Pictured above: The members of Family Cub Scout Pack 210.
By Steven Troy, Adjutant, Scottsdale Post 210 Jewish War Veterans
Dec. 2, 2018 was a very special day for the Jewish Community in Phoenix as the first Shomer Shabbat/Kosher Cub Scout Family Pack in the nation was chartered. A family pack is a new concept in scouting where both boys and girls are in the same pack and can earn the same awards, however in our pack they are in separate dens. The ceremony was held at Beth El Congregation in Phoenix. Many scouting executives of the Grand Canyon Council of the Scouts of America were in attendance.
The ceremony began with Cubmaster Gavi Tabor welcoming everyone and having the Cub Scouts lead in the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag, the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Herb Cohn, from the Catalina Council Jewish Committee on Scouting in Tucson gave the opening prayer. This was the first day of Chanukah and Bennett Cooper the Ritual Vice President of Beth El with the assistance or Andy Price, The new Scout Executive for the Grand Canyon Council lit the first candle for the beginning of the holiday
Fernando Gomez, executive with the Central District Scouts of America presented Anita Gettleson, Chair of the Grand Canyon Council Jewish Committee on Scouting, with an award for founding the new Cub Pack.
After that Shari Judah, the Cub Pack advancement chair presented the Bobcat Award to several of the Scouts.
Andy Price, the new Scout Executive for the Grand canyon Council of Phoenix presented Major Steven Troy of Post 210 of the Jewish War Veterans and the COR (chartered organization representative) of the Pack with the official Charter.
After the ceremony the Scout project for the night was to make menorahs.
The mission of the National Jewish Committee through its local committee “is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of Judaism as expressed in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.” Jewish War Veteran Post 210 is happy to be involved in providing such an opportunity to the Jewish Community of Greater Phoenix and plans are in the works to expand soon with a scout troop as well.
For more information, contact Rochel Hayman at 602-218-0353 or Seth Rosenberg at 410-336-6118 or email [email protected].
