Prison Book Program
Prison Book Program
The Prison Book Program (PBP) in Quincy, MA mails books to prisoners throughout the country in response to their written requests for specific books of interest to them. In the fall of 2015, CDT’s Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) organized a book drive in which over 400 books were donated by members to the PBP.
In May, 2016, CDT members began volunteering at the PBP. PBP volunteers are assigned to one of three tasks: reading prisoner letters requesting specific books or kinds of books and selecting books from the PBP stacks that most closely match prisoners’ requests; verifying that the set of books selected for individuals are a close match to the requested books, and packaging up the books and addressing the packages to be sent to prisoners. CDT members have continued to volunteer at the PBP on the first Tuesday of odd-numbered months.
While volunteering at the PBP, CDT members recognized that it was hard for the PBP to respond to requests for vocational training books or books on unusual topics that haven’t been donated to the PBP and raised the idea of initiating a book donation project in which congregants purchased specific books to meet some of these unusual requests. Twenty-five CDT members participated in the project, with half choosing to read a prisoner’s letter and order books for that person herself, and the other half choosing to make a financial donation to fund the ordering of requested books by CJTF members. Over 60 books purchased through this project were sent by the PBP to about 30 prisoners. These books reflect a wide range of subjects: crafts, chess, learning an instrument, gardening and foraging, financial investing, law, business, health, and language dictionaries. The PBP was extremely appreciative to have received these books and is interested in replicating this project with other groups. As a wonderful, unintended consequence of this project, a project participant made an invaluable connection between the PBP and a publishing company that has remainder books on craft and building topics.
CDT volunteers continue to volunteer with the PBP at a church in Quincy Center the first Tuesday of even-numbered months, participating in an effort to send paperbacks to individuals incarcerated throughout the U.S. In addition to a carpool that leaves from Newton, volunteers drive from other locations or take the Red Line to Quincy Center. The PBP volunteer night runs from 6:30 pm- 9 pm. Tasks involve selecting books based on requests in prisoner letters, writing invoices, packaging books, etc. In addition, book collection drives, both general and specific to individual requests in letters, are periodically run by PBP volunteers within CDT to collect donated books for the program.
Contact Barbara Shatkin for additional information about this volunteer opportunity. A sign-up for the PBP is on the CDT website.
Thu, March 4 2021
20 Adar 5781
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021Limpieza de Sangre and the “Clash of Civilizations”; Or, What Hath the Soul to Do with Racialized Bodies?
Thursday, Mar 4th 1:30p to 2:30p
In this presentation, Sylvester Johnson will explain the racialization of religion as a central and persisting phenomenon in the making of the West that has targeted Islam, Judaism, and so-called animism. This is part of a Reconstructing Judaism free online lecture series on Jews, Race, & Religion. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 5 , 2021All Ages Erev Shabbat Service
Friday, Mar 5th 6:00p to 6:45p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021Refugee Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Mar 6th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021Kitah Hey B'nei Mitzvah Cohort Meeting with Rabbi Toba
Sunday, Mar 7th 10:25a to 11:45a
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Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021
Sunday, Mar 7th 10:30a to 11:30a
The elusive “work-life balance” is out of reach more than ever for parents. Come join other Dorshei Tzedek parents and caregivers in a low-key, judgment-free Zoom space to give and receive support. We will meet for four weeks to talk about what it means to parent “out loud” in the time of COVID-19 and share tips with peers. For more information, email margolis.hadassah@gmail.com. Hadassah Margolis, MSW, LICSW: Hadassah is a clinical social worker and the Lead Therapist at McLean’s Spirituality and Mental Health Department, where she has helped develop the hospital’s first-ever Spirituality and Treatment groups. She is also a staff clinician at the Brandeis Counseling Center. She has over 15 years of group facilitation experience. In 2018, Hadassah, along with Kitty Dukakis, launched the Spirituality and Mental Health Discussion Series, which has expanded into a variety of COVID-coping support groups, workshops, and talks supported by the Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project. Hadassah is a 2020 Commonwealth Heroine and was a 2019 CJP Chai in the Hub honoree. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021
