The Book Drive has opened! Learn more about how it fits into our conference service project.

Overview

One of the core components of developing leadership in our local communities is understanding the use of service as an engagement tool. At the Boston Leadership Conference, we will be performing and analyzing a particular project: in cooperation with the Boston Public Schools and the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy, we will help hundreds of underserved children become stronger and more engaged readers. Our service project will make a meaningful contribution to those in need in the greater Boston community as well as provide a case study in how to use service programming to further the work of Federation.

Project Details

Book Drive
Together with the Jewish community of Boston, conference participants will provide age-appropriate books from a “wish list” generated by the school principals. The Boston Federation has developed a website and book registry based on this list. We encourage you and your communities to participate in buying books, sponsoring a student, and more!

Interaction with Students
Participants will have the opportunity to hand-deliver books to hundreds of elementary school students in Boston. These books will become a part of the children’s curriculum at school. You will get to spend time with the children, giving them individualized attention – a rare commodity for many of these students. Through reading to the children, talking about your own love for books, and presenting them with individualized libraries, you will provide them with lasting tools and inspiration.

BYOB(ook)
Each participant at the conference is asked to bring his/her favorite picture book that is appropriate for elementary school students. That way you can share a part of yourself with the child with whom you are matched.

Why Literacy?

Reading is fundamental to advancement in our society. Illiteracy creates social injustice.

The America Reads Challenge is a grassroots, national literacy campaign to encourage Americans to help children learn to read. The initiative recognizes and emphasizes the importance of becoming a strong reader at an early age. Once children learn to read, they can master new subjects including history, science, and social studies. Students who have trouble reading have a harder time learning new subjects and an even more difficult time finding good jobs later in life.

Jews have traditionally shared a belief in the value of education, a love of books, and a commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world). Throughout Jewish history, education has helped us to succeed socially and economically, while literacy has enabled us to transmit our culture and values from one generation to the next. As a Jewish community, we are committed to helping equip others with these essential tools.

Partners

The Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy (GBJCL) mobilizes the Jewish community to help ensure that all children learn to read by the end of third grade. Synagogues, Jewish organizations, businesses and day schools form partnerships with public elementary schools and community centers in underserved communities. Volunteers participate in service, book donations, and advocacy. The Coalition provides training and resources to prepare program participants to provide high-quality services to students and partners.

The Coalition began in 1996, when President Clinton issued the America Reads Challenge. His goal was to engage one million Americans as volunteer reading tutors in elementary schools across the country to help boost children’s academic achievement. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston responded by forming the GBJCL and joining with local partners including ReadBoston, Mayor Menino’s local campaign to improve children’s literacy, and Boston Partners in Education, an already existing organization that trains volunteers to tutor young students.

The GBJCL was the pilot of the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy. Nearly 50 Jewish communities have adopted Boston’s model.