Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs israélites de France
Encyclopedia
The Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs israélites de France (EEIF, Jewish Guides and Scouts of France) is a Jewish
Scouting
and Guiding
organization in France
. It was founded in 1923 and serves about 4,000 members. The EEIF is a member of the Fédération du Scoutisme Français
and of the International Forum of Jewish Scouts.
and in 1924 in Paris
; the association Eclaireurs israélites de France (EIF) was founded in 1924. Jewish Guide units emerged also in the 1920s and were integrated in the Fédération Française des Eclaireuses (FFE; French Guides Federation) in 1928.
In 1939, the EIF were admitted to the Bureau inter-fédéral du scoutisme which coordinated the membership of the different French Scouting associations within the World Organization of the Scout Movement
; the Guides with in the FEE were members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
through the Comité de liaison of the FFE and the Guides de France. In 1940, these two bodies reorganized and formed the Fédération du Scoutisme Français
.
Despite the German occupation of France during World War II
and the banning of all Jewish youth organizations in the occupied zone
in August 1940, the EIF maintained their activities. When the Vichy regime
requested the dissolution of the EIF in November 1941, the groups could continue their work under the aegis of Scoutisme Français until January 1943. Many older members of EIF joined the French resistance forming own units; they joined the Organisation juive de Combat in 1944. About 110 leaders of the EIF were killed in action or deported to the concentration camps.
The EIF and the Guides within the FFE resumed their public activities after World War II. In 1948, a group of leaders emigrated to Israel
founding a kibbutz
and supporting the foundation of the country.
In 1969, the Jewish Guides left the FFE joining the EIF. Thus, the association was renamed to Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs israélites de France.
, Canada
. Typically, a local group has at least one unit of each of the three younger branches.
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
and Guiding
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
organization in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It was founded in 1923 and serves about 4,000 members. The EEIF is a member of the Fédération du Scoutisme Français
Scoutisme Français
The Fédération du Scoutisme Français is an umbrella organization that combines the efforts of the several Scouting and Guiding associations in France and also represents the Scouting movement in French Guiana, Martinique, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, New Caledonia, Réunion, Wallis and Futuna and...
and of the International Forum of Jewish Scouts.
History
The first Jewish Scout units in France were founded in 1923 in VersaillesVersailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
and in 1924 in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
; the association Eclaireurs israélites de France (EIF) was founded in 1924. Jewish Guide units emerged also in the 1920s and were integrated in the Fédération Française des Eclaireuses (FFE; French Guides Federation) in 1928.
In 1939, the EIF were admitted to the Bureau inter-fédéral du scoutisme which coordinated the membership of the different French Scouting associations within the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
; the Guides with in the FEE were members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
through the Comité de liaison of the FFE and the Guides de France. In 1940, these two bodies reorganized and formed the Fédération du Scoutisme Français
Scoutisme Français
The Fédération du Scoutisme Français is an umbrella organization that combines the efforts of the several Scouting and Guiding associations in France and also represents the Scouting movement in French Guiana, Martinique, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, New Caledonia, Réunion, Wallis and Futuna and...
.
Despite the German occupation of France during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the banning of all Jewish youth organizations in the occupied zone
Military Administration in Belgium and North France
The Belgium and Northern France was an Axis-occupied territory that included present-day Belgium and the French departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais...
in August 1940, the EIF maintained their activities. When the Vichy regime
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
requested the dissolution of the EIF in November 1941, the groups could continue their work under the aegis of Scoutisme Français until January 1943. Many older members of EIF joined the French resistance forming own units; they joined the Organisation juive de Combat in 1944. About 110 leaders of the EIF were killed in action or deported to the concentration camps.
The EIF and the Guides within the FFE resumed their public activities after World War II. In 1948, a group of leaders emigrated to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
founding a kibbutz
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
and supporting the foundation of the country.
In 1969, the Jewish Guides left the FFE joining the EIF. Thus, the association was renamed to Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs israélites de France.
Emblem
- The two lions defend and protect the Torah. They traditionally symbolize the Jewish people.
- The Torah is symbolized by the Tables of the Law (the Ten Commandments).
- The fleur de lys, a symbol of Scouting and the membership in WOSM.
- The trefoil, the membership in WAGGGS, added when the association became mixed.
Structure
The association runs about 50 local groups in France, served by six regional councils, and one group in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Typically, a local group has at least one unit of each of the three younger branches.
Program
The EEIdF works in four branches; all activities are coeducational:- Branche cadette: Bâtisettes et Bâtisseurs - ages 8 to 11
- Branche moyenne: Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs (Guides and ScoutsBoy ScoutA Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
) - ages 11 to 15 - Branche Perspectives: Pifettes et Pifs - ages 15 to 17
- Branche aînée: Compagnons (RoversRover ScoutsRover Scouting is a service division of Scouting for young men, and in most countries, women. A group of Rovers, analogous to a Scout troop, is called a 'Crew.'...
) - ages 18 to 25
Further reading
- Alain Michel, Scouts, Juifs et Français: l'histoire des E.I. de 1923 aux années 80; Editions Elkana, Jerusalem 2003; ISBN 965-90579-0-3