Sunday, Mar 7th 10:30a to 11:00a
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) had tremendous success during the past year advocating for policies that improved the lives of Commonwealth residents. When the COVID pandemic tanked the economy, GBIO helped some of the neediest avoid eviction or mortgage foreclosure. Healthcare now includes telehealth visits, notification about out-of-network procedures, and free COVID testing and vaccinations due, in part, to the work of GBIO. In response to the horrific murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman, Massachusetts created the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission. It will have the power to investigate police misconduct, to subpoena records and testimony, and to decertify police officers that have abused their authority. How can BUSY parents and ACTIVE Religious School students get involved with an organization that accomplishes so much for the residents of Massachusetts? What activities should GBIO undertake in the coming year that interest you? Should a religious school class adopt an activity like this in the future as part of the curriculum? Co-Liaisons Louise Enoch and Tony Broh would like your help celebrating GBIO accomplishments and exploring your ideas about greater engagement with the Religious School. For questions or suggestions, email lpenoch@gmail.com or c.anthony@broh.com. -
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 9 , 2021
Tuesday, Mar 9th 3:00p to 5:00p
Presented by Other Israel Film Festival and New Israel Fund From David Ben Gurion to Benjamin Netanyahu, from Golda Meir to Dov Khenin, some of Israel's most outspoken leaders have been reflected upon in the last few years, through provocative films. In this opportune moment, join us for a series of films examining Israeli leaders from the past and present. The series will include films about: David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, Avigdor Lieberman, Menachem Begin, Dov Khenin, Benjamin Netanyahu and a US premiere about Ehud Olmert. All of the films will be available for viewing for the duration of the two weeks of March 8th through March 23. See information about Q&As and discussions below. -
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 10 , 2021Torah Study
Wednesday, Mar 10th 8:00a to 9:00a
Start your Wednesday mornings with Torah Study! Join Director of Congregational Learning Earnest Vener for a weekly hour-long study of the weekly Torah portion on Wednesdays at 8am. You are welcome to drop in or come weekly. All are welcome and no prior knowledge is required. Please email Earnest at e.vener@dorsheitzedek.org with any questions. -
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 10 , 2021
Wednesday, Mar 10th 5:30p to 5:45p
All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba for a moment of calm each week. The content will vary - a brief teaching, a meditative moment, some music, or another contemplative practice. We will start promptly at 5:30pm each Wednesday, but feel free to drop in at any time. Each session will end with an opportunity for those in mourning or observing a yahrzeit to recite Mourners Kaddish. Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97091443951?pwd=dVk4bFZIVitMcDViYllNQnRIdmhmZz09 -
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 10 , 2021
Wednesday, Mar 10th 7:30p to 9:00p
We are excited to welcome back Dr. Irit Aharony, who will offer to members of CDT a three-session course on “Israel’s Many Cultures: Together or Apart?” The course will explore the diversity of Israeli cultures, highlighting both commonalities and tensions among its diverse communities. Each session will emphasize a different art form and explore a particular formation of Israeli voices. The classes will be conducted in English, and readings will be available in Hebrew and English. Advance reading will be necessary only for the final session. “In many small windows, through side entrances” (Yehuda Amichai): Questions of immigration, otherness and belonging, “here” versus “there” in Israeli art, with an emphasis on Russian and Ethiopian new Israelis (עולים חדשים) Irit Aharony is Senior Preceptor in Hebrew at Harvard University, where she teaches courses in Hebrew language, culture, and literature. She holds a PhD in Hebrew literature from Bar-Ilan University. She has taught classes at CDT in the past, to great acclaim.
Zmanim
Alot Hashachar | 4:53a |
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Netz (Sunrise) | 6:16a |
Latest Shema | 9:06a |
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Chatzot (Midday) | 11:57a |
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Mincha Ketana | 3:16p |
Plag HaMincha | 4:27p |
Shkiah (Sunset) | 5:38p |
Tzeit Hakochavim | 6:20p |
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