About us
The Four Chaplains' Memorial of York County
Honoring the Four Chaplains, and especially York's Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, by recognizing selfless service and supporting the next generation.
Our history
A small committee with a big idea
The Four Chaplains' Memorial of York County began in the early 1990s, when a small committee of local residents came together to honor the Four Chaplains and, in particular, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode.
Gordon Freireich, former editor of the York Sunday News, and Allan Dameshek, a local businessman and former director of the York Jewish Community Center, led the group. Their plan was simple: host an event, invite a speaker, and raise money for a scholarship fund.
The first Four Chaplains' Prayer Breakfast in York was held in February 1993, marking the 50th anniversary of the chaplains' deaths. No one imagined it would become the annual event it is today, with hundreds of guests, thousands of dollars in scholarships, and an endowment fund with the York County Community Foundation.
See it in York
The Four Chaplains mural
At 137 West Market Street in York. Commissioned by Flinchbaugh Engineering, Inc. in 1998 and painted by Connie Burns Watkins.
Rabbi Goode's pulpit was Temple Beth Israel in York, and the Alexander D. Goode Elementary School in the York City School District carries his name.
Leadership
Board of Directors
- Hal Carney
- Josh Juffe
- Royce Clemens
- Rev. Keith Fair
- Barry Freeland
- JT Hand
- Rabbi Melody Davis
- Nathan Lightner
- Paul Schiffbauer Jr.
- Mike Sharp
- Bryan Tate
- Jomo Beatty
- Adriel Resh
Legion of Honor Award
Ordinary people who do extraordinary things
The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation in Philadelphia established the Legion of Honor program to publicly recognize people whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation and humanity, without regard to race, religion or creed, as the Four Chaplains did.
The Four Chaplains' Memorial of York County carries on the award here at home. Each year we recognize exceptional, selfless service by people who contribute to the well-being of their community and to the spirit of interfaith cooperation in our corner of the world.
“Recognizing ordinary people who do extraordinary things.”
Past honorees
Know someone who should be recognized? Tell us about them.