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| Books for May | |
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 YRS
When I First Held You
AGES 2 TO 3 YEARS
A Holiday for Noah
AGES 3 TO 4 YEARS
No Rules for Michael
AGES 4 TO 5 YEARS
Sadie and the Big Mountain
AGES 5 TO 6 YEARS
A Mountain of Blintzes
AGES 6 TO 7 YEARS
Jumping Jenny
AGES 7 TO 8 YEARS
Hannah's Way
Check out the reading guides for these books.
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Share the joys of PJ Library with your friends!
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| Greetings! | |
We just returned from the fourth national PJ Library Conference, where we met nearly 200 other PJL professionals and learned about the many achievements of this program since its inception in 2005.
You are part of an amazing initiative to bring quality Jewish children's books to the world! Nearly 100,000 books are delivered each month to children in 175 communities throughout the United States and Canada. Next month PJ Library will deliver its 3,000,000th book!
In addition, we now have a program in Israel called Sifriyat Pijama which reaches 120,000 children in 4,000 Israeli classrooms. PJ Library communities include Melbourne, Australia and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
There's a "PJ Library Goes to School" program which engages preschools in classroom lessons based on PJL books. We are proud that five preschools in our own community were chosen to participate.
Now, there's also a fabulous program, Sifriyat Pijama b'America, which provides books in Hebrew specifically for Israeli families living in the United States.
For all of us who have been waiting for brand new PJ Library Books, 32 will be released in the coming year!
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Leslie and Eleanor
P.S. Did you receive our recent survey asking a few short questions about the impact of PJ Library in our community and in your family's life? If so, PLEASE RESPOND! We want to know what you think.
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"Dinosaur Goes to Israel" and We're Having a Birthday Party! | |
Featuring Local Author Diane Rauschwerger
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 -- 4:00 to 5:30pm
Alef Bet Judaica
14103 Winchester Blvd # D, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Popular local author Diane Rauschwerger will introduce her brand new book in her well-known series of "Dinosaur" children's books at a lively reading at Alef Bet Judaica.
Diane will bring her puppet friends to help tell the story. Kids will be encouraged to participate in acting out Dino's adventures.
Co-sponsored with Sharone Hadassah, the event will also be a birthday party! We'll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Hadassah in Israel.
Hadassah is an amazing international award-winning organization that has -- for 100 years -- been providing medical care and education programs world-wide. Hadassah helps children and families across the spectrum of Israeli society to live healthy and happy lives.
More info here.
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Shavuot is Coming | |
Shavuot begins in the evening of Saturday, May 26, 2012, and ends in the evening of Monday, May 28, 2012. 
Tips and Resources for Shavuot
Parenting and the Ten Commandments
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Family Fun Outdoors Doing a Mitzvah with Our Community | |

Sunday, May 20, 2012
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Vasona Lake County Park
Los Gatos
Join us for an exciting opportunity to enjoy nature, other families, and PJ stories and crafts as we spend a morning outdoors with the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
More info here. |
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Share an Afternoon with Blossom/Amy Farrah Fowler | |
Sunday, May 6, 2012 - 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Levy Family Campus Auditorium

Successful actress, author, and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik will speak about her Jewish journey and her experiences with Mikvah. A new sculpture for the Mikvah by local bronze sculptor Joyce Steinfeld will be dedicated, and tours of the Mikvah will be conducted at the close of Ms. Bialik's presentation. Light refreshments will be served. A fee of $18 per person in advance or $25 at the door will benefit the Mikvah program. RSVPs strongly suggested!
RSVP: www.jvalley.org/mikvah.
More info: Rabbi Leslie Alexander, rabbialexander@jvalley.org or (408) 358-3033.
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What to do with duplicate books | |
If you have received duplicate copies of PJL books, how about donating them to your local synagogue's reading corner, your Jewish day school or preschool, or your neighborhood public library? You could even give them to your favorite Jewish babysitter to share with the children he/she takes care of!
If you don't have the time to contribute the books yourself, you can box them and bring them to the Federation office (14855 Oka Road, 2nd floor) and we will distribute them for you. Let's share the wealth! |
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Children's Activities in Our Community | |
Events listed here are open to the entire community.
Call the organization for more information.
(Membership in the organization/synagogue is not required.)
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Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life and Learning Los Gatos - (408) 357-7492 |
- Shavuot Family Fun Day May 21, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Children ages 2-10 years old and their parents or caregivers are invited to join us for a FREE party to celebrate the Jewish holiday Shavuot! Bounce house, arts and crafts, healthy snacks, and storytime with PJ Library. For more information, contact the APJCC Center for Jewish Life and Learning at 408.357.7411 or cjll@svjcc.org.
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Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Pre-School Los Gatos - 408) 357-7417 | |
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Congregation Beth David Saratoga - (408) 257-3333 |
- CBD Tot Shabbat April 28, and May 26, 2012 from 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM. For kids ages 0-5. Join us for 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!
- CBD Shabbat Mishpaha (Family Services) May 04, 2012 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Welcome the Shabbat Bride with song, story and dance. Join us every first Friday night for an energetic, family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat experience with something for everyone!
- CBD Haverim Services May 12, 2012 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. For K-3rd grades. Songs, movement, stories, and values discussion which parallel the order of the 'real' service. A treat-filled Kiddush.
- CBD PJ Shabbat May 25, 2012 from 6:00 PM. Pajama Shabbat is a mini-Kabbalat Shabbat service geared towards tots (ages 0-5). Songs, puppets, felt, story time, plus a kid-friendly Shabbat dinner! Come as you are with kids in PJ's! $10.00 per adult; $ 2.00 per child (over 3); kids under 3 eat free! RSVPs are requested! CBD office at 408-257-3333.
