Only a few months after the Books for Israel Project began, Trudi Perlman contacted us on behalf of Beth El Synagogue in East Windsor, New Jersey. She enthusiastically informed us that,
with the support of their leader, Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, Beth El had decided to run a book drive on behalf of schools in Israel.

By November, 2003, Beth El's book drive was already in full swing. The congregation elected to adopt the Rehovot flagship of schools.  In her communications with the flagship coordinator
of Rehovot, Beth El's Trudi Perlman began a concerted effort to collect and select books and other English learning material that could best
help the particular school populations in the
adopted Israeli community.

So far hundreds of books have arrived in
Rehovot, inspiring the creation of an English language studies room in the flagship school.
As more donations arrive, more schools in the
Rehovot area will be receiving books, making it possible for them to set up English language
reading programs as well.

As an expression of their enthusiasm, children in
Rehovot mailed thank you cards and notes to
the Beth El community. Hearing about the
project, more children in different schools in Rehovot await access to English language
reading materials, and Trudi Perlman
and the congregation at Beth El Synagogue
are determined to not let them down!

In a recent message, Trudi writes:
"You have not seen the last of us yet!
We will be shipping more books and other learning
materials to you over the next several months.
We will keep informed of our efforts."

Our warmest thanks to you, Trudi, and to
to everyone who is lending a hand or contributing
in any way to the Beth El Synagogue book drive!

Trudi shares a photograph of some of the central people involved in the Beth El book drive, and describes everyone, reading from left to right:

"On the far left is Beth El Cantor and School Administrator, Larry Brandspiegel. Cantor Larry helped schlep our second shipment of nine bags of books to the post office for us!
(Will Ganges, our custodian, also helped Cantor Larry but unfortunately he couldn't be with us during this picture taking session.)

"The woman next to Cantor Larry is Tikva Carrick.
Tikva and her family have sponsored various fundraisers
for our postage campaign. They have raised hundreds of dollars to cover mailing costs and this will help us send future shipments as well.

"The next lady, in the center of the group, is Sheri Rosen. Sheri is very dedicated to this cause and has been helping
me plan our strategy. She helped to arrange for the labels that appear in some of the books we send to you.
She has also helped with packing the books.

The next person is me, Trudi Perlman.

The gentleman to your far right is Rabbi Jay Kornsgold.
Rabbi Kornsgold has been very supportive of this effort and
of all efforts involving the welfare of Israel. He inspired our Israel Bonds breakfast drive which we hold every year, raising significant amounts of money for Israel.

In addition to Will Ganges, there are some other important people who are not in the picture you see here. 
Tom Beck, Deb Meixler and Ellen Schumacher are three individuals have also been very instrumental in helping us
ship books to you."