2010 Scout Shabbat Announced

February 20 event at Congregation Beth Israel

     Plans for the first New Orleans area Scout Shabbat to be held in several years were announced by Alan Smason, Jewish Committee Chair for the Southeast Louisiana Council. The event to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20 at Congregation Beth Israel celebrates the program of the Boy Scouts of America and its values. It is designed to bring Jewish youth and adult leaders into a setting where they may worship together.

     “This year’s event is especially significant because it is the centennial year of Scouting,” explained Smason. “The last time we held a Scout Shabbat service at Congregation Beth Israel was in 1999 when the synagogue was still located in Lakeview and Rabbi Jonathan Glass was there.”

     Destroyed after Hurricane Katrina, the synagogue has since relocated into facilities at Gates of Prayer Synagogue, 4000 West Esplanade Avenue in Metairie. It is in the process of a capital campaign for rebuilding a new sanctuary to be located adjacent to the Gates of Prayer property.

     Rabbi Uri Topolosky, himself a Jewish Eagle Scout, will help lead a short service to which all past and present area Jewish Scouts or adult leaders are invited. “Because this is the 100^th anniversary of Scouting, we want to make sure that everyone who has ever benefited from the program will have a chance to attend,” Smason said.

     Anyone who wishes to take part in the service can contact Smason at 504-865-1248 or e-mail at asmason@bellsouth.net. All Scouts and adult leaders are encouraged to wear their uniforms. Scouts will earn special Scout Shabbat patches and a Kiddush luncheon will follow the program.

     Like other religious relationships committees, the local Jewish Committee on Scouting promotes Scouting values and encourages Scouts to earn religious emblems as part of their regular activities. The National Jewish Committee on Scouting, part of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, bestows age-appropriate emblems to youth and awards adult leaders who promote Jewish Scouting.