FAQs
What is The PJ Library?
The PJ Library ( PJ for pajama!) is a unique program that seeks to engage Jewish families with young children in Jewish life. In order to accomplish this goal, each participating family will receive a monthly mailing of a Jewish children’s book, CD, or the occasional parenting resource. The PJ Library offers books to children from age six months to ages five, six or seven years depending on the community. Check Your PJ Community pages for details.
Each book comes with guides to help families use the selection in their homes. Our book and music list was chosen by foremost early-childhood and children’s literature experts. The list includes a wide array of themes such as Jewish holidays, folktales and Jewish family life.
The PJ Library is FREE for the first year of participation, with a nominal donation requested each year thereafter. Please note, check your local community for specific payment details. While in most communities the PJ Library is free, some communities ask for an $18 donation from participating families starting in the first year, as well.
Why does the Harold Grinspoon Foundation believe this is an invaluable program?
Parents and children have warm memories of that special time right before bedtime, when they snuggle together and end the day with a book. Reading stories and listening to music together are among the most powerful and nurturing early childhood experiences. The PJ Library will turn these special moments into Jewish moments.
Dr. Mark Rosen, a Senior Research Associate at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, found in a study commissioned by the Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation that: There are approximately 60,000 Jewish births in the United States annually, but relatively few are being welcomed by the Jewish community — If the Jewish community reaches out to young Jewish couples when they have a child, there is potentially a 3-5 year window for influencing their future educational choices and the Jewish identity of their children.
The PJ Library aims to respond directly to this opportunity by engaging these families early in the building of their Jewish home.
Who does the PJ Library want to reach?
The PJ Library is open to all families with young children in the sponsoring area. Our target groups, however, are the unengaged or marginally engaged families with at least one Jewish parent.
How can a philanthropist/organization bring The PJ Library to his/her community?
The Harold Grinspoon Foundation funds The PJ Library in our home region of Western Massachusetts. We’ve done the marketing, chosen the books and CDs, set up the infrastructure and administration to be able to offer the program to other North American communities.
Since December 2005, The PJ Library has spread across the country to more than 70 communities. To continue to grow, we need funding partners. To become a partner in this exciting venture, a local philanthropist, foundation, Federation, or other Jewish organization must finance the cost of the books, music and the mailing for children in the designated community. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation covers all overhead and administrative costs for the program, and coordinates the monthly distribution of books and music.
Partnering communities will receive resources for implementing the program, recruiting families, and planning complementary programs. In each community, the program is advertised as a gift of the local sponsor.
How much does The PJ Library cost for the philanthropist?
$60 per child per year. This amount covers the cost of 12 mailings — 10 Jewish children’s books, 1 CD of Jewish music and 1 parenting book.