The investiture ceremony of 15 Cubs, six Scouts and two Scouters (adult leaders) was held at their meeting venue at Froggy Pond in Sandringham. The group’s name is the 1st Magen Scout Group and their enthusiasm for the project was obvious by the large number of parents and family members who attended to lend their support to the occasion.
A volunteer, who also drove the launch, Gilad Spitalnik said, “The investiture started 18 months ago when the now-group Scouter, Ronnie Lurie, approached the district commissioner of the Gauteng Northern District, Don Norris, about the possible formation of a Scout group to consist of members of the Orthodox Jewish community.”
Spitalnik joined the development process and things moved ahead slowly, gently and with great determination and had now come to full fruition, he said.
Speaking to parents and the Scouts before the ceremony, Spitalnik said, “There was a Jewish group which operated in Port Elizabeth during the ’50s, but they ceased to exist. That makes us the first Jewish group in Gauteng, and the only one operating in South Africa at present. We are proud to be in this position but we hope that many other communities will follow our lead.”
The 1st Magen Group hold their meetings on Sunday afternoons at 3pm at Froggy pond, Club Street, Sandringham. The Cubs will welcome boys and girls aged between seven and 11. The Scouts are open to boys and girls aged between 11 and 18.
Details: Ronnie Lurie, 082 301 9556 or Gilad Spitalnik, 072 857 0849.
