04/02/2026
There are a lot of reasons for us to be very happy at this Passover. Firstly, after two Passovers, the last of the still-living and deceased Israeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023 were finally returned earlier this year, giving closure to their families. As we gather at this year's seders, may we all be grateful for that.
As Scouters, we must also be happy that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting. We will be recognized in many ways at the upcoming National Annual Meeting in Dallas and in particular at the National Duty to God Breakfast.
Our NJCOS president, Phil Sternberg, will be honored as a new recipient of the National Duty to God Award. The Temple Emanu El Choir from Dallas will provide Jewish selections for everyone at the breakfast. Also, several re-presentations of religious emblems to Jewish Scouts and Shofar Awards to a Jewish married couple from Dallas.
We just had a successful Northeast Region conference headed up by Northeast Region chair Barry Hantman, where the chair-elect of the National Executive Board of Scouting America, Ricky Mason, spoke. Ricky will become the first Jewish chair since Mortimer Schiff in 1931.
We also have a fantastic presence planned for the National Jamboree at the Duty to God and Country exhibit area in July. In August, the NJCOS will host the 100th anniversary camporee, B'Yachad, at Ten Mile River Scout Camps. That undertaking is being chaired by Central Region chair Howard Prager. And next year, both NOAC and the World Jamboree offer opportunities for Jewish Scouting.
All of this should give us a reason to shout out "Chag Sameach!" But, we must also be concerned about other aspects of Jewish life here and abroad.
Of course, we are well aware of the ongoing war being waged in the Middle East. As Jews, we pray for shalom – for peace – in our ancestral homeland, and we hope that peaceful coexistence there is a concept that all of us can strive for.
Here at home, we know that antisemitism has increased exponentially, according to statistical analysis and anecdotal evidence. The recent terror attack at a Jewish temple and day school in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and the arson attack in January that destroyed much of a Mississippi synagogue are only two examples of hate directed at our extended Jewish community and give us cause for alarm. But at this Passover, when we recall our freedom from slavery, we know that the cost of freedom is always high. We must be vigilant and ask to receive blessings from on high that will protect us.
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A Zissen Pesach,
Alan Smason
Development Chair, NJCOS
