GBJC Literacy

The Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy was established by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston in 1997 based on the principle that reading is fundamental to the advancement of our society. Temple Beth Shalom adopted this mission with the assigned partnership of the Mozart Elementary School in Roslindale – a kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school (a six-room schoolhouse!) that serves Roslindale and neighboring Boston School catchments.

Jewish tradition teaches us to value education and to pursue social justice. Our strong educational values and commitment to Tikkun Olam (“Repairing the world”) encourage us to reach out to students who will benefit from classroom literacy support and working with a literacy mentor-tutor, so that they will be successful in school and beyond.

For more information, please contact our TBS “Literacy Initiative” Project Coordinator, Nancy Krieger (npkmk1@gmail.com).

Reading to Children

The Need:

K-5 students and classes are in need of volunteer readers and helpers at the school

When?:

One hour per week for one-on-one reading or tutoring through the school year. Volunteers may miss a week here or there without a problem. However one cannot be away for an extended time.

Training?:

Two hour training workshop provided by the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy

Where?:

At the Mozart Elementary School – 236 Beech Street, Roslindale,
MA 02131

Program:

In mid-October, most volunteers are assigned to individual students in grades K-5 for tutoring, for 30 minutes each, as assessed by their classroom teachers. The classroom teacher often gives the tutor guidance and goals for the student, but the tutors are also encouraged to create their own motivational techniques and strategies in their interactions with the student towards those goals.

Some volunteers spend additional time at the school and work with more children in small groups or assist a teacher to enable the classroom to work smoothly and enrich the children’s educational experiences.

Requirements:

A CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check is required and will be run through either the JCRC or the school administrator before volunteers will be allowed to enter the school.

Other Ways to Help

The Mozart Elementary School is always looking for books, CD's, and MP3 players for school classes and the library. They are also in need of funds to support field trips and the purchase of basic classroom supplies. To help the Mozart School in this way, please contact TBS “Literacy Initiative” Project Coordinator, Nancy Kreiger (npkmk1@gmail.com).