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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/18269/full/18269/congregants-relate-to-judaism-through-building-s-f-literacy/ <br /><br /> <b>Congregants relate to Judaism through building S.F. literacy</b> <br /> Friday, August 9, 2002 | by <p>LIZ HARRISBulletin Correspondent </p> <br /><br /><p>That's what happened during the last 12 months at Temple Beth Israel-Judea, where the social action committee—armed with a thick informational packet from the Jewish Coalition for Literacy—hatched its plans to establish a library and tutoring program at a center for disadvantaged children.<br /><br /> First, a book drive last fall at the Conservative-Reform San Francisco congregation generated more than 1,400 titles for McLaren Child Development Center, located near Bayview/Hunters Point. As a result, the facility, which serves 160 low-income children between the ages of 3 and 11, now has a pint-sized, but extensive, library.<br /><br /> As things seemed to click between the center and the volunteers, they proceeded to the next step, setting up a tutoring program for the children, some of whom have learning disabilities in addition to other problems they may be coping with at home.<br /><br /> The effort kicked into gear when the committee placed a large barrel provided by the San Francisco Food Bank at the temple. "We simply asked people to bring books that were 'gently used,'" said Miriam Reiter of Pacifica, a co-coordinator of the small, hardworking committee. Religious school students were also encouraged to chip in. As the collection quickly grew, it became apparent that the sorely needed library, which had previously consisted of a few odd books, could take shape.<br /><br /> The volunteers worked closely with McLaren site manager Liz Kim, who oversees the preschool, before- and after-school programs and special classes. An Americorps volunteer at the school organized the library.<br /><br /> Temple volunteers were thrilled to see the room take shape. "I was touched when I went there," said Reiter. It looked warm and inviting, she said: "They made an effort to bring some life and light and cheer."<br /><br /> Sally Suchman, a social action committee member and special education teacher whose office this year was located at McLaren, was instrumental in linking the two parties. "We wanted to make a connection in the community," said the Brisbane resident, "and definitely we wanted a place that was not already well-nourished." She admitted it took some convincing to get volunteers to physically venture to the site, but once they got there they realized there was nothing to be afraid of.<br /><br /> "We feel like it's a connection that really did take off," she said.<br /><br /> Ronnie Zuckerberg, a longtime congregant whose lifetime search "to find some way to relate to my religion" was fulfilled through social action, is nurturing the tutoring project. "I'm coordinating, recruiting and begging," she said. Her enthusiasm has no bounds, and she's been successful in getting others from the synagogue—as well as neighbors and friends and friends-of-friends—to enlist.<br /><br /> The training they received from the Jewish Coalition for Literacy (a joint project of the Jewish Community Relations Council, S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, and Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay), "was great," she said. "They really have it together." Training includes a three-hour initial workshop, plus ongoing support.<br /><br /> Calling herself "the guinea pig," the first to tutor, Zuckerberg, was initially "scared to go." The Noe Valley artist said her first visit was "shocking"—in a good way. "It's this beautiful area [by McLaren Park], a singular building, in a totally deprived place."<br /><br /> She also voiced some initial concerns about tutoring. "I said the only two [types of children] I didn't want were hyperactive, and dyslexic." She got both.<br /><br /> Her first charge "literally came in doing somersaults." She quickly discovered he was very bright, and didn't need a tutor.<br /><br /> His replacement, she said, was "severely learning disabled. I fell in love with him, that was the deal." She also works with a little girl—"a spitfire. I love her. She needs attention."<br /><br /> The tutors visit once a week, working one-on-one with each child, for about 30 minutes. Though the tutoring stopped for the summer, Zuckerberg already has 10 lined up for the fall, to work at McLaren and a San Mateo school.<br /><br /> Liz Kim is deeply appreciative of the Beth Israel-Judea effort, which will be expanded in the fall. The library, she said, is well utilized. "Some teachers use it in daily lessons for small groups, and sometimes for kids who need 'cool-down time.'" The kids like it too. "We give them books—they're not often able to get books to take home. They're real excited, especially since the quality and the quantity increased so greatly."<br /><br /> The tutors' work dovetails nicely with the San Francisco Unified School District's early literacy program for preschoolers and "kid lit" program for the older children, Kim said.<br /><br /> Also, "it's just great to have people on campus who [the children] typically do not get to see. That's something the kids just love."</p> <p> </p>

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