Did you know that there's an Israeli version of PJ Library? It actually reaches more than kids and families than in North America.
Called Sifriyat Pijama (Hebrew for "Pajama Library"), the program gifts books in Hebrew each month to more than 350,000 Israeli children between the ages 2-8 in daycare centers, preschools and elementary schools throughout Israel. Many of the recipients of Sifriyat Pijama books are part of underserved immigrant populations and people living in the northern and southern periphery of Israel.
Sifriyat Pijama enables caregivers and educators to introduce a new book periodically to their classes (8 books during the school year in daycare centers and preschools, 4 books a year in first and second grade). Then each student receives a personal copy to take home to read with his or her family. Participating teachers are given access to professional development training. Teachers learn to use the books as a means of enhancing literacy and engaging families in the learning process.
Sifriyat Pijama is the result of a partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), the Israeli Ministry of Education, and private funders. The program in daycare centers (known as Sifriyat Pijama for Little Kids) is funded through a partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and daycare organizations.