PJ Library: Jewish Bedtime Stories and Songs
e-News from Silicon Valley
December 2012
In this Issue
BulletCandlelighting at Santana Row
BulletYellow Comforter Culmination
BulletHanukkah in South County
BulletCommunity Events
A Gift from...

Harold Grinspoon Foundation   

Bullet3 Logos 2012 
Constituent Partners

Our program is blessed to have synagogues, community service agencies, and Jewish schools acting as our "Constituent Partners" -- organizations that collaborate with our PJ Library Program to bring you educational, entertaining, and meaningful programs each month.

 

CLICK HERE for a list of our "Constituent Partners." 

From the Blog
BulletThankful for Families
BulletWhat Is Tzedakah?
BulletHGF at the GA
Bullet70,000 Boxes
Bullet'Photo Friday' Series
December CDs

AGES 6 MONTHS TO 2 YRS

Oy Baby! 

 

AGES 2 TO 3 YRS

Sing with Me,
Jewish Style
 

Sing With Me  

AGES 3 TO 4 YEARS

Look at Me! 

Look at Me 

AGES 4 TO 5 YEARS

Zeh Hayom
(This Is the Day)
 

Jewish Family Jam 

AGES 5 TO 6 YEARS

We Sang that
at Camp
 

We Sang That at Camp   

AGES 6 TO 7 YEARS

This is Me,
Jewish Style
 

This Is Me  

Tell a Friend

Introduce PJ Library to others. Send them a message via our handy "Tell a Friend" form.

Tell a Friend about PJ Library 

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Manage Your PJ Library Account

Greetings!  

  

Wow! It sure gets dark early at this time of year. It's time for Hanukkah and loads of colorful candles! Hanukkah is also the perfect holiday to reflect on the value of optimism and hope in times of darkness.  Hanukkah teaches the ability to create light and affect positive change through courage of heart (ometz lev) and steadfast commitment.


It's a great time of year to teach your children about dedication to community as well! See below for information about the Yellow Comforter Project if you'd like to reach out and help people in need.


Meanwhile, to add even more fun and light to your Hanukkah of glowing candles and community and family celebrations, we are sending you some fun foot-tapping music in an age-appropriate CD from PJ Library. It will entertain you throughout the Festival of Lights as well as throughout the year ahead.  

 

Remember: The first candle of Hanukkah is lit Saturday evening, Dec. 8.   And we'll see you at our community-wide extravaganza, "Candlelighting at Santana Row" Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4:00pm. See below for details.

 

May the Hanukkah light shine bright in your family circle.

 

B'Shalom,

Rabbi Leslie and Eleanor

Upcoming PJ Library Events
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 
4:00 - 5:30 pm
PJ Library Sponsors A Community-wide Candlelighting at
Santana Row
 
New Location, More Space in the Middle of Santana Row at Santana Row Park (near the chess board).
 
The event begins at 4:00 with each of our community organizations presenting fun craft activities to take home, yummy taste treats to try, and exciting contests and giveaways to enjoy. 

 

The onstage Hanukkah program begins at 4:30 emceed by the Retro Dome's "Meshuganutcrackers Players featuring Shannon Guggenheim. Musical performances for all of us to enjoy will be presented by youth and student singing groups from Congregation Beth David with Rabbi Ohriner, Temple-Emanuel with Rabbi Magat and Cantor Simerly, Congregation Shir Hadash with Cantor Felder-Levy, Congregation Sinai with Rabbi Berkenwald, and Yavneh Day School.

 

We will enjoy taste treats offered by Jerusalem Grill and Bar, Pars Kosher Market, and the vegan Veggie Grill.

 

We will celebrate, sing, meet friends and share with family, crowning the experience together with the lighting of the candles for the second night of Hanukkah.

 

Last year, 1,200 folks enjoyed the lively fun, Hanukkah spirit, and being together as a happy community. Make sure you are part of our extended family this year. And stop by our PJ Library booth, say hello and bring a gift for the Yellow Comforter Project (see story below).
                                                
     
 

Sunday, Dec 9, 2012 

Yellow Comforter Project Culmination during Candlelighting at

Santana Row

 

Highlighted at the Santana Row Hanukkah Candlelighting this year will be an exceptional program, sponsored by PJ Library, celebrating the participaton of ten community schools in a tzedakah (philanthropy) project -- "The Yellow Comforter Project." 

 

Inspired by the book "How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box," students began an ambitious project to raise money for items requested by families in need as part of Jewish Family Services' "Embrace-a-Family" Hanukkah Tsedakah Project. 

 

A slide show featuring all ten schools in the midst of their involvement in this project will be screened at the Hanukkah Candlelighting, acknowledging all the children in the program. 

 

Our thanks to the Addison-Penzak JCC Preschool, Congregation Beth David Religious School, Congregation Emeth Religious School, Congregation Shir Hadash Preschool and Religious School, Congregation Sinai Preschool and Religious School, South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, Temple Emanu-El Preschool and Religious School, and Yavneh Day School for the effort and creativity they put into making this project a big success!

 

If you have not had an opportunity to participate in this incredible project, please choose a dreidel at one of our community organizations, purchase a gift card, or bring a donation to the Yellow Comforter Project. at our PJ Library table at Santana Row, and your child will receive a special prize. 

 

                                                                                   

Thursday, Dec 6, 2012

7:00 pm

Hanukkah in South County

Morgan Hill Library
Community Room

660 West Main Avenue, Morgan Hill

 

Everyone is invited for a special story time to celebrate Hanukkah. Enjoy holiday stories with the PJ Library. There will be treats, music, crafts, sharing traditions, and more. Open to the general community. FREE.

Holiday Hints
Eight Ideas for Hanukkah-Themed Family Nights

8 Bright Hanukkah Ideas 

Each night of Hanukkah provides an opportunity for quality family time. We hope this list of ideas will inspire a meaningful family holiday.

 

Plan Your Hanukkah Nights � 

Hanukkah Books for Children

Books for Holiday Reading  

This Hanukkah, spend some time reading together as a family. Here is a list presenting more than 30 of our holiday-themed favorites. 

 

Find More Hanukkah Books � 

Parenting Matters
Courageous Children & the Value of Ometz Lev

Courage of the Heart

Ometz Lev means "courage of the heart" in Hebrew. It was ometz lev that inspired the outnumbered Maccabees.

 

Tips for Raising a Brave Child � 

 

 

Silicon Valley Community Events
For Kids and Teens

Take a Look!

 

So many great activities offered by our community: Tot Shabbats, Holiday Celebrations, Religious School Options, Programs for Young Children, Youth Groups for Teens and More . . .

 

Everyone is waiting to welcome you. Visit the Jewish Federation's Community Calendar to learn more.

 

Explore and enjoy!

Click here.

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Join the conversation. Read about your favorite PJ books, events, and activities--it's all on Facebook! 

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Make-a-Poster Contest Update
Voices & Visions Make-a-Poster Contest

Contest Winners Named  

Hundreds of tikkun olam-themed posters were submitted by talented PJ children, ages 7-12. 

 

See the Winning Entries � 

PJ Library