Greater Boston Jewish Scouting in Action (January 08)

Scout Shabbat Celebrated at Temple Reyim

On Saturday February 2, 2008, over 150 Scouts from all around Greater Boston and Israel, their families and members of Temple Reyim, Newton gathered for a special Scout Shabbat led by Rabbi Scott Rosenberg and Cantor Stephen Thompson. This was the first Greater-Boston area Scout Shabbat held in over 20 years. Scouts from Knox Trail Council, Boston Minuteman Council, Old Colony Council, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, and Israeli Scouts participated in the event.

Scouts young and old played active roles throughout the service, including

q Eagle Scout Josh Sowalsky led the preliminary prayers, Birchat Hashachar, Psukey D’Zimra, and served as one of the Torah readers

q Scouts Aaron Foster, Gabe & Eli Labell, Harry Williams, Isabelle Stacks, Ellen Seaward, Dafna Williams, Joseph Katz, Samuel Levens, Jonathan Perlmutter, Sam Platcow and Jonah Schulman opened and closed the ark

q Life Scout Evan Siegel carried the Torah

q Scouts Noah Carlen and Nathan Foster read a special prayer on the 12 Points of the Scout Law

q Girl Scout Alissa Platcow served as one of the Torah readers

q Eagle Scout Isaac Carlen served as Hagbah

Max Abugov, Eagle Scout and Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 182 spoke to the Congregation on a “Scouts View of Being Reverent”.

A special aspect of the Scout Shabbat was the presentation of Jewish Scouting awards. There are different awards for Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. Over the past few months, the Scouts have been working toward their awards.

A special Court of Honor was established at the end of the Service. All of the Eagle Scouts in the Congregation were asked to officiate as the badges were awarded.

The Brownie Girl Scouts earned the Lehavah Award. Lehavah means flame. While working toward the Lehavah Award, the Brownie learns about herself, her family and her religion. Sharyn Roberts presented the Lehavah Award to the following Scouts: Ashira Goldberg, Annie Siegel, Isabelle Stacks, Dafna Williams and Sarah Zola

The Tiger, Bear and Wolf Cub Scouts earned the Macabee Award. The Maccabee emblem helps Cub Scout learn about Judaism, the Jewish community, and family customs. Max Abugov presented the Maccabee Award to: Eitan Altabet, Gregory Brumberg, J.J. Bussgang, Aaron Foster, Ben Frier, Ross Halpern, Gabe Labell, Doryn Lorraway, Jonathan Perlmutter, Jonah Schulman, and Shlomo Warren

The Webelos Cub Scouts earned the Aleph Award. The Aleph award helps Webelos Scout learn more about Judaism, the international Jewish community, customs, and holidays. Max Abugov presented the following Scouts with the Aleph Award: Jeremy Harper, Joshua Hyde, Joseph Katz, Eli Labell, Samuel Levens, Noah Mark, Samuel Platcow, Harry Williams

The Boy Scouts earned the Ner Tamid Award. The Ner Tamid award helps the Scout build themselves spiritually and morally by practicing their religion and deepening their knowledge of Judaism in the US and around the world. Max Abugov presented the following Scouts with their Ner Tamid Award: Noah Carlen, Nathan Foster, Jack Goodman, Nathan Matzka, Harry Posner, Evan Siegel, Tyler Siegel, Jonathan Weintraub and Zachary Zola.

In addition to the youth awards, five adults were recognized with the Shofar Award. Jay Schnapp of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting noted that the Shofar Award recognizes outstanding service by adults in the promotion of Scouting among Jewish youth. Just as the Shofar (Ram's Horn) calls people to the service of God, so the Shofar Award is recognition of the individual who has answered the call to serve Jewish youth in Scouting. The following adults were recognized for their dedication to Jewish youth and Scouting: James Bloom, David Carlen, Jerome Federschneider, Joseph Levens, and Marc Zissman.

Temple Reyim and the Scouts received several special recognitions in honor of the Scout Shabbat.

Alderman Greer Swiston, City of Newton Alderman at Large, Ward Three presented an Aldermanic Commendation to Newton Jewish Boy and Girl Scouts on the occasion of the Scout Shabbat and in appreciation for their work and distinguished service to the communication.

State Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch personally presented a special Massachusetts House of Representatives Resolution honoring the Jewish Scouts of Greater Boston. The Resolution “recognized the special Scout Shabbat, the Scouts for earning their badges, and the work of Rabbi Scott Rosenberg and the many adult volunteers” for making Scouting possible. The Resolution was co-sponsored by Salvatore DiMasi, Speaker of the House and Steven James, Clerk of the House.

Senator Scott P. Brown presented a special Resolution of the Massachusetts State Senate. The Resolution “commemorates the spirit of goodwill, humanitarian service and compassion that can be seen in all of the accomplishments of Jewish Scouts and Scouting in the Commonwealth”. The Resolution was co-sponsored by Therese Murray, President of the Senate, William Welch, Clerk of the Senate, and Senators Cynthia Stone Creem, Susan Fargo, Anthony Galluccio, Richard Tisei, and Karen Spilka.

Governor Deval L. Patrick sent a letter of greetings which recognized the “compassion, selflessness and dedication” of the Scouts. Governor Patrick also recognized the “important and valuable” contributions made by the Scouts to the Commonwealth.

Israel’s Counsel General, Nadav Tamir congratulated the Scouts of Greater Boston and Israel for coming together and participating in the first community-wide Scout Shabbat in twenty years.

The Scout Shabbat was made possible through the generous support of Temple Reyim, the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), New England Region - Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, Troop 182 and many individuals. Organizations and individuals interested in learning more about Jewish Scouting should contact Joe Levens via email: JDL13@comcast.net.

For more information – please contact:

Joseph Levens, 2 Margaret Road, Dedham, MA Work: 617-563-9397