Jewish Committee on Scouting

Our mission is to promote Scouting for Jewish youth by securing new Jewish chartered organizations and by continuing to provide individual Scouts and units with a quality program and service.

Religious Awards

The JCOS will reimburse the cost of the Aryeh, Maccabee, Aleph, Ner Tamid, Etz Chaim, and Talmud Torah religious awards. Information about the Jewish Scout Religious Awards can be found on the website www.jewishscouting.org under the category “Emblems.” Contact us if the Scout cannot find a counselor for a religious award.

(Note: regular shipping- we do not cover the cost of expedited shipping. These are restricted to those registered in the Cradle of Liberty Council.)

Send a copy of the paid receipt to:
Phil Hittner
2541 Candytuft Drive
Jamison, PA 18929
e-mail: philhittner@att.net

Campership Information

Since 2005, we have been able to offer camperships to Jewish Cub Scouts and Scouts to go to a Scouting America District Cub Day Camp or to summer camps. In 2022, we extended this program to Sea Scouts, Venturers and Explorers.  This is a partial reimbursement to help you send your child to camp this summer. These funds are provided by the Sidney Goldberg Endowment Fund, handled by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.  The recipient will also be invited to attend our other activities at little or no charge.  The Scout must be of the Jewish faith and be a registered Scout living in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, Philadelphia or Harrisburg.

  • Second week Camperships: We have extended this program, now offering partial reimbursement to help send your child to camp for a second week.  (Note: Second-week Camperships – at a COL day camp or summer camp only; maximum $200.00)

Camperships: to receive a campership, send a letter or e-mail by September 1, of the current year to:

Phil Hittner
2541 Candytuft Drive
Jamison, PA 18929
e-mail: philhittner@att.net

The letter must contain, the Scout camp attended, the Scout’s name, address, troop or pack number, parents’ email address, along with the following information: Scout Council receipt showing funds paid to that Scout council and a parent/guardian’s name to be on the Campership reimbursement check. All data requested must be provided in order to process the request. A Scout Council receipt must be provided along with the request, not a Troop receipt or copy of canceled check.     (Note: Second week Camperships – at a COL day camp or summer camp only; maximum $200.00)

Scholarships and Eagle Scout Grants
Eagle Scout Project Grants

JCOS will now make grants ($50 to $250) to Jewish Scouts for approved Eagle Scout Projects, or equivalent Venture, Explorer or Sea Scout projects.
(Note: these are restricted to those registered in the Cradle of Liberty Council; application must be made after the project is approved, and prior to its completion.)

Eagle Candidate should submit a request letter including a brief description of the project (or a copy of Project Proposal page C) and the project budget (or a copy of Project Proposal page D) along with contract information for the unit leader, unit treasurer, or Life-to-Eagle Coach.

The request letter should be sent to:

Phil Hittner
2541 Candytuft Drive
Jamison, PA 18929
e-mail: philhittner@att.net

Post High School Scholarships

JCOS will grant up to two scholarships (each $500) to graduating Jewish high school seniors who are (1) active in their home unit and (2) who have earned at least one of the youth awards for Jewish Scouts: Aryeh, Maccabee, Aleph,  the Ner Tamid or Etz Chaim Religious Award.  This assists with their post-high school education – college, trade, or technical school.  The recipients will be chosen randomly from all applicants whose application is received by the deadline: End of May.
(Note: these are restricted to those registered in the Cradle of Liberty Council.)

Application form, click here, needs to be submitted by the end of May

Dr. David Sirken
1131 Gantt Drive
Huntingdon Valley PA, 19006

e-mail: dhsirken@earthlink.net

New Unit Support
The JCOS will support Jewish organizations in starting new units with a grant to help cover the cost of training materials. The new unit leader should contact Rhys Wallace before purchasing any materials, as the JCOS can arrange direct procurement. Contact – Rhys Wallace rhys.wallace@scouting.org
Activities

The JCOS is planning to sponsor various activities this year, including a Scout Sabbath and luncheon, heritage hikes (“Scouting for Jewish Roots”) in historic local areas, and a Havdalah service and dessert night. Details to follow; each activity will be covered, in part or full.

Awards

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.

For more information and to download the application form
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Comments, Questions, or Concerns.

 Email:

jcos@scoutingphilly.org