PJ Library

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Your Child’s Treasury of Jewish Books

parents reading to small children The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is thrilled to share PJ Library® (PJ, as in “pajamas”) with our entire community. This program provides families raising Jewish children from 6 months–8 years old with a FREE treasury of Jewish books and music! Every month, families enrolled in PJ Library receive a high-quality, expertly-selected and kid-tested (!) Jewish book or CD as a gift from the community. PJ Library in Greater Washington is a gift from The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Emanuel J. Friedman Philanthropies, the Bender Foundation, the Charles E. Smith Family Foundation, the David Bruce Smith Foundation, and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Enroll Your Family in PJ Library (books for kids 6 months-8 years old)
Enroll Your Family in PJ Our Way (chapter books for kids 8 1/2-11 years old)
Family-Friendly Events
Here’s the Story: PJ Library in DC Blog
PJ Library Community Partners
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Featured Events

Sweet Summer Series icecream

It’s time for the 6th annual Sweet Summer Series, with frozen treats, crafts, socializing and PJ Library storytime coming to a neighborhood near you! We are partnering with many local organizations to make this happen, and the list will grow. Check back often, or like us on Facebook for updates.

You’ll get a special gift with pre-registration!

Register for a DC location

Register for a Maryland location

Register for a Virginia location

Just a few events left this summer! All events are one hour long.

Thursday, August 15, 6:00 pm: Whole Foods Market Kentlands (316 Kentlands Blvd, Gaithersburg) with Shaare Torah ECC
Sunday, August 18, 6:00 pm: Kol Ami Playground (4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington) with Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families and Kol Ami
Monday, August 19, 5:30 pm: Ice Cream Jubilee (301 Water St SE #105 (Yards Park), Capitol Hill) with the Edlavitch DCJCC and with the Hill Havurah

there’s a splash play area; bring a swimsuit and towel!

it’s at a park (instead of a store). Frozen treats will be served!

event is weather-dependent; please check Facebook to confirm that day.

Monthly Events

Book Buddies

Run by Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families

Thursday, August 1, 10:30 a.m.: Chantilly Library (4000 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly)
Wednesday, August 7, 10:30 a.m.: Fairfax Regional Library (10360 North Street, Fairfax)
Sunday, September date TBD, 4:00 p.m.: Columbia Pike Branch, Arlington Public Library (816 S Walter Reed Dr, Arlington)

All parents, grandparents, caregivers and children who love books are welcome to join us for fun stories and movement activities that relate to Jewish culture, traditions and holidays. The monthly Book Buddies focus on the nearby holidays.

PJ Storytime at Barnes & Noble

Run by Bender JCCGW’s JPlay

Barnes & Noble, 12089 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00 am

August 14

Join the Bender JCC and PJ Library at Barnes & Noble for Storytime, Snacks, and Arts & Crafts. This program is free, but please register yourself and your child(ren) in advance.

Challah Tots

Run by Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families in NoVa and Bender JCCGW in Maryland.

Wednesday, August 14, 3:00 p.m.: Whole Foods Market (1700 Duke Street, Alexandria)
Sunday, August 4, 10:30 a.m.: Whole Foods Market (11660 Plaza America Dr, Reston)
Thursday, July 25, 10:00 a.m.: Whole Foods Market (11355 Woodglen Dr, North Bethesda)

At Challah Tots, you will enjoy a storytime, craft and braiding challah to take home to bake for Shabbat! Whole Foods Markets provides the dough, and PJ Library and our partners will provide the activities and the braiding help (if you’d like). Click the JCC links to register for this free program.

PJ-Cosponsored Shabbat & Havdalah Programs

In DC:

P J Library Tot Shabbat and Participatory Dinner, first Friday of the month, 6:00 p.m. at Temple Sinai (DC)

In Maryland:

First Fridays, first Friday of every month, 5:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom (Chevy Chase)
Tot Shabbat, first Friday of every month, 5:30 p.m. at Washington Hebrew Congregation Bindeman Center (Potomac)
Tot Shabbat, first Saturday of the month at B’nai Shalom of Olney (Olney)

In Northern Virginia:

Tot Shabbat, Friday, August 16, 7:00 p.m. at Temple B’nai Shalom (Fairfax Station)
Gan Shabbat, Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. at Agudas Achim Congregation (Alexandria)
Oh Say Shalom, Sunday, August 4, 11:00 a.m. at Agudas Achim Congregation (Alexandria)
Erev Shabbat Family Service, second Friday of the Month, 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Adat Reyim (Springfield)
Tot Shabbat, fourth Saturday of the month,10:00 a.m. at Congregation Adat Reyim (Springfield)

Resources

Sign up for free books for kids 6 months-8 years old

PJ Library Books

Sign up for free chapter books for kids 8.5-11 years old

Here's the Story PJ Blog icon

Check out the PJ Library in Greater Washington blog!

Character Day is a global conversation about why character matters. We offer insights, conversation catalysts and questions for your family to explore what it means to be a mensch (a good person).

cartoon of girl balancing the earth

“Judaism Values” Cards for Families

What We Are Reading

FROM THE JEWISH FEDERATION
Check “Summer Family Fun” Off Your List
What’s Jewish about summer?  Anything can be!  It’s an opportunity to connect with your family and make time to be together.  Try some of these ideas from Federation’s Summer Fun Checklist or our Summer Family Fun Pinterest board this season!

Doing Good as a Family
Any time of year can be a great one for doing good deeds. If you have a day between school and camp or a few hours on the weekend, you can create lasting change and memories. Use Federation’s Doing Good Guides to help. Bonus: if you do a social action project, you can cross off one of the items on our Summer Fun Checklist!

Task Forces

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington recently completed an ambitious task force project, raising and allocating Federation nearly $1 million to devote to our strategic priority areas: Engaging the Next Generation, Strengthening Jewish Life in Northern Virginia, and Adult Learning. The Innovation and Impact initiatives funded by this process—including PJ Library—will make a difference for your family’s Jewish life.

FROM PJ LIBRARY

Grandparents Get to Enjoy the Gift of PJ Library, Too

Why should kids have all the fun? Grandparents can now sign up for PJ Library and experience the magic for themselves at home, and signing up couldn’t be easier!

7 Kid-Friendly Foods to Pack for Your Next Shabbat Picnic

Make and then pack these kid-friendly foods for a memorable Shabbat experience outdoors!

Must-See Video About Strength and Courage of Heart

In this short video, the main characters do something extraordinary to help a family face their fears while overcoming some challenges of their own.

Fabulous and Fun Children’s Books About Being Yourself

Each of the books on this list encourage kids to embrace what makes them special and to see the good in their peers as well.

Tu B’Av: The Jewish Holiday of Love

Love is in the August air during the ancient Jewish holiday of Tu B’Av, which this year falls on August 15^th and 16^th. Celebrate with song and dance, a family activity, or just a simple I love you.

FROM PJ OUR WAY

August’s PJ Our Way Books

This month, a girl researches her family history and discovers some surprises along the way. Two kids move from Russia to New York to search for their father – with the help of a dragon named Snigger. A boy’s experiences during the Six-Day War are both exciting and emotional. Last but not least, a pair of siblings teams up to seek justice against an alleged thief.

Unplug This Summer with the National Content Team!

The National Design team share foolproof ideas for a technology-free summer fun.