Maccabee Emblem

What is the Maccabee Emblem?

The National Jewish Committee on Scouting developed the Maccabee emblem to help you, a Tiger Cub or
Wolf Cub who is Jewish learn more about Judaism. It also will help you earn the Aleph emblem as a Bear
Cub or Webelos Scout and the Ner Tamid emblem as a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout or Explorer.

The Maccabee emblem takes its name from Judah Maccabee and his brothers who led the military and
religious struggle against the Syrian King, Antiochus who attempted to suppress the practice of Judaism.
Their revolt ended in victory with the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 167 BCE. The
holiday of Hanukkah (Feast of Lights) celebrates this victory.

When May I Start Working on It?

Immediately. As soon as you have joined Cub Scouts.

In December, 1995, a change in age requirements was announced for Cubs Scouts working on religious
emblems. In brief, Tiger Cubs, Wolf Cubs, and Bear Cubs may earn the Maccabee emblem, while Bear Cubs
and Webelos Scouts may earn the Aleph emblem.

How Do I Start Working on It?

Follow these simple steps:

Along with your parent or adult partner, ask your rabbi or religious school teacher to serve as your
counselor. (See Counselor's Guide)

Start working on the activities/requirements (they are listed on the other side of this page) and keep a
neat record of your work in a notebook.

As each activity/requirement is completed, discuss what you have done with your adult partner.

When you have finished all the activities/requirements, have your adult partner and counselor sign the
section titled "Certification" and send away for the emblem. The notebook is for you to keep and
use.

It is recommended that the emblem Presentation be made at a service at the synagogue, pack meeting,
or another appropriate and timely event.

How Do I Meet the Requirements?

The requirements that follow are subdivided into six categories: Jewish names, holidays, terms, symbols
and objects, community helpers, and heroes.

These categories were selected with several considerations in mind, A broad-based curriculum of Jewish
life should include these elements. In addition, they should be sufficiently simple for first graders to
manage and should appeal to youngsters of diverse interests.

Needed resource materials should be readily available either in the library of a local synagogue, Jewish
school, or community worker. Where none of these resources exists locally, it is recommended that one or
two standard books on Jewish crafts, songs, holidays, etc., be purchased.

Virtually all of the requirements should lend themselves to fulfillment at home with the active assistance of
a parent.

The total assignment should be completed within a 9-month time frame or sooner.

Activities for Earning the Maccabee Emblem

My Name _________________________________________________

I. Names

In your notebook, provide the following Hebrew/English names:

Your own, Your Mother's, Father's, grandfather's, grandmother's and

synagogue in your area.

Counselor _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________

II. Holidays

In your notebook, provide the Hebrew names of four of the following Jewish holidays.

In addition, tell three facts about each of the four and carry out at least one suggested

activity connected with each of the four holidays.

Passover.....Hebrew name is: ???

The Jewish Midnight Mass.....Hebrew name is: ????

New Year. Hebrew names are: ______ and ________ .

Day of Atonement. Hebrew name is: ______________.

New Year of the Trees. Hebrew name is: ______________

Sabbath

Feast of Booths. Hebrew name is: ___________________

Feast of Weeks. Hebrew name is: ___________________

Israel Independence Day. Hebrew name is: ____________

Feast of Lots. Hebrew name is:

Festival of Lights. Hebrew name is:

Counselor _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________

III. Terms

In your notebook, tell what each of these terms means.

Mazal tov

Shalom

Yom tov

Torah

Mitzvah

Counselor _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________

IV. Symbols, Objects and Articles

In your notebook, identify five of the following objects. Indicate how they are used. Draw three of the five
articles or construct them out of wood, oaktag, cardboard, Styrofoam, metal, or other materials as
suggested.

Siddur (prayer book)

Shofar

Mezuzah

Matzah

Lulav

Menorah

Dreidle (called "svivon" in Hebrew)

Tallit (some pronounce it "tallis")

Haggadah

With the approval of your counselor, you may substitute two of the following symbols for two of the
above symbols: Magen David (Star of David), afikoman, gragger. kippah (yarmulkah), Aron Ha-Kodesh
(Holy Ark).

Counselor _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________

V. Community Helpers

In your notebook, briefly tell what two of the following persons do. In both cases, give the name of one
such person in your community or in a nearby one. interview one of them.

Rabbi

Cantor

Jewish educator (principal, teacher)

Jewish Community Center worker (JCC or YMHA)

If you wish, you may substitute a sofer (scribe) or a Jewish Federation worker for one of the above.

Counselor _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________

VI. Heroes

In your notebook tell briefly about five of the following important Jews.

Abraham

Moses

King David

Judah Maccabee

Ben Asher

Rabbi Hillel

Rabbi Akiba

The Rambam

Haym Salomon

Theodor Herzl

Anatoly (Natan) Shcharansky

With the approval of your counselor, you may substitute three of the following for three of the above
names; Deborah, Chaim Weizmann, David Ben Gurion, Menacham Begin, Golda Meir.

Counselor _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________

APPLICATION

This is to certify that

Name: ____________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State _______ Zip ____

a member of Tiger Group number _______________

affiliated with Pack number ___________________

organized by:

Name of organization: _________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

City: ____________________________________ State _______ Zip ____

and is located in the ______________________ Council,

has completed the Maccabee emblem requirements.

We recommend that he be approved for this honor.

Parent/Partner name: ____________________ Signature: ____________________

Counselor name: _____________________ Signature: ________________________

Synagogue or school: __________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________

To the Adult Partner:

First, please print the following information:

Your name: _______________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State _______ Zip____

Daytime phone: ____________________________

Evening Phone: _____________________________

Once your son or partner has completed all the activities and the counselor has signed the certification,
send the completed application, along with a check for $11.00 made payable to P.R.A.Y. (Programs of
Religious Activities with Youth) at the following address:

P.R.A.Y.

P.O. Box 6900

8520 Mackenzie Road

St. Louis, MO 63123

314-638-1017 -or- 800-933-7729

The emblem will be mailed to the person indicated above. Contact your council service center to see if a
local Jewish Committee on Scouting exists. They are able to assist you in making the arrangements for the
emblem presentation.

Return to NJCS Page

Last updated: September 11, 2000

http://www.jewishscouting.org/emblems/maccabee.html