Israeli schoolchildren
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)
The Israeli Ministry of Education is launching a reading readiness program that will offer Israeli Arab children and their families an opportunity to create a tradition of reading stories together at home.
The initiative will provide 45,000 Israeli-Arab preschoolers in 1,750 kindergartens with Arabic children’s books that promote universal values.
Israel is partnering with two foundation for the project: the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, founders of Sifriyat Pijama book program for Hebrew speaking children in Israel, and of the award winning North American program PJ Library; and the Price Family Charitable Fund, founder of Bidayat (Beginnings), Early Childhood Centers and programs in Arab communities.
The goal of the project, called Maktabat al-Fanoos, which is Arabic for Lantern Library, is to instill a love of reading and provide the opportunity for children to enjoy reading together with teachers and parents.
Three Jewish children read Hebrew Bibles or other holy books in a quiet spot at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
The US-based Harold Grinspoon Foundation and their Sifriyat Pijama program (Pajama Library in Hebrew) have given away over 10 million books in Israel during the last nine years.
About 215,000 Jewish Israeli preschoolers have already received free books through the Sifriyat Pijama program.
Each kindergarten will receive four books chosen by a committee of experts on education and children’s literature that increase Arabic vocabulary, enhance emotional awareness, and celebrate Arab culture.
Speaking of the benefits of the program, Israel Education Minister Shai Piron said, “I am proud that as of today, Arab society in Israel can also enjoy the highest quality program to encourage children to read, and instill in them a love of books, which is key to future success in school.”
Israel Education Minister Shai Piron
Teachers will use the books to involve their students in educational activities. And after becoming acquainted with the books at school, the children will take them home to use. The last pages include suggestions to parents for activities and discussions with their children.
“We hope to empower teachers and parents to enjoy together with children magical hours of reading, conversation and activities,” said Galina Vromen, the Israeli director of operations for the Grinspoon Foundation. (JPost)
“We hope The Lantern Library will be a long-term partnership that will eventually serve Arab preschoolers in all state preschools throughout the country,” she said.
“We are delighted that the Ministry of Education recognizes the importance of providing good books to young children in Israel. Studies show that reading books to children from an early age is vital to emotional and intellectual development.” (Forward)
Schoolboys on the way to school in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Another initiative designed to help Arab students was launched by Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat.
An academic center for Arab girls called “Center for Excellence You-niversity,” which is housed in the new Beit Hanina Municipal School for girls, will focus on providing a variety of science and technology courses to middle-school children living in the eastern portion of the city.
The school is located in the Arab neighborhood of Beit Hanina in the eastern part of the city. The center operates as part of a joint venture involving the City of Jerusalem and the international educational organization World ORT Kadima Mada.
World ORT is the largest Jewish non-governmental educational and vocational training organization in the world.
“We are pleased to open the Center of Excellence You-niversity and to make studies in science, medicine and high technology more accessible to students in east Jerusalem,” ORT Board Member Moti Dotan said.
“We will continue to encourage the study of science among children and youth in order to enrich the world, increasing the percentage of male and female students of Science and Technology and opening the gate to higher studies in whichever field they choose,” Dotan said.
A group of girls on their way to School in the Muslim quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. Passing by on either side of the girls are Franciscan Monks, evidence of the rich cultural and religious diversity of Israel.
