A PJ LIBRARY MAGAZINE
All Families 2 Welcoming
SUMMER 2018
in the In-Between 8 Judaism
Stories, Shared Future 18 Shared
CONTENTS
2
Welcoming All Families Sarah Rabin Spira
4
Nurturing Diversity in Jewish Kidlit Pamela Ehrenberg
5
Modest but Mighty Mary Horrocks
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If You Let Them Build It,
They Will Come Jordan Fruchtman
The Relationships We Make
Liora Brosbe
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A PJ LIBRARY MAGAZINE
MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR, PROOF MAGAZINE Jillian Farrell ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Liora Brosbe, Family Engagement Officer, Jewish Federation of the East Bay Beth Cousens, Associate Vice President for Jewish Education and Engagement, Jewish Federations of North America Pamela Ehrenberg, Author Jordan Fruchtman, Chief Program Officer, Moishe House Daniel Ginsburg, Writer & Editor, PJ Library Mary Horrocks, Program Officer, PJ Library Meredith Lewis, Director of Content and Engagement, PJ Library
8 Judaism in the In-Between Beth Cousens 10
PROOF
Jamie Light, Engagement Officer, PJ Our Way Sarah Rabin Spira, Manager, PJ Library program, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Will Schneider, Director of Advancement, PJ Library Naomi Shulman, Content Officer, PJ Library Galina Vromen, Director, Sifriyat Pijama Renee Zborowski, Operations Manager, PJ Library
From Our Readers
Marina Yudborovsky, Director of Global Operations, Genesis Philanthropy Group
Ellen Glazer
On the Shelf: PJ 13 On the Shelf: PJ Our Way™ 14 PJ Library Global Impact 16 Sifriyat Pijama 12
Library®
Galina Vromen
18 Shared Stories, Shared Future Marina Yudborovsky
Partner Spotlight 21 Finding Community in Cuba 20
Winnie Sandler Grinspoon
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SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Belinda Bardas Ellen Glazer Cover photo by Amy Frances Photography We welcome suggestions for stories. Please send ideas or author inquiries to proof@hgf.org.
THE
FOREWORD M
y experience as a PJ Library dad is a quiet and private one. Although my kids’ bedtime routine is a big part of my life, it’s not one I discuss with my peers. But when I spot a PJ Library book on the coffee table at a friend’s house, we exchange a knowing look: We’re on this Jewish parenting ride together. This issue of PROOF is all about how communities grow – from families connecting through shared books to the local engagement efforts that bring PJ Library families together. In the last few years, I have come to understand how being a part of the community of PJ Library parents has shaped my Jewish identity. On a recent mid-winter family vacation to Florida, I went out early in the morning to get bagels for my wife and son. Pinned to the bulletin board at the local bagel shop (great spot for marketing!) was a flyer for an upcoming PJ Library story time. I felt drawn to attend with the local PJ Library parents – fellow travelers on the Jewish parenting journey. And the community experience extends globally. I recently received a note from Michael, a US airman stationed in Germany and dad in one of the 1,131 families in active military service receiving books. He wrote, “Because we live in an area devoid of Jews, the
books, CDs, and Jewish items are something tangible that makes us feel connected to the global Jewish community.” PJ Library books are being added to bookshelves on six continents in four languages, with nearly 600,000 books arriving in homes every month – even around the office we are in awe of the huge numbers. PJ Library is the largest shared Jewish book experience since the Torah! A few months ago, my family attended “Sparkle Havdalah,” a celebration that attracted 200 kids and their families dressed in their glittery best to make spice boxes and take photos. Like other big events and concerts, “Sparkle Havdalah” attracted many first-timers who do not normally come to Jewish community events. I saw many kids exclaim, “We have that one!” as they walked past the PJ Library book display. My heart swelled. PJ Library is bringing us together – parents and kids alike – in all corners of the world. I am proud to be a part of this story.
