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Share the joys of being a PJ Library Family with your friends!
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In Your Mailbox
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January Joys!
IT'S TU B'SHEVAT
Edie Stoltz Zolkower
Ages 6 months - 2 years
DEAR TREE
Doba Rivka Weber
Ages 2-3
BIM AND BOM
Daniel J. Swartz
Ages 3-4
MEZUZAH ON THE DOOR
Amy Meltzer
Ages 4-5
SNOW IN JERUSALEM
Deborah da Costa
Ages 5-6
A TALE OF TWO MOUNTAINS
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Ages 6-7
To see reading guides for each of these books, please visit http://www.pjlibrary.org, follow link to: booksandmusic/all, and click on the book's image.
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| Greetings! |
Happy (Secular) New Year!
Since January 1, we have had to stop and remember to write "2011" on our checks and letters. It's a new year in many ways -- especially when we look outside our windows and see bare twigs sprouting buds, the leaves of daffodil bulbs poking through the soil and (oh joy of joys!) days getting longer and warmer.
On the Jewish calendar, it's also a new year -- the New Year of the Trees, Judaism's ecological new year. We celebrate rebirth and renewal, we marvel anew at the cycles of life. The ponds in our parks are filled with fluffy ducklings paddling after their parents. We watch with delight as our children also bloom. What a wonderful time!
And what better time to make this New Year's Resolution: "This year, I promise to help three new families discover the joy and reward of receiving PJ Library books every month." What a wonderful pledge! Thank you!
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Leslie and Eleanor
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| Creating A Sense of Security and Warmth |
A Teaching Moment from Rabbi Alexander
Spread Over Us a Covering of Your Peace-
Ufros Alenu Sukkat Shlomecha
It has been a difficult week in our nation, a difficult week to be a parent. Even though most of our children don't yet read the papers, online news or blogs, we do. What we read just makes us want, all the more, to envelop our children in security and peace.
But I don't want to dwell on troubling headlines.
Instead I want to remind all of us that despite the uncertainties of life every day, we have so many blessings that we can share with those we love.
One of the best ways to ensure that our kids feel loved, comforted and safe is cuddling up with them in a cozy spot to read to them or to have them read to us at the end of a day (or at any time for that matter.)
I know that you take the opportunity to share those kinds of moments with your children, to create treasures out of simple experiences -- to make moments of laughter and fun as you enter the imaginary world of stories and song.
Many of this month's books are connected with the holiday of Tu B'Shevat. Others focus on wintertime and the transition of the seasons. Tu B'Shevat is a very upbeat holiday, affirming a future of growth and the renewal of springtime in the midst of the early darkness, chill and stark scenery of the winter.
The tradition of celebrating the budding of new life on the branches and the hope for plentiful crops of fruit on the trees shows our comfort in the regularity of the changes of the seasons, which come and go in their appropriate course, and our faith in the future.
We believe that the day to day is worth celebrating and that, no matter what, we will want to plan for and anticipate what lies ahead.
Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai used to say, "If you have a sapling in your hand, and someone should say to you that the Messiah has come, stay and complete the planting, and then go to greet the Messiah." (Avot de Rabbi Nathan, 31b)
In other words, our focus should properly remain on our most important and immediate tasks. Raising children is an endeavor of love, faith and optimism. We are planting and nurturing and enabling growth of wonderful people.
May you cuddle up with them and enjoy them and the PJ Library books this month; cherish each minute and look forward to the days to come. |
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| Wintertime Fun with the APJCC's Center for Jewish Life and Learning | |
Tu B'Shevat Celebration with the Banana Slug String Band
Thursday January 20, 2020 | 4:00-6:00pm. FREE!
 You're invited to a Tu B'Shevat Celebration for the whole family.
With special pleasure, the PJ Library Program is happy to join the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in sponsoring this event. Healthy snacks, art projects, activities and a concert by the Banana Slug String Band will help us celebrate this exciting holiday, the New Year for Trees, the Jewish Arbor Day. PJ storytellers will be on hand to read fun books. This event is especially suitable for families with preschool or elementary school age children.
