Biologists teach us that life flourishes under diversity. Like a balanced diet, diversity encourages strength and growth. So too, we believe, with our books. You'll observe this diversity throughout our catalog, including in some unexpected places:

Diversity of subject matter. This year you'll see several new titles to help round out your curriculum: Shalom Ivrit 2 and Ulpan Bet provide modern Hebrew options, A Kid's Mensch Handbook teaches ethics and values to 4th and 5th graders, and Challenge and Change takes your 7th-9th graders through early American Jewish history. These texts help ensure that there will be age-appropriate and effective books for whatever subject you want to teach, in whichever grade you wish to teach it.

Diversity of media. We also present our material in diverse ways. CD-ROMs bring sound, animation, and the dynamic benefits of electronic learning enviromments into your school. Family Companions invite parents to participate in their children's Hebrew education. And downloadable classroom management aids are available on our website. We offer you this array of media to help you meet the diverse needs of your students with the most appropriate tools.

Diversity of content. We continue to present the diversity of people, culture, and practice that is our Jewish community. You will see photographs of children reflecting the diverse appearance of our community. You will see art that shows physically challenged youngsters actively participating in Jewish life.. The variety of this content will help your students learn about and appreciate the richness of our Jewish community and heritage.

Diversity in development. Our commitment to diversity also promotes the highest editorial standards. Our readers, reviewers, curriculum specialists, fact checkers, photographers, and artists are drawn from every corner of our community. Our editors spend months reviewing and revising everything we publish. In the past 18 months our piloting programs have tested materials in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Orlando, Buffalo, Miami, and Cincinnati. These steps ensure that the quality of our educational materials is the highest ever.

For a complete list of all our new offerings please see page 3 of this catalog. We hope that they become useful tools for you, and that they provide you with a rich set of educational options. And we hope that the dialogue between us continues to inspire educational materials that meet your diverse and growing needs.

Sincerely,   David E. Behrman