Shalom Lamm’s Mission Through Operation Benjamin
Shalom Lamm, a seasoned entrepreneur with decades of success in real estate and business leadership, has devoted much of his life to ventures that make a meaningful impact. While his professional accomplishments are notable, it is his deeply personal commitment to Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit dedicated to correcting historical military records of Jewish American soldiers, that defines the heart of his life’s work today.
Operation Benjamin isn’t just a project—it’s a mission of restoration, remembrance, and dignity. For Shalom Lamm, it represents a moral imperative rooted in Jewish values, historical justice, and a passion for honoring those who gave everything in the service of freedom.
The Genesis of Operation Benjamin
The idea for Operation Benjamin began when Lamm, whose deep interest in history and Jewish heritage has long guided his philanthropic efforts, became aware of a heartbreaking oversight: during World War II, many Jewish American soldiers were buried under Latin crosses instead of the Star of David. This was not a matter of neglect or disrespect, but a tragic result of wartime chaos, clerical errors, and the soldiers’ own attempts to hide their identities in fear of Nazi persecution if captured.
Moved by this discovery, Shalom Lamm co-founded Operation Benjamin with a clear purpose: to identify these Jewish soldiers and correct their headstones to reflect their faith. The organization works in partnership with families, historians, and the American Battle Monuments Commission to ensure that each fallen hero receives the recognition they deserve—not only for their service, but for their identity.
Shalom Lamm’s Role: More Than a Founder
As co-founder and CEO of Operation Benjamin, Shalom Lamm doesn’t just guide the strategy—he’s personally involved in the research, logistics, and emotional support that each case demands. He has traveled extensively to cemeteries across Europe, stood with family members during re-dedication ceremonies, and spoken passionately about the mission in interviews and public forums.
His hands-on approach reflects his belief that this work isn’t about organizational achievement—it’s about human dignity. Each soldier, each family, and each corrected grave marker tells a story of honor reclaimed and history made right.
Through meticulous historical research, genealogical tracing, and community outreach, Lamm has led Operation Benjamin in changing the headstones of numerous soldiers from crosses to Stars of David. These are not just symbolic changes—they are profound acts of remembrance that reconnect lost identities with their rightful place in American and Jewish history.
Why It Matters: Legacy, Faith, and Truth
Operation Benjamin is about much more than correcting headstones. For Shalom Lamm, it’s about preserving a legacy. These young men fought and died for a country that promised freedom, while also carrying the weight of religious identity in an era marked by deep global antisemitism. Many of them gave up everything, including their names and faith, in service to their fellow citizens.
Restoring their identity is a powerful act of truth. It’s an acknowledgment of their full story—a narrative that includes not only their sacrifice as American soldiers, but their roots as Jewish Americans. In honoring them properly, Operation Benjamin also educates the public, uplifts Jewish heritage, and sets an example of how history can be corrected with care, honor, and respect.
A Passion Beyond Business
While Shalom Lamm continues to be active in various professional and entrepreneurial pursuits, it is clear that Operation Benjamin is his passion project—one that aligns not just with his skills but with his soul. His leadership in this initiative demonstrates how a person’s legacy is not defined by profit margins, but by the impact they make on others and the stories they help preserve.
Lamm’s background as a seasoned entrepreneur has certainly played a role in Operation Benjamin’s growth and success. His ability to lead teams, manage complex logistics, and build strategic partnerships has elevated the nonprofit into a respected international organization. But what makes the mission extraordinary is his unwavering commitment to honoring the dead—and helping the living find peace in the truth.
The Journey Ahead
The work of Operation Benjamin is far from over. As more stories emerge and new records are uncovered, the mission continues to expand. Shalom Lamm remains at the forefront, driving the organization forward with compassion, integrity, and historical reverence.
In a world that often forgets the past, Shalom Lamm’s life passion for Operation Benjamin reminds us that every name, every faith, and every life matters—and that it’s never too late to do what’s right.
