We celebrate many holidays as the seasons change. PJ Library communities everywhere have gathered together the last few weeks to welcome the warm weather and celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, Lag B'Omer, Shavuot, and the start of summer. Read on to learn more about different PJ Library communities. If your community would like to be featured in the next part of our round-up, tag us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or send us an email.
Let's take a look at how some of our communities celebrated spring holidays:
Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independence Day
Yom Ha'atzmaut is the anniversary of Israel’s establishment as an independent state. Looking for some great books about Yom Ha'atzmaut? Check out our selections here.
PJ Library in Rockland County in Nyack, New York, held a festive Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration where families enjoyed face painting, refreshments and learning activities.
PJ Library in Rochester gathered families for story time, crafts, and a map walk featuring 3-D pictures of Israel!
PJ Library in Central New York based their Yom Ha'atzmaut learning activities on our selection Israel, by Rachel Shalev. Children explored "look and find" stations that made use of the book's vibrant illustrations.
Lag B’Omer is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the counting of the omer. The counting of the omer is the forty-nine-day period between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuot.
PJ Library in Winnipeg celebrated Yom Yerushalayim & Lag B'Omer at Six Pines Farm. Families got to meet the animals, take a story walk, try their hands at archery, and enjoy a delicious barbecue meal together.
PJ Library in the UK had an epic Lag B'Omer gathering at Jewish Borehamwood with stories and a bounce-house!
Seven weeks after Passover ends, we celebrate Shavuot. This holiday marks the biblical story of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. One of the most fun traditions on Shavuot is eating delicious dairy-based foods like blintzes, borekas, and cheesecake!
Our PJ Library Professionals know how to throw an ice cream social-and Shavuot is the perfect occasion to bring friends together over a cool treat.
PJ Library in the San Francisco region organized two separate pre-Shavuot ice cream giveaways, one at a local shop and another at the JCC in San Rafael. Check out their creative flyer below.
PJ Library in Berkshire County celebrated "Super Sunday" with a gathering at Ben & Jerry's. Families enjoyed ice cream, stories, superheroes and practicing tzedakah together.
Welcoming Summer
PJ Library in Los Angeles families got together for a playdate arranged by their Community Connectors.
PJ Library in Baltimore held a Jerusalem Day Block Party and picnic. Families also made no-sew blankets in Jerusalem's colors.
PJ Library in the New York Metro area has teamed up with Union Square, NYC to provide PJ Library story time at Summer in the Square events! The first event kicked off Thursday, June 16th and will continue throughout the summer. Join the 14th Street Y’s PJ Library Program for an interactive story time with Shira or Joanie every Thursday at 2pm through August 11th.
Did you enjoy this events round-up? We'll have more to share as the summer progresses. As always, please feel free to share your photos of summer fun with us on social media!
June 23, 2016