Will Schneider Director of Advancement PJ Library Proud PJ Library Parent
Photo by Rachael Elana Photography
WELCOMING ALL FAMILIES BY SAR AH R ABIN SPIR A MANAGER , PJ LIBR ARY PROGR AM JE WISH FEDER ATION OF GRE ATER WASHINGTON PROUD PJ LIBR ARY PARENT
I REGULARLY MAKE PEOPLE CRY.
I would say it’s a
perk of the job. I know it sounds odd, but let me explain: They’re tears of joy, coming from parents who find themselves overwhelmed by unexpected evidence that they and their family are welcome, wanted, and included as involved members of a community. There are families in every Jewish community who feel they experience the Jewish community from the margins. These include interfaith families, multicultural
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families, LGBTQ families, or families with members who have special needs. In some cases, these families have tried to participate in formal Jewish programs and found them to be less than welcoming, either unintentionally or by design. Some never bothered to try for fear of being rebuffed. However, if we want a strong, vibrant, growing Jewish community, we must take steps to be explicitly and fully welcoming to all. At the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, we’re doing just that.
WELCOMING... FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
MULTICULTURAL FAMILIES
A typical Purim celebration can be overwhelming for some children, especially those on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities. At Sensory-Friendly Purim, we adapted the megillah reading by making signs instead of noisemakers; having a slide show that offered visual cues to when Haman’s name would be said; having a quiet area for children to retreat but still participate; and writing a social story to help parents prepare their child. In addition, we had an ASL interpreter to aid our deaf parents. One parent shared that Sensory-Friendly Purim was one of the best inclusion events she ever attended.
Using PJ Library books that feature multicultural families is another way to be explicitly welcoming. We planned multiple programs around the new PJ Library book Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg. This story about a Jewish and Indian family celebrating Hanukkah resonated with many local families who said it reflected their experience. Developing programs that emphasize the similarities between these two cultures sends a strong message to our multicultural families and creates a learning opportunity for all families.
LGBTQ FAMILIES
INTERFAITH FAMILIES
LGBTQ families want to connect with other families like theirs, so we co-sponsor smaller social events like Paint with PJ Library where families can paint Hanukkah items at a pottery studio. LGBTQ families also want to be part of mainstream Jewish life. In response, we co-sponsor programs like drag queen story times that appeal to the broader community and feature stories about being yourself and respecting others. We also try to feature same-sex couples in the images we use in our educational materials.
For interfaith families, navigating competing holidays and traditions can be tricky. To help, we offer a series of “City Jews Pop-Up” programs that are designed with interfaith families in mind. Programs include a Havdalah with a planetarium show; Shabbat dinners in underserved neighborhoods; and “Make Room for Matzah” and “Make Room for Latkes,” which offer ideas for families new to celebrating Passover and Hanukkah. In addition, we hold workshops and go on local morning television to talk to parents and help them navigate what we dub “The December Opportunity.”
We use language in all communications to let our community know that our programs are open to all: “The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, and sexual orientations.” Beyond the fine print are event descriptions that are inclusive (e.g., “this is a perfect program for Jewish and interfaith families…”) and marketing images that show diversity. For families who might feel marginalized for multiple reasons, the work we are doing resonates and reaffirms their desire to be part of the Jewish community.
“It is very progressive of our Jewish community to make a home for all children in celebrations. My husband is Catholic, and we have chosen to raise our new daughter Jewish. She is very new, but we are already seeing signs of sensory concerns. [Your email] confirmed for me that we made the right choice as it is evident that the Jewish faith and community are inclusive and welcoming to all who want to participate…Thank you so much for the work that you do; it means a lot to families.” Families each have their own unique story, but we can make educated guesses as to their needs. And when they say, “Hineni” (I am here), they need to hear our Jewish community respond, “I see you; I hear you; I’m glad you’re here.”
SARAH RABIN SPIRA works for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
and is the parent of two PJ Library subscribers, Henry and Elana.
