Student helps kids connect heritage through Israeli Scouts
By Stephanie Bertholdo
Acorn Staff Writer

Ronnie Josef

Amid an active life of enviable academic achievement, cheer-leading, tutoring and editing the school’s yearbook, Agoura High School junior Ronnie Josef keeps Israeli traditions alive for herself and younger children as a counselor with the Israeli Scouts.

The Israeli Scouts ("Tzophim" in Hebrew) meets every Sunday evening at the Jewish Community Center in Van Nuys to learn about life in Israel, from the economy and politics to education and entertainment. Josef said, "We try to have more of a connection between us and Israel, unlike other Scout troops." The Los Angeles branch has about 200 members.

Josef’s passion for Israel is steeped in her family’s history. She explained that her mother’s side of the family live in Israel. Josef herself was born there, but moved to the United States when she was 2 years old.

As a counselor for fifth-grade girls, Josef enjoys sharing traditions and playing games with the students. On holidays, she said, the counselors (25 in all) put on a show for family and friends in which they sing, dance and read letters from Holocaust survivors.

The America vs. Israel game is one of Josef’s favorites. The game is a debate of sorts in which students choose sides when discussing the contrasting lifestyles of each country.

Josef likes entertainment in Israel more than here. Josef said that in Israel, nightclubs for young people are common. "DJs play funky disco music and it’s a great place to meet and have fun," she said. Other forms of Israeli teen entertainment are interchangeable with life in Southern California. Teens soak up the sun on the beaches, congregate at malls and chat in coffee shops.

"Israel is a small state, more homey," she said, adding that it’s similar to Agoura Hills. Moreover, she said, "Israel is a lot safer (than America). There are no rapes or serial killers." Apparently parents trust teenagers more in Israel than America. Josef said, "Parents trust them to go out because not much could go wrong."

The Scouts chose America, however, when debating the economy. "There’s more chance for expanding," Josef explained, adding that it’s easier to get into college in America. "There are so many opportunities here—people who push you and want you to succeed," she said.

It’s a toss-up regarding which country won the hearts of the Scouts when education was discussed. In Israel, students attend class six days a week, but invest fewer hours per day at school.

According to information Josef sent, the purpose of the Israeli Scouts "is to allow the children to connect with their roots of their homeland in Israel, participate in community service and stay away from bad habits such as drugs and sex."

The Israeli Scouts go on two camping trips per year, one in May, the other in December. Kids are shown how Scouts in Israel camp out. "Israeli traditions come as shock to many kids," Yosef said. She added that American children are amazed that Israeli kids build their own lodging. "Here we take it easy and sleep in rooms," she said.

The Israeli Scouts traditionally promote community service. Although Yosef said that her troop hasn’t been involved in a project recently, she plans on visiting a Jewish elderly home or may "go and clean up a beach."

Students become eligible to become counselors-in-training once they reach ninth grade, Yosef said. By 10th grade, they can serve as a counselor in charge of an assigned group. Some students oversee entire grade levels, while some simply assist another counselor.

Yosef said she plans on attending California State University Northridge and would like to become a broadcast journalist in the U.S. and the Middle East.