Forest University for Rabbi Michael Gisser. Born in Canada, Gisser became a U.S. citizen two years ago.
He said he always wanted to serve as a U.S. military chaplain because his father, a Holocaust survivor, was liberated from a concentration camp at Dachau.
“This is an opportunity for me to start a journey to give thanks back to our country. My father was liberated by American soldiers in 1945 and becoming a Chaplain in the U.S. military gives me a chance to say thanks in action,” said Gisser.
Some Wake Forest University students from the ROTC program attended the ceremony along with Gisser’s family and friends. He said he’s looking forward to serving the community in his new role.
“ Seeing a Rabbi, a role model on campus for them , I think is very important to them, and someone who is older and not part of the ROTC , who is part of the Reserve and who is the chaplain to help with their support and spiritual life is a perfect opportunity,” said Gisser.
Gisser said he plans to wear his military uniform alongside the ROTC students on campus every Thursday.
