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Share the joys of being a PJ Library Family with your friends!
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In Your Mailbox | |
May Magic!
Each PJ Library book has a dedicated page on the new PJ website. On each book page, you will find a short synopsis, information about the authors and illustrators, the parent reading guide, and related links.
Ages 6 Months to 2 Years:
Much Much Better
Ages 2 to 3 Years:
A Holiday for Noah
Ages 3 to 4 Years:
No Rules for Michael
Ages 4 to 5 Years:
The Littlest Mountain
Ages 5 to 6 Years:
Mountain of Blintzes
Ages 6 to 7 Years:
The Tale of Meshka the Kvetch
To see reading guides for each of these books, please visit http://www.pjlibrary.org/books-and-music/all-books.aspx
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| Greetings! |
Celebrating Books: A Jewish Tradition The Holiday of Shavuot celebrates perhaps the most important event in the life of the Jewish people. The drama of the Exodus begins with freed Israelite slaves joining with non-Israelites who chose to leave Egypt and become part of the momentous journey. It continued with a forty year trek in the Desert, giving time to form a community, adjust to freedom and responsibility and get ready for a permanent home. In the midst of that, the people arrive at Mount Sinai and receive the Torah and the Tablets of the Ten Commandments from God, brought down from the mountain by Moses. That Sinai experience is the basis for the holiday of Shavuot, celebrating the gift of Torah. 
The Torah is the most important "Book" of the Jewish people. We have always respected books as the best tools to educate, to entertain, to move, and to bring together our people and their heritage.
And that's just what PJ Library does for our newest "citizens" -- our children, our inheritors ! What the next generation learns about being Jewish, and what the next generation enjoys about being Jewish -- these are the tools of a positive and warm Jewish future. PJ Library books are a fantastic way to enrich the process!
We are so pleased you share yourselves and your family with our PJ Library community, and always look forward to finding new ways to celebrate!
B'Shalom, Rabbi Leslie and Eleanor |
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THIS SUNDAY!
Follow Moses to the Mountain
at Congregation Emeth | |
Sunday, May 1, 9:30 to 11:00 am
Congregation Emeth
17835 Monterey Street, Morgan Hill, CA
Join us this coming Sunday for a fun event in South County to celebrate the Jewish tradition of counting the days between freedom from slavery in Egypt and the time of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Kids and Moms and Dads will have fun on a rambunctious romp through the "desert" on their way to Mount Sinai where they will greet Moses and learn about the giving of the Ten Commandments. We'll count the Omer and decorate the new Tabernacle.
There will be fun crafts activities and yummy snacks, and enjoyable stories of the season.
(We had a similar -- and wonderful -- event at Congregation Shir Hadash last month to celebrate Pesach. If you missed that event, or live in South County, or had so much fun you want to do it again, come join us!)
Find a family of friends to come with you!
RSVP TODAY! at http://www.jvalley.org/events/2011/5/1/the-pj-library-program-celebrates-shavuot-at-congregation-emeth
See you in Morgan Hill for a morning of learning and laughter!
See flyer.
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Celebrate Israel! |
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Israel Turns 63 | |
Israel Independence Day is Tuesday, May 10.
The San Francisco Federation is conducting its annual "Israel in the Gardens on June 5, 2011, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
The theme is "Making Ideas Bloom," and will feature Israeli film, food, and Jewish community as well as Israel's 63d anniversary. There will be a Kids' Zone as well.
For more information, please visit www.sfjcf.org/gardens/2011/
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To help your family celebrate, PJ Library recommends theese activities and books. Enjoy!
Shalom Sesame & Israel
PJ Library's partner, Shalom Sesame, has some exceptional content for children, introducing them to Jewish life and Israel through fun videos, games, and other activities.
Israel-Related PJ Books
PJ Library encourages families to read about Israel together. To help get things started, here's a list of kids' books suitable for learning about Israel Independence Day.
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PJ Library and Sharone Hadassah Celebrate Israel | |
Sunday, June 12, 2011 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Saratoga Public Library | 13650 Saratoga Avenue
 In collaboration with the Sharone Chapter of Hadassah, PJ Library will be presenting a pictorial "tour" of the Land of Israel focusing on its bounty of fruits as we create a big "Friendship Fruit Bowl" to share. We will read stories about the Land of Israel and learn a bit about Hadassah's role in keeping people healthy and strong.
Please date your calendar to join us for this fun event. More details next month.
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| The Silicon Valley Jewish Music Festival | |
Sunday, May 22, 2011 | 11:00am to 8:00pm
APJCC | 14855 Oka Road | Los Gatos
 The Silicon Valley Jewish Music Festival is a day of song, dance, and celebration. Children's musicians The Macaroons and PapaHugs will perform in the early part of the day setting the tone for concerts with musicians Elana Jagoda and Craig Taubman. The day will conclude with the first performance in years by the Grisman Statman Quartet. There will be entertainment, art, kosher food, and activities for the whole family, so bring a blanket, a picnic, and your friends and join us for the inaugural Silicon Valley Jewish Music Festival.
