On Wednesday, January 15th 2025, a group of Cub Scouts from Pack 28/Den 3 (Dunstable MA) visited Beth Abraham to learn about Judaism as part of the “reverence” requirement. Ryan McLane, a parent of a Cub Scout and the den-leader had arranged this visit with Sarit Tsor, TBA’s Director of Education and Engagement. The group has previously visited a Buddhist Temple and other houses of faith. To most of them, this was their first exposure to Judaism, and first time being in a Synagogue. The group arrived at 5:00 pm, and we began with a tour of the building. The Cub Scouts were asked to begin by taking a walk through the gallery, and collect “questions” – notice anything they would like to get more information about, and think about formulating a question about it.
We began the tour in the gallery, walked through the Chapel, discussed the Yahrzeit boards and Hebrew-letter clock. We then walked through the gallery, pointing out the Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) and the Sh’ma prayer that is carved on the wooden panels behind it. We learned that the Jewish faith believes in one God, one that has no shape or gender, no image or any way for us to sense with our 5 senses. We answered some questions that the children formulated, and then moved on to the library, and the social hall. There we discussed the rules of Kashrut, and played a little game in which we recognized Kosher symbols and identified Kosher style foods (for example – “Would a cheeseburger be Kosher? Why or why not?”)
Following this conversation, we walked into the sanctuary where we explored Hebrew texts of varying kinds such as Humash and Siddur as well as Hebrew children’s picture books. We looked at the Hebrew letters, vowels and the fact that Hebrew text is read from right to left, as well as a Hebrew books opening from right to left (which may feel backwards to English readers…)
We then discussed the Torah, and Sarit took a real Torah out of the ark, and placed it on a table so the children can look at it. We made sure the children and their parents knew not to touch the Torah with their fingers, and use a Yad to point to words. We discussed how long it takes to read the Torah cover to cover, and when and who reads it. We also learned about “Torah parades” (Hakkafot) during Shabbat and holy days.
After returning the Torah to the ark we once again traveled to the social hall where a couple of craft activities were waiting for the children. Some scouts chose to make their own model Torah scroll, while others used Hebrew worksheets to learn about the Hebrew letters.
When it was time to leave, the children and their parents expressed gratitude and said they enjoyed their visit and learned a lot. Sarit invited them to come back any time and keep us in mind for future visits.
