Ghillian Porter-Smith, media specialist/librarian at Norfolk’s Larchmont Elementary School, wrote last month to express appreciation for books the school received from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
“Thank you very much for the generous gift of books!” Porter-Smith wrote. “Our students are already checking them out! One student in particular who is very proud of his Jewish faith and heritage was over the moon when I showed him the new titles.”
The books were sent as part of The Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Book Project, which brings Jewish stories to thousands of local students each year, many encountering this history and culture for the first time.
Carefully curated by a diverse volunteer committee of educators and community members, this year’s selections highlight the breadth of Jewish life while exploring universal themes such as identity, empathy, courage, and belonging.
Spanning elementary through high school, the books invite students to engage with meaningful questions, connect personal experiences to larger historical narratives, and develop a deeper understanding of both Jewish and American identity. The project is provided by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning, with generous support from the family of Rita Frank, in memory of Abraham E. Frank, and powered by local volunteers who help prepare and distribute the books. Through this collaborative effort, the initiative continues to foster curiosity, compassion, and meaningful conversation across classrooms throughout the region.