Houston Jewish Committee on Scouting

Jewish Scouting Award Classes

The Houston Jewish Scouting Committee invites Scouts in 1^st - 12^th grades who are Jewish to earn a Jewish Scout award. These awards encourage Scouts to explore connections between Judaism and Scouting, while fostering more community spirit. 

The SHAC Jewish Committee on Scouting holds classes in the spring and fall. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Stone at lestone@aya.yale.edu. RSVP for the fall courses by November 1, 2017.

• Maccabee (1^st - 3^rd grade) - typically meets on Sunday afternoons for an hour for about four to six weeks
• Aleph (3^rd - 5^th grade) - typically meets on Sunday afternoons for an hour for about five to seven sessions
• Ner Tamid (6^th - 8^th grade) - typically meets on Sunday afternoons for an hour for about six to nine sessions
• Etz Chaim (9^th - 12^th grade) - typically meets on Sunday afternoons for an hour for about 15 sessions

Maccabbee Religious Emblem

Cub Scouts in grades one through three (Tigers, Wolves and Bears) are entitled to work on the Maccabee religious emblem. It is possible that parents can help their Scouts earn this religious emblem. 

Maccabee Requirements and Workbook

The National Jewish Committee on Scouting developed the Maccabee emblem to help a 1^st - 3^rd grade Cub Scouts who is Jewish, learn more about Judaism. The requirements that follow are subdivided into six categories: Jewish names, holidays, terms, symbols and objects, community helpers, and heroes. The Maccabee emblem takes its name from Judah Maccabee and his brothers, who led the military and religious struggle against the Syrian King, Antiochus, who attempted to suppress the practice of Judaism. Their revolt ended in victory with the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 167 B.C.E. The holiday of Hanukkah (Feast of Lights) celebrates this victory.

Aleph Religious Emblem

Cub Scouts in grades three through five (Bears and Webelos) are entitled to work on the Aleph religious emblem. This religious emblem delves more deeply into Jewish religious observance and tradition. It is strongly recommended that a counselor work directly with the Scouts who are attempting to earn an Aleph religious emblem. A rabbi, cantor or religious school instructor would be a perfect choice to serve as a counselor. A parent or Scout leader can assist the Scout in various ways, but the instruction works better when given in a classroom or individual sessions between the counselor and the Scout. BSA policies on youth protection should be observed whenever there might be one-on-one interaction.

If a Maccabee religious emblem Scout also earns his Aleph religious emblem, a small device bearing the image of the Cub Scout logo can be inserted into the religious emblem knot on his uniform. At certain pack events or Scout Shabbats, the religious medals may also be worn on the Scout’s uniform. Once the Scout bridges into Boy Scouting, the same religious knot (and device) may be worn on his Boy Scout uniform as well as a Venturing uniform, should they elect to become a Venturer later.

Aleph Requirements and Workbook

Ner Tamid Religious Award

The Ner Tamid religious emblem is earned by a Boy Scout in sixth, seventh or eighth grades while working with a counselor. A counselor is someone who is quite knowledgable in the traditions and practice of the Jewish faith and could very well be a rabbi, cantor, religious school teacher or other Jewish community leader. Since this is a typical time Scouts may also be working on becoming a bar mitzvah (“son of the commandment”), it is entirely possible that their pre- and post-bar mitzvah learning may incorporate the requirements found in the Ner Tamid religious emblem.

Ner Tamid Requirements and Workbook

Finding a counselor for unaffiliated Jews may prove to be difficult. If a local Jewish Committee on Scouting exists at the council, the Scout or his parents may inquire as to where a suitable counselor may be found. In the event that a Jewish Scout is living in a remote area where no Jewish counselors may be found, the NJCOS chair from the respective Northeast, Central, Southernor Western region can appoint someone or work directly with the Scout via telephone, email or other correspondence in order to ensure they can earn the religious emblem.

If a Scout earns the Ner Tamid religious emblem, he is entitled to wear the medal created by the NJCOS. The Ner Tamid religious emblem medal is a facsimile of an eternal light suspended by a blue and white ribbon and may be worn at troop courts of honor and Scout Shabbats. During the course of his Scouting career, he may also wear the purple and silver religious knot emblematic of his achievement on his uniform. Scouts who have previously earned the Maccabee and Aleph religious emblems of the Cub Scout program may wear one or two Cub Scout devices on the religious knot, which indicates their progress in Jewish Scouting.

As a Scout you know that learning by doing is a basic principle of Scouting. Just as you keep yourself physically strong by camping, hiking, and other outdoor healthful activities, so also you build yourself spiritually and morally by practicing your religion. The Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) program will help you grow spiritually. It will aid you to practice duty to God, to be reverent, and to be faithful in your religious duties.

To help you in this phase of your Scouting experience, the National Jewish Committee on Scouting has developed the Ner Tamid program for youth in grades six through nine. Similar programs have been developed by the Protestant and Catholic committees on Scouting. All Scouts are eligible to work in the distinctive religious programs of their faith, and every Scout will be proud to achieve this high honor.

As a Scout, you may work on the Ner Tamid program whether your unit is connected with your own synagogue, community center, school, or with some other organization. You carry on your Scout program in your troop while you fulfill the Ner Tamid requirements under the guidance of your rabbi or Ner Tamid counselor. If you live in a small or isolated Jewish community, contact the National Jewish Committee on Scouting for assistance.

Etz Chaim Religious Emblem

Older Scouts BSA Scouts in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades are entitled to earn the Etz Chaim (“tree of life”) religious emblem. This is the most recent of the religious emblems created by the NJCOS and is intended to be the most challenging. This is the only Jewish religious emblem that may be also be earned by a female as a Venturer Scout. The rigorous requirements will take many months to achieve and can only be accomplished by working with a counselor.

Etz Chaim Requirements and Workbook

The Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) religious emblem is designed for Scouts BSA in high school, ages 14 to 17, and registered Venturers ages 14 to 20. The purpose of the emblem is to encourage the young adult to explore adult Jewish roles in the context of family, community, and Jewish people. The requirements can be completed in six months and with a counselor’s assistance.

When you and your counselor agree that you have successfully completed the requirements, submit the completed application to your local Jewish Committee on Scouting or your local council service center. The emblem will be presented to you at an appropriate public ceremony in consultation with your unit leaders and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Scouts who go to Jewish day school participate? Yes! Day school students will gain new knowledge, as well as share their knowledge with other Scouts.  The religious awards also build connections between Scouts in different units.

Why should Scouts take time to earn religious awards? It is a great honor to receive the religious awards; it shows Scouts have explored in depth how Judaism and Scouting share values and goals. It’s also a different kind of Scouting experience and a lot of fun!

• The Etz Chaim award is required if a Scout wants to apply for a Jewish Eagle Scout scholarship for college.Meeting Etz Chaim requirements may also satisfy requirements for some merit badges.
• The Ner Tamid award is required if a Scout wants to apply for a Jewish Eagle Scout scholarship for college. Meeting Ner Tamid requirements will also satisfy some requirements for the American Cultures merit badge.

Shofar Award

The National Jewish Committee on Scouting established the Shofar Award to recognize 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 a recognition of the individual who has answered the call to serve Jewish youth in Scouting. Self and spouse nominations will not be accepted.

Requirements and Application