Cuddling up and reading our children a good book before bed - This special time creates a memorable bond and lifelong love of books.

Reading stories and listening to music are among the most powerful and nurturing early childhood learning experiences. Realizing this to be true, with the support of an anonymous philanthropist, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor is thrilled to partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to launch The PJ Library, a new initiative that will touch the heart and soul our community’s families.

Conceived as a giving library, The PJ Library (PJ as in pajamas) will provide young families with a treasury of Jewish books and CDs. Each child, six months to eight years old, enrolled in The PJ Library will receive a monthly gift of a Jewish book or CD absolutely free.*

A team of children’s literature, music and education experts selects The PJ Library books and CDs, with an eye toward communicating Jewish stories, heritage and values by catching the eyes and ears of young children.  Along with the gift of books and music, families will receive parenting books and reading guides to enhance their PJ Library experience.

The PJ Library is free for children ages six months to eight years old and is available to the first 250 children to register. 

To enroll your children or grandchildren in The PJ Library in Greater Ann Arbor, please click here.

For more information contact Cindy Adams at cindy@jewishannarbor.org or 734-677-0100.  If you have grandchildren in other communities, contact Cindy to find out about how you can enroll them in The PJ Library.

Community Leaders Talk about PJ Library

“The PJ Library Project shows that our community believes in the power of family.  Developing a language of intimacy around wonderful stories gives kids hope and security and gives parents or other caring adults an opportunity to get a glimpse into children's most profound thoughts.  This opportunity is truly a "no strings" gift to the community and an investment in the future.” -  Harlene Appelman, executive director of the Covenant Foundation and nationally renowned Jewish educator.

“The beauty of this program is that it gives parents an opportunity to take a universal experience – reading to children at night – and infuse it with Jewish meaning.  The books are modern and high quality.  And the guides make it easy for parents of any background to discuss the books with their kids.”  -  Jeff Levin, past Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor

“My husband and I were inspired by PJ Library and thought it would be a great gift for our families.  People are thrilled with the program.” – Judy Freedman, TBE Librarian.  Judy and her husband, Paul, are funding The PJ Library at Temple Beth Emeth.

Sample of Books and Music Available Through the PJ Library

Books
The Opposites of my Jewish Year by L.N. Dion
Let’s Nosh by Amy Wilson Sanger
Let’s Visit Israel by Judye Groner
The Peace Book by Todd Parr
Happy Birthday World by Latifa Berry Kropf
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
To Everything by Bob Barner
Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman
It Could Always Be Worse by Phoebe Gilman
Dinosaur on Passover by Diane Levin Rauchwerger
Noah’s Bed by Lis and Jim Coplestone
Chicken Soup by Heart by Esther Hershenhorn
The Matzo Ball Boy by Lisa Shulman
Why Noah Chose the Dove by I.B. Singer
The Keeping Quilt By Patricia Polacco
A Sack Full of Feathers by Debby Waldman

Music
ShirLaLa Chanukah by Shira Klein
Everybody’s Got a Little Music by Rabbi Joe Black
My Newish Jewish Discovery by Craig Taubman

Parenting Resources
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Dr. Wendy Mogel
To Life! by Harold Kushner
Jewish Humor by Harold Kushner
The Children’s Jewish Holiday Kitchen  by Joan Nathan