Dallas Jewish Committee on Scouting founds Venturing Crew #790

By Deb Silverthorn

Venturing Crew #790 is North Texas’ first crew chartered by the Dallas Jewish Committee on Scouting under the auspices of Scouting America (BSA). It is coed and is now accepting applications from teens ages 14 to 20, with 13-year-old prospective members invited to participate as guests. An informational session was held in August, with the first crew meeting on Sept. 11. Future regular Crew meetings will be held on Wednesday evenings at Congregation Beth Torah, 720 Lookout Drive in Richardson.

“We are so excited to welcome this all-Jewish Venturing Crew, an opportunity for teens and young adults through age 20 to experience Scouting while ‘doing’ Jewish,” said Rachel Leventon, chair of the Dallas Jewish Committee on Scouting, which includes Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts of the USA and Scouts BSA. The committee promotes participation in Scouting within the Jewish community while using shared religion to enhance the Scouting experience.

“The range of activities we’ll engage in is vast. Whenever and wherever we can, we’ll bring our traditions and other aspects of Judaism into the program. In addition, it’s a wonderful chance for Jewish youth from throughout the community to come together,” added Leventon, a former Girl Scout. Her son Nico will be participating along with her daughter Shira, who is involved with the recently formed all-Jewish Girl Scout Troop #5881.

Venturing Crew programming and activities are based on adventure, leadership, personal development and service. These pillars intend to prepare Scouts for a future in higher education, in the workplace, in their communities and at home. Event planning, communication, responsibility and organizational skills are all built into the schedule. The focus is on service in the Jewish community and high-adventure activities like camping, backpacking, scuba diving, mountain climbing, rafting and more.

Many of the activities are similar to those of other Scouting entities. However, the emphasis in venturing is building leadership skills by planning and executing the adventures rather than meeting merit badge requirements.

“I’m glad we’ll be focusing more on the activities and adventures rather than what it takes to get a badge. The idea of just taking long and wonderful bike rides, without necessarily counting the miles, I think will make it fun,” said Henry Koenigsberg, a junior at J.J. Pearce High School who has been involved with Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) since he was 5 years old.

“I’ll remain a member of my Scout troop. But I also like that, through Venturing, it doesn’t have to end when I’m 18. I’ll be glad to have two more years to be involved,” Koenigsberg said. “I really look forward to making friends with Scouts from other synagogues and other schools — people who I imagine I wouldn’t otherwise ever get to know.”

Mitchell Gottesmann, Crew #790 adviser, has been involved in Scouting since he was a Tiger Cub. Having enjoyed years as a Boy Scout, Sea Scout and Venturer in Southern California, the recent transplant to Dallas says he was “all in, 100%” when asked to help out.

With “duty to God” and “reverence” noted among the principles of Scouting, bringing together a group of young Jews to enjoy the experience follows naturally.

“I grew up in troops of all Jews. I appreciated and I look forward to helping facilitate our shared heritage as something that heightens the experience of Scouting.” said Gottesmann. “My own memories include a 1,000-mile boat trip, backpacking and off-roading. There’s no limit to what we’ll enjoy.

“We want to help our youth achieve their goals of adventure and fun and to bring all that together as part of a people,” he added.

Bram Franklin, a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Sea Scout, volunteers for Circle 10 Council as district commissioner and oversees 38 Scouting groups. He is excited about this Crew and the tikkun olam, the bettering of the world, that will come from their efforts. While some community service activities will support the greater community, they will also focus on the Jewish community with possible engagement with Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, Jewish War Veterans and others.

“Bringing all that is strong in our Jewish tradition,” said Franklin, “to the goals and leadership of Scouting, helps to build and shape the character of our young people.”

For more details, meeting dates and times or to register, contact VenturingCrew790@gmail.com.