Holiday Programs

Enrich your holiday programming with PJ Library book-based family programs and creative engagement ideas. The holiday sections are ordered according to the Jewish calendar. Program elements from different books and programs can be mixed and matched, and adapted for multi-age programming.

Holiday Webinars

We have webinar recordings (and accompanying PowerPoint PDFs) for many holidays produced by Vivian Newman, PJ Library's Early Childhood Education Consultant. A great resource for educators looking for creative ways to engage families with PJ books around the holidays.

Explore holiday programming webinars

Shabbat

Book-Based Family Programming

The Friday Nights of Nana (Ages 3-8) - Oneg Shabbat
Hanna's Sabbath Dress (Ages 2-5) - Gemilut Chasadim
Mrs. Moskowitz & the Sabbath Candlesticks (Ages 3-8) - Oneg Shabbat

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Book-Based Family Programming

The Hardest Word (Ages 4-7) - Teshuvah: The importance of apologizing and rectifying mistakes
Red, Blue and Yellow Yarn (Ages 2-8) - Granting Forgiveness
The Sticky Shofar - Shalom Sesame DVD (Ages 3-8) - Striving to be the best one can be
Today is the Birthday of the World (Ages 3-8) - Striving to be the best one can be/Storywalk

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Sukkot

Book-Based Family Programming

Sukkot Family Programming - Overview of Sukkot values, books and activities
Night Lights (Ages 3-6) - Chesed: Bringing comfort to others and expressing feelings

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Hanukkah

Book-Based Family Programming

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes (Ages 4-6) - Honoring Elders/Intergenerational holiday celebration
The Chanukah Guest (Ages 2-6) - Welcoming Guests/Puppet show with songs
Hanukkah Lights (Ages 0-3) - Holiday Basics: Menorahs, Dreidls and Latkes
Hanukkah Trike (Ages 2-5) - Hanukkah Theme Nights
Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah (Ages 4-6) - K'vod Z'kanim: Intergenerational holiday celebration
Nathan Blows out the Hanukkah Candles (Age 5+) - Autism Awareness: Accepting children who act and learn differently

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Tu B'Shevat

Book-Based Family Programming

Dear Tree (Ages 2-6) - Tikkun Olam: Integrating the value of caring for the environment into daily life
It's Tu B'Shevat/A Tree is Nice (Ages 2-5) - Nature Appreciation/Nature Hunt

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Purim

Book-Based Family Programming

Cakes and Miracles (Ages 3-10) - Disability Awareness: each human being has unique abilities and challenges

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Passover

Book-Based Family Programming

Company's Coming/Passover! (Ages 2-5) - Holiday Basics: Food, Rituals and Welcoming Guests
The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah! (Ages 3-8) - Matzah, Friendship and Teamwork/Storywalk
Nachson, Who Was Afraid to Swim (Ages 5-7) - Ometz Lev: En"courage"ing Leadership

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

Israel

Book-Based Family Programming

Ella's Trip to Israel (Ages 2-6) - Pretend Trip to Israel

Additional Programming Resources and Ideas

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