Tzofim's Summer Delegation to the USA Archives

Tzofim's Summer Delegation to the USA

The Summer Delegation to the USA

The first Scouts delegation set out for the United States in 1960. Aboard a ship, 10 young Scout leaders traveled with the goal of serving as counselors in the summer camps of the sister movement, “Young Judaea,” and participating in the National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America. Since then and to this day, Tzofim Olami sends approximately 80 delegation members each year—11th-grade participants from the Scouts Movement in Israel—on two mission tracks:

The Jewish Summer Camps Track, in which delegation participants are placed in counseling roles at camp and guide in the areas of Scouting and Israel education in day or overnight camps. Participants in this track bring “Beautiful Israel” to the camps.

The Friendship Caravan Track, in which delegation participants selected for the Caravan form a performing troupe that represents Israel and the Scouts Movement and performs in more than 200 Jewish communities, summer camps, retirement homes, and more across North America. For over 50 years, the Friendship Caravan has created a unique connection and reaches the hearts of more than 150,000 Scouts each summer through song, dance, and values-based educational activities.

Training and Diaspora Missions

The first Scouts delegation set out for the United States in 1960. Aboard a ship, 10 young Scout leaders traveled with the goal of serving as counselors in the summer camps of the sister movement, “Young Judaea,” and participating in the National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America. Since then and to this day, Tzofim Olami sends approximately 80 delegation members each year—11th-grade participants from the Scouts Movement in Israel—on two mission tracks:

The Jewish Summer Camps Track, in which delegation participants are placed in counseling roles at camp and guide in the areas of Scouting and Israel education in day or overnight camps. Participants in this track bring “Beautiful Israel” to the camps.

The Friendship Caravan Track, in which delegation participants selected for the Caravan form a performing troupe that represents Israel and the Scouts Movement and performs in more than 200 Jewish communities, summer camps, retirement homes, and more across North America. For over 50 years, the Friendship Caravan has created a unique connection and reaches the hearts of more than 150,000 Scouts each summer through song, dance, and values-based educational activities.

I came to staff a summer camp, but I quickly realized I was there to learn—about American Judaism, about community, and about a completely different way of living the same story we call “Jewish identity.”

It made me take a fresh look at a huge part of who we are – not only what we tell ourselves about who we are, but what it sounds and looks like when someone else lives their Judaism in a different reality.

I came back from that summer with something deep: fewer sharp answers, and a stronger ability to listen. To understand that the connection between us isn’t built only on “agreement,” but on curiosity and respect and on the desire to remain family even when we’re different.

Gilad

Jewish Summer Camps Track, Summer of 2024

The Friendship Caravan is the moment you truly understand what it means to be a shlicha – a real emissary. Everywhere we went, a Jewish community was waiting for us, looking forward to it all year. Not “just another show,” but an event they count down to. You step into their tradition – and you become part of it.

There’s one encounter that has stayed with me: a girl named Prabina. She was the Caravan’s biggest fan—she knew all the songs and could name the participants from years back. She told me how every year she counts the days until we come again. It was a small moment, but it explained the whole story: for us, it’s a journey of days and nights – for them, it’s a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Ronny

The Friendship Caravan Track, Summer of 2025

The Summer Delegation to the USA

The Jewish Summer Camps Track, in which delegation participants are placed in counseling roles at camp and guide in the areas of Scouting and Israel education in day or overnight camps. Participants in this track bring “Beautiful Israel” to the camps.

Training and Diaspora Missions

Gilad

Ronny

Updates

About

Areas of activity

Diaspora and national ties

Youth Movement