For more information contact the Center for Jewish Life and Learning at CJLL@svjcc.org or 408.357.7492. |
| PJs and Pancakes and Pillows, Oh My! | |
PJs, Pancakes, and Pillows
 Temple Emanu-El
February 8, 5:30pm - 7pm
Come in pajamas, bring your favorite blanket or pillow, and get ready to enjoy a pancake supper, happy bedtime stories and songs and a craft activity (make your very own fleece pillow to take home.)
Parents, come ready to snuggle up and choose a book to read with your child(ren).
Emanu-El is located at 1010 University Avenue, San Jose.
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| Memories of Hanukkah at Santana Row |
Thanks again to all our wonderful Constituent Partners and community supporters: The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Congregation Beth David, Temple Emanu-El, Hillel of Silicon Valley, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley's Young Adult Division and Women's Philanthropy, Congregation Shir Hadash, Yavneh Day School and Congregation Sinai.
Thanks also to the folks at Federal Realty, the management company at Santana Row for being such fabulous hosts for this wonderful community celebration. See you next year!
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| Summer Camp Scholarships for First Time Campers | |
We are delighted to announce that for the second year running, The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, through The PJ Library, wants to make the magic of camp possible for more Jewish children. In partnership with the National Foundation for Jewish Camp, The PJ Library is delighted to bring PJ Goes to Camp to our community, offering incentive grants of up to $1,000 to families who wish to enroll their children in a non-profit Jewish overnight camp for the first time.
This offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who?
- First-time campers
- PJ Library subscribers who enrolled in the program on or before Sept. 1, 2010
- Siblings of currently eligible PJ Library subscribers
- All PJ Library alumni
When?
- Summer 2011 camp sessions
Where?
How Much?
- Up to $1,000 for a 3+ week session; $700 for a 2 week session (for camps located in the 13 Western States.)
Three important websites:
- www.gijp.org: Read more about eligibility requirements, select About The Institute, then PJ Goes to Camp
- www.jewishcamp.org: Explore this site to find a Jewish camp that best suits your family's needs and your child's interests. Feel free to set up a tour!
- www.onehappycamper.org: Register for PJ Goes to Camp by entering access code PJGTC20111A
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Activities for Children in Our Community
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Events listed here are open to the entire community.
(Membership in the organization/synagogue is not required.)
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life and Learning
(408) 357-7492
- Tu B'Shevat Celebration with the Banana Slug String Band, Thursday, Jan 20, 4:00-6:00pm. Celebrate Tu B'Shevat with a free concert in collaboration with PJ Library.
- Jewbilee! Sunday, Jan 23, 1:00-8:00pm. Join Bay Area rabbis, scholars, artists and educators for a full afternoon of classes, programs, performances and much more. There will be many activities for children, including music, an experiential museum and The PJ Library Storytime.
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center PreSchool - Los Gatos
408) 357-7417
- Mesibah: Family Fun Days: Celebrate the start of each new month in the Jewish calendar. (Mesibah is the Hebrew word for party!) We'll sing and dance, make art projects and play games, bounce and run with our friends. This FREE program for children ages 2-10 years is presented in collaboration with The PJ Library Program. Healthy snacks, Fun and educational activities, Storytime, Art projects, Bounce houses, Performances and much more..... For more information contact the APJCC Preschool at 408.357.7417 or elizabeth@svjcc.org. Upcoming dates, times and topics:
- Feb 7th from 3-5pm: Celebrating the month of Adar I
- March 14th from 3-5pm: Celebrating the month of Adar II
- Open House, Sunday, Jan 30, 2:00-4:00pm. Tour the facility, learn about the preschool, and meet the teacher.
- PreSchool Book Drive: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Feb 1-3, 8-9:30 am; 11:30am-2:00pm. A children's bookstore and story time will be held in the PreSchool lobby. PJ Library will lead a storytime at noon each day. Info: contact lpanish@yahoo.com or reena.mukamal@gmail.com.
Congregation Beth David - Saratoga
(408) 257-3333
- Religious School Ganon: Sundays 10:45 am -12:30 pm through May 22, 2011. For 3-4 year olds (potty trained). Ganon is wonderful way for your child to enjoy Jewish Art, music, dance, holiday celebrations and become comfortable engaging with the Jewish community. Beth David Membership is not required for Ganon. Cost: $250 for the entire year. Contact: Religiousschool@beth-david.org.
