[NFBJ] NFB In Judaism Group Meeting Earlier Today-Recording

[Stewart Prost]

Greetings everyone,
earlier today, we had a meeting of the NFB in Judaism Group.  We had as our
special guest , Ms. Livia Thompson, President of JBI International, along
with Arlene Arfe, Chief Librarian.  We were able to have a very productive
discussion with both of them.  Ms. Thompson reported that JBI is working on
Brailing the Lev Shalom Prayer Book.  They are working with Rabbi Mordechai
Rackover, Director of Publications for the Rabbinical Assembly.  Ms.
Thompson indicated that they needed funding for the project, giving initial
funding of $50,000 to start up and produce the first 10 Prayer Books.
After that, the cost per book would decrease.  Ms. Thompson also described
a number  of projects to increase the availability of both liturgical and
secular materials in various formats including Braille and digital talking
books.  This includes putting out several different Haggadot.  I indicated
to her that this group could work to help get funding for the prayer books
and invited her to come to the next NFB national convention as an
exhibiter.  She stated that she would consider coming to our convention
based on estimated costs.  Ms. Thompson also stated that JBI is reaching
out to other groups producing materials in alternative formats for blind
and low vision individuals in the Jewish community to work together.  There
was much more discussed.  Attached is an audio recording of our meeting
for everyone to listen to.  Based on our discussion, I plan to follow up
with Rabbi Rackover and let him know of our group.  I suggested that I can
also contact someone on the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Group set up
jointly by the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs (FJMC) and the Women's
Leagues and see if there is a way to reach out to Men's Clubs and Women's
Leagues/Sistorhoods to see if funding could be directed to the production
of the prayer books.

Finally, I want to reach out to everyone on this list for subject matter
suggestions for future group meetings.  I hope that we can have several
meetings in the coming year between now and our national convention in
July.  Let me hear from you as to any ideas of topics for future meetings.

I hope you find the attached recording helpful.
Warm Regards,
Stewart Prost, Chair, NFB in Judaism Group
Phone: 757-572-6891
Email: sprost82 at gmail.com
 NFB in Judaism Meeting with JBI International.m4a
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QmH7YqKdEcy5qAoUuC9X3Brw8muVUsS_/view?usp=drive_web>

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