activities

In Summer 2008 the IFJS sent its first unit to an international jamboree. The unit was made up of members of the 401st Manchester Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, the 16th Edgware Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from the UK and the Canadian Jewish Scouts.

The unit Leader, Andrew Marks, along with his team spent the year before the Jamboree organising, with the Jamboree Organising Team, the Kosher food and menu and the logistics of the camp for the IFJS unit. The Jamboree Organising Team were very helpful and due to the large amount of planning the unit arrived on site with everything prepared and ready for an amazing camp.

Jamboree 2008 marked the centenary of scouting in Ireland and was attended by 12,000 participants over 10 days. Activities on the camp were based around the elements of Spirit, Neon, Fire, Earth & Air. The weather was unfortunately not on our side but this did not stop the young adventurers from taking part in the many activities on offer including Rock Climbing, the Irish Army based under-water assault course, Sailing, Canoeing, Fire Lighting, Helicopter rides, over-night adventures etc. Each night there were activities in the main arena which ranged from Talent Shows to an amazing Queen tribute band. All this to celebrate Ireland’s 100 years of Scouting!

The IFJS unit hosted a Shabbat dinner attended by the Camp Chief and all of his senior staff who had been so helpful over the year before the camp.

The IFJS unit also ran the Jewish tent in the Faiths and Belief’s zone. This used the Jewish Way of Life Exhibition provided by the UK Jewish Board of Deputies and was based around the same program as was used on the World Jamboree in 2007. Neil Silverman and his team did an amazing job in organising the program and equipment for the 6 months before the Jamboree and ran a very successful program. There were many great reviews of the wonderful experiences had by many scouts of all religions who participated.

The Leadership Team of the IFJS Unit was as follows:

Unit Leader/Coordinator: Andrew Marks

London Cub leader and London Transport and Logistics Coordinator: Alison Jacobs

Manchester Scout Leader and Manchester Transport and Logistics Coordinator: Michael Marks

Kosher Menu Team: Andrew Marks, Harvey Marks, Spencer Conway, Michelle Calmonson

Manchester Cub Leaders: Martin Cohen, Ruth Silverman, Raymond Perrin

London Cub Leaders: Alison Jacobs, Simon Jacobs, Barry Gelfand

Manchester Scout Leaders: Michael Marks, Mark Lefton, Jonathon Sumroy

Jewish Faith Tent Team

Coordinator: Neil Silverman

Team Members: Robert Silverman, Avril Frankl, Karine Ohayun (Canada), Eva Zelmanovitch (Canada), David Marks