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Shomer Shabbos Scouting Initiative

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Shomer Shabbos Scouting Initiative Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America Shomer Shabbos Scouting Initiative 1) What is 'Shomer Shabbos' Scouting? In the Jewish community in the United States, there is a broad 'spectrum' of observance of the practices of the faith. The expression 'Shomer Shabbos' literally means 'guardian of the Sabbath' ... one who 'guards' their traditional observance of the Sabbath from sundown on Friday through nightfall on Saturday. (Note: 'Shabbat' and 'Shabbos' are minor variations in the pronunciation of the same word... Israeli-style vs. European-style.) Typically, one who observes the Sabbath in this way, is also observant of the Jewish dietary laws (only eating kosher food) and is also typically at home in the thrice-daily traditional prayer services (~35 min. in the early morning, and 10-15 min. in the afternoon and evening). Thus, the expression 'Shomer Shabbat' has become a euphemism for one who is on the 'traditional' end of the spectrum of Jewish observance. ANY Jewish Scout would be made comfortable when camping with the Shomer Shabbat Scouts. They do need to understand that the food will be kosher, the units will observe the Sabbath in the traditional Jewish manner, and the units will schedule the thrice-daily services as part of their program. Jewish Scouts do not have to 'pray' at these services, but they are expected to cover their heads, stand and sit along with the rest of the group, and be 'engaged' in any of several options: following the prayers if they desire, picking a piece of the Hebrew and practicing their reading, reading the English translation--on the facing page of the book, or the English commentary--at the bottom of every page, or just meditating. We have a saying, that it is not fair to have some Scouts in these units 'praying' and other Scouts 'playing'. So we thus take no more time than necessary for these services ... and we then get on with our exciting Scouting day. Over the past 50+ years that I have been involved in 'Shomer Shabbat' Scout units, there have been many Jewish boys involved in the program who may not have observed these Jewish practices in their personal life at home. They (and their parents!) have eagerly joined these 'Shomer Shabbat' units for the fun of the program, the great friends they developed, to experience those traditional Jewish practices---during the days they were doing their Scouting, and to understand a bit more about these practices---being able to ask questions (practical or philosophical) of other Scouts, and of adult leaders of the program. There is no 'proselytizing' here! We just do what needs to be done, and get on with our day, having loads of Scouting fun along the way! (2) The 'Shomer Shabbos' Scout program hosted by Monmouth Council : The Monmouth Council of the Boy Scouts of America runs a wonderful summer camp program on the 1,200 acre Forestburg Scout Reservation, in Forestburg, NY. A special ‘Shomer Shabbos’ Boy Scout program is being run there for Jewish boys, for two weeks from July 6-20, 2008. This program will eliminate all barriers to entry, and will allow full access to the spectacular Scouting experience, for boys whose observance of the Boy Scouts of America’s 12th point of the Scout Law ...“A Scout is Reverent”... includes observing the four requirements of: 1. Kashrus: The Jewish dietary laws at all times, 2. Shabbos: The Sabbath from sundown Friday to nightfall on Saturday, 3. Tefila: Daily prayer services in the morning and afternoon/evening, 4. Limudei Kodesh: Opportunities for ongoing religious learning. About 100 Jewish Scouts are anticipated in this program, coming from Massachusetts to Georgia and many states in between, as well as from Montréal, Québec, and Toronto, Ontario. Experienced leaders of Shomer Shabbos Scout Troops from NJ and MA are deeply involved in organizing this program, in close consultation with orthodox rabbinical advisers. Participation in this program is open to Jewish boys in Monmouth County and surrounding communities. To learn more, contact the Monmouth Council Scout Service Center, 705 Ginesi Drive, Morganville, NJ 07751 -- or call: Monmouth Council Boy Scouts 732 536-2347 For more in-depth information on the Jewish aspects of the program, call: • Dr. Howard Spielman [email protected] 781 806-5450 (Day/Eve) • Mr. Sheldon Freidenreich [email protected] 732 572-2568 (Eve) (3) The 'flier' on 'Shomer Shabbos' Scouting: The flier is designed for distribution to families on the traditional end of the spectrum of the Jewish community. It was specifically created with certain 'jargon' terms in Yiddish or Hebrew that would be very familiar to them. Furthermore, it addresses particular concerns of these families and of the religious leaders to whom they would turn for advice. Translations: Hebrew and Yiddish words used on the flyer: • Shul ‘synagogue’ Yiddish from German Schule “school.” From the synagogue’s use as a place of learning. • Midos Literally: ‘measurements’ Figuratively: ‘values’ … how character is measured • Chesed ‘kindness’ as a mindset for the manner in which other people are treated • Pikuach nefesh Literally: ‘Saving a life’ Figuratively: Actions in First Aid, Lifesaving, & Emergency Preparedness • Kashrus All that goes into preparing ‘kosher’ food • Shabbos All that is involved in the Sabbath Note: Kashrut and Shabbat mean the same as the above, but are the modern Israeli pronunciation. The Ashkenazic, or old Eastern-European, pronunciation is used here as that is used in many American yeshivas (Jewish schools that our potential Scouts attend). This nuance is important! • Tefila All that is involved in thrice-daily prayer services • Limudei Kodesh Literally: ‘holy studies’ Figuratively: Study of religious texts and commentaries • Shomer Shabbos Literally: ‘guardian of the Sabbath’ Figuratively: ‘observant of the Sabbath’ .
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