A practicing Christian from Meridian, Idaho, (adjacent to Boise), Lynch read an article in Being Jewish about the Jade Bar Shalom Books For Israel Project, and found a new mission in life.

"When I read the article about the 16 tons (of books)… I was impressed," says Lynch. "By the time I was three-fourths of the way though the article, I was convinced I must help." 

And help, he did. Over the past two years, Lynch rallied a number of Idaho communities, helping to collect and personally send over 10,000 English books to schoolchildren in Israel.

Initiated by sisters Rena Cohen and Jade Bar Shalom in October of 2002, the Jade Bar Shalom Books for Israel Project is an entirely volunteer-run, grassroots effort that provides children in Israel with English books.Volunteers send books to Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Druze, Bedouin and Baha’i schools in Israel, with the hope that they will help children achieve literacy in the English language. The project also works to counter the decrease in education-related funding in Israel due to the increased funding of security. Books for Israel has since become Lynch’s passion, and he has devoted much of his time over the past two years to the project. He took it upon himself to start the Idaho Flagship of the Books for Israel Project.

"When I began my new mission in life," he says, "I didn’t want any other commitments to stand in the way of me giving my best to this project."

Lynch tells his story with an endearing raspy voice, coincidentally reminiscent of a favorite rabbi’s. He speaks slowly and thoughtfully, and seems to contemplate each word before it leaves his lips. Lynch is humble, but confident—he happily admits,"I am in very good condition."He has three children, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, and will turn 89 in July. He still drives a four-door sedan, with a sign advertising the project proudly displayed on the window.Whether speaking on a local television station, or manning a booth in the Boise University Student Union, or just meeting locals in a parking lot, Lynch always educates others and promotes the Books for Israel program.

Without English books, Lynch believes Israeli children may not succeed in the future. "We certainly do not worship English, but it is the key to their continuing education and contribution to society," he says.

Lynch has formed connections and sent books to three flagships in Israel (so far). Flagships form when a teacher from an Israeli school hears of the project and wants to get involved. That teacher receives all the books and distributes them to his/her school as well as other schools in the vicinity.

Taghreed Abdelaal, a teacher and head of the Taghreed Flagship in Akko, Israel, corresponds with Lynch and sends him stories about her students who receive the books. Her students are amazed that one man collected so many books for them, and call Lynch "our big friend." "My pupils are happy that they will share the books with Jewish, Bedouin and Christian pupils. They want to make new friends," Abdelaal wrote to Lynch.

Over the past two years, Lynch has involved many influential people who have helped him collect the 10,000 books. Principals, teachers, a chamber of commerce, a synagogue and more have all helped to organize book drives. Besides tabling at Boise University, Lynch introduced book drives for Books for Israel as an annual project of Alpha Phi Sigma, a national criminal justice honors society, of which he is a member.

The book drives become learning experiences for all of those who participate. Lynch tells of a "collection day" at a Christian school in Boise, where a string orchestra played Jewish music as the students filed in to the assembly, armfuls of books in tow.

Those students were not the only ones to learn a bit about Judaism. One day in church, Lynch’s pastor asked if anyone wanted to voice what was on their mind. Lynch stood up and said, "I want to praise the Lord because people have donated over 5,000 books to send to children in Israel,"and sat down. His pastor quickly responded,"If any of you want to have a part in this project, talk to David."

Through the project, volunteers have sent a total of 40 tons of books to Israel to date. Lynch’s efforts have amazed many around him, including the project’s founders.

"David is a friend of Israel and I wish Israel millions more friends like him," says Rena Cohen. "The efforts of Christians such as David are truly an inspiration."

Lynch tells of a defining moment in his life—the first time he read the Bible. He remembers reading the passage where God speaks to Abraham, before Abraham has children.God tells Abraham, "I will bless those that bless you, and curse those who curse you."

"I didn’t know anything about the Bible," Lynch says. He clearly remembers thinking, "I don’t know what that [passage] means, but I want that blessing."

Seventy-some years later, David Lynch finally found his blessing, and a new generation of Israeli children are blessed because of his work.

He says,"I am continually surprised and delighted that in my life, every book that I get—every person that talks to me— is just wonderful."