Join us at Shabbat Renewal in our Freedman Levit Sanctuary as we honor our Veterans and hear from a special guest speaker, United States Marine Corps Sergeant Erik Danvers.

So that we may honor their service and commitment, we encourage all of our Veterans to wear their medals or decorations during this special occasion so that we can better recognize and thank them all.

Shabbat Renewal is also streamed live to our home page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

More about Sergeant Erik Danvers:

Sergeant Erik H. Danvers is a native of Queens, New York. He joined the United States Marine Corps’ Delayed Entry Program on June 18, 2008 out of Tampa, Florida. On June 23, 2008, he left to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. On September 18, 2008, he completed recruit training and was promoted to the rank of Private First Class. He went home for a short break and then reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for
Marine Combat Training. He completed Marine Combat Training on October 28, 2008 and left for Marine Occupational Speciality (MOS) training in Dam Neck, Virginia at the Navy Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC). He attended the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Intelligence Specialist - Entry Level (IS-E) course. On February 2, 2009, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. On February 27, 2009, he graduated from MAGTF IS-E with 97.14% GPA and was designated as the class honor graduate.

On March 14, 2009, he reported to his first unit, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. On July 1, 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. On November 14, 2010, he re-enlisted into the Marine Corps for another 4 years. On December 16, 2012, he reported to his second unit, Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On February 1, 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. On March 3, 2014, he attended the Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy and graduated on April 2, 2014. On September 19, 2014, he reported to his third unit, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Air Group 16, 3rd Marine Air Wing aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center TwentyNine Palms, California. On April 6, 2015, he attended the NMITC MAGTF Intelligence Specialist - Journeyman course and graduated on May 29, 2015. On
October 25, 2015, he graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor - Intelligence Officer Course. His service with the United States Marine Corps ended on July 14, 2017 and he began attending college that fall semester at Columbia University in the City of New York. 

During his time in service, he deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND). Outside of his MOS, Sergeant Danvers worked as an Instructor and Coach for Marksmanship training, Corporals Course, Lance Corporal Seminar, and Drug Education for the Youth. Sergeant Danvers’s personal decorations include: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,
Presidential Unit Citation - Navy, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 3 Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Kuwait), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment (2), Navy Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal - International
Security Assistance Forces Afghanistan, Certificates of Commendation, and Certificates of Appreciation.