Middlesex federation launches free children's book club
By Jason Cohen
July 4, 2008
PJ Library, a children's book-of-the-month club that reaches out to Jewish families with young children to help create stronger Jewish homes, is coming to
The program originated in
Natalie Blitt, one of the program directors of PJ library, said it provides a unique opportunity for the kids.
"It started in December of 2005 and it was based off of Imagination Library -- a program started in
The organization is now in 70 communities across the country.
"It is a community-based organization where how religious you are doesn't matter and any child ranging from 6 months to 5 years old can sign up and receive a free book every month," Blitt said.
"People will be able to speak to their kids about Jewish concepts and will be able to communicate with their kids easier as well," Blitt added.
Blitt said the program fills a need in the community.
"I am so excited that we will be able to provide Jewish education," Blitt said. "It is a real gift that Harold Grinspoon has given to the world and I believe it will have a major impact on the Jewish world."
Shari Rothstein, a teacher at Anshe Emeth in New Brunswick and the Chairman of the PJ Library Committee of Middlesex County, said more than 300 people in the county have signed up so far and it's a wonderful way to connect with the Jewish community and for Jewish families to connect with other Jewish families.
The Grinspoon Foundation runs the
Eliot Spack, the chair for the Pavlosky Fund for Jewish Education, which is part of the Jewish Federation of Middlesex County, said the committee was seeking a program that connected parents with their young children and PJ Library was the one they chose.
"It's a free chance for parents and their children to learn in a home environment and, more importantly, it's critical and pivotal for young children to connect to their Jewishness at a young age," Spack said.
Rabbi Esther Reed, who is the associate director for Jewish campus life at Rutgers University Hillel and a member of the Pavlosky Committee said the work of the PJ Library is "incredible."
"Books are sent to kids once a month and it's a beautiful thing, especially for parents to be able to read to their kids at night," Reed said.
It strengthens the Jewish identity for kids and passes on Jewish values, she added.
"By signing up for PJ Library, people that don't go to temple can have a Jewish connection at home, because it's very hard to maintain a Jewish connection at home," Reed said.
Reed said people can't believe there's no catch.
"It's entirely free, there's no hidden costs, people should sign up because it's free, and, more importantly, who doesn't like getting a free book for their kids?" Reed said.
Overall, it promotes literacy and togetherness among families, she said.
Reed has three children; Issac who is 5, Sammy who is 3, and Jonah who is 20 months old are all signed up for the program and should each be receiving a book within the month.
Rosalie Eisen, the other program director of PJ Library, said the organization wants families to sign up so they can connect with the Jewish community.
"It reaches families of young children and who wouldn't want Jewish children's books coming to your community," Eisen said.
Rabbi Melinda Zalma of Beth Mordecai in
"I just recently heard of the program and I feel it's very important to reach out to Jewish families especially at places moms would go outside of the house, like JCCs," Zalma said.
It gives people a chance to get more involved with Judaism and their Jewish roots.
"It's free -- who doesn't want free Jewish books -- but, more importantly, it's a learning tool and I have been able to sign up many families in my congregation," Zalma said.