USNA Chaplain

RABBI SETH D. PHILLIPS, LCDR, CHC, USN

Lieutenant Commander Seth D. Phillips grew up in Richmond, Virginia.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State in 1973 and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College in 1979.

Rabbi Phillips has served civilian congregations in Ohio, Australia, and Florida. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in July 1992, he has been assigned to Camp Smedley D Butler, Okinawa, Japan, Destroyer Squadron Two, and the historic Commodore Levy Chapel on Naval Station Norfolk. In 2003, he completed a year-long residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. Chaplain Phillips was then assigned as Deputy Director for the Spiritual Fitness Center in Groton, Connecticut until 2006. In 2005 & 2006, he made 3 trips to Iraq in support of II MEF, spending a total of 4 months in country. Besides visiting Marine and Army bases to conduct Jewish services, Chaplain Phillips served as the battalion chaplain for 2BN, 6th Marines outside of Falluja.  He transferred to Naval Support Activity, Naples, Italy in June 2006. During his 3 year tour of Naples, Chaplain Phillips completed 12 marathons, including the Boston Marathon and was the subject of an Armed Forces Network story on his running. He arrived at the Naval Academy in June 2009.

Rabbi Phillips is married to the lovely Marjory Kramer of Teaneck, NJ. They share three children and an interest in travel and crosswords.

The daily work of delivering religious ministry at the Academy is accomplished by a dedicated team of experienced active-duty Navy chaplains, Religious Program Specialists, civilian employees, and volunteers. While the ministry is focused on the Brigade of Midshipmen, they welcome guests and visitors to the public services.  For information on services visit the USNA website.

Jewish Chaplains that have served at the Naval Academy

*Commander Norman Auerbach, CHC, USN (Ret.)  1985-1989
Captain Albert Slomovitz, CHC, USN (Ret.)  1989-1992
Commander Robert Feinberg, CHC, USN (Ret.) 1992-1995
Commander Jonathan Panitz, CHC, USN (Ret.)  1995-1998
Captain Irving A. Elson, CHC, USN  1998-2002 and 2005-2007
Commander Joel Newman, CHC, USN   2002-2005
Lieutenant Daniella M. Kolodny, CHC, USN   2007-2009
Rabbi Seth D. Phillips, LCDR, CHC, USN   2009-Present

*of Blessed Memory