Aleph_Award

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALEPH EMBLEM

What Is the Aleph Emblem?

The National Jewish Committee on Scouting developed the Aleph emblem to help you, a Cub
Scout or Webelos Scout who is Jewish, learn more about Judaism. Just as Aleph is the first
letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the activities you are about to start working on are among your
first steps as a Scout that will lead you to understanding more about your religion. Working on
the Aleph emblem also will help you get to know better your rabbi or religious school teacher.
One of them will be your counselor and will help you along the way.

When May I Start Working on It?

You may begin working on the Aleph emblem just as soon as you have begun working on the
Bear or Webelos badge.

What Does the Aleph Emblem Look Like and Where Do I Wear It?

The Aleph emblem is a medal worn over the left pocket of your Cub Scout uniform. It has a
Torah and a Ner Tamid on it, to remind you that once you have earned it, others will depend
upon you to teach them.

How Do I Start Working on It?

Follow these simple steps.

Along with your mom and dad, talk to your rabbi or religious school teacher about being
your counselor. If you live in a community that has no synagogue or rabbi, contact the
National Jewish Committee on Scouting for assistance at 214-580-2119.

Start working on the activities (which are listed below) and keep a neat record of your
work in a notebook.

As you finish each activity, discuss what you have done with your mom or dad or
counselor.

When you have finished all the activities, have your mom or dad and counselor sign the
page called "Certification," and one of them will send away for the emblem. The
notebook is for you to keep and use. Also, contact your local council service center to
advise the local Jewish committee on Scouting of your achievement.

You will soon receive your emblem at a Scout Sabbath service or at another important
ceremony.

ACTIVITIES FOR EARNING THE ALEPH EMBLEM

My Name ______________________________________

THE TORAH

A. Name the five books of the Torah.

B. Which of the Ten Commandments do you know best? Name five of the
commandments.

C. In your notebook, tell what these five commandments mean.

D. In your notebook, try to copy one verse of the Torah as it is found in a Torah
scroll, or write the meaning of the English verse in your own words.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

PRAYER

A. Recite the "Shema" in Hebrew.

B. In your notebook, tell what the words of the "Shema" mean to you.

C. Learn the Hebrew blessings over bread, wine, and fruit.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

A. Give the Hebrew names of six Jewish holidays observed during the year.

B. Describe how these six holidays are observed.

C. In your notebook, tell which of the Jewish holidays you like the most, and why.

D. On which holidays are the following objects used?

Shofar

Spice box

Menorah

Cup of Elijah

Haggadah

Megillah

Lulav (palm branch)

E. Draw or paint two of these objects or make them out of cardboard, wood, or
metal.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

BIBLE HERO

A. Tell the story of two of these Bible heroes: Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac,
Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Solomon, Deborah, or
Elijah.

B. In your notebook, tell why you chose these two heroes.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

FAMOUS AMERICAN JEWS

In your notebook, write a brief report on two great American Jews. Here are a few
examples: Asher Levy, Haym Salomon, Francis Salvador, Judah Touro, Uriah P.
Levy, Emma Lazarus, Jacob H. Schiff, Louis D. Brandeis, Albert Einstein, Henrietta
Szold, and Rebecca Gratz.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

THE SYNAGOGUE

A. Attend sabbath services at least twice a month for three months and report on one
Torah reading for each month.

B. In your notebook, draw pictures of the Ark and the Ner Tamid in your synagogue
and describe what they mean to the Jewish people.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

THE JEWISH HOME

A. Which object on the outside of a house or an apartment tells us that Jews live
there?

B. Draw this object or make it out of wood, plastic, cardboard, or metal.

Mom or Dad sign here
____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________

THE LAND OF ISRAEL

A. Read a book, magazine article, or news item about Israel and write a report on it in
your notebook.

B. Tell what you know about two cities or places in Israel. Examples are: Jerusalem,
Tel Aviv, the Negev, Haifa, the Kotel (Western Wall), Masada, Beersheva, and the
Galilee.

C. Draw the flag of Israel or make it out of construction paper or cloth, and write a
paragraph describing its meaning to Jews the world over.

Mom or Dad sign here

____________________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________________