Dear Friends,

We are pleased to send our first newsletter to colleagues and friends interested in the development of our Arabic book program for preschool children, Maktabat al-Fanoos
(Lantern Library). 

Maktabat al-Fanoos launched in January, when more than 49,000 children in 1,750 preschools throughout Israel received their first book, Soumsoum the Mouse. 

How Does The Program Work? Each month throughout the school year, a box arrives at preschools around the country, with a book for every child plus two copies for the classroom. After the teacher reads the story to the children and leads related activities, the children take home the gift books to share with their families. Each of the books contains activity and discussion ideas for parents.

The program, which is distributing four books this school year, reaches 100%
of public Arabic-language kindergartens throughout Israel as well as pre-kindergartens in some parts of the country. In the 2014-2015 school year, we
hope to reach even more children, distributing 8 books to each child to take home and keep.

Art Project                               

Shadow Theater

 Teacher Training and Orientation

Arabic language preschool inspectors participated in a launch event for Maktabat al-Fanoos, to integrate the program into the preschool curriculum. Both Sima Haddad Ma-Yafit, Director of the Preschool Division of the Ministry of Education and Fatma Kassem, National Supervisor of Preschools in Arab-Bedouin Communities underscored the importance of the program at the launch.

Sima Haddad Ma-Yafit
at Launch Event

In addition, Ministry of Education inspectors and Bidayat experts conducted dozens of orientations and trainings with teachers and inspectors throughout Israel. More training is planned to enhance the use of the books in the classroom and increase parent participation in the program.

Fatma Kassem
Addresses Ministry Inspectors

The program sends a monthly newsletter to teachers, with suggestions for class activities.  Those suggestions as well as photos teachers send us of activities in their classrooms can be seen on our website at www.al-fanoos.org. English explanations here.            

  Robert Price and Harold Grinspoon Visit Arab Preschools

Robert Price at Jaffa Preschool
 

Robert and Allison Price, their son David, and staff from Price Family Charitable Fund were delighted to visit Maktabat al-Fanoos preschools in February in Jaffa. The visitors to the Ofek and Bat Yam preschools learned how the teachers have involved parents in the project and enhanced the classroom book experience with crafts projects and drama. Before the program was launched, Harold Grinspoon visited the Bidayat Center and Elawlam preschool in Baka al-Gharbiya. 

Harold Grinspoon Learns about Arab Children's Books

  Maktabat al-Fanoos in the Media

Media gave extensive coverage to the program launch and the founders.

Articles in English have appeared in: Jewish Week, JTA, the Jerusalem Post, Israel 21C and  Haaretz. Coverage in Hebrew included (Yediot Hanegev, Calcalist) and in Arabic here.

Keren Grinspoon Israel LTD  |  Chalat"z 514480888