PJ Library volunteers will read books from our collection during the break times between performances.
FREE to all. For more information, contact the JCC's Center for Jewish Life & Learning at CJLL@svjcc.org or 408.357.7411 or go to www.SiliconValleyJCC.org/music.
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Two Million Books a Month! | |
PJ Library is hitting a major milestone in May: 2 million books!
Growing since its inception in December 2005, PJ Library now sends over 70,000 books a month to families in more than 140 communities across the United States and Canada. That's not even taking into consideration the tens of thousands of books sent to children in Israel through Sifriyat Pijama.
In this traditionally Jewish time of counting the days between Passover and Shavuot, perhaps you can count the Jewish books in your home. We hope that your involvement with PJ Library enriched not only your library shelf, but also your family conversations, friendships, and community connections.
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A Child Asks: "What does it mean to be Jewish?" | |
We found an interesting article online recently that we'd like to share with you. A mother explains her experience answering her daughter's query, "What does it mean to be Jewish"? From the books she cited as those she reads to her child, we'll bet she's a PJ Library Mom!
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| Moshe, Matza and the Mountain at Shir Hadash | |
Congregation Shir Hadash
It was a fabulous event! Early Childhood Education Center Director Robin Adelman was a fabulous Pharoah, Rabbi Leslie Alexander made Moses come to life, and PJL Committee volunteer Sandy Mayer told the story of Nachson with verve and gusto. Kudos to all!
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Activities for Children in Our Community | |
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
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center PreSchool - Los Gatos
408) 357-7417
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, May 14, 28, 11:00 am -12:00 pm. 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. Contact Lori Kan, lori.kahn@sbcglobal.net
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Haverim Services: Saturdays, April 30, May 13: 10:30 AM. This child-friendly Shabbat service for Kindergarten - 3rd graders includes songs, lots of movement, discussion of traditions and values gleaned from weekly torah portion or holiday, stories and Kiddush with treats. Parents always welcome to join.
Contact: Iris Bendahan, bendahan@beth-david.org. - Beth David Shabbat Mishpaha: May 06, 2011 from 6:30 PM. Join us for a fun, energetic Shabbat experience geared towards families with kids. This service is filled with songs, story and dance, and has something for everyone. We look forward to celebrating Shabbat with you. Contact: Iris bendahan/ bendahan@beth-david.org
Congregation Emeth - Morgan Hill
(408) 778-8200
- PJ Library Program for Shavuot: Sunday, May 1, 9:30 am (see article above).
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.
- Shir Hadash Tots: Thursdays from 9:00-10:30am. Toddler and parent program for children 15-30 months. New session begins Jan 20.
- Tot Shabbat: Saturday, May 14, 9:30am. Join Rabbi Levenberg and other families with young children for Tot Shabbat, featuring songs and simple prayers, story time, hands-on music, Cuddly Torahs, Fun, Friends, Oneg Snack. Free and open to the community. Contact: Rabbi Lisa Levenberg, rabbilevenberg@shirhadash.org
- No Shush Shabbat: May 6, 6:30pm. Designed for elementary school aged children and their families. Music led by song leader and guitarist Angela Gold. Also: storytime, birthday blessings, and quiz show game. Preceded by an affordable, family friendly dinner at 5:45 pm.
Congregation Sinai - San Jose (408) 264-8542
- Torah for Tots: First and third Saturdays of the month, May 7, 21, 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: 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. Free. 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
- Parent and Me: free play, art, circle time, parent discussions for parents and children 18-30 months. With teachers Renee Ben David and Tami Mazor. Enriching Playtime Experiences:Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 am in Preschool Room One. Individual sessions: $25 per session. Info: ece@sphds.org.
Temple Emanu-El - San Jose
(408) 292-0939
- Tot Shabbat and Potluck: May 20, 6:00pm. Led by Rabbi Magat and Cantor Simerly, featuring songs, short story, and a talk with the Rabbi. For the Potluck, please bring a dish based on the first letter of your last name- A-P:Salad, Fruit, or Side Dish Q-Z:Main Dish. Contact: Lisa Sobel, admin@templesanjose.org
- Mishpacha Sheli: A Pre-K Family Education Program, Sunday, May 22, 10:15 am - 12:30 pm. for Pre-K children and their parents. FEE. Contact Beth Roellig at school@templesanjose.org.
Yavneh Day School - Los Gatos
(408) 984-6700 |
| For More Information | |
For more information about the PJ Library® Program and our role, please visit
http://www.jvalley.org/pj-library
General Inquiries:
(408) 357-7509
Rabbi Leslie Alexander, Program Director (408) 357-7509
Eleanor Weber Dickman, Outreach Coordinator (408) 255-3109 |
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