TBE Immigration Justice & JFS of Metrowest Elementary School Mentoring Program
All TBE Volunteer Paths Lead to Shalom
As a former TBE board member, I spent the past few years partnering with Elise Lublin and Laura Rosenthal, TBE’s communications professionals, to revamp the Bulletin and web site as well as launch member bylines and social media.
After my board term, I wanted to refocus my volunteer efforts on helping people one-on-one. As a children’s book author and lover of reading and writing, I planned to become a TBE Literacy Tutor. COVID put a wrench in that. Instead, I seized the opportunity to participate in the TBE Racial Justice Initiative’s Combatting Voter Suppression campaign.
As my political advocacy work wound down, I was thrilled to find an opportunity to share my love of books with children. I joined a reading and math afterschool mentoring program initiated by TBE’s Immigration Justice Initiative in partnership with Jewish Family Service of Metrowest. The program is funded through a URJ-RAC grant.
My buddy is 5th grade student from an immigrant family in Framingham. We meet weekly–over the computer—first as a group of mentors/mentees and then breakout into pairs. My goal is to help boost my student’s reading skills and confidence. I make sure he knows I am here to support him.
Our interactions support me as much as I hope I support my student. I value the chance to build a relationship with a preteen who could use another adult on his side, to gain a visceral understanding of the challenges many students from marginalized communities face, and to dive into middle-grade books. My fingers are crossed that the program morphs into in-person post COVID.
Whether you want to volunteer to address macro or micro issues, there’s a TBE initiative for you! I’ve found it fulfilling to partner with people in our community to make the world a bit better.
Photo: Liz reading one of her books—THAT’S A MITZVAH—to Gan Elohim students, pre-COVID.
