Ner Tamid Celebrates Annual Scout Shabbat

Congregation Ner Tamid, a Reform synagogue in Marietta, recently continued its annual tradition of proudly celebrating Scout Shabbat, a meaningful occasion that honors the dedication, leadership, and service of the young people in the scouting community.

Scout Shabbat is part of a nationwide observance sponsored by Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA, typically held close to Feb. 8, the anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts in 1910.

Scout Shabbat gives Jewish scouts the opportunity to reflect on how the values of scouting align beautifully with Jewish teachings. The Scout Oath and Law emphasize trustworthiness, helpfulness, kindness, bravery, and reverence — ideals that echo the mitzvot and ethical responsibilities we learn from Torah.

A Celebration Open to the Entire Community

Scout Shabbat is open to the entire community as Congregation Ner Tamid families, friends, neighbors, and congregants of all ages joined together in celebration traveling from as far away as Stone Mountain. The day was not only about recognizing our scouts, but also about creating opportunities for hands-on mitzvot and shared experiences.

Community activities included challah braiding, where participants learned about the symbolism of this cherished Shabbat tradition while shaping and preparing their own loaves. Another impactful activity involved writing letters to military service members and to residents in a local retirement community.

The congregation’s rabbi enriched the service with a special Friday night Torah viewing and read the section recounting the Ten Commandments, a section that resonates with all religious faiths.

“We have been celebrating Scout Shabbat for over a decade and appreciate the opportunity to provide scouting families of all faiths and backgrounds the opportunity to experience the rituals and traditions of a Jewish Sabbath” says Matt Berenson, president of Congregation Ner Tamid and an Eagle Scout.

The service began with a flag ceremony including scouts carrying the American flag and the Israeli flag through the sanctuary, followed by recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scouting America Scout Oath and Law. The Girl Scout Pledge and Promise was led by a dignitary, Cobb County District 1 Commissioner Keli Gambrill, wearing her vest from her days as a Girl Scout, and who was joined by several other girl scouts.

The evening concluded with an Oneg gathering hosted by scouting families of the synagogue and each scout took home their personally braided challah to bake and enjoy along with a recipe for making on their own.

For information about Congregation Ner Tamid’s services and upcoming events, visit mynertamid.info.