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Nurturing Diversity in Jewish Kidlit BY PAMELA EHRENBERG PROUD PJ LIBR ARY AUTHOR AND PARENT WHEN MY DAUGHTER’S FIRST
arrived in the mail in 2005, I was a nervous firsttime mom on an extended maternity leave with a heavy focus on finishing my first novel during naptimes. If you had told me then that one day thousands of children would be reading a Jewish picture book about Indian food, and that I would be the author, I’m not sure I would have believed you. PJ LIBRARY BOOK
In 2005 I was also busy re-engaging with my Jewish community, bringing my daughter to a dynamic Tot Shabbat service in the basement of our synagogue. As she, and then her brother, gradually outgrew racing in circles and grinding Cheerios into the floor, I was able to glance up now and then and manage conversations with other grown-ups. I came to appreciate how much the Jewish community had grown in the time I’d been less connected – and how Tot Shabbat was on the leading edge, welcoming all families and ensuring there was a place in Jewish life for all of us. Meanwhile, as a reader, I saw PJ Library and others beginning to look at how Jewish kidlit could effectively represent all families in our community – though I also saw much room for progress. I was ready to write… and learn. My book Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas began as a board book, a dosa recipe set to rhyme. PJ Library helped me nurture 4 P JLIBRARY. O RG
a revision that combined the dosa making with another plot I’d originally imagined about making hamentaschen for Purim. Then, after the book found a publishing home, it was PJ Library that ensured the publisher identify an illustrator of Indian background. Of course, this pairing of a Jewish-butnot-Indian author with an Indian-butnot-Jewish illustrator is just one step along the continuum towards true multicultural representation: PJ Library is providing resources that speak to children today, but also preparing them for a time when they grow up to tell their own stories. Without PJ Library’s initial commitment, a book about Indian food on Hanukkah might have been a risky venture for a publisher – PJ Library made this risk feasible. And when the book began receiving wider attention, PJ Library’s commitment helped to prove that books featuring diverse characters in general – and diverse Jewish books in particular – are not only essential for kids in our global community but are also part of a sound business plan. By mitigating risk for publishers, PJ Library enables diverse Jewish books to exist in the first place and to stand on their own legs.
This nurturing of diverse Jewish kidlit extends to middle-grade works through PJ Our Way. The manuscript I finished during my 2005 maternity leave turned into the 2007 novel Ethan, Suspended. Currently, PJ Our Way is helping to shape it into an updated manuscript that strengthens the novel’s Jewish aspects and reflects lessons learned over the past decade about white authors portraying communities of color. Of course, as my writing has grown, so have my children: It has now been more than a decade since I became a PJ Library parent. As my daughter prepares to become a bat mitzvah, I see how our community of those who create, nurture, and select books for young readers is entering a sort of adolescence as well. As Jewish kidlit grows up, we’re increasingly aware of goals we haven’t yet achieved, heights we haven’t yet scaled – and where there’s still room for growth. I’m so honored that PJ Library has created space for me on this shared journey.
Modest but Mighty PJ Library in Small Communities BY MARY HORROCKS PJ LIBR ARY PROGR AM OFFICER
THE WIND BLOWS RIPPLES ACROSS THE HALIFAX HARBOUR
as I look out from Pier 21. Jewish immigrants once sailed here in droves from Eastern and Central Europe. They arrived year-round, as the water’s so deep it never freezes over. While some of those arriving would travel on west to Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver or south to the States, others remained in Nova Scotia. In more recent decades, Jewish immigrants have come from former Soviet Union countries, the Middle East, and North Africa via the less scenic route through Halifax Stanfield International Airport. This diverse Jewish population surprises many. In my role at PJ Library I have the privilege of supporting modest but mighty Jewish towns. I wish I had a nickel for every time someone incredulously exclaims, “There are Jews in Halifax?” Yes! And in Omaha, Tulsa, Greenville, Grand Rapids, and beyond. I hope this issue of PROOF is being read at kitchen tables in each of these vibrant cities right now.
