SCOUTER Feature:
Scouting In Israel
by Ed Henderson
Geographically, Israel is a
small country - but it has a major Scouting presence. The brotherhood of Scouting
has transcended the racial, religious and ethnic barriers that have so often been a
stumbling block in this land that contains some of the holiest shrines to three of the
worlds great religions. Scouts in Israel often have entire bands with bag pipes and other
instruments. Sea Scouting is also very popular here.
In the United States many Jewish Scout Troops have adopted, and regularly work, with
Scout Troops in Israel.
While all of the national web sites are written only in English, or,
with an English option, you will find that some of the Troop sites are only written in
Hebrew or Arabic. Some earlier systems will require a Hebrew font to be installed on the
PC in order to fully appreciate the contents of the various sites.
Since SCOUTER.com serves a worldwide audience, and the many pictures can tell their own
story of Scouting in Israel, we have included all of the Israeli Scout web sites that we
could find. If you have another, please submit it using SCOUTER's Add a Link feature
below.
Scouting in Israel is quite diverse.. Although the Scouts often come
together for joint campouts and projects, many of the Troops are based upon ethnic or
religious traditions. For example, among the Jewish units, Conservative, Reformed and
Orthodox Troops make up the Hebrew Scout Association. .The Arab, Palestentian, Christian,
& Druze populations also have their own Scouting Associations.
In Israel, all of these Associations are WOSM members: Hitachdut
HatsofimVe Hatsofot Be Israel (Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation or ISF). Included in
the ISF are:
- The Arab School Scout Association
- The Druze Scouts Association
- The Hebrew Scout Association
- The Israel Catholic Scouts Association
- The Israeli Arab Scouts Association
- The Orthodox Scout Association
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