ON FRIDAYS, WE SHARE IMAGES sent to us by PJ library communities and families. You can send your PJ Library-related content to outreach@hgf.org.

This week’s submission comes from a PJ Library family in the Greater Palm Beaches community.

FAMILY CONVERSATIONS
First-grader Mason has been reading PJ Library books since the age of six months — although, as his mother tells us, he mostly looked at the pictures at that young age. Since that time, he and his families use the PJ Library books to prompt meaningful Jewish conversations.

“As early as Mason can remember the holiday, Shavout was when we ate blintzes for dinner. This year we talked about the Torah and about why it is important to have the 10 Commandments,” explains PJ Mom Faith. “Mason continued the conversation, explaining the story of when Moses received the Torah at Mount Sinai and about laws and rules.”

Faith credits PJ Library books for inspiring Jewish moments in her home. “The PJ Library books allow our entire family to have ‘out-of-the-box’ conversations and has allowed Mason to use his critical thinking skills to question and talk about Jewish laws and customs as well as learn about traditions and holidays.”

Faith tells us that Mason shares his PJ Library books with his cousin Noah.

Do you have a PJ-related photo or video? Share it with us! Send it to outreach@hgf.org.

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According to a campaign press release from Amazon.com, the retailer’s “Most Well-Read Cities” ranking considers print and Kindle book and periodical sales since June 1, 2011 “on a per capita basis in cities with more than 100,000 residents.”

Just for fun, PJ Library offers some of its own “reader” data to join that of Amazon.com. Of course, our PJ Library is a bit more straightforward — we merely list the total number of enrollments (past and present) for each of the cities listed in Amazon’s top 20 “Most Well-Read” list.

• Find Your Own City’s PJ Program and Sign Up »

AMAZON’S 20 MOST WELL-READ CITIES
Below are the 20 most well-read cities, according to Amazon.com’s metrics. Alongside those city names are the total number of families in each of those cities to have enjoyed free Jewish children’s books from PJ Library.

SHABBAT BLESSINGS
Many families use the Jewish holiday of Shabbat as an opportunity to routinely give thanks. For example, as MyJewishLearning.com writer Tamar Fox reminds us, “Many Jewish parents embrace the custom of blessing their children on Friday evening.”

Taken from The Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:24–6:26), this blessing is, as Fox puts it, “performed differently in every family.” “Beyond the weekly blessing on Friday nights, many parents recite this blessing on special occasions,” Fox adds, “such as at a child’s brit milah or naming ceremony, bar or bat mitzvah, and wedding.”

• Read the Related PJ Blogpost, “Nurturing Gratitude”

‘THANKFUL’ CONTENT FOR CHILDREN
A number of PJ Library books put the concepts of appreciation and gratitude at the hearts of their messages — Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis, All of Me: A Book of Thanks by Molly Bang, A Tree Is Nice is by Janice Udry, and When I First Held You by Mirik Snir among others. Reading these selections aloud as a family is a great way to spark meaningful conversations in the home.

Looking for other ways to support messages of gratitude and thanks in children? Our partners at Shalom Sesame have plenty to offer. Here are just a couple of its resources:

• Elmo Says “Thank You” in Hebrew
  Actor/comedian Seth Rogen teaches our red, furry friend Elmo to show thanks in Hebrew.
• Lesson: Wealthy & Wise
  “Who is rich? He who is happy with what he has.” This message from The Ethics of the Fathers (4:1) is at the heart of this Shalom Sesame resource for parents and teachers.

THANKS A LOT
Music always makes a good teacher. In the video below, PJ Goes to School program director Lisa Litman takes inspiration from the PJ Library selection A Big Quiet House, written by Heather Forest and illustrated by Susan Greenstein. In her musical way, Litman underscores the message of this children’s book, teaching a group of pupils to give thanks for what they have in life.

This week’s submission comes from a unique place — this photo was originally posted on the Facebook page of a Baltimore-based nonprofit called Health Care for the Homeless.

The organization’s photo and touching story was re-shared by PJ Library Baltimore.

