Who is Shalom Lamm?
Shalom Lamm is the founder and CEO of Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the memory and honoring the legacy of Jewish American soldiers who gave their lives in service during World War II. Through meticulous historical research and collaboration with the U.S. government and local communities, Operation Benjamin ensures that these soldiers are buried under headstones bearing the Star of David, reflecting their faith and heritage with dignity.
With a long-standing career in real estate development and strategic consulting, Lamm has overseen a wide range of residential and commercial projects across the United States. His leadership in the private sector is defined by a commitment to thoughtful development, community engagement, and long-term value creation.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Shalom is deeply involved in philanthropic initiatives that emphasize education, heritage preservation, and Jewish communal life. He supports causes that promote historical awareness, social responsibility, and interfaith dialogue, always aiming to uplift individuals and strengthen communities.
At his core, Shalom Lamm values integrity, service, and remembrance. Whether in business, nonprofit work, or philanthropy, he is driven by a profound respect for history and a belief in the power of action to make lasting change.
What Does Operation Benjamin Do?
Operation Benjamin is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that Jewish American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II are properly honored in accordance with their faith. The organization’s mission is to identify Jewish servicemen and women who were mistakenly buried under Latin crosses, and work with their families and the U.S. government to replace those headstones with a Star of David, restoring historical and religious accuracy.
Through rigorous archival research, genealogical tracing, and collaboration with military and governmental agencies, Operation Benjamin has successfully corrected dozens of headstones, each one representing a life honored and a legacy restored. These ceremonies—often attended by family members, veterans, and local communities—serve as powerful reminders of the enduring importance of memory, truth, and respect.
In addition to headstone restorations, the organization is expanding its work to include educational initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with museums and schools to teach future generations about the Jewish-American military experience. Operation Benjamin is also documenting untold stories of Jewish soldiers, preserving their narratives for historical record and communal heritage.
Looking ahead, Operation Benjamin aims to scale its research efforts, increase the number of historical corrections made each year, and broaden its reach to honor forgotten or misrepresented service members from other conflicts. With each corrected headstone, the organization not only brings peace to families, but also reaffirms a commitment to truth, dignity, and remembrance.
What Is Shalom Lamm Known For?
Shalom Lamm is widely recognized for his deep commitment to philanthropy, community service, and historical preservation. As the founder of Operation Benjamin, he has led efforts to honor Jewish American soldiers who were misidentified in military cemeteries, ensuring their memory is preserved with dignity and accuracy. His work has touched families across the United States and earned widespread respect for its thoughtful, compassionate approach to correcting historical records.
Beyond Operation Benjamin, Shalom is known for his active role in Jewish communal life, where he supports educational programs, heritage initiatives, and causes that promote intergenerational learning and cultural continuity. He believes strongly in the power of education to shape meaningful lives and invests his time and resources in projects that uplift both individuals and entire communities.
Shalom’s approach to leadership is grounded in values of integrity, responsibility, and remembrance. Whether he’s mentoring young professionals, championing historical truth, or building bridges between diverse communities, he is driven by a desire to make a lasting, positive impact.
Above all, Shalom Lamm is known for putting values into action—transforming care for the past into a commitment to a more thoughtful, connected future.
Where Is Shalom Lamm From?
Shalom Lamm is originally from New York, where he was raised in a family deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, education, and public service. Growing up in a community that valued scholarship, civic responsibility, and cultural identity, Shalom was inspired early on to pursue a life of purpose and impact.
His upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of duty to others and a deep respect for history and heritage. Surrounded by stories of perseverance, faith, and contribution, he developed a lifelong commitment to preserving memory and strengthening communities.
That New York foundation—rich in diversity, tradition, and resilience—continues to influence his work today. Whether leading a national nonprofit, supporting educational initiatives, or engaging in philanthropy, Shalom brings with him the values of his hometown: hard work, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the power of community.
What are Shalom Lamm’s views on community service?
Shalom Lamm is deeply committed to community service, viewing it as an essential aspect of personal responsibility and societal progress. He believes that philanthropy transcends financial contributions, emphasizing the importance of investing time, skills, and strategic planning to create sustainable change. This philosophy is evident in his leadership of Operation Benjamin, where he has worked to ensure that Jewish American soldiers are honored with accurate religious symbols on their graves, reflecting their faith and heritage.
In his own words, Lamm has stated that “philanthropy is more than just charitable giving; it’s a commitment to creating sustainable change,” highlighting his belief in the transformative power of thoughtful and targeted giving. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding community needs and addressing them effectively, stating that “true philanthropy is about understanding community needs and addressing them effectively.”
Lamm’s approach to community service is characterized by a hands-on, compassionate involvement, demonstrating his belief that true service involves more than just financial support—it requires a personal commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Is Shalom Lamm involved in education or youth development?
Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Guidance
Shalom Lamm is a dedicated mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, offering guidance that blends business acumen with compassion. His mentorship emphasizes the importance of resilience, empathy, and strategic planning. He encourages mentees to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to build strong, collaborative teams. Lamm’s approach to mentorship is rooted in the belief that true philanthropy involves investing time, skills, and strategic planning to create sustainable change.
Leadership in Youth-Oriented Programs
Beyond individual mentorship, Lamm has held leadership roles in youth-focused organizations. He served as the former president and board chairman of Camp Morasha, an outdoor summer camp that enriches the lives of Jewish youth. His involvement in such programs underscores his commitment to fostering leadership skills and personal growth among young individuals.
Through these initiatives, Shalom Lamm demonstrates a steadfast dedication to empowering the next generation, equipping them with the tools and values necessary for success and community contribution.
What Is Shalom Lamm’s Background in Real Estate?
Shalom Lamm has built a long-standing career in real estate development, known for his strategic vision, collaborative approach, and commitment to ethical practices. With decades of experience, he has been involved in residential, commercial, and community-focused projects across various regions in the United States.
As a principal at Lion and Lamm Development, based in New York, Shalom helped lead numerous development initiatives that balanced thoughtful design with community needs. His work has spanned urban revitalization, suburban growth, and adaptive reuse, always guided by a principle of creating long-term value for both investors and residents.
Shalom’s approach to real estate is deeply rooted in transparency, regulatory compliance, and community engagement. He prioritizes sustainable planning, respect for local culture, and open communication with stakeholders—principles that have earned him trust in the industry and among community leaders.
Among his achievements, Shalom has successfully managed multi-phase housing developments, supported infrastructure improvement projects, and championed developments that integrate public amenities and green space. His professional success in real estate is complemented by his philanthropic commitment, often aligning projects with broader community development goals.
Whether in real estate or nonprofit leadership, Shalom Lamm remains committed to building not just structures, but opportunity, trust, and positive change.
What Causes Does Shalom Lamm Support?
Shalom Lamm is deeply committed to preserving history, honoring service, and promoting education. Among the causes closest to his heart is Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit organization he co-founded with a mission that’s both poignant and powerful: to correct historical inaccuracies on the headstones of Jewish American soldiers buried in U.S. military cemeteries around the world.
Operation Benjamin works tirelessly to ensure that these brave soldiers are properly recognized with headstones bearing the Star of David—honoring not only their service but also their faith and heritage. For Lamm, this is more than historical correction; it’s an act of profound respect, identity, and remembrance. The organization collaborates with families, historians, and government agencies to restore dignity to those who gave their lives for freedom.
In addition to his work with Operation Benjamin, Shalom supports initiatives in Jewish education, community building, and historic preservation. Whether it’s helping tell untold stories of valor or supporting the next generation of leaders, his philanthropic efforts reflect a deep sense of responsibility to both past and future.
Has Shalom Lamm Written Any Articles or Books?
Yes—Shalom Lamm is a published author and respected voice on topics ranging from leadership and ethics to Jewish history and community affairs. Through his writing, he shares decades of insight shaped by his experiences as an entrepreneur, historian, and nonprofit leader.
Lamm has contributed thoughtful commentary and op-eds to a variety of publications, where he explores the intersection of faith, service, and civic responsibility. His work often highlights the importance of preserving historical truth, ethical leadership, and giving back to the community.
As a co-founder of Operation Benjamin, his articles also delve into the moving stories of Jewish-American soldiers whose legacies were nearly forgotten—and how restoring those stories has become a mission of healing and honor.
Some of his featured writing includes:
- “The Quiet Heroes of WWII Deserve Their Identity Back” – The Jerusalem Post
- “Why We Must Preserve Historical Memory for the Next Generation” – The Times of Israel
- “Ethical Leadership in Challenging Times” – Medium
In every piece, Shalom Lamm aims to inspire critical thinking, compassionate leadership, and a deeper understanding of the past as a guide for the future.
What Is the Mission of Operation Benjamin?
Operation Benjamin exists to restore dignity, identity, and truth to Jewish American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II—but whose headstones do not reflect their faith. The organization’s mission is simple yet profound: to identify Jewish service members buried under Latin crosses and replace those headstones with Stars of David, honoring their heritage and correcting the historical record.
Founded by Shalom Lamm and a team of dedicated historians, rabbis, and veterans, Operation Benjamin is more than a project of remembrance—it is a movement of education, community uplift, and healing. Every headstone corrected is a story retold, a family comforted, and a moment of unity forged.
At its heart, Operation Benjamin believes in the power of historical truth to bring people together. By working across faiths, institutions, and borders, the organization fosters a deeper understanding of the diverse contributions made to the fight for freedom. In doing so, it teaches future generations the value of integrity, sacrifice, and shared purpose.
This mission is not only about the past—it’s a blueprint for building a more just and compassionate future.