IN APRIL 2012, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) announced a pilot endowment campaign aimed at sustaining the PJ Library program indefinitely. That pilot, called PJ Promise, is designed for communities committing to endow PJ Library for a minimum of 35 percent of their current subscribers. The HGF “promise” is one in which participating communities gain an ongoing partnership and incentive funds.
“Every night, in tens of thousands of homes, parents are reading Jewish stories to their children,” we wrote in a letter to partners. “These stories inspire families, sparking conversations about Jewish culture and tradition. One day, people will look back at the giving of PJ Library books and marvel that this simple act contributed so mightily to a strong Jewish people.”
Today, we are delighted to have received many applications for participation in the program. Moreover, we can proudly announce congratulations go to those PJ Library communities that have been approved to participate in PJ Promise.
COMMUNITIES WITH 'PROMISE'
Six PJ Library communities will be securing pledges for their endowments during the next two years and have a total of five years for pledges to be paid in full. HGF looks forward to awarding cash incentives for endowed subscriptions!
The six participating PJ Library communities are:
CLEVELAND ROCKS!
Meanwhile, over in Cleveland, enter the wonderful Mort and Iris November.
The Novembers have not only stepped up to support PJ Library’s current 1,800 subscribers in Cleveland, but have also generously committed $1.5 million to permanently endow the program. This gift is being made in honor of Mort’s daughter, Deborah Ann, who sadly passed away at the age of 24.
Each PJ Library envelope sent to the PJ Library community in Cleveland will feature the beautiful message:
A gift from Mort and Iris November with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in celebration of Debra Ann November.
In response to the Novembers' gift, PJ Library founder Harold Grinspoon said, “I can't imagine a more meaningful way to honor the memory of their daughter than by giving the gift of PJ Library to the Jewish families of Cleveland.”
Harold adds, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mort and Iris!”
December 14, 2012