On November 8, 2011, The Sea Scouts of Yafo dedicated a new boat.The "Joe" Boat, named after the late Professor Joseph (Joe) Yaffe, was donated to the Scouts by Professor Yaffe's widow, Gabi El’ Noam Yaffe.

The boat was officially handed over to the Scouts in a moving ceremony that was attended by Mayor Ron Huldai, Gabi El’Noam Yaffe, Scout leaders, the Yafo troupe and their friends and relatives.

Professor Joseph Yaffe was one of the founders of the Weizmann Institute’s optics department.  In later years, he served on the board of Israel’s Peace and Security Council and represented the State at many international events. Joe loved the sea and lived in Yafo near the port.

The Sea Scouts of Yafo were founded in 1957 within the framework of the General Scouts of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The Yafo Sea Scout Troop (one of eight Sea Scout troops in all of Israel) is distinguished by the fact that it has a mixed Arab-Jewish demographic. The troop meets seven days a week; over 100 of its 250 members are defined as at-risk youth.

The Joe Boat

Mayor Huldai and Zvi Kanor present a plaque to Mrs. Yaffe

Mrs. Yaffe with some leaders of the Sea Scouts of Yafo