Hitachdut Hatsofim Ve Hatsofot Be Israel
Encyclopedia
The Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation is Israel
's national Scouting organization, known in Hebrew as Tzofim. Some 90,000 boys and girls belong to Tzofim in Israel.
in 1951, after the establishment of the State of Israel. The first Girl Guide units were also established in 1919; the respective federation became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
in 1963.
In 2009, Tzofim celebrated its 90th birthday. To mark the occasion, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
met members of Tzofim at his office, where he told stories of his youth in the Modi'in troop in Jerusalem.
Arab
, Christian Arab, and Druze
troops. Tzofim is open to everyone regardless of race, color, creed, or socio-economic standing. Israeli scouts come from all sectors of Israeli society.
, held every 4 years for adult scouts, and the Aryeh Croch Israeli Scouting Badge, held annually for 11th and 12th grade scouts. Most of the federation's programs and activities are held in the Scouts Ranch in the north of Israel. Tzofim runs a special project for children with physical and mental disabilities called Broshim (Evergreens). Tzofim maintains an active partnership with the German Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder
, including exchange visits by leadership delegations and international events.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
's national Scouting organization, known in Hebrew as Tzofim. Some 90,000 boys and girls belong to Tzofim in Israel.
History
The first Tzofim groups were founded in 1919. The Israeli Scouts movement became a member of the World Organization of the Scout MovementWorld Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
in 1951, after the establishment of the State of Israel. The first Girl Guide units were also established in 1919; the respective federation became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
in 1963.
In 2009, Tzofim celebrated its 90th birthday. To mark the occasion, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is the current Prime Minister of Israel. He serves also as the Chairman of the Likud Party, as a Knesset member, as the Health Minister of Israel, as the Pensioner Affairs Minister of Israel and as the Economic Strategy Minister of Israel.Netanyahu is the first and, to...
met members of Tzofim at his office, where he told stories of his youth in the Modi'in troop in Jerusalem.
Principles
Tzofim is a non-political organization but upholds Zionist and Jewish values. Scout troops in Israel have always been coeducational. The federation in Israel consists of Jewish, MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
, Christian Arab, and Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
troops. Tzofim is open to everyone regardless of race, color, creed, or socio-economic standing. Israeli scouts come from all sectors of Israeli society.
Structure
The Israel Scouts are divided into six regional hubs: Jerusalem, Central, Sharon, South, North, and Tzabar (North America and Western Europe). The scout troop is called a shevet, or tribe. In the large cities, there may be several clubhouses in different neighborhoods. Most towns and kibbutzim also have scouts dens.Programs
There are two advanced scouting programs: The Wood BadgeWood Badge
Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership program and the related award for adult leaders in the programs of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement...
, held every 4 years for adult scouts, and the Aryeh Croch Israeli Scouting Badge, held annually for 11th and 12th grade scouts. Most of the federation's programs and activities are held in the Scouts Ranch in the north of Israel. Tzofim runs a special project for children with physical and mental disabilities called Broshim (Evergreens). Tzofim maintains an active partnership with the German Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder
Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder
The Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder is a German Protestant coed Scouting and Guiding association with about 47,000 members....
, including exchange visits by leadership delegations and international events.
Member organizations
The members of the federation are:- Hebrew Scouts Movement in Israel - 60,000 members
- Arab School Scouts Association - 13,000 members
- Arab and Druze Scouts MovementArab and Druze Scouts MovementThe Arab and Druze Scouts Movement is a coeducational member of the Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation. The federation consists of Muslim Arab, Christian Arab, and Druze troops.-Member organizations:The members of the federation are:...
, which includes:- Israel Arab Scouts Association - 2,000 members
- Catholic Scout Association in Israel - 3,000 members
- Israel Druze Scouts Association - 5,000 members
- Christian Orthodox Scout Association - 2,500 members