Special Opportunities to Support JBI
JBI’s Haggadah Campaign
By supporting our annual Haggadah outreach campaign, you help people who are blind, have low vision, or are print disabled to participate fully in their family’s Passover Seder. Whether it’s a grandparent hoping to lead a seder as they have for decades, a child who hopes to read the four questions for the first time, or a friend experiencing their first ever seder, your support ensure that every person who chooses to can participate in our beloved traditions, and know that they belong at the table.
Community Building Programs
To create deeper connections for our patrons with one another, with JBI, and with Judaism, we have introduced new virtual and in-person programs that are fully accessible, free, and open to all (e.g., book Clubs in English and Russian, a Judaism 101 learning series, Poetry Series, Memoir Series, author events, and other lectures and social gatherings). Through your support of these programs, you will help alleviate feelings of isolation and develop communities of individuals interested in Jewish culture, literature, and creative forms of religious thought and expression.
Expansion of our Braille Collection
Braille is critical to literacy for individuals who are blind and JBI is committed to braille production, both digital and physical. We are expanding our braille offerings, including the introduction of twin vision children’s books (braille transparency over printed picture books), new editions of braille liturgical items, and books for leisure reading. Your support will help JBI produce more braille and harness technology to continuously improve our offerings.
Supporting Russian Speaking Members of the Community with Low Vision
JBI is a lifeline to Russian-speaking older adults who have low vision. They are voracious readers, eager to take advantage of our Russian audio books, curated audio periodical, cultural collections, and large print liturgical materials, and for opportunities to learn about Jewish culture through programs and discussion. To alleviate isolation, we have a fluent member of our library team who works with this population, and, with additional support, we hope to expand the ways in which we support this community, through additional large-print liturgical and secular materials in Cyrillic and more in-person programming.
Outreach to Seniors
Older adults adjusting to vision loss often retreat from social contact and communal participation. Our outreach efforts reach seniors, their families, and caregivers, and help more individuals reconnect to the broader community. JBI librarians offer a great deal of personalized service and bring a caring and compassionate voice to isolated individuals. We are seeking funding to expand our presence in several communities with large Jewish senior populations.
If you’d like more information about any of these programs or other opportunities to support our work, contact Beth Rudich at 212-812-2773 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).