Temple Brith Kodesh in Rochester, NY partnered with a local elementary to provide programs and support
Temple Brith Kodesh (TBK) in Rochester, New York gives educational support for students, teachers, and administrators of a local elementary school by providing classroom volunteers, book donations, clothing and school supplies, a summer reading program, student mentoring and extra-curricular field trips in order to enhance students' education. TBK determined the best way to support the school would be listening to administrators and teachers and respond to their variety of needs and concerns. The initial focus was on grades 1-3 to help with their reading skills because the TBK social action committee recognized that if a student does not read well by the end of third grade, the student is likely to not be as successful academically. TBK then sent out a survey to the teachers asking how they wanted to use TBK volunteers and then volunteers were matched were their was a need and based on the interest of the volunteer. Furthermore, through the help of a TBK congregant the school applied and was awarded a grant from IBM to provide an interactive web-based reading program for students in kindergarten-2nd grade, as well as provided a connection with the IBM MentorPlace Program to provide IBM mentors for 6th graders to get additional adult support and guidance to help improve their writing skills. The partnership has continues to provide programs and support in any way possible to the elementary school.
