Stephen Wise Temple’s flagship literacy program for underserved youth is broadening its scope and rebranding as Wise Readers to Leaders, also known as “Wise Reads.”
Today’s program boasts three campuses, serves nearly 300 LAUSD students and engages over 100 Jewish teens in tikkun olam. Five years ago, Stephen Wise Temple started this program with only 50 students from one elementary school at a single campus.
Serving students from three elementary schools and over 12 middle schools, the program has become a year-round enrichment program that seeks to keep and strengthen the connections and learning forged during the summer throughout the entire year. Most importantly, major changes are afoot that will take the program to even greater heights as Wise Readers To Leaders.
With its new branding that no longer limits it to the signature summer program, it secures the ability to continue building a unique and innovative literacy program. “Through our partnership with the Children’s Defense Fund we were able to begin a journey,” says Executive Director Andrea Sonnenberg. “Now the unique needs of our population and the scope of the work that we envision for our future requires independence, expansion of services to our population, and the creation of new partnerships.”
“Wise Readers to Leaders represents the core values of Stephen Wise Temple: serving the community in which we live, engaging our Jewish teens to live their values, and provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for our congregants,” says Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback. “Our Temple is dedicated to rich, innovative programs that embody the highest values of Reform Judaism and enable congregants and community members of all ages to make meaning and change the world.”
Wise Readers to Leaders has engaged experts to write this summer’s curriculum reflecting the incredible diversity of Los Angeles. In addition, the Jewish High School Student volunteer program has already grown to become a year-round opportunity for high school students to provide mentorship throughout the year to young Wise Readers (the LAUSD students). Looking toward the years ahead, Wise Readers to Leaders is laying the groundwork for a college readiness program that will assist the children who have been with in the Wise Readers program to become Wise Leaders as they make their dreams of college a reality.
No synagogue in the country has a program that makes such a deep impact in the lives of so many. As the program enters its sixth year and receives accolades from the principals of the schools it serves, the Wise community can be certain that this invaluable program embodies the Wise mission to make meaning and change the world. It is truly the realization of the Jewish mission for Tikkun Olam and represents Wise’s commitment to the future of Los Angeles.
Those who want to participate in this journey of literacy, connection, and Tikkun Olam may contact 310.476.8561
