The National Jewish Committee on Scouting is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Eagle Scout Scholarships. If you or a Jewish Scout you know would like to be considered for one of four scholarships, please review the Eagle Scout Scholarship application instructions.
Brandon Balfe
Ramsey, NJ, Northern New Jersey Council
Chester M. Vernon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship ($5,000.00)
Brandon’s Scouting journey began as a Tiger Cub in Ramsey Pack 306. He followed the scout promise as he advanced through the ranks and successfully reached the rank of Webelos Scout, earning his Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting. He earned all of the emblems in the Jewish Religious Emblems program; Maccabee, Aleph, Ner Tamid, and Etz Chaim. In 2019, Brandon crossed over to Scouts BSA into Troop 31. Brandon progressed through Scouting, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life through dedication and hard work. He completed 62 merit badges. He became an Ordeal member in the Order of the Arrow in 2021. Later, he became a Brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Brandon created a pollinator and remembrance garden to help with the pollination and beautification of the outdoor space at Temple Emeth. Another part of Brandon’s vision for the garden was to create an outdoor space, of not only worship but community. Brandon has been very active in his congregation, Temple Emeth. He has participated in the religious school, junior choir (Etz Chaim), middle school/high school youth programming (Emeth Teen Community), attended the Union for Reform Judaism – Religious Action Center, and URJ Camp Eisner. Brandon has completed the Ramsey CERT program and hopes to be of help to the Ramsey community.In October 2025, after years of hard work, commitment, and perseverance, Brandon earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The achievement marked not only the culmination of this part of his Scouting journey. Brandon continues to be an active part of Scouting America through Venturing Crew 1204. Looking towards the future, Brandon has has been accepted to Pennsylvania College of Technology to major in Automotive technology.
Richard Davidoff
Louisville, KY, Lincoln Heritage Council
Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship ($5,000.00)
Richard started Scouting as a Cub Scout in Louisville, Kentucky, earning the Arrow of Light and Aleph awards. He then earned 40 merit badges and the Ner Tamid award on the way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He has served in many leadership positions in his troop, and is currently the Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative. For his Eagle Project, he organized the construction of a storage shed for an organization providing support and activities to adults with developmental disabilities. Through this project, 32 volunteers provided 222 service hours. Richard is an OA Vigil Honor Member, and he received the Arrowman of the Year and Time awards during two terms as Lodge Secretary. He has served on Lodge committees including Events, Parliamentary Procedure, Digital Media, Vigil Selection, and Inductions, and led the 2026 Spring Fellowship Committee. For his synagogue, Richard has served as a Volunteer Technical Assistant, where he redesigned the website and helped stream community services. He also served as Vice President of his High School’s Jewish Student Union and as an assistant teacher in a community religious school. This summer he will be a troop guide for his council’s NYLT course, a member of the Operation Arrow Service Corps at the National Jamboree, and a lifeguard at Camp Livingston, a Jewish sleepaway camp. After this summer, he will attend the University of Kentucky to study Computer Engineering.
Rebecca Sult
Valley Stream, NY, Long Island (former Theodore Roosevelt) Council
Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship ($5,000.00)
Rebecca has earned all of the Jewish religious emblems for which she was eligible (Aleph, Ner Tamid, Etz Chaim) and two All Faith Awards for Cub Scouts and Scouting America from her local Council. Most recently, she received the Talmud Torah Award from NJCOS. Rebecca is an Eagle Scout and has earned 55 merit badges and 6 Eagle Palms. In addition to serving as Senior Patrol Leader and various leadership positions in her scout troop, she has been a leader in her Venturing Crew in East Rockaway and her Sea Scout Ship in Freeport. Extremely active in the Order of the Arrow, she was the first female youth in her Lodge to attain the Vigil Honor where she served as Lodge Secretary and Chapter Chief. She was also the first female member of the Lodge Ceremonial Team. On the national level, Rebecca has been a member of the BSA Youth Council and a staff member of the NYLT Leadership Academy in Washington, DC. Some of her training includes LLD, NLS, ILSS at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and NAYLE at Summit Bechtel. She is a two-time NOAC delegate and National Jamboree staff member and contingent participant. Next year, she will be a staff member at the World Scout Jamboree in Poland. Rebecca has earned both the High Adventure Grand Slam and the OA High Adventure Triple Crown, having been to all four bases (Philmont, Northern Tier, Summit, Florida Sea Base) at least twice. Outside of scouting, she is a member of USY and was a three-sport athlete (soccer, fencing, lacrosse) in high school, as well as Drum Major of the marching band. With the goal of becoming a doctor, Rebecca will attend Vassar College, majoring in Biology and Economics. She will also be on the Vassar varsity fencing team.