Send page to a Friend Book Drives The GBJCL mobilizes the Jewish community to help ensure that all children learn to read by the end of third grade. We are a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston and are funded by Combined Jewish Philanthropies and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. The GBJCL is one of JCRC's programs that connects Boston's Jewish community with its urban roots through long-term, sustainable partnerships. Many of our partners do not have school libraries. Most have not had the funds to update their libraries for years. In addition, as urban schools have become more culturally diverse, children's library needs have changed. Through the Coalition's efforts, organizations and individuals conduct book drives to benefit partner elementary schools and selected after-school programs. According to tradition, it is a mitzvah — a commandment — for every person to write his/her own Torah. Rabbis have interpreted this to mean that each person should collect his/her own books and start a personal library. The GBJCL extends that tradition by helping to ensure that books and libraries are available to all children. Our community has donated thousands of books to partner sites in Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Framingham, Maynard, Somerville and Waltham. For some Jewish Texts to help provide a context for your bookdrive click here. Whether for a community event, celebration, or a social action project, a book drive is a great way to give back to the community. In honor of a bar/bat mitzvah or other personal milestone, help children learn to read by giving them access to literature and other resources. For further questions, please call the Coalition office at 617-457-8669 or email literacy@jcrcboston.org For some ideas on how to get your book drive started click here. To see our Suggested Book List click here.