In its effort to continue to strengthen and enhance Jewish life in the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, the Jewish Federation has launched PJ Library. The name, “PJ,” stands for “pajamas” and invokes that time at the end of the day when parents and children strengthen their bond through love and learning by cuddling up with a book.
PJ Library, a national program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in Massachusetts, is a Jewish family engagement program implemented on a local level throughout North America. PJ Library mails free, high-quality Jewish children’s books and music to enrolled families each month. All families raising Jewish children from age six months of age through eight years are eligible. Interested families living in our extended community can sign-up at www.pjlibrary.org.
PJ Library has a proven track record of reaching unaffiliated and unengaged Jewish families. By providing book-based family programming opportunities, it helps to revitalize meaningful connections in and among families with young children and gives families the tools to increase their comfort level with “talking and doing Jewish.”
The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys provides programs and services that meet the needs of the local Jewish community – from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga and south to Whittier and serves as its Jewish voice. Although PJ Library is
being coordinated by the Jewish Federation, it is partnering with local synagogues and schools and local donors who are helping to make this program possible.
As the needs of the community have changed over the years, the Jewish Federation has evolved to better meet and address those needs. “By bringing PJ Library to our community,” explains Jason Moss, Jewish Federation’s Executive Director, “we have created another way for young Jewish families to find a place within the Jewish community.”
With the addition of this program, the Jewish Federation hired Debby Singer as the PJ Library Program Coordinator. Debby Singer served as the Education Director at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center for twenty-eight years. She brings with her an extensive background in providing strong quality experiences for Jewish youth and their families.
PJ Library’s first community program will be held on Sunday, December 7 at the Monrovia Public Library. From 3-5 p.m. the Community Room will be turned in to a joyous setting for Hanukkah, the Holiday of Lights. The Hanukkah Hagigah (party) will include story time featuring books from the PJ Library, music, crafts for the whole family, special treats to eat and more.
To learn more about PJ Library and the launch in our community or other Jewish Federation activities, please contact the Jewish Federation by calling 626.445.0810 or by sending an email to federation@jewishsgpv.org.
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