PJ Library
Your Child’s Treasury of Jewish Books
- Enroll Your Family in PJ Library (books for kids newborn–8 years old)
- Enroll Your Family in PJ Our Way (chapter books for kids 9–12 years old)
- Family-Friendly Events
- Here’s the Story: PJ Library in DC Blog
- PJ Library Community Partners
- Like Us on Facebook
- Follow Us on Pinterest
Did you know that every child under age 12 in your family can receive their own FREE book each month?
PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 8 years old. Signing up is easy and takes less than 3 minutes. Join today!
PJ Our Way (PJOW) is for kids ages 9-12, and they choose their own books each month, creating a tailored experience totally based on their own interests and reading level. Learn more and sign up your middle grade reader.
PJ Library and PJ Our Way in Greater Washington are made possible by The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and generous local donors.
Photo above used courtesy of PJ Library.
Want to make connections with other Jewish families?
Check out the JFamily Ambassadors program!
Difficult Conversations: Resources for Parents
Shabbat and Havdalah Celebrations
DC:
- Tot Shabbat & Family Dinner: the first Friday of every month (next one: May 3rd) at 5:00 PM at Washington Hebrew Congregation (3935 Macomb St. NW, Washington, DC) – RSVP In Advance
Maryland:
- First Friday Shabbat Family Service: first Friday of each month at 5:30 PM (Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase, MD)
- Tot Shabbat & Family Dinner: third Friday of every month (next one: May 17th) at 5:30 PM at Washington Hebrew Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (11810 Falls Rd, Potomac, MD)
Virginia:
- Tot Shabbat Train: The next Tot Shabbat Train stop with the Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families is TBA
- Tot Shabbat at TBS!: third Friday of each month at 6:00 PM, and for Family Shabbat on the first Friday at 7:00 PM (Temple B’nai Shalom, Fairfax Station, VA)
- Gan Shabbat: first Saturday of every month | 11:00 AM (Agudas Achim, Alexandria, VA)
- Rhythm ‘N’ Ruach Shabbat Family Jam: most Saturdays | 11:00 AM (Agudas Achim, Alexandria, VA)
Ongoing Programs:
- Baby Lap Time: Sunday, May 5th | 8:30 AM (Virtual)
- Growing Grasshoppers: Sunday, May 19th | 8:30 AM (Virtual)
- Sunday Sing-a-Along: Sundays | 10:00 AM (Agudas Achim, Alexandria)
- CJM Story Time: second Sunday of the month | 10:00 AM (Capital Jewish Museum)
Check out the PJ Library in Greater Washington blog!
What We Are Reading
FROM THE JEWISH FEDERATION
Summer Camp Grants and Listing
Check out our Summer Camp Resource Page which provides information about the Jewish overnight and day camp options available for your family. Through a partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camps, Federation is pleased to offer One Happy Camper grants for first-time campers from the Greater Washington community to attend Jewish overnight camps. If your child attends a Jewish day school, please apply for the PJ Library Camp Grant for your first-time overnight camper (check your email for the code sent by [email protected]).
703-J-CARING Community Support Line
Feeling overwhelmed? Unsure about your options for support? Call 703-J-CARING: The Jewish Community Support Line (703-522-7464), to be connected with the many resources available to residents of DC, MD, and Northern VA.
FROM PJ LIBRARY
PJ Library Israel Hub
PJ Library’s Israel Hub has expert advice on talking to kids about the ongoing war, but there are also recipes, music, games, stories, and more to help families learn and celebrate the country’s people, history, and culture.
Israeli Recipes
PJ Library has collected some of our favorite Israeli recipes that can expand your family’s meal repertoire while strengthening a sense of connection to Israel.
How to Talk to Children About Antisemitism
It’s a sad reality that even as we share holiday greetings and festive foods, we also need to offer expert advice on talking to your children about this topic.
PJ OUR WAY
PJ Our Way May Choices
PJ Our Way kids have between the 1st and the 10th of the month to log in and choose their next middle grade book or graphic novel.
Here are two ways to get advice from noted expert Dr. Sivan Zakai on discussing the tragic situation in Israel with children:
Preschools
Is your little one ready for preschool? We hope that you are able to find a Jewish preschool to start your child on his/her Jewish journey.
Day Schools
Provide your child(ren) with the building blocks for their Jewish future. Explore the options for area day schools and whether they are a good option for your child(ren).
Family-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities
Helping out as a family is a wonderful way for everyone to do a Mitzvah! Jconnect can help you find family-friendly volunteer opportunities.
