Mitzvah Weekend 2024
Did you know that only a third of fourth graders in America can read at a proficient level? Unfortunately, illiteracy impacts many children in Vermont, too. There are lifelong implications for children who don’t learn how to read, and they grow into adults who struggle with low literacy. This is a solvable problem! Learn how we can all work to change the early literacy crisis for all children and their families.
Saturday, January 20th
4:45-5:30 PM – Pizza and vegetarian potluck
5:30- Havdalah led by Rabbi Aaron
5:45 – Popcorn and movie: A special screening of the groundbreaking documentary, The Right to Read, will be available for in-person and Zoom viewing on Saturday night, January 20th. There will be a special Q&A with Peggy Price, Fellow/OGA, Director of the Stern Center Orton-Gillingham Institute.
Childcare will be available. Please sign up by 1/17.
Please click here to RSVP, sign up for childcare, and receive the link if you are streaming the movie: RSVP
Sunday, January 21st
9:15-10:30 AM
- Peggy Price will lead discussion on the challenges of youth literacy and lead a simulation exercise on dyslexia and dysgraphia
- NADAV interns baking cookies
10:30-11:15
OZHS Mitzvah Day
- Kitah Zayin mitzvah project presentations (Click here to Zoom)
- Guest speaker, Becca Ortiz, Edmunds Middle School Reading Interventionist (Click here to Zoom)
- Volunteers doing read aloud with K/1/2 classes
11:15-11:45
- Hands-on mitzvah project: for ALL STUDENTS (K-7) and guests – making literacy kits of donation items that facilitate literacy for Boys and Girls Club
11:45-12:15
- Bagel Brunch
- Teen bake sale with proceeds going to focus related organization
- PJ Library book swap – please bring any PJ Library books you’d like to swap!
- Creating a story mural
12:15-1:15
- Intergenerational book club discussion of ‘The Unfinished Corner‘
- Hilary Neroni, Professor of Film and Television Studies at UVM and parent of two NADAV intern grads will present to NADAV teens and adults: Jewish Adventures in the Graphic Novel
- From the creators of Superman to a talking rabbi’s cat to the newest DC superhero Whistler, a girl named Willow Zimmerman. These novels are often daring, fun, challenging and funny. Together we will explore the rich tradition of Jewish storytelling in the graphic novel.
