Shalom Lamm on Transparency and Impact: The Journey of One Dollar at Operation Benjamin

In a world where donors demand transparency and impact, understanding exactly where a contribution goes is more important than ever. For Shalom Lamm, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and CEO of Operation Benjamin, accountability isn’t just good practice—it’s a moral imperative.

Founded to honor the legacy of Jewish-American soldiers who were mistakenly buried under non-Jewish headstones during World War II, Operation Benjamin exists to correct these historical inaccuracies and restore proper recognition to the fallen. But how does a nonprofit with such a focused mission turn a single donation into meaningful action?

This year, Shalom Lamm and his team decided to pull back the curtain and walk supporters through the journey of one dollar—a journey of reverence, research, and real-world impact.

Every Dollar Begins with Research

When a donation arrives—whether it’s $1 or $1,000—it begins its journey in one of Operation Benjamin’s most critical and resource-intensive phases: research.

“Identifying Jewish-American soldiers buried under crosses is not guesswork—it’s rigorous historical analysis,” says Shalom Lamm.

A significant portion of donated funds supports a research team composed of historians, genealogists, archivists, and religious scholars. They analyze thousands of military records, census documents, immigration papers, synagogue registries, and family correspondence to verify the identities and faith of each fallen soldier.

Every dollar contributes to this process—whether by funding access to archival databases, paying for professional research time, or enabling secure document digitization.

From Verification to Family Outreach

Once the research has verified a case, the journey continues through family outreach and consent. Operation Benjamin does not proceed with a headstone change without approval from the closest living relatives.

This step involves direct contact with families, often through phone calls, letters, or in-person meetings. Donor dollars help fund the administrative and legal resources necessary to carry out this sensitive work with professionalism and care. This includes translation services, notarized documentation, and counseling support for families navigating complex emotions about their loved one’s legacy.

“It’s not just about correcting a headstone,” Lamm explains. “It’s about restoring dignity, and that begins with the family.”

The Logistics of Honor

One of the most visible results of your donation is the replacement of the headstone itself. Operation Benjamin works closely with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and other international cemetery authorities to commission and install a Star of David headstone in place of a cross.

These replacements are not only costly—due to material, transportation, and installation—but they also require travel and coordination with foreign governments and cemetery custodians. A portion of every dollar helps cover these expenses and ensures ceremonies are conducted with proper religious and military honors.

In some cases, Shalom Lamm himself attends these ceremonies, representing not just the organization but the many donors who made the moment possible. “Each ceremony is deeply emotional,” he notes. “You can feel the power of every dollar and every person who helped us get there.”

Education and Awareness

Beyond the ceremonies, a donation also supports education and outreach. Operation Benjamin believes the best way to prevent historical oversight is through education.

A portion of each dollar is used to build virtual exhibits, host webinars, produce video documentaries, and develop curriculum for schools and museums. These initiatives expand the organization’s impact beyond the cemetery gates—ensuring that the names and stories of Jewish-American soldiers are not just corrected, but remembered.

Operational Integrity

Of course, like any nonprofit, some of your donation supports core administrative needs—secure technology, compliance systems, communications, and staffing. But under Shalom Lamm’s leadership, Operation Benjamin maintains a lean and transparent structure.

“Our team is small by design,” says Lamm. “We stretch every dollar, because we’re accountable to every donor. We never forget that behind each donation is someone’s trust.”

The Ripple Effect

Perhaps the most powerful part of your dollar’s journey is what happens next. Once a headstone is changed, once a ceremony is held, once a family finds peace—a ripple effect begins.

Other families reach out. Other soldiers are discovered. More supporters get involved. A single dollar doesn’t just fund a task—it starts a movement.

Final Thoughts from Shalom Lamm

“People often ask me, ‘What can my small donation really do?’” says Lamm. “And I tell them—it can change the course of history for one family. One soldier. One legacy. And that’s everything.”

In a mission rooted in remembrance, it’s the collective power of each contribution that ensures no Jewish soldier is forgotten—and no grave remains inaccurately marked. Through transparency, commitment, and reverence, Operation Benjamin and Shalom Lamm show that every dollar truly does make a difference.