October 25, 2009
Van Nuys, California

Western Los Angeles County Council BSA (Host Council)
Anna Ruggieri Service Center
16525 Sherman Way, Unit C-8
Van Nuys, California 91406

At this conference, information relevant to Scouting in and for the Jewish community will be shared among those from the Western Region (and elsewhere around the country) in attendance who serve Jewish youth.

Details about the conference will be found at the following pages:

Who Should Attend

Agenda and Presenters

Registration/Travel/Lodging

Visitor Guide

Contact

A little something about the conference theme: "Lech L'cha -- Go for yourself, be a leader, and you shall be a blessing for our children."  The conference theme is taken from the name and text of the Parsha (Torah Portion) for 7 Cheshvan 5770, corresponding to October 25, 2009, on the secular calendar. That portion begins as follows at Gen 12:1: 

From a source in the library of this web page editor, the above text is translated as follows:

"The LORD said to Abram, 'Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, / And I will bless you; / I will make your name great, / And you shall be a blessing."  Plaut, W. Gunther, ed. The Torah:  A Modern Commentary.  New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1981.

Rabbi Peter Hyman, NJCOS National Chaplain, offers these thoughts on why this theme fits well.  "Abraham goes out into unfamiliar territory. He starts a journey that takes him from the familiar and comfortable to a land unknown and uncharted. It is a most appropriate metaphor describing change and growth ... which is after all what we want to have come out of the conference."  Morevoer, one might ask, "Who ultimately is the recipient of the blessing suggested in this Torah portion? It is not just Abraham but all subsequent generations that benefited from his courage and faith."

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For information about the conference as it develops, please join the J-Scouts List for e-mails pertaining to Jewish Scouting and the Western Region Conference.  You may also contact David I. Karp, Western Region Conference Chairman.