Scout Sabbath Services
| Scout Sabbath Services |
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Rabbis frequently ask: "What should a Scout Sabbath entail? What should be
its goals? Is there a special liturgy prepared?"
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting offers the following as advice or
guidelines:
Scout Sabbath offers an opportunity for worshippers to honor Scouts and Scouters,
as well as to learn more themselves about the value of Scouting as a youth program
chartered to a Jewish organization. It gives a rabbi a framework to address Scouts
directly, in addition to speaking about Scouting to the congregation.
Some rabbis use regular liturgy and supplement it with special reading. Others
devote the entire worship services to Scouting themes, using Scouts and Scouters as
readers. There is no "one right way " to conduct such a service. Most rabbis
understand the purpose to be a strengthening of the bonds between the synagogue
and the Scouting unit and plan accordingly.
Many councils have Jewish committees on Scouting which are eager to provide
assistance. In addition, many units have chaplains and chaplain's aides. Utilizing
these individuals strengthens their commitments to the Scouting unit and to the Jewish
organization that uses the Scouting program.
Another feature central to many service is the presentation of religious emblems.
Since its inception in 1910, Scouting has been used by synagogues, churches, and many
other religious organizations. Approximately 50 percent of all Scouting units today
are chartered to religious groups, because religious leaders have long recognized that
scouting provides them with exceptional opportunities to draw youth closer to their
congregations.
A variety of Scouting-related resources, prayers, and readings are available: