The Books for Israel Project ("B4i")
C/o Israel Action Committee, MDSC, Post Office Box 813, Rockville, MD 20848
For further information: visit http://www.edu-negev.gov.il/bs/b4i, e-mail
[EMAIL PROTECTED], or call 202-255-5959
THE BOOKS FOR ISRAEL PROJECT PLEDGES ANOTHER YEAR OF HELP AND HOPE FOR
ISRAELS STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
October 21, 2003 Rockville, MD This time last year, two sistersRena Cohen
in the U.S.A. and Jade Bar-Shalom, working with her husband, Ilan, in
Israel, announced the launch of The Books for Israel Project ("B4i"). B4i
has since delivered some 14 tons of donated gently used English books to
Israels Jewish, Druse, Bahai and Arab Christian and Muslim public schools,
with more on their way. The Projects interactive website brings messages of
help, hope and support in times of terror and economic deprivation and
helps build a direct, people-to-people communications bridge to Israels
children, educators and parents.
"Last year the Israeli government had to pour money into defending the
population against terrorist attacks. The economy was struggling, and the
tourist trade had collapsed. Israel could no longer afford even a nominal
budget for English literature or reference books for her public schools,
even though all Israeli students study English as a second language. The
situation in many of the schools was so bad that they had no classroom or
school libraries whatsoever," explains Cohen. "This year, the situation is
even worse. Poverty is spreading everywhere. Money for English books isnt
even on the radar screen. There is no question that Israels children are
paying a silent price for terrorism, a price that will be extracted for
years to come. English is the key to higher education, international trade
and diplomacy. Without it, Israels poor will be condemned to stay poor.
Israels future ability to compete in international business will suffer and
Israels voice will be largely silenced on the international scene. Thats
why we started Books for Israel, and thats why were going to continue this
year."
Cohen adds that there is a bright side. The response from the English
speaking world, and especially the U.S., has been generous and
heartwarming. In America, synagogues, churches, schools and individual book
donors have come forward from communities including Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia,
Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona,
and California. Through B4I, they "adopt" schools in Israel and get into
direct communication with them, sending books, but perhaps even more
importantly, sending encouragement and hope.
Anyone interested in joining this effort to support the people of Israel is
warmly welcome. Please see the Books for Israel Project website at
<http://www.edu-negev.gov.il/bs/b4i/>http://www.edu-negev.gov.il/bs/b4i/
and contact Rena Cohen, "B4is" North America volunteer coordinator, at
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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