In fact, Jews have been in Halifax since 1750, and today the Jewish population is estimated at 1,500. Over the past ten years alone, roughly 400 Russianborn Jews have relocated from Israel to Nova Scotia with the help of a campaign by the Atlantic Jewish Council. This population might make different choices than other strands of the Atlantic Jewish community – they may choose the Russian immersion program for their kids instead of Hebrew school each Tuesday evening – but their desire to raise young Jewish families is just as real and pressing as that of Canadian-born parents. Thankfully, PJ Library is here. It’s February, and I’m in town to attend a PJ Library engagement event, a parents-only program at the Clay Café in Halifax’s North End. Many of the participants have grown friendly over the course of the event series, but this is the first program without their children playing underfoot. There’s a mix of Hebrew, Russian, and English heard at each table, where the parents sit hunched over ceramic Kiddush cups, plates, and trivets. Some paint flowers, geometric shapes, or Stars of David. Others decorate their Shabbat pottery with the names of their children. Each piece is a reflection of this diverse Jewish group gathered together on a windy night in Nova Scotia. The conversation flows through jobs, politics, whiskey, and recipes.
A mom describes how her young child brings PJ Library books to a secular preschool classroom, wanting to share Jewish holiday stories with classmates. Some discuss the happenings at their synagogue. Others reminisce about a shared old neighborhood in Israel. Two moms describe scouring Pinterest for Hanukkah decorating ideas that will allay kids’ Christmas tree envy – a challenge they didn’t have in Israel. Like the Halifax Harbour, PJ Library’s small communities may look unassuming from a macro-view of North America. But beneath the surface, there’s a different story unfolding: In a small community in the Pacific Northwest, PJ Library is a pipeline bringing new energy to faded Jewish communal stalwarts. In a tiny community in the Rust Belt, PJ Library shines brightly even after the nearest synagogue has faded away. PJ Library glows at a pajama party in a home furnishings store in Dayton, OH. A picnic lunch on a working farm in Meridian, ID. A Tu B’Shevat scavenger hunt at a mall in Knoxville, TN. A home-hosted Shabbat dinner in Athens, GA. And PJ Library thrives among parents sitting at the Clay Café with rolled up sleeves, painting a platter for next Friday’s challah. Beneath the rippling surface, beneath the unassuming spot on the map, the water runs wonderfully, startlingly deep.
P ROO F S U MMER 2018
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If You Let Them Build It,
THEY WILL COME
Stepping Back and Empowering Peer-Led Programming
BY JORDAN FRUCHTMAN CHIEF PROGR AM OFFICER MOISHE HOUSE PROUD PJ LIBR ARY PARENT
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IN 2012, MOISHE HOUSE HAD A REALLY GREAT PROBLEM.
We had an ever-growing number of young adults who had spent a few years as residents in Moishe Houses (shared houses where young Jewish adults live and host weekly programming for their peers) and had incredible leadership and community organizing skills. But, when these residents moved out and became alumni, there was nothing formal for them to continue to drive this momentum. These people were smart and inspired and loved creating and participating in Jewish community with their friends. So we created Moishe House Without Walls (MHWOW) and in 2017, 660 inspired emerging Jewish community leaders (we call them hosts) created more than 3,000 programs in 27 countries around the world. All because we gave them the training, gave them the funding, and got out of the way, shifting from the traditional institutional role of a program provider to a program enabler. Over the past five years, MHWOW has evolved to include not just Moishe House resident alumni, but alumni of our learning retreats and of other Jewish organizations, including Urban Adamah and Pardes. And along the way, we’ve identified a few key elements that contribute to the success and rapid growth of this independent, peer-led approach. The first is that we work with vetted leaders, and we provide ongoing resources to support them. We have a very engaging newsletter, an active Facebook group, and a team of staff and educators to help leaders work out kinks in programming and come up with ideas.
