Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy

JCRC’s literacy program the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy (GBJCL) mobilizes the Jewish community to tutor elementary school children and help them discover the joy of reading. Through partnerships with synagogues, Jewish community organizations, day schools, and local businesses, GBJCL engages volunteer tutors in school-based one-to-one literacy tutoring, mentoring, book drives, and advocacy efforts in under-served communities.

How to Get Involved

Join a Team

The traditional volunteer model for GBJCL is tutoring one student weekly for the whole school year. Volunteers can also choose to form a “read-aloud” group where they read a book aloud to two or more students at the same level. These GBJCL volunteers join literacy teams from synagogues, Jewish organizations, and local businesses. 

Click here to apply to volunteer.

 

Take a Leadership Role

  • Team Leader: Form and lead a literacy team through a synagogue, Jewish organization, or business. 
  • Synagogue Recruiter: Assist in recruiting volunteers from your synagogue to join a larger team. 

 

Check out our list of Volunteer Resources!

Volunteer Teams

Synagogue Relationships

Beth El Temple Center, Belmont

Centre Street Minyan, Newton

Congregation Kerem Shalom, Concord

Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Brookline

Congregation Shaarei Tefillah, Newton

Temple Beth Am, Framingham

Temple Beth David, Westwood

Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley

Temple Beth Shalom, Needham

Temple Beth Zion, Brookline

Temple Chayai Shalom of Easton

Temple Emanuel, Newton

Temple Isaiah, Lexington

Temple Israel of Natick

Young Israel of Sharon

Other Ways to Engage

Teacher’s aide: Former elementary school teachers offer additional support to teachers and impact a classroom.

Book Drives: Donate books or organize a book drive to benefit a classroom, school, or community library.

Financial Support: This is a wonderful opportunity for those who want to help the program grow its partnerships, trainings and other resources to better support our schools.  Click here to donate.
Contact Becca Shimshak at with any questions.