GIVING WITH A PJ TZEDAKAH BOX

In 2012, PJ Library mailed tzedakah boxes to more than 70,000 PJ readers. We encouraged recipients to decorate their respective box and use it to save for charity.

If there was any wonder about whether the boxes were being put to good use, those curiosities were satisfied by Health Care for the Homeless president and CEO Kevin Lindamood in his Facebook post.

Read his story (and see his photo below). He writes:

Yesterday, a five-year-old girl named Sascha (pictured with me) visited HCH to make a donation of $12.09 to support our work to end homelessness.

She had been raising money for another purpose. Earlier this month, she and her mother visited the Baltimore Farmers’ Market under the Jones Falls Expressway. Sascha noticed a man sleeping beneath a huddle of blankets and asked her mother about why he was lying there. She decided in that moment that she instead wanted to give her money to an organization helping people who sleep on the streets. And she decided to increase her original goal.

When they returned home, Sascha and her mother researched such organizations and found our website. They liked what they saw and arranged a visit. I had the pleasure of spending a little time with Sascha today to talk about our work before she gave us her donation of twelve dollars and nine cents.

I told Sascha that I would match her gift — $12.09 — and ask others to do so as well. I promised her I would then report back to her about how many other people joined us.

I know many of you will find her actions as compelling and as touching as I do. Please join me in matching her gift to HCH of $12.09 by following this link:
secure.qgiv.com/for/homelesshc/restriction/Where+the+need+is+greatest

Sascha has already made such a difference. I can’t wait to report back to her about the additional support her gift made possible.

Look at her smile in this photo. Makes one feel better about our future.

—Kevin Lindamood, HCH President & CEO

Do you have a PJ-related photo or video? Share it with us! Send it to outreach@hgf.org.

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While reading together as a family is certainly a good way to introduce young readers to Shavuot, families can encourage further Jewish-agricultural connections by introducing related artful (and tasty!) holiday projects.

Below are a number of hands-on holiday crafts for children and their families.

EDIBLE MOUNT SINAI
Mount Sinai is the mountain on which it is told that Moses received the 10 Commandments/Torah from God. Consider allowing your children to have some yummy fun with these recipes:

• MOUNT SINAI MUFFINS
  Kveller.com writer Joanna Brichetto offers the perfect Shavuot treat to make with your child—complete with edible stone tablets.
• MORE MOUNTAIN MOUTHFULS
  The Bible Belt Balabusta offers a number of "edible options, both fast and slow" for Sinai-themed treats.
• CHOCOLATE MT. SINAI CAKE
  According to ChallahCrumbs, a Har Sinai cake is a fun and easy activity.

ARTFUL MOUNT SINAI
There are countless ways to showcase Mt. Sinai in crafts. Here are a couple good ones:

• SINAI COLLAGE
  The Creative Jewish Mom offers step-by-step instructions for making a display the whole family can enjoy for Shavuot.
• TEN COMMANDMENTS ORIGAMI
  This paper-folding craft from the Bible Belt Bulabusta commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai.

• TISSUE PAPER FLOWERS
  These tissue flowers from the Upper West Side Mom are a perfects craft for Shavuot.


• RECYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLE BOUQUET
  The Creative Jewish Mom provides a how-to guide for making unique, long-lasting flowers out of reused plastic bottles.


• PIPE CLEANER FLOWERS
  Another colorful guide from the Creative Jewish Mom, these instructions show us how to make colorful pipe cleaner flower bouquets that are sweet and simple.

• Read PJ Library Books for Shavuot »

It is traditional on Shavuot to read the Book of Ruth. Why? According to MyJewishLearning.com writer Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs, there are a couple reasons why the Book of Ruth is read on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot

In his article, “The Book of Ruth: A Special Reading for Shavuot,” Isaacs writes, “Ruth’s coming to Israel took place around the time of Shavuot, and her acceptance into the Jewish faith was analogous of the acceptance of the Jewish people of God’s Torah.”

