By Ezra N. Rich
As we wrap up Jewish American Heritage Month, it is fitting to highlight Jewish Buffalo’s celebration this Shabbat of the 100th anniversary of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting (NJCOS). The organization prepares young Jews to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of Judaism as expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. This evening, NJCOS’ special birthday is being marked at Congregation Shir Shalom’s annual Scout Shabbat–which they have hosted since 2018–in partnership with the Western New York Jewish Committee on Scouting. It is one of dozens of 100th anniversary events being held nationwide this year.
A venerable institution in American life, Scouting has been fostering character development and values-based leadership training for generations of young people, including many children from across Jewish Buffalo over the decades. From many senior members of our community who grew up in Scouting and have nurtured future generations–including Eric Davis, Harvey Horowitz, Dr. Mark Finkelstein, and Bruce Corris, among many others–to current Scouting parents serving as Scoutmasters and Cubmasters, including Susan & Damon Beiter, Leah Romeo, Michael Horowitz, and Matt Kaufman, respectively.
Coupled with Scoutmaster Romeo’s delicious s’mores challah, here is a taste of WNY Jewish Scouting being celebrated at Scout Shabbat:
WNY Jewish Scouting: Under the direction of Scoutmaster Leah Romeo, the WNY Jewish Committee on Scouting was recognized nationally for its excellent year-round programming for Jewish Scouts and the activities developed here in WNY. Among these innovations noted by Scoutmaster Romeo are the pioneer sukkah build, pie iron latke campfire, as well as her s’mores challah. They are now setting standards for councils around the country! In one of their most inspiring projects in recent years, they created and sent field medical kits to Israel following the Oct. 7th Simchat Torah tragedy.
Adam Beiter: An Eagle Scout from his years with Troop 1910B, Adam is a 2025 alumnus of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. He is currently a graduate student in Stony Brook University’s M.A. program in Music Composition. When Adam is in WNY, he enhances Jewish Buffalo with his musical talents, leading uplifting Erev Shabbat services under the summer tent at his hometown temple, Congregation Shir Shalom, as well as infusing musical joy at the JCC’s Camp Centerland.
Noah Beiter: Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout as a high schooler with Scout Troop 1910B, today this Mercyhurst University student is majoring in Criminal Justice and is active on campus with its Honors Program, Marching Band, and Theater Productions. A Hamburg native and member of Congregation Shir Shalom, Noah will be marking his fourth summer as a staffer at Camp Scouthaven in the role of Outdoor Skills Director! Adam and Noah were guided in Scouting by their dedicated parents, Scoutmasters Susan & Damon Beiter, and Mr. Harvey Horowitz, among others.
Michael Romeo: An Eagle Scout from Troop 630 (Grand Island), Michael has been involved in Scouting for 16 years. In 2023, he achieved a feat very few ever reach: earning all 139 Merit Badges! Taking a breather from his time as a Mechanical Engineering student, this summer Michael will be marking his sixth summer on the Camp Scouthaven staff and his second as Archery Director!
Matthew Romeo and Eli Coutu: Two high schoolers who have been active in Scouting together since age 5, both have been embracing a range of Scouting activities. As Scoutmaster Romeo notes, “Working with Congregation Shir Shalom’s Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein, Eli and Matthew did an excellent job with the Scouting Interfaith Committee in Scouts Read Sacred Texts–a day in which scouts read from their sacred writings for the same hour in each time zone, so it becomes 24 hours of reading around the world.” Rabbi Alex even brought a Torah scroll to this special global event, which was hosted locally by the Great Falls Council Religious Relations Committee last month. Of great pride to Scoutmaster Romeo and our local Jewish Scouts, this year Matthew passed his board of review for Eagle Scout! He joins his older siblings, Michael and Ava (one of WNY’s first female recipients), in achieving Scouting’s highest rank!
Jake, Riley, and Zach Kaufman: Since 2021, the Kaufman brothers have been enjoying many camping adventures with Cub Scout Pack 619, led by their father, Cubmaster Matt Kaufman! At their bi-annual camping trips and yearly summer camp, the Cub Scouts have participated in activities such as archery, BB shooting, boating, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, obstacle courses, gaga ball, nature education, cooking, campfire programs, Scout skills training, team-building activities, and more. As Cubmaster Kaufman proudly shares, “Through this, they have built a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and Scouting values.”
Miles Horowitz: Under the direction of his father, Eagle Scout Michael Horowitz, who serves as Treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 47, elementary schooler Miles and his fellow Cub Scouts are growing in Scouting. They are building on the example Miles’ grandfather, Harvey Horowitz, set during Michael’s Scouting journey as the troop’s treasurer, and he gets to encourage him as his dear grandpa!
Embracing the “Yours in Jewish Scouting” Ethos: In addition to the WNY Jewish Committee on Scouting’s impactful work, they have been most welcoming to local Girl Scouts at Scout Shabbat, especially Scoutmaster Romeo’s encouragement for them to earn awards from the National Jewish Committee on Girl Scouting and in celebrating their achievements.
Special thanks to Congregation Shir Shalom, especially Executive Director Joanne Marquisee, as well as Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein and Cantor Arlene Frank, for their continued support and partnership with Scouting Shabbat and related Jewish Scouting programs.
Shabbat Shalom, Mazel Tov, and here’s to the next century of Jewish Scouting in WNY and beyond!
– Ezra N. Rich is the Secretary of Buffalo Jewish Federation and a proud Scout Shabbat attendee as the father of three Girl Scouts. He dedicates this spotlight in memory of his late synagogue friend, Scoutmaster Sheldon Freidenreich, z”l, a legend in Jewish Scouting who recently passed away.
