A Conversation with Harold

PJ Library alum Jake Kotin looks back.

This story appeared in the July 2023 issue of PROOF, a PJ Library magazine.

In 2014, when Jake Kotin was 3 years old, he received the five millionth PJ Library book — which Harold Grinspoon and Winnie Sandler Grinspoon delivered to his Natick, Massachusetts home in person! Recently, Jake, now 13, got to chat with Harold and catch up.

HG: Do you remember the day I came to visit you?

JK: I heard a knock at the door. I went to answer it and you were there and Winnie was there. You read a book to me — it was about a Purim bear. I was ecstatic because I was like, “New people and a new book!”

HG: Do you remember the early books you received?

JK: I remember the gist of almost all of them. It always had some tie to Judaism, whether it be a Jewish holiday, Jewish morals, or a Jewish character. It connected me back to who I am. Every time a new book would arrive, I would run to the door and I would be super excited.

Now that I’m older, one of my favorite things about PJ Our Way is the aspect of choice. I appreciate how you can select books that align with your interests.

HG: That’s amazing. You’re amazing!

JK: I just had my bar mitzvah, and it was the coolest experience. I’m so glad I put in the work to make it uniquely my own.

I look back and so many kids are benefiting from your generosity, your kindness. And I’m just so thankful that I got to be part of this and a recipient of all these books.

Know a PJ Library alum who would like to share their story with PROOF? Let us know: proof@hgf.org.