- Tot Shabbat: Saturday mornings, 11:00 am -12:00 pm. [Feb 12, 26] For kids ages 0-5. Cost: Free, open to all. A fun and interactive parent-led service for babies, toddlers, and preschool kids. Open to the whole community. Tot Shabbat includes singing, storytelling, and a Kiddush snack.
- PJ Shabbat: Friday, Feb 18, 6:00pm. Mini Kabbalat Shabbat services with songs, stories, and a kid-friendly dinner. Kids can come in PJs. $10 per adult, $2 per child (children under 3 are free). Please RSVP by the Wednesday before.
Congregation Emeth - Morgan Hill
(408) 778-8200
- Tot Shabbat: Saturdays, 10:30 am. Mini-Shabbat rituals, storytime, picnic and playtime in the park for families with preschool children and babies. RSVP to admin@emeth.net.
Congregation Shir Hadash - Los Gatos(408) 358-1751 Unless otherwise noted, contact Robin Adelman, Director of the Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center at robin@shirhadash.org.
- Registration for the Early Childhood Center begins Monday, Jan 24
- Really Reggio for Toddlers and Twos: Tuesday, Jan 25, 9-10:30am, Parent/Child class.
- Shir Hadash Tots: Thursdays from 9:00-10:30am. Toddler and parent program for children 15-30 months. New session begins Jan 20.
- Parent Education Evening: Wednesday, Feb 2, 7:30-9:30pm. "they're Out of Control; What Do I do?" Sensitive discipline for long term success with Linda Levine.
- No-Shush Family Shabbat: Friday, Feb 4, 6:30pm
- Tot Shabbat: Saturday, Feb 12, 9:30am
- Grandparent Circle: Sunday, Feb 27, 1pm. Discussion group for grandparents with interfaith grandchildren.
Congregation Sinai - San Jose
(408) 264-8542
- Torah for Tots: first and third Saturdays of the month., 11:00 am-noon, Social Hall. Child-friendly parent-led Shabbat service for children 5 and under. Singing, stories, movement activities. Sinai membership not required. Info: Joelle Pluemer or Maria Elena Jarson at torahfortots@sinai-sj.org.
- Ima and Me: Wednesdays, 9-10 am in the Sinai Nursery School Red Room. For families with children three and under. Open to the community. Led by Debbie Lewis. Info: imaandme@sinai-sj.org.
Jewish Family Services Silicon Valley - Los Gatos
(408) 556-0600
- JFS SV offers parenting classes throughout the year. Contact Lizi Oceransky for more information.
South Peninsula Hebrew Day School - Sunnyvale
(408) 738-3060
Temple Emanu-El - San Jose
(408) 292-0939
- Tot Shabbat and Potluck: The third Friday of each month, 6:00 - 7:00 pm -- Jan 21 and Feb 18. Welcome shabbat with Rabbi Magat and Cantor Simerly. Potluck dinner at the Temple House follows services. Bring a dish to share with 8-10 people.
- Preschool Open House: Tuesday, Feb 1, 5:00-7:00pm. for parents who will be 2-5 years old by Fall 2011. No need to RSVP. More info: Barbara Smead, Preschool Director (barbara@templesanjose.org).
- Mishpacha Sheli: A Pre-K Family Education Program, 9 Sundays, 10:15 am - 12:30 pm beginning August 29, 2010, for Pre-K children and their parents. FEES: $135 for community members; RSVP: by August 16, 2010 to school@templesanjose.org.
- Catered Shabbat Dinner: Friday, Feb 25. Services 6:30pm. Dinner 7:30pm. Fee.
- PJs, Pancakes and Pillows: Feb 8, 5:30-7:00pm. This program is presented in collaboration with The PJ Library. (See item above.)
Yavneh Day School - Los Gatos
(408) 984-6700
- Kindergarten Open House: Wednesday, Jan 19, 9:00-10:30am RSVP Becky Adielberg, Director of Admissions, at becky@yavnehdayschool.org or (408) 357-7474
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| For More Information | |
For more information about the PJ Library® Program and our role, please visit
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