The second is that we make it as easy as possible for someone to be a community builder and channel his or her passion into creating unique and engaging programming. We have a mobile app where hosts get their programming approved ahead of time, then submit their program information for reimbursement. And the third, most important element: They want to create their dream Jewish communities, and we have and continue to create new ways to help them do that. Like PJ Library, many of the people we work with are
PJ Library’s Get Together incentives offer families Jewish resources, financial incentives, and the impetus to create Jewish experiences for their own family and two or more additional families. The incentives are just one of the many engagement opportunities offered by PJ Library to help deepen and expand the connections between PJ Library families and their peers, and between families and the Jewish community. Nearly 9,000 families have participated in Get Together gatherings – that’s more than 25,000 parents and kids connecting Jewishly.
part of niche communities that don’t necessarily fit into mainstream groups, like Rosh Chodesh women’s circles and LGBTQ inclusion groups, among others. These leaders know we support them in that effort, both financially and philosophically. The same principles are being put to work through PJ Library’s Get Together incentives. Find families who want to get together with other families and give them the means to do just that. Offer more opportunities that enable the connections that are being made between parents, children, and Jewish content. The world is full of incredible Jewish people who want to share their love of Judaism with their friends, in whatever form that takes. And if organizations like Moishe House and PJ Library have the structure, financial resources, and staff relationships out there, it is possible for us to find ways to help them do it.
92% of PJ Library Get Together hosts are extremely likely to host again in the future
PROO F S U MMER 2018
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JUDAISM IN THE IN-BETWEEN: THE NEW JEWISH EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE BY BETH COUSENS, PhD ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR JE WISH EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT JE WISH FEDER ATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA PROUD PJ LIBR ARY PARENT
I’M PRETTY SURE THAT MY 4-YEAR-OLD SON THINKS
He has a sense that not everyone is Jewish, but for him, Jewish opportunities are everywhere. Some of that is us: We spend Friday nights at synagogue, we chose a Jewish preschool, and we make Havdalah at home. But a lot of that is PJ Library. His books are Jewish. His music is Jewish (thanks, PJ Library Radio). He gets Jewish swag in the mail. EVERYTHING IS JEWISH.
And then there was the time we were visiting Seattle for a Thanksgiving vacation and wandered into a bookstore, only to find that the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s PJ Library Song and Storytime was starting that very minute. The books and music he heard at home came alive, in person. He heard Hebrew, which unified his at-home and school experience with his out-in-theworld experience. Our family word “mensch” got normalized by others.
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My son is the beneficiary of what I call a new Jewish educational landscape, the opportunities that exist in the “in-between spaces” of life, not at home or at school. These are what help him live a truly integrated Jewish life, where doing, being, and learning Jewish are practiced simultaneously. Judaism is alive, palpable, and relevant for him because it happens seamlessly. As the 20th century has morphed into the 21st, it has become clear that the organizations we know will shift under the pressures of our new society. Network theorist Clay Shirky observes, “When we change the way we communicate, we change society.” 1 In other words, we don’t just talk on Facebook and Twitter. These platforms and the ways that they are built shape our expectations of what it means to meet in community. We rely on networks, we more readily access information from peers and
not experts, and we turn to these networks for leadership. We tend to distrust hierarchies and process, particularly processes that can’t be understood quickly. When Jews came to the new world, the Eastern European kehilah, or community structure, had to adapt to America’s democracy, norms, and organizing principles. In the wealth and industrialization of the 20th century, Jewish life was shaped in the image of the American organization: Our organizations became physically big, with complex hierarchies focused around power and authority. The organizations were impersonal, keeping information within a core of people. But that didn’t matter as much in a tight-knit community. Today, we have to translate and transition Jewish life for the 21st century, creating transparency, equity, and opportunity for collective action.
