You are cordially invited to attend our 61st annual Four Chaplains Memorial Service and Brotherhood Award Program on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady’s Poling Chapel. 

For more than a half century, this event has honored the four chaplains who gave their lives in the sinking of the troopship Dorchester on February 3, 1943. It honors those whose services and devotion in the practice of brotherhood are deserving of our recognition.

On behalf of the Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award committee, I am pleased to announce the recipient for 2026 will be Amanda Aussems-Poskanzer of Slingerlands, N.Y.

After the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, Amanda felt compelled to do something in the local community. She was devastated by the atrocities committed and her heart ached for the over 200 hostages kidnapped from their families. 

Knowing the strong Jewish community in Albany, Amanda was certain she was not alone in her grief and wanted to connect with others feeling the same- she sought to provide our community with comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose during this devastating time. 

Amanda, being a competitive runner herself, stumbled upon a group called Run for Their Lives and soon started the Albany, N.Y., chapter of the “Run for Their Lives” initiative. 

Run for Their Lives is a global movement, which now has over 200 groups worldwide, whose primary goal is to raise awareness and attention calling for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas. 

Since December 31, 2023, the Albany group has met every Sunday, walking for at least 18 minutes to show solidarity with the innocents held captive and bring attention to the current hostage crisis. 

This weekly group has advocated at the state capitol for the U.S. citizens from N.Y., donated to plant a Chai garden of trees in Israel for a local family whose brother was killed during the attack on Nahal Oz, and has collaborated with other groups in Albany such as Amidah and the Jewish Federation to provide a safe, productive, and peaceful outlet for the Jewish community to bring light to others and speak up for those who currently have no voice.

The final 20 living hostages from Gaza were released October 13, 2025, after a negotiated ceasefire. 

For comrades new to the Four Chaplains Award, Albany Post 105 of the Jewish War Veterans has led this effort to recognize a member of our community since 1966. 

The First Reformed Church is located at 8 North Church Street in Schenectady, off State Street near the Stockade District.

Please RSVP your attendance to me by Thursday, January 29 at rgoldenb@nycap.rr.com or 518-225-3893.