NewsJoshEagle

Roslyn's First Eagle Scout in over 25 years is
the Council's Outstanding Eagle for 1999

Scoutmaster Steven Cahn congratulates his son Joshua, as Howard Gursky (Committee Chairman) looks on from the podium.

Eagle Scout Ceremony “re-introduces” Scouting to Roslyn

It was the first Eagle Scout "Court of Honor" in the Roslyn area in more than a quarter century and nearly 225 people were in attendance at Temple Beth Sholom on May 23rd to honor Joshua Cahn of Roslyn Heights. Many in attendance had no idea of the significance of Scouting's highest rank, and some were unaware that Scouting was thriving in this area.

Nationally, fewer than 2% of all scouts earn this honor and politicians & dignitaries were on hand to offer their congratulations. Nassau County Executive Tom Gulotta, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newberger, N.Y. State Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, and Nassau County Legislator Barbara Johnson, each made individual presentations. Letters of congratulations were received from Bill & Hillary Clinton; Governor Pataki; Presidents Carter, Reagan, and Bush; U.S. Senator Moynihan, N.Y. State Senator Mike Balboni; and famous Eagle Scouts: President Ford, Congressman Gary Ackerman and Senator/Astronaut John Glen.

Rabbi Joseph Sternstein, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Sholom, was called upon to open the "Court" with a benediction. After a brief explanation of the significance of the Eagle rank, there was a candle lighting ceremony conducted by some of the boys in the troop. Josh's mother pinned the Eagle Medal to his uniform and his name was affixed to a plaque, which will be prominently displayed in the temple, which sponsors the troop. Howard Gursky, the troop's Committee Chairman (and an Eagle Scout) narrated the ceremony, after which the following presentations were made:

The Frank L. Weil National College Scholarship, offered by the National Jewish Committee on Scouting was awarded by Alan Yanofsky (Chairman of Nassau's Jewish Scouting Committee) and Stanley Weinstein, Vice President of NESA (the National Eagle Scout Association).

Josh also earned the Milton Mandel Memorial College Scholarship, created in 1993 by Beth Sholom's Mens Club, to honor Milt's tireless efforts to promote Jewish Scouting in Nassau County. Howard Schnitzer, whose sons are also active in the troop, presented the scholarship. Angela Mandel also took the stage for the presentation in her husband's honor.

Some of Scouting's dignitaries were on hand as well. Bruce "Trip" McMillan, Scout Executive for the Theodore Roosevelt Council presented Josh with special Eagle insignia and administered the Eagle Scout Oath. Other Scouting VIPs, Ray Greenspan, Brian Luss, John Imperiale, Kenneth Boglia, and Bryan Thompson were also in attendance.

Josh was presented with the Brian Bram Award, the "Outstanding Eagle Scout for 1998-99" by Mark Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of NESA. Josh will deliver the valedictory address for his unusually large class of 146 Eagle Scouts at the upcoming recognition dinner at the US Merchant Marine Academy in front of leaders of our community and commerce on June 2nd.

Josh's Eagle service project offered instruction and CPR certification to baby sitters, resulting in 24 certifications. In recognition of this and other community service efforts, Josh was presented with the American Legion's Outstanding Citizen Medal by Frank Padar, Commander of Post 304 in Manhasset; the Federation of Jewish Mens Clubs Youth Leadership Medal; a U. S. Savings Bond from the Keyspan Energy Corporation; and community service citations from the Jewish War Veterans, and the Knights of Pythias.

Mark Yagerman of Old Westbury (recently named "Brooklyn District's Scouter of the Year") and Alan Kovacs of Searingtown (an Eagle Scout) each made presentations on behalf of the Troop's Parents and Organizational Committee.

Joshua, formerly a student at Herricks High School is graduating in June from the Solomon Schechter High School of Long Island. He will begin his freshman year in September in the joint degree program at Columbia University and List College of Jewish Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Joshua's parents are Bonnie Cahn, a Spanish teacher at Solomon Schechter High School and Membership Vice President at Temple Beth Sholom; and Steven Cahn, Scoutmaster for the troop and an Eagle Scout, class of 1969. His siblings are Rachel, 5 years old, and Benjamin, 13. Benjamin is a "Star Scout," working hard to achieve the Eagle Rank as well. Proud grandparents Leatrice & Harold Baron of East Hills, and Pearl & Herb Cahn of Montreal were on hand for the ceremony.

Troop 267 was established in 1992 as the only troop in the only Boy Scout troop in the Roslyn area. The troop’s program teaches self-reliance, leadership, and responsibility to the community, at weekly meetings and on monthly camping trips. The troop is open to all boys, ages 11 - 18, and the Cub Scout Pack is open to all boys 6 - 10. Not everyone becomes an Eagle Scout, but every boy who enters the program takes away skills he can use for a lifetime. If you have a son or grandson who could benefit from the scouting program, call 621-0675 for registration information.