Join our team of over 40 KI and community members tutoring in schools throughout the Cheltenham School District. We are a team of retired teachers and professionals who volunteer to tutor in a variety of subjects. Many students are also struggling with difficulties in basic math and reading skills. From homework helpers, to teacher support, to mentoring, our tutors are making a huge impact on student’s lives. Email our Tutoring Coordinator, Toby Grubman if you are interested in joining the team. She will provide the forms needed for clearance.
Several years ago representatives from KI, Beth Sholom, Kol Ami and Calvary Presbyterian Church of Wyncote joined to mount an interfaith response to local poverty related issues, forming an organization called Champions for Cheltenham. Adath Jeshuran has recently joined our group.
Working closely with Social Workers from the Cheltenham School District we have provided thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards for supermarkets, Walmart and Target to assist with food and other basic needs. We have located furniture for families who lost possessions in a fire, or were forced to relocate to an unfurnished apartment. We were able to connect a new immigrant to a job at Federation Housing, and to provide financial assistance for childhood vaccinations at a local health clinic.
Most recently we provided rent support to prevent eviction for a single mother who had been out of work temporarily while hospitalized. Each member faith group has done collections of school supplies, feminine hygiene products, winter clothing and/or Holiday gifts.
Another critical part of this partnership has been recruiting and training volunteers to tutor at the elementary school level. This year 30 people took part in this program and many more can be accommodated as the needs are great.
All this has been made possible through generous donations of time, items and money from members of our congregations. We hope to continue the necessary work of helping our neighbors in need.
The following have been requested for the next school year:
- New Headphones (from 5Below or similar)
- Crayons
- Pre-sharpened pencils
- Markers
- Lunch boxes
- Tissues
- Glue sticks
- Thin black dry erase markers
For those who wish to purchase on line, use this link and items will be sent directly to the School District Administration Office: target.com/gift-registry/gift/
Thanks for your generosity!!
Current Faith Based Organizations involved and who to contact:
-Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel: Margie Curtis Cohen & Debbie Zlotick
-Beth Sholom Congregation: Marge Buxbaum
-Kol Ami: Ellen Freedman