VALUES IN THE BOOK OF RUTH
As Kveller.com writer Lisa Samick states in her article, “Shavuot Values for Preschoolers,” the Book of Ruth gives us a “phenomenal and beautiful opportunity to talk to our children about how we treat others.”

A good way to spark those meaningful conversations is to read PJ Library books with relevant themes. To help, we’ve compiled a couple lists that may be useful:

• Friendship & Loyalty (Re’ut/Dibbuk Haverim)
  The Jewish children’s books listed on this page relate directly to the Jewish values of Re’ut and Dibbuk Haverim (friendship and loyalty).




• Tzedakah (Charity/Righteousness)The PJ Library books listed on this page exemplify themes associated with the Jewish value of tzedakah (righteousness, fairness, or justice).

READ ALOUD / SING ALOUD
The video below offers a children’s read-aloud of the Book of Ruth. It also includes the “Na Na Naomi” sing-along song. We hope you and your family enjoy it!

Decorative challah covers are used for much the same reason the challah itself is braided or made to look attractive — because beautifying a mitzvah (hiddur mitzvah) is a respectful way to enhance a good thing.

WHY WE COVER THE CHALLAH
Beyond the idea of hiddur mitzvah (learn more about this Jewish value via MyJewishLearning.com), there are several midrashim/stories about why we cover the challah.

As Jewish Woman Magazine points out, however, there are additional reasons for covering the challah. In its “Why We Do the Things We Do” segment, Jewish Woman editors explain, “As with most things Jewish, there is more than one explanation.”

One reason we cover the challah comes from the time of the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness, the editors explain. “God sent manna from heaven each morning to feed the Israelites. The loaves are covered with cloth, like the manna was covered with morning dew.”

Another reason may stem from empathy. “Since we bless the wine before the challah, we cover the challah so that we do not hurt its feelings,” the editors write. “In The Committed Life: Principles for Good Living From Our Timeless Past (Harper Perennial), Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis writes: ‘Obviously, challah does not have feelings, but our sages wanted to impart a lesson to us. If bread, which is inanimate, must be treated with such care and consideration, how much more so must we be on our guard not to embarrass or hurt a person.’”

MAKING CHALLAH COVERS
Crafting homemade challah covers should be added to the many Shabbat activities appropriate for families. The covers don’t need to be elaborate or difficult to make, and there are countless ways to make them. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Making a Challah Cover
  Kveller.com writer Sara Paperin walks us through the making of a batik challah cover.

• How to Make Challah Covers with Kids
  The Bump provides several ways of decorating challah covers in this piece by writer Freddie Silver.

• How to Make a Quilted Challah Cover
  In her Two Hippos blogpost, writer Ronit provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for making gorgeous, quilted challah covers.

• Black, Walnut-Stained Challah Covers
  The Jewish Nature Center shows us how to make a natural textile dye from walnut husks — perfect for creating an organic challah cover.

Next week, after you’ve read all your PJ Library books in preparation for Shabbat and are looking for something fun to do as a family, consider making a decorative challah cover. It’s fun, it expressive, and it’s not as hard as it sounds!

Below are some ways parents and families can help their preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary-aged children make a happy and healthy transition into summer.

TALK IT OUT
As it’s put in the Scholastic.com article, “Saying Goodbye to the School Year,” parting with school friends can by tough for young children. “Some children will even appear to regress to an old behavior, such as separation anxiety or childish misbehavior,” Scholastic.com states. Talking it over as a family, including discussions about the future (and when school returns) can go a long way.

MAKE PLANS TOGETHER
A good way to foster a positive feelings toward the coming summer months is to permit the child to take an active role in the plan-making. As Robin McClure writes in her About Childcare post, “Helping Preschoolers Transition Summer and School,” inclusion can go a long way. “If your child will be taking swimming lessons, seek her input about which session or time to choose (that is, if you’re willing to go with what your tot chooses),” she writes. “If you are planning a vacation, begin talking about where you’re going, what you’ll be doing while there and how the trip will include a ride on an airplane or a long family drive.”

