Following his father in the service of his country and faith, Rabbi Dovid Gutnick was officially inducted as a chaplain in the Australian Defense Force after completing a course of basic training.

The son of Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary and rabbi of the Elwood Talmud Torah Congregation in suburban Melbourne, Dovid Gutnick joins a small group of rabbis – including his father – who have donned Australia’s uniform. The younger Gutnick, who also serves as rabbi of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, was recently honored at a ceremony attended by senior Australian clergy.

In an interview with the Australian Jewish News about the appointment, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Rosenfeld, the country’s highest-ranking Jewish military officer, praised the role that chaplains play in maintaining morale.

“Soldiers know that can go and speak openly to a chaplain,” said Rosenfeld.

For his part, Gutnick told the newspaper that he was excited by the challenge.

“I consider this an honor”, said the rabbi. “At times the work is grueling, but it is all worth it when we can bring even a dose of inspiration.”