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Congregation Emeth Morgan Hill - (408) 778-8200 |
- Community Shabbat Dinner & Shabbat Short 'N Sweet May 4, 2012. An informal short Erev Shabbat (Friday evening) service. Learn the meaning of the prayers and discuss the Torah portion of the week. Rabbi led, this service is especially appropriate for children of all ages as well as adults. Preceded by a community dinner with Shabbat rituals starting at 6:30 p.m.
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Congregation Shir Hadash Los Gatos - (408) 358-1751 |
- Teacher Recognition and No Shush Shabbat May 04, 2012 from 6:30 PM. Join Rabbis Aron and Levenberg, and song leader Angela Gold for a special child-friendly service. Help us honor our wonderful Sunday School, Hebrew School, and Hebrew High teachers. Stories, birthday blessings, and games. The service is preceded by a family pizza dinner at 5:45 pm. Please RSVP to Shanda Kaplowitz, shanda@shirhadash.org.
- Tot Shabbat May 12, 2012 from 9:30 AM Join Rabbi Levenberg and other families with young children for Tot Shabbat.* Songs and simple prayers * Story time * Special jobs for every child * Hands-on music * Cuddly Torahs * Fun * Friends * Oneg Snack. Tot Shabbat is free and is open to the community.
- "Magical Mystery Tour" Fundraiser April 29, 2012 from 3:00 PM. A performance by Circus Finelli, dinner, a silent auction, a photo booth, crafting stations and a balloon artist. $20.00 per person. Contact Robin Adelman at (408) 358-1751 x115 or robin@shirhadash.org or Brian at turlie@me.com.
- Baby is a Blessing with Rabbi Levenberg May 29, 2012 from 7:00 PM. Baby is a Blessing is a three-session workshop for expectant parents, both biological and adoptive. Led by educator Rabbi Lisa Levenberg, the workshop will explore Jewish naming traditions, ceremonies for welcoming your baby, and finding a nurturing community in which your new family can feel rooted and thrive. Shir Hadash welcomes GLBT families, single parents, multi-ethnic families, and families with mixed religious backgrounds. Three Tuesday evening sessions, Tuesday nights, May 29, June 5, June 12 from 7-8:30 pm.
- No Shush Shabbat Service June 01, 2012 from 6:30 PM. Please join Rabbis Aron and Levenberg, and song leader Angela Gold for our special child-friendly service.
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Congregation Sinai San José - (408) 264-8542 |
- IMA AND ME ("mommy and me") Meets every Wednesday morning from 9:00-10:15 am in the Nursery School Red Room. Abba, Savta, Saba, and Nanny are all welcome, too (daddy and grandparents). Children three and under are invited to come and play. Open to the entire Jewish community. Bring friends. FREE. For more information email Miki Gurantz at: director@sinainurseryschool.org.
- Torah For Tots May 05, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Social Hall. Designed for young children age 0-5. Plenty of singing, movement, and stories. torahfortots@sinai-sj.org.
- Shabbat Storytime May 19, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Join us for a fun, educational session of Jewish storytelling. For ages 0-5.
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Jewish Family Services Silicon Valley Los Gatos - (408) 556-0600 | |
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South Peninsula Hebrew Day School Sunnyvale - (408) 738-3060 | |
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Temple Emanu-El San José - (408) 292-0939 |
- Tot Shabbat and Potluck May 18, 2012 from 6:00 PM. Join us for a warm and friendly service geared toward children between the ages of 2 and 6. Sing, pray, and listen to kid-friendly stories! Potluck Dinner immediately following at 6:30PM. Sign up for our monthly Tot Shabbat email reminder at (408)292-0939 or send an email to admin@templesanjose.org .
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Yavneh Day School Los Gatos - (408) 984-6700 |
- The Friendship Circle Open House April 29, 2012 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. If you are a Jewish family with a special needs child, please join The Friendship Circle & The APJCC for an all-family Open House. Location: Yavneh Jewish Day School. Parents: * Drop off your child/ren in well skilled/loving hands * Learn about our new and changed programs * Meet our staff. * Socialize with our parent community * Drinks and refreshments. Kids: *Volunteers at hand to assist * Music and Movement * Games. Contact: Lea: lea@bayareafc.org Bay Area Friendship Circle. http://www.bayareafc.org.
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Our Constituent Partners | |
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center (Los Gatos)
www.svjcc.org
APJCC Preschool (Los Gatos)
www.svjcc.org/preschool.html
Congregation Beth David (Saratoga)
www.beth-david.org
Congregation Emeth (Morgan Hill)
www.emeth.net
Hillel of Silicon Valley (San Jose)
www.hillelsv.org
Jewish Family Services (Los Gatos)
www.jfssv.org
Jewish Federation Silicon Valley (Los Gatos)
www.jvalley.org
Sharone Hadassah
www.sharone-hadassah.org
Congregation Shir Hadash (Los Gatos)
www.shirhadash.org
Congregation Sinai (San José)
www.sinai-sj.org
South Peninsula Hebrew Day School (Sunnyvale)
www.sphds.org
Temple Emanu-El (San José)
www.templesanjose.org
Yavneh Day School (Los Gatos)
www.yavnehdayschool.org |
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More Information | |
For more information about the PJ Library® Program and our role in the community, please visit
http://www.jvalley.org/pj-library
General Inquiries:
(408) 357-7509
pjlibrary@jvalley.org
Rabbi Leslie Alexander, Program Director
(408) 357-7509
rabbialexander@jvalley.org
Eleanor Weber Dickman, Outreach Coordinator
(408) 255-3109
ewdickman@yahoo.com |
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