The Israeli Scouts of America, also known as Tzofim in Hebrew, is a youth movement that holds operations in Israel and North America.  Introduced to the program by their parents, senior Arielle Kobi, juniors Nadav Gat, Ameet Kanon and Lee Ben-Gal and sophomore Yehuda Kobi spend around eight hours each week working as counselors to Jewish children.

The scouts aim to help children learn the importance of their Israeli heritage.  They set up both daytime and sleep-away activities that focus on assimilating Israeli cultural beliefs into American life.  Motivated to create friendships, these counselors devote all their time and effort to provide the best experiences for their campers.

“I will definitely miss the bond I have with my kids, especially the ninth graders because I have grown so close with them,” said Arielle Kobi.  “They come to me for real advice outside of Tzofim.”

There are many ways the scouts strengthened their campers’ Israeli knowledge.  For example, “Larger Than Life,” an organization in which kids from Israel with cancer can come to California for vacation, teaches the campers the importance of life.  The Israeli Scouts of America takes Israeli cancer victims to places such as Disneyland, Universal, Six Flags and Beverly Hills.  The scouts enjoy themselves while giving back to the people of their culture, as it brings a part of Israel to their home life in California.

“This program brings us all together as a family, which helps the Israeli traditions stay alive in all of us,” said Gat.

To the CHS students involved, The Israeli Scouts of America is more than just a program; it is a way of life.