This work of change matters for the entire Jewish communal system – but it is existential for Jewish education. Learning about Judaism happens in these mostly 20th century institutions – in synagogue schools and in day schools. When most North American Jews trusted and even relied on organizations, they chose readily to participate in Jewish education. But today, Jewish education cannot happen in Jewish institutions that reach only a segment of our communities. We run the risk of Jewish education failing to reach enough people and in enough varied ways to make Jewish life and community vibrant and meaningful for all. Reorganizing Jewish education according to 21st century norms and values means making it more accessible, less hierarchical, more networked, and less expert-reliant. It means making it happen alongside and outside of institutions. It means creating Judaism in the in-between spaces, where life is lived. It does not mean dismissing legacy institutions – but rather, innovating within them and building onto them. “Jewish education” is many things. From a policy perspective, from a communal perspective, it is the infrastructure of concrete opportunities that is made available to help people explore and celebrate
Judaism and all that it means. It means, literally, that there is a Tu B’Shevat seder available to families in a park on a Sunday morning; or an age-inclusive, project-based religious school program at a synagogue on Tuesday afternoons; or an experiential after-school Hebrew school at the JCC; or a day school teacher leading evening Talmud study in a downtown bookstore. Or, maybe there aren’t those things. And the “maybe” matters: Because most Jews don’t do or organize Jewish at home or on their own, the Jewish educational infrastructure in a community dictates what Jews get to do or not do. They get what the landscape makes available to them. And our landscapes must be intentional.
That morning in the Seattle bookstore was magical. In a public space, we were about 15 families. We were speaking in Hebrew. We danced and listened and sang and gained Hebrew words and celebrated what it means to learn as we live. It wasn’t an accident: The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle found and employed the talented Betsy Dishel and her Red Ukelele, supporting her work throughout 2 Seattle public spaces. Jewish federations power PJ Library in most communities, with many housing PJ Library as well as mobilizing its funding (from many generous individual donors). Building – architecting, intentionally designing – the landscape of the in-between is the job of funders and policy makers. It happens on purpose, even if it looks and feels organic. Judaism needs to be in the inbetween spaces, not only in our institutions and not only at home. The future is bright, filled with our best teachers in and outside of their classrooms, working in networks as well as in organizations, alongside regular people empowered and trained to reach out to and build Jewish community with their peers. The future is beautiful – and as those who make the Jewish educational landscape happen, it is ours to create.
BETH COUSENS, PhD is the associate vice president for Jewish education and engagement at the Jewish Federations of North America. She has worked for Hillel International, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and as an independent consultant, always focused on program and policy development in Jewish life. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, son, and daughter. Her department curates a blog (pjfor.me/edublog), which features the best of North American Jewish education and engagement, and where she occasionally shares her work.
1 Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations (New York: Penguin Group, 2008), 17. 2 www.redukelele.com/about/ P ROO F S U MMER 2018
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The Relationships
We Ma ke
IN MY ROLE AS A PJ LIBRARY PROFESSIONAL I spend a lot of time developing relationships with parents, families, Jewish educators, and community leaders. To me, PJ Library is built on the foundation that relationships are the core of everything, from family networks to community connections. My background in the field of community mental health and my professional expertise as a psychotherapist allow me to approach the work that we do with a unique perspective. I often ask myself: How can I make the most of my time and invest in the relationships that feed and fuel my community? Here’s where I start: When I am in conversation I truly, truly listen. I don’t listen in the way that I’m waiting for my turn (I save that for my personal relationships, by the way). I use my skills of listening, attunement, and mirroring. They are invaluable if you want someone to feel heard and attended to, and they come easy with practice. I try to stay curious with families, community partners, and donors. As a parent, approaching relationships with curiosity is natural for me, especially in the way I talk to my children. What are you up to? How was your day? I don’t know the answers before I ask the questions, and the same can be true for the people I meet in the world of PJ Library. When I’m curious, I can prepare to be surprised, impressed, and moved.
