Paramus—Giving back to the community is something many of us try to do. Whether it’s donating food, housing gemachs, or volunteering our time, we’re always looking for ways to give back. One program that members of the Teaneck Jewish community have embraced is Bergen Reads. Run by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, this initiative has proven to be successful as part of a nationwide effort to help combat illiteracy.
The tagline of this very special program run in nine Teaneck and Hackensack public elementary schools is, “One hour a week can make a difference in a child’s life.” Primarily focused on children in grades K-4, Bergen Reads places “Reading Buddies” in each school who work one-on-one with students, helping them improve their reading skills and develop a love of reading. As they read together weekly from October-June, they become not just reading buddies but also mentors, advocates, and friends to the students. According to Beth Figman, Bergen Reads Project Coordinator, research indicates that “Until third grade, children learn to read; after third grade, they read to learn. We want to catch them during that window of opportunity.”
Ira Friedman is a “Reading Buddy” in Mr. Fernandez’s third grade class at the Hawthorne Elementary School. He observes that, “It’s very heartwarming to see that members of the Jewish community feel it’s important to be involved in helping the broader community.” Reflecting on his own participation, “I thought it was good for a frum man to be doing this. I get a special feeling of pride walking through the halls wearing my kippah, especially in a school with such a diverse student population, as I go to work with the kids.”
Theresa Benedetti, a kindergarten teacher at the Lowell School reflects, “The program is a valuable resource. With 18 students… it helps provide one-on-one time for each student. The buddies helped students with sight words, vocabulary, and other skills that I discussed with them. Every child felt special and at this level, when students are beginning their formal education, that special time is priceless.”
Debbie Schiff is a former yeshiva elementary school teacher. For the last four years she has read at the Whittier School. “I like the idea of contributing to the community at large,” she says. “It’s a really culturally diverse community and it’s a nice opportunity to be involved with so many different members of the community.” Though she joined the program with the intention of helping others, she says that she gets much more out of Bergen Reads than she gives. She shared with JLBC that one year as the program was winding down one of her third graders wrote her a letter: “I wish the school year was longer so we could be reading buddies for longer.”
When the Bergen Reads program began in September 2001, there were 40 volunteers. Today, there are 145. These local volunteers consist of men and women ranging in age from their late 20s to one who turned 90 last year. They are employed and retired, single and married, and in a few instances, married to each other. “Reading Buddies” do not need to be reading specialists by trade, but all volunteers undergo a thorough training before they enter the schools to work with the children. Now in its 13th year, there will be a Bar Mitzvah Anniversary End of Year Volunteer Recognition Brunch at the Federation offices on June 18.
Bergen Reads is funded by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. It also receives support from RBC Foundation USA and Target Corporation. The program also raises funds through its Book Centerpieces and Bima Baskets for Tzedaka, a program through which people making a celebration can rent beautiful book centerpieces and or bima baskets with personalized ribbons and other decorations. For more information about Bergen Reads or to sign up to be a volunteer next year, visit www.jfnnj.org/bergenreads.
By Sara Kosowsky Gross
