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Aviva Zippin, a 10th-grade student at the Jewish Leadership Academy in Miami, recently achieved a historic milestone: she became the first Orthodox Jewish female Eagle Scout in the Southeastern United States. A member and current Senior Patrol Leader of Scout Troop 18, based at the Young Israel of Hollywood, Aviva’s accomplishment is not only a personal triumph, but also a powerful example of Kiddush Hashem: bringing honor to the Jewish community through her actions. Bruce Streger, Southern Region Chairman for the National Jewish Committeee on Scouting encompassing Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia verified for his region, “Aviva will be, to my knowledge, the first female Orthodox Jewish Scout to reach Eagle.”
Reaching the rank of Eagle Scout is a rare and demanding accomplishment, requiring years of dedication, leadership, service, and perseverance. For Aviva, the journey was especially meaningful as she balanced the commitments of Scouting with the responsibilities of her Jewish observance. From carefully planning meetings and service projects around Shabbat and holidays, to planning and executing her final Eagle Scout service project with over 100 hours of volunteering, she approaches every step with integrity and purpose.
Jeff Berger, CEO of South Florida Council, offered his thoughts, “Congratulations to Aviva Zippin for this amazing accomplishment of an Eagle Scout Leadership project that will have a positive impact for all youth seeking a voice of strength in the face of adversity.”
For her Eagle Scout service project, Aviva partnered with Lauren’s Kids, a Florida-based nonprofit committed to education and advocacy. Her project centered around the creation of The Empowerment Center—an original website she envisioned, designed, and brought to life by leading a dedicated team. The site promotes empowerment, self-growth, and access to uplifting resources intended to inspire people of all backgrounds to take control of their lives, build resilience, and make positive changes in their communities.
Visit the site here: empowermentcenterfl.com
Aviva led every phase of the project, from concept and design to branding, content development, and coordination with her team, ensuring the final product aligned with her vision of uplifting and empowering others.
As SPL of her troop, Aviva not only leads by example, but also serves as a mentor and role model to younger Scouts. She is especially passionate about encouraging other Orthodox Jewish girls to embrace leadership opportunities and challenge expectations.
Her achievement has drawn attention not only within her troop and school community, but also across Jewish and Scouting circles. It represents a powerful moment of visibility and possibility, proving that religious commitment and public service can go hand-in-hand.
Aviva’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to her values and community have made her a true example of Kiddush Hashem. She is a trailblazer in every sense, and her journey is just beginning.
