--  Reading Program for Small Children Strengthens Jewish Identity  

It’s a moment to cherish: just before going to sleep, when a child eagerly listens to a favorite bedtime story.  And that’s the simple but powerful idea behind the PJ Library, a Jewish education and outreach initiative supported by the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey.  

“PJ Library provides a way for us to welcome people into our community,”  says Stanley Stone, Executive Vice President of the Federation. “We hope it will instill a sense of Jewish identity and provide parents with books to build the foundation of a Jewish journey for life.”

The PJ Library (PJ is short for pajamas) began as an initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in late 2005. Children in the participating communities, aged six months through seven years old, receive free monthly shipments of age-appropriate Jewish-themed books or music. Over a twelve-month period running, the children receive ten books and one CD, and parents receive a Resource Guide.

The Federation initially brought the program to Central NJ, in September of 2007.  Even with very little promotion, enrollment reached its maximum of 200 children extremely quickly, with additional names placed on a waiting list. To increase enrollment, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation provided Federation with a challenge grant. As part of the grant, Jewish Federation offers the program to enrolled children for two years at no cost to the families.

The PJ program has an enormous potential impact. According to a recent study, it was discovered that there are approximately 60,000 Jewish births in the US each year, but relatively few of those Jewish families engage with their local Jewish communities. The PJ program staff hopes that through the books, these families will experience a connection Jewishly. 

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To register a child from Central NJ for PJ Library, please click here or contact Kim Farrell at kfarrell@jfedcnj.org, 908-288-2414.