BY LIORA BROSBE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER JE WISH FEDER ATION OF THE E AST BAY PROUD PJ LIBR ARY PARENT
Responding to emails and phone calls may seem like an administrative task. In fact, it is the foundation of the relational work I do for PJ Library. I can’t always be on top of my emails, but having an “out of office” reply that indicates my availability and intention to respond is a simple and effective tool. When I answer the phone, I try to smile. The person on the other end can hear it. Social media is a tool I use for connection. “Likes,” “Shares,” or “Comments” do not make my community, but they can provide a place where relationships start. I created a Facebook group where Jewish families can ask each other questions about programs, products, and even housing. They may not develop friendships from this platform, but they can coordinate playdates and meet up at local programs and events. At a recent PJ Library playdate, I was struck by an example of how relationships are at the core of PJ Library. Two mothers were in attendance, both of whom had lost their fathers in unusually sudden and traumatic ways. I knew about one woman’s grief and loss because she had posted on Facebook, and I followed up with a date at the park while we chased her toddler and she shared her experiences. I know how powerful it is to connect with those going through a similar experience, so I introduced the women to one another with the framework that they might have some connections, particularly since they are both grieving. By the end of the event, the women had exchanged numbers, wiped their tears, and discovered that they grew up within a few towns of each other on the opposite side of the country from where we currently live. My relationship with them helped build their relationship with one another. And that is what it’s all about.
LIORA BROSBE is a trained marriage and family therapist and has a small private psychotherapy practice where she sees adults. As part of her work with Sprout: Helping Jewish Families Grow Together, she manages the PJ Library and PJ Our Way programs in the East Bay. Liora lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay area. 10 P JLIBRARY. O RG
FROM OUR
READERS What PJ Library Means to Me BY ELLEN GLAZER PROUD PJ LIBR ARY GR ANDPARENT
When my grandson, Wiley, was born nearly eight months ago, I couldn’t wait to sign him up for PJ Library. It meant the world to me that a baby with the improbably Jewish name of Wiley Roger could be part of PJ Library, no questions asked. These days, Wiley prefers to chew One, Two, Three, Purim rather than to have me read him the story. No matter. For this Bubbe, having books magically arrive for Wiley because he is Jewish makes my heart sing. Each book prompts me to reflect on my own Jewish upbringing and evolution and to think more clearly about what I want to pass on to Wiley and why it is so important. My earliest memories of being Jewish are of the deli on Sunday mornings with my father. There we waited amid a sea of Jewish men and their children for our lox and bagels. Ours was a predominantly Jewish New Jersey suburb, where there was only one non-Jew in my elementary school. I went away to a summer camp which, while not identified as “a Jewish camp,” was a Jewish camp. It was not until high school when I ventured off to a program at Northwestern University that I
deli with my Dad. For all my warm memories of childhood in a Jewish cocoon, it was Professor Langer’s course that formed the core of my adult Jewish self. It became very important to me – crucial, in fact – to raise Jewish children who wanted to raise Jewish children.
faced the prospect of meeting and interacting with non-Jewish peers. I attended Simmons College, which, while not a Jewish school, surely looked that way in the hall where I lived freshman year. I suppose I could have gone through college unshaken by the familiar experience of being surrounded by Jews were it not for Professor Lawrence Langer’s courses on Holocaust literature. There, in the ‘60s when few were talking about the Holocaust, we read Elie Wiesel and other Holocaust writers. I left Simmons with a profound awareness that for me, being Jewish meant a vast amount more than just fond memories of mornings at the
Fast forward fifty years. I have two adult daughters. They each became a bat mitzvah and continued through confirmation and beyond. We traveled to Israel, lit Shabbat candles, celebrated the holidays with family and close friends. Two Jewish upbringings in a home with Jewish feelings and values. Now, one of my four grandchildren is being raised Jewish. And so, I am especially grateful to PJ Library. Call it a second chance. Call it a birthright. Call it what Jews do for each other. I call it a gift. Each book is a gift that keeps on giving. Since Wiley was a tiny baby I have been singing l’dor vador to him. PJ Library helps me believe that this little Jewish boy will "get it." Each book offers hope that my little Wiley Roger will grow up to raise Jewish children who want to raise Jewish children.
WE LOVE HEARING STORIES FROM OUR READERS EMAIL PROOF@HGF.ORG TO SHARE YOURS
You could be featured in an upcoming issue!
