KOREH L.A. is the non-sectarian volunteer literacy program created by The Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Committee. "KOREH" is the Hebrew word for read. Each volunteer spends one hour, once a week, reading with a pre-school or elementary school child. In just over nine years, we have trained over 7,500 volunteers to work with more than 16,000 children in more than 100 Los Angeles elementary and pre-schools. Principals, teachers, and volunteers express the impact that KOREH L.A. volunteers have on the reading abilities, attendance, classroom participation, and self-esteem of the children.

To find out more, click on About Us or e-mail us at: Literacy@JewishLA.org

KOREH L.A./Pre-K KOREH News

On November 5, 2007, many people gathered at Strathern Street Elementary School’s library to celebrate the tenth library that TOYOTA has restocked with the help of KOREH L.A. With over 1100 new books lining the shelves, and a KOREH L.A. banner on the wall, the library looked amazing!  Mrs. Vines’ second grade class performed poetry and gave Tracy Underwood, National Manager, Corporate Contributions, TOYOTA, personalized thank you notes. Next, North Hollywood Sr. Sergeant David Delgado in full police uniform read the class a story.  At the end of the event, all of the second graders received books as gifts from KOREH L.A.

On June 12, 2007, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and KOREH L.A. restocked Brentwood Science Magnet´s library with one thousand new books becoming this year's final recipient of the Book Initiative Award. A representative from the California State Assembly, KOREH L.A. staff, and the school's principal joined in the celebration.

On February 1, 2007, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, the Katherine Smith O'Brien Memorial Book Fun, and KOREH L.A. restocked Coliseum Elementary School's library with over one thousand new books for the kids to enjoy and expand their imagination. Representatives from the Board of Education and the City Council, including the Local District 3 superintendent, were in attendance to celebrate this wonderful event along with KOREH L.A. staff and the school's principal.

On December 8, 2006, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and KOREH L.A. restocked Sylvan Park Elementary School's library with one thousand brand new books as part of the Book Initiative. Representatives from the Board of Education and the City Council and local firefighters were in attendance to celebrate this event along with the KOREH L.A. staff and the school's principal.

On December 6, 2006, KOREH L.A. held the 5th Annual Wrap-It-Up event at The Jewish Federation Goldsmith Center. Many of the volunteers residing in this section of the city attended this fun, laidback event. They celebrated the joy of reading during the holiday season by wrapping books, transforming them into lovely presents for their students, and socializing with their fellow volunteers. It was also a time for the volunteers to meet with their literacy coordinators for the very first time and share about their experiences with their students.
 
On December 7, 2006, KOREH L.A. hosted the 5th Annual Wrap-It-Up event at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus in the West Valley. This was new because our past Wrap-It-Up events have only been held at The Jewish Federation Goldsmith Center. This year, we planned and organized one in the Valley to accommodate more volunteers. It proved to be successful because the attendance this year was phenomenal!

On July 6, 2006, America Learns announced that KOREH L.A. volunteer Virginia Raucher's literacy volunteering strategy, "Racetrack," would be the July 2006 America Learns National Strategy of the Month. Virginia's strategy was selected out of hundreds to be highlighted by America Learns and distributed through its monthly newsletter to thousands of individuals worldwide. Virginia has been participating in KOREH L.A. program as a volunteer "reading partner" for five years.

Check out the current KOREH L.A. newsletter, or click on In the News - to learn more about us.