Temple Shalom,
Salem, Massachussetts
 

   Stephanie and David Mack work together with David Moldau
   (Books for Israel Committee Chairman)
   to screen candidate books and pack up the final collection
   into sturdy boxes. Screening and packing the books
   takes many hours, but the effort means that schools
   in Israel will now have libraries of suitable reading material
   in English for all their students to enjoy. Donated books not   
   suitable for sending to the Israeli schools are sold at Yard Sales to
   help raise funds for shipping those deemed appropriate.



   more books and let the membership know that the bookdrive 
   effort will continue in an effort to establish and reinforce
   libraries throughout schools in the Maalot flagship region.

   David Moldau and Temple Shalom are making a real effort to
   build up relations with their adopted community, which they
   plan to continue to support with future bookdrive efforts.  The
   schools in the Maalot flagship are very grateful and look
   forward to opportunities to meet visiting members of Temple
   Shalom and the Christian Renewal Church whenever they
   make their next trips to Israel.
  


Under the leadership of volunteer Books for Israel Bookdrive Committee members David Moldau, Suzie Cheetham,
David Mack and Stephanie Mack, with assistance from Congregation President Richard Winer and Treasurer
Gery Posner, Temple Shalom made three shipments of books totaling over 400 pounds during the 2002-2003 semester year. They wrote articles about the project in their monthly newsletter and the membership responded warmly, making this effort a community success.

After first donating hundreds of books and other
reading materials to one of the Jerusalem flagships,
the congregation Book Drive Committee decided to adopt
the Maalot flagship of schools.  The Maalot flagship,
headed out of Ort Maalot, includes an umbrella group of schools educating Jewish children, Christian children, and Muslim children in the three adjacent areas of Maalot, Miiyela, and Tarshicha. The three Israeli communities
are actively involved in efforts for mutal cooperation and
the educators feel that the Books Project will contribute towards stability, peace, and understanding.

Back in Salem, under the never-flagging spirit of the
Books for Israel Committee, and with the inspirational blessings of Temple Shalom congregation leader, Rabbi Rosansky, an incredible cooperative effort was built up between young and old members of Temple Shalom's congregation and the nearby Christian Renewal Church. When the most recent bookdrive was completed, nine cartons of books weighing over 250 pounds made the
grade after passing through the voluntary screening committee. These books were then sent out in late July 2003. Those books donated that did not seem appropriate for use by this project are being sold at the Temple Yard Sale to raise funds to help ship upcoming book collections.

At the upcoming High Holy Day service, the Books for Israel Committee plans to make an announcement of the need for
 
   
 

Temple Shalom Treasurer, Gery Posner,
lends Richard Winer a hand in gathering together all  the cartons for a final check before they are sent to the post office.
It will take some 2-3 months before they arrive to Israel, but for all the schools who will be helped, the long wait is worth it.
 

  

Temple Shalom President, Richard Winer,
joins David Moldau to make sure that each box is properly taped so that they will not fall apart and lose their precious contents on the long trip

 


Some photos from David Moldau's 2003 visit to Ma'alot, Israel
     

  

  

Speaking to students
David explains about the
congregation's involvement
in the B4I project

David is thanked
and introduced
to the school
headmistress.

He shows some of the books
 he brought with him in a huge suitcase
     

Books and more books

Meeting with students in Ma'alot

David carried about 160
 books with him all the way to Israel
 


 
Temple Shalom is a growing, egalitarian Conservative synagogue located in historic Salem 2 blocks
from the Atlantic Ocean. the congregation is housed in a New England brick building complete
with a beautiful sanctuary, chapel, library, classrooms, multipurpose room and two kitchens.
We were originally established as Congregation Sons of Jacob in 1898 and are the oldest synagogue
 on the North Shore. Temple Shalom is a multi generational congregation with traditional roots
and a dynamic vision for the future.

   We encourage Jews to strengthen their inner spiritual lives through our regular prayer services, classes, and shabbat services.
   In addition, we provide a variety of programs through our educational, cultural and social action committees.

   Currently, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our building.

   Our Congregation is actively supporting Israel. We have sent several shipments of books to benefit the children in Israel and
   have also adopted an Israeli family affected by the terrorism resulting from the latest intifada. We joined with the members
   of the Christian Renewal Church and have raised money to help a family cope with the loss of a child.

   It is our hope that our efforts will unite people of all faiths, to help the Israelis survive and grow