"My studies at the Mandel Institute opened worlds for me"

Frederic Cherbite
Mandel Jerusalem Fellows Graduate, Cohort 14
Founder and Director of the International Forum of Jewish Scouts (IFJS)

Fred Cherbite had been General Secretary of the Jewish Scouts Organization in France (EEIF) for five years, when he approached Mandel Jerusalem fellows with his idea to found a new forum for Jewish Scouts worldwide. A year later he began his two year fellowship at the Mandel Leadership Institute in Jerusalem and upon finishing, he indeed formed the International Forum of Jewish Scouts (IFJS).

Although Cherbite had a solid background in the field of informal education and social initiatives, he claims that being a Jerusalem fellow, “opened worlds” for him. “It opened worlds in thinking; in Judaism and in philosophy,” he muses.
“More than this, I couldn’t have founded the Forum if it wasn’t for Mandel Jerusalem Fellows and the support I have received and am still receiving.”

The IFJS was founded in 2006 in order to develop a worldwide community of Jewish scouts and promote dialogue between them. According to Cherbite, “The Forum’s objective is to utilize more than 80 years of experience in scouting as a platform for Jewish education, and to encourage young Jews to engage with fellow scouts from other religions, thus advancing the exchange of ideas and strengthening ties among scouts of different faiths.”

Frederic mentions the wide variety of people he met during his fellowship and the networking that arose from the Mandel experience. “The Graduates’ conferences have provided further opportunities to create international contacts which are aiding the development of the International Forum of Jewish Scouts,” he says.