The Jewish Federation of Broward County is working toward endowing PJ Library to help ensure it will continue to grow, engage and impact families in Broward. PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month, providing a meaningful opportunity for quality enrichment time together as a family, while celebrating the joy of Jewish culture, values and traditions.
“It is a dream that every Jewish child in Broward County can enjoy PJ Library in the future. The endowment was created to ensure this dream comes to fruition,” says Sheryl Greenwald, president of the Sam Berman Charitable Foundation which has provided a $200,000 matching grant to PJ Library.
No matter the Jewish background, PJ Library helps families create cherished Jewish moments through the simple act of reading stories together. Since its local launch in August 2011, PJ Library has delivered almost 160,000 books to 6,200 children in Broward County. Every month, families race to the mailbox to open up that special blue and white envelope with a new Jewish literary adventure inside.
In a recent national survey conducted by PJ Library, 83% of families report that PJ Library has increased their confidence in engaging with their children on Jewish topics. 96% of families say the service supported their family in having conversations about Jewish traditions, values and customs, and 99% of families report that PJ Library has added value to how they think about or practice Judaism.
The Jewish Federation of Broward has met its goal of raising funds by the end of the year, but donations are still being accepted to support the program. Donations can be made by visiting the Friends of PJ Library page here. Donations will help to endow this special program, ensuring that every Jewish family in our community can benefit from PJ Library books, music and community programs.
Interested in donating in support of PJ Library? Visit JewishBroward.org to contribute to and learn more about the program.