Scouting Volunteers Take Part in Northeast Region Jewish Scouting Conference

AREA SCOUTING VOLUNTEERS TAKE PART IN ANNUAL NORTHEAST REGION JEWISH COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING CONFERENCE

Local Suffolk County Council (Scouts, BSA) Jewish Committee on Scouting volunteers Bruce Streger (previously of Farmingville and now residing in Rockledge, Florida), and Phyllis Stein (of Hauppauge) participated with Scouters from other states in the Northeast from Virginia  to New Hampshire.  This 36th Annual Northeast Region (NER) Jewish Committee on Scouting (JCOS) Conference, was held on April 14, 2024 at  the Jersey Shore Council’s Citta Scout Reservation in Barnegat, New Jersey. There were 40 volunteer Scout Leaders and Scout Professionals from 16 different Boy Scout Councils attending the 2024 NER JCOS Conference.  Normally held in March, the 2024 NER JCOS Conference was held mid April 2024 because Passover is later this year, starting on April 22, 2024

The day-long event started with Jerry Katz (of the Theodore Roosevelt Council BSA, Nassau County, Long Island) blowing of the Shofar (rams horn) followed by a buffet bagel breakfast which celebrated the Jewish Committee’s participation in the Boy Scouts of America, a relationship that started in 1926. The theme “Envisioning the Future ” included a presentation that covered Scouting and anti-Semitism (providing guidance on how to teach our youth – both Jewish and non-Jewish — about antisemitism and providing guidance for youth leadership in dealing with anti-Semitism). as well as seven interactive discussions and “classes”. Other presentations covered teaching the Jewish Religious Emblems, Interfaith Committees and Interfaith events, forming Jewish scouting units, upcoming Jewish Sponsored Philmont Treks (at the National BSA High Adventure base in New Mexico), Planning and executing Jewish  Scouting Events (including Kosher Klondike camporees and the Israeli Scout Caravan visits), forming a high-functioning local JCOS committee, and a discussion of the NJCOS website. 

         Special guest James Gillick, Scout Executive and CEO of the Jersey Shore Council   welcomed the scouting volunteers to Citta Scout Reservation and Phil Sternberg, President of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, gave an overview of some of the new initiatives at the National level as well as an overview of the NJCOS virtual training events past and upcoming. 

The conference was a joyous event, filled with learning for participants, and much sharing of recent experiences from the Scout leaders who attended. The “midway” had displays and Scouting memorabilia items. Each participant received a special commemorative event patch. 

National JCOS Chaplain, Rabbi Art Vernon of  West Hempstead (Long Island) and the Theodore Roosevelt Council  (BSA) provided attendees with the invocation, D’var Torah, and prayers before the Kosher lunch.   

The newest Jewish Scout Religious Emblem for Lion Cub Scouts (for kindergarten and first grade) is the Aryeh Emblem (Hebrew meaning Lion).  This emblem recently became the JCOS’ 5^th Emblem and was earned earlier this scouting year. Presentations and recognitions were made, including the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Chai Awards to local JCOS Scouters, who had been nominated for their dedication to the Jewish Scouting community by their peers.  

  For more information on joining the JCOS of Suffolk County, Jewish Religious Emblems and workshops, Scout Sabbath Services, Jewish campouts, and more, please contact SCC JCOS Chair Barry Kopeloff at (631) 331-9460.