Sukkot surprise
Scouts make holiday decorations for Cantor Center seniors
Jewish Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts in Broward County have committed themselves to serving the community.
Recently, Jewish children of Cub Scout Pack 18 and Girl Scout Troop 10618 made Sukkot decorations during its “Join Scouting Night” at Young Israel of Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale. This was part of the children’s service project to the community as the decorations were delivered to seniors at the Daniel D. Cantor Senior Center in Sunrise.
The children of both scouting groups also helped clear debris outside Young Israel a few days after Hurricane Irma impacted South Florida.
Alex Hochberger, volunteer cubmaster for Pack 18, praised the children’s efforts, saying, “It’s amazing to watch these youth really grow.”
“It amazes me how much we underestimate what children are capable of doing and I’m very impressed with their can do attitude,” Hochberger said.
Bette Hochberger, leader for Girl Scout Troop 10618, is also amazed at the children’s efforts.
“They’re learning to give back to their communities and they’re learning that there are people around them who have different needs,” she said. “I’m very proud of everything
they do because it’s one thing to watch your own kids do it, but when you can have an effect on other peoples’ kids, that’s amazing.”
A few of the children from the scout groups commented on their efforts with the Sukkot decorating projects and the clean-up after Irma.
Natan Garber, 8, said, “it makes me happy that I’m doing something that’s fun and that it’s going help other people.”
Esther Hochberger, 9, said on the Sukkot decorating, “I enjoy this project because it’s nice to give to people and with these decorations, the seniors get to have them and experience them and put them up.”
Esther said regarding the clean-up experience after Irma, “It was pretty neat because we got to help out cleaning up our environment and our community.”
Rachel Phillips of Cooper City, mother of Eva Phillips, 6, said about her daughter’s Sukkot decorating efforts, “This is so wonderful because she really enjoys giving back.”
Jacob Sossin, 9, enjoyed making the decorations,
saying, “I feels great to help because if I was one of the seniors, I wouldn’t be expecting the decorations.”
The scout groups meet at Young Israel of Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday evenings.
Alex Hochberger said on the success of these groups, “I think it’s wonderful and I think it’s a point of pride and I know Rabbi [Yosef ] Weinstock of Young Israel and the youth rabbi there, James Williams, are really happy with the work they’re doing. We’re very proud to highlight our involvement in the community.”
Alex Hochberger also noted, “I think the most important thing the children learn out of this is ‘you can do anything with hard work and determination.’ They also learn to take responsibility and to personally make the world a better place.”
Visit jewishboyscouts.com or JewishGirlScouts.com for more information.
“I feels great to help because if I was one of the seniors, I wouldn’t be expecting the decorations.” — Jacob Sossin, Jewish Cub Scout