Rabbi Arnie Resnicoff’s life took a fateful turn on October 23, 1983, when he found himself
amidst the chaos and devastation of the Beirut barracks bombing, a bombing that took the lives
of 241 U.S. servicemembers in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Rabbi
Resnicoff was in Beirut to conduct a memorial service for Staff Sgt. Allen Soifert, a Jewish
Marine killed by a sniper. Due to his observance of the Jewish Sabbath, he remained in Beirut
following the service. When the bomb exploded, he was in a nearby building and immediately
rushed to the site, becoming one of the first rescuers on the scene. Rabbi Resnicoff spent the
entire day pulling survivors from the rubble and providing comfort to the dying. During the
rescue, he lost his yarmulke, and Father George Pucciarelli crafted him a new one from the
camouflage cover of a helmet. His actions that day were later chronicled in a letter to his wife
and mother and in a report used by President Reagan. Today, Rabbi Resnicoff shares powerful
memories of October 23, 1983, in the last episode of our limited series: Beirut Survivors.

Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff began his naval career as an enlisted man in the reserves during
high school and served as a Navy line officer in Vietnam, where his ship was the first to enter
Cambodia in 1970. After Vietnam and a stint with Naval Intelligence in Europe, he left the Navy
to study at rabbinical school. Returning to the Navy Chaplain Corps, he served on active duty
for nearly 25 years, earning the Defense Superior Service Medal for his work with military and
civilian leaders throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Rabbi Resnicoff also served as
the National Director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee and continues
to be a consultant on interfaith values and interreligious affairs. His life of service, both in and
out of uniform, reflects a deep commitment to faith, humanity, and the enduring bonds forged in
moments of profound challenge.

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