KEEP SCHOOL IN MIND
Esther Leung is a special needs consultant. In her post on The Friendship Circle website, “Transitioning to Summer: 9 Tips for Special Needs Parents,” she explains the ways in which academics can be included in summer plans. She advises parents to conduct an evaluation and review of the school year, plan “retention activities” designed to reinforced what was taught during the last year, and to visit the next year’s classroom.

MAINTAIN EXISTING FRIENDSHIPS

Just because your child isn’t seeing his or her friends each day doesn’t mean they must go completely without contact. The value of Dibbuk Haverim, attachment to friends, can be expressed during the summer months through a letter, an e-mail, or an occasional play date.

Get your child thinking about his or her friendship by reading on of the PJ Library books listed on our “Friendship & Loyalty (Re’ut/Dibbuk Haverim)” page.

ENCOURAGE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
As we explain in the PJ Library blogpost, “Friends & Family: Two Values for Summer,” chaverim (friends) and mishpacha (family) are important Jewish values, but they’re also integral to happy summer experience.

“Whether at Jewish overnight camp or in your home’s backyard or neighborhood park, spending fun time with friends often represents the epitome of summer freedom.”

CONSIDER CAMP
Many families like Jewish day or overnight camp as a summer option for children. In our blogpost, “Why (Jewish) Summer Camp?” we spell out some of the benefits that come with this type of experience.

However you family transitions into summer, we at PJ Library wish you all a relaxing and fulfilling season of warm weather and colorful books!

This week’s submission comes from a PJ Library family in the Greater Washington DC community.

SHABBAT WITH DAD
According to PJ Mom Catalina, little Jacob loves his PJ Library books. His favorite is This Is the Challah by Sue Hepker, which he calls simply “Challah.”

“He asks for Shabbat every single day,” Catalina tells PJ Library. In the photo below, Catalina captures Jacob and his father reading “Challah” for Shabbat.

Do you have a PJ-related photo or video? Share it with us! Send it to outreach@hgf.org.

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Conference attendees enjoyed the camp-like atmosphere of the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Baltimore, MD as they networked, shared ideas, attended educational seminars, and heard thoughtful presentations from key guests—all in an effort to improve the PJ Library program for participating families.

CONFERENCE PHOTOS
View snapshots from this year’s PJ Library Conference using the Flickr slideshow below:

ATTENDEE QUOTES
Don’t just take our word for it that the Conference this year was a successful one; hear it directly from the mouths of attendees. Below are just some of the comments shared by attendees:

“PJ Library has created a culture of sharing and collaboration that does not exist everywhere, and each of our communities is stronger and better for it.”
—Deborah Cooper, assistant vice president, young family engagement, at the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago about the Annual PJ Library Conference.

“The organization, content, speakers, ruach, and venue were of the highest standard, and I feel so lucky to have been able to participate.”
—Dana Vizner, associate vice president, campaign, Israel and overseas,
Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, about the Annual PJ Library Conference.

“I have served on many boards and held various paying positions, but PJ Library by far is the most inspirational. The staff and volunteers are smart, articulate people, and it makes my brain feel good!”
—Marsha Roth, PJ Library lay chair, Jewish Community of Louisville, about the PJ Library program.

“I found Erica Brown that rare combination of very practical, inspiring, and skill-building.”
—Saskia Swenson Moss, conference attendee from PJ Library in New Haven, CT,
about conference keynote Dr. Erica Brown.

“Loved meeting the authors. It was very inspiring and interesting to hear their personal stories as well as having them bring their own stories to life.”
—Florencia Katz from the PJ Library community in Winnipeg, MB about the eight PJ Library children’s books authors who attended the 2013 conference.

“I loved all the music! The kumzitz was one of the most inspiring and powerful experiences I’ve ever had.”
—Amber Ikeman of the PJ community in Sarasota, FL about the musical performances
of Todd Herzog, Joanie Leeds, and PJ spokesperson Rick Recht.

“We learned from each other and we connected as professionals.”
—Pam Welner from the PJ Library community in San Francisco on the
networking opportunities at the conference.