PJ Library Goes to USCJ

Leaders of 118 Conservative synagogues were notified yesterday that for the first time they will be able to bring the gift of Jewish books, available through PJ Library, to children in their communities. This unprecedented expansion of the PJ Library program is into areas where there are no other PJ Library "partners," like Jewish Federations or JCCs. These synagogues join 37 others that are able to access PJ Library resources through United Synagogue's partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. It will result in up to 30,000 new subscriptions over the next five years of the program.

Why does this matter?

PJ Library is one of the simplest and most elegant entry-point-into-Jewish-experience programs, in addition to Birthright, to emerge in our 21st Century community. Begun in 2005, PJ Library recently reached its one-millionth subscriber. A report on its impacts will be published soon, but at a February 2013 PJ Library partnership launch involving United Synagogue, Union for Reform Judaism and the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, the good folks at PJ Library described some jaw dropping statistics. Between 40 and 80% of PJ Library subscriptions go to unaffiliated families, depending on the community.

PJ Library makes inroads because it's free. Grandparents sign up their grandchildren. Parents notice its "no strings attached" offer. But the best approach to any free gift has to include follow up and build relationships if the ultimate goal is to connect young families to the Jewish community. Synagogues are the natural entry point; they have the best chance of supporting Jewish identities and journeys over a lifetime. Many synagogue leaders ask how they can find and reach out to the unaffiliated. PJ Library seems to be a great answer.

The potential strength of this new program, and where we're testing new territory, is what happens in synagogues that commit to using this outreach tool. This is not a free gift to a synagogue; it's a matching grant. Although the cost per subscription is significantly low because of the underwriting by United Synagogue's donors and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, each participating synagogue must commit to raise their share towards their subscription goals. Participating synagogues will get advice and help with securing donors in their synagogues. And we're offering resources for outreach and engagement, networking the professionals and volunteers who will work with PJ Library families in their kehillot. We're even providing strategic planning resources to align their work with the vision of their leadership. I believe that the synagogues that commit to offering PJ Library will strengthen their leadership, membership and infrastructure, in addition to giving Jewish books to young families in their communities.

Here's a video that gives a peek at what is being accomplished already in our pilot program with 33 synagogues in metropolitan New York.

Find out if your kehilla is eligible for the USCJ-sponsored PJ Library program by emailing our PJ Library Coordinator, Rabbi Cara Weinstein Rosenthal. If not, it means you're in an area where PJ Library is already available. But don't feel left out. We have created a special venue for families in your community to build relationships, and have a great Shabbat experience at our Ramah-USY Family Camp at the Centennial Celebration in Baltimore. Scholarships for PJ Library families are available. So find the PJ Library families in your kehilla, and let them know you can help them receive the gift of Shabbat.