NEW HAVEN – The Jewish Coalition for Literacy (JCL), a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, will honor the program’s volunteer reading partners at an appreciation event to be held Wednesday, May 17, 9:30 a.m., at Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden. Children’s book author and illustrator Deborah Freedman will be on hand to discuss her books and how to make the most of them when reading with students. JCL’s 175 JCL reading partners, volunteering in seven New Haven public schools, commit one hour per week to read one-on-one with young students, sharing the pleasures of reading, friendship and conversation.

The May 17 event is free and open to the public. Congregation Mishkan Israel is located at 785 Ridge Road, Hamden. For more information, contactbbrenner@jewishnewhaven.org or (203) 387-2424 x308.