Little Free Library comes to Winter Springs

Temple Israel installed a Little Free Library on Sunday, May 19, outside the synagogue facing Moss Road. The installation event took place during a worldwide Little Free Library weekend celebrating the movement's 10-year anniversary.

According to its website, "Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds."

Ma'asim Tovim committee chair Emily Raij was thrilled to head up the Little Free Library, which is open to the entire community. People simply come to take a book or share a book-or both! More than two dozen books for children and adults have already been donated and placed inside this location, which has been registered and will receive its official charter sign and number.

"While my husband, Andrew, and I were installing the library, several people who live in the neighborhood came up to us to express their excitement about having a place nearby to donate books to and borrow books from," said Raij. "I love that we can give back to the community around our synagogue." Raij added that her children donated a PJ Library book they had an extra copy of called "Chik Chak Shabbat." "This story is especially fitting and meaningful to put in our Little Free Library because it is about a diverse community that comes together to help a neighbor," said Raij.

The Little Free Library was one of several Mitzvah Day projects Temple Israel worked on in April. Congregants also baked and delivered cookies to Winter Springs fire and police stations, completed cheek swabs to become part of the Gift of Life bone marrow registry, picked up litter from the playground and parking lot, and made cards for Kinneret residents.

If you are interested in starting your own Little Free Library, you can visit littlefreelibrary.org. Raij is also happy to help answer questions and can be emailed at emilyraij@gmail.com.