Aside from worksheets, textbooks, and a smaller selection of other reading materials, JBI provides siddurim, Chumashim, and other liturgical materials. Because Braille text takes up much more space than standard print text, the weekday siddur consists of 14 volumes. For this reason, JBI provides these materials in loose-leafs so that a person can choose which materials should be most accessible and store away the rest for later use. This is also done because Braille pages can wear out from constant touch and this method allows individual pages to be replaced as needed.
Service is clearly a priority at the JBI. Beth, the director of development, says that, “There is never a call during business hours that gets a digital voice in response.” JBI bends over backward to fulfill requests it receives. Once, the organization fielded an urgent request for The Future of the Jews by Stuart Eisenstat so that a long time user could lead her book discussion group. Although the JBI usually requires that requests be submitted in advance so there is enough time to properly record, it made an exception and found 38 volunteers to record in succession so that it would be done in time.
Where does the JBI go from here? Dr. Ellen Isler, president and CEO, shares her dream for the organization: “All we want to do is reach everyone who can benefit from our materials.” Dr. Isler goes on to explain that the Passover Hagaddah is its biggest outreach tool. Many of those who refuse to admit their disability change their mind come Pesach time. According to Dr. Isler, the Seder night is such an incredibly strong part of Jewish consciousness that no one wants to be left out, however painful it is to ask for help. People who would usually choose to remain in denial instead reach out for the help they need in order to participate in the Seder. In the words of Chana H. from Ra’anana, Israel, “When I gave my mother the Large Print Haggadah, her face lit up. She was so grateful that she wouldn’t have to just listen at her communal Seder, but be able to follow along as she has always done.”
For the next several months, post-Pesach, every single person who received a hagaddah receives a follow up phone call with an offer of other materials from the JBI. Once an individual already conceded to use the hagaddah, he or she is much more likely to take advantage of everything else JBI has to offer.
Recording studio, reel-to-digital conversion machines, Braille printer, custom Braille requests, special quality paper – how much does the JBI charge for the use of its materials? “Our favorite four letter word here is FREE,” says Mr. Taub with a smile.
To order a hagaddah or access the JBI Library’s other materials visit their website: www.jbilibrary.org.