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SCAN THIS PAGE
FOR VIDEO ABOUT
200,000TH BOOK.
Book Bonanza!
Detroit’s PJ Library reaches 200,000th book and 2,250 families.
JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
S
top for a second and think about
200,000 children’s books. That’s
the number of Jewish children’s
books that have been distributed — at
no charge — to PJ Library families
throughout Metro Detroit since the
program started here in 2006. Just to
put that number in perspective, the
main branch of the West Bloomfield
Township Public Library has more than
40,300 books in its youth collection.
This summer Micah Issner, 4½, of
Birmingham, had the unique distinc-
tion of receiving that 200,000th book.
“We love PJ Library books because
they teach us so much,” said Micah’s
mom, Jackie Issner. “Together we learn
about the holidays and Israel. But,
more importantly, the lessons in these
books highlight Jewish values and per-
sonal characteristics that align with
our family discussions about being a
mentsh.
“We are thrilled that so many of
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the books have these themes, helping
others and including others, building
strong, loving relationships, being hum-
ble and respectful, having faith in God,
taking care of ourselves and the Earth,
feeling comfortable with who we are,
being thankful for what we have — and
we are grateful for PJ Library books.”
PJ Library is now an international
program that started in Massachusetts
in 2005, sending free Jewish books
(and music) to children between the
ages of 6 months and 9 years old. It’s
an initiative of the Harold Grinspoon
Foundation and was established with
the goal of helping families with young
children create stronger Jewish homes
through books with Jewish content.
Grinspoon got the idea for PJ Library
from a similar program started by
country singer Dolly Parton who dis-
tributes free books to low-income
families.
The PJ Library program offers more
than just free books. It’s a way to con-
nect families through communal
events and activities. Local get-
togethers — there
are more than 106
annual programs
— include PJs and
Pizza in the Park,
playdates and other
family-friendly
events, including
one called Sammy
Gail Greenberg
Spider’s First Trip
to Detroit. Each pro-
gram is creatively
based on Jewish learning and most
often connects to a PJ Library book.
“We try to incorporate the books
because it brings the home/commu-
nity connection together. Many times,
kids will say, ‘I read that book at home.’
Books are our biggest tie to the home.
It all starts with the books, but it goes
so far beyond that, and it’s unbeliev-
able the difference it’s made,” said Gail
Greenberg, former director of Detroit’s
PJ Library program. Greenberg’s posi-
tion was filled by Rebecca Melamed,
an educator and curriculum specialist
who previously taught at Hillel Day
School in Farmington Hills before
working in Florida for a few years.
Melamed started in her new role late
last month.
“As a community, we’ve always been
successful in bringing families togeth-
er,” Greenberg said. “What PJ Library
has added over the years is the ability
to bring Jewish books and Jewish learn-
ing in their homes. Some of the people
we reach aren’t as involved in the com-
munity, and we help them access differ-
ent Jewish family experiences.”
Currently, 2,250 Detroit-area children
receive a new Jewish children’s book
(or Jewish music) by mail each month.
A newer PJ Library program called PJ
Our Way allows older readers, between
ages 9-11, to select an age-appropriate
Jewish chapter book or graphic novel
each month, also at no cost.
Winnie Grinspoon, president of the
Harold Grinspoon Foundation, praised
the Detroit community for growing
its programing and connecting Jewish
families.
“Reaching 200,000 is exciting, and it
presents an opportunity to reach even
more families and provide additional
opportunities for the Detroit Jewish
community,” Grinspoon said. “It’s a
great moment and a moment to cel-
ebrate. I’m excited that more families
are being touched by PJ Library.”
Local leaders are not only expanding
PJ Library but also
continuing to build and strengthen
other programs and services for young
families. For example, they will be add-
ing two engagement ambassadors to
help connect Jewish families to each
other and the larger
Jewish community.
Additionally, they
are working with the
design team from the
Pittsburgh Children’s
Museum to create the
Shalom Street Family
Parenting Center in
the area that used to
Lisa Soble
Siegmann
house Shalom Street at
the Jewish Community
Center in West Bloomfield, according
to Lisa Soble Siegmann, senior director
of JFamily, the organization that over-
sees Jewish family education in Metro
Detroit, including PJ Library. This new
parenting center will be used for a
number of programs for expectant par-
ents through families with teens. Part
of that space will house a children’s
library.
“Kids often come to our PJ Library
programs looking for a physical
library,” Siegmann said. “Soon we will
have one.” •
To join or learn more about PJ Library, go to
pjlibrary.org.