ON THE SHELF
PJ LIBR A RY
Ages 6 months through 8 years
SIGN LANGUAGE SHABBAT By Alisa Greenbacher and Jennifer Rosner PJ Library Subscriber Age: 2 The rituals of Shabbat are beautiful in any language – and that includes American Sign Language (ASL). We think babies and toddlers will love Sign Language Shabbat for its bright photos of a variety of children, each demonstrating an ASL sign for a Shabbat ritual or activity. We know parents will love the way it suggests the warm, welcoming embrace of Shabbat – and its inclusive approach. We hope families will visit the online video demonstration of the ASL signs, too (pjlibrary.org/signlanguageshabbat).
AND THERE WAS EVENING AND THERE WAS MORNING
By Harriet Cohen Helfand and Ellen Kahan Zager PJ Library Subscriber Age: 7 Occasionally the book selection committee comes across a title that is different from anything else it has seen. One recent book is And There Was Evening And There Was Morning, which we find arrestingly lovely. A lyrical translation of Bereshit (Genesis), the Creation story, the book’s wow factor lies in its high-concept design: The illustrations are all based on Hebrew characters. If you get a chance, take a moment to sit with And There Was Evening And There Was Morning and look at the illustrations closely – with a child, or by yourself. We are confident the book will appeal across a wide spectrum of ages – especially since the story itself is the definition of a classic.
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ON THE SHELF
Ages 9 through 11
PJ OUR WAY DEATH BY TOILET PAPER By Donna Gephart
Benjamin Epstein is having a tough seventh grade year. His father died, leaving the family with serious financial issues, and he and his mom are about to be evicted from their apartment. To further complicate matters, Ben’s Zayde, who has memory problems, is his new roommate—and he snores! Ben has all kinds of creative get-rich-quick schemes involving various contests and sweepstakes, but can he really make enough money to pay the back rent? “Definitely recommended for people who can hold a huge weight on their heart. This book really made me think how important creativity and family is.THUMBS UP! PAT ON THE BACK TO THE AUTHOR.” – PJ OUR WAY MEMBER
THE WHOLE STORY OF HALF A GIRL By Veera Hiranandani
Sixth grader Sonia Nadhamuni is half-Jewish and halfSouth Asian. When her father loses his job, she is forced to switch from a private, alternative school that she loves to the local public school. Sonia struggles to understand herself and her Jewish identity, particularly in her relationships with Alisha (an African-American aspiring writer) and Kate (a popular cheerleader). “I love this book because I can totally relate to Sonia. I know how it feels when you feel not very religious, and I know how it feels when you’re almost the only Jew in something.” – PJ OUR WAY MEMBER
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PJ LIBRARY
GL OBA L IMPAC T As PJ Library continues to grow around the world, we are seeing the program’s impact on a global scale. Local evaluations offer insight into who PJ Library families are and how the program benefits children, families, local communities, and the global Jewish community.
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
PJ Library is empowering Jewish families around the world to engage with Jewish life.
NEARLY
600,000 books GIFTED EVERY MONTH
FOUR LANGUAGES
of local engagement programs and events every year led by hundreds of Jewish partner organizations THOUSANDS
English, Hebrew, Russian & Spanish
MORE THAN
75% OF FAMILIES REPORT READING PJ LIBRARY BOOKS AT LEAST MONTHLY
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BUILDING A JEWISH LIBRARY
35%
of families in Latin America had no Jewish children’s books at home before subscribing to PJ Library, and MORE THAN 80% had fewer than six Jewish children’s books at home
IN THE HOME IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
IN RUSSIA
94%
76%
of parents said PJ Library supported their family in building upon or adding a Jewish tradition to home life
of families expressed that they discuss Jewish concepts and values from the books at least monthly
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM,
PJ Library inspired families to try Jewish traditions, including:
30%
Cook Jewish Food
37%
Celebrate Jewish Holidays
22%
Celebrate Shabbat
IN THE COMMUNITY
IN THE CLASSROOM
Community partners drive the creation of local activities.These partners, which include schools, Jewish community centers, and synagogues, utilize resources from PJ Library to assist their teams in engaging families.
In many countries, PJ Library delivers books to children through their classrooms. Children are introduced to the books in class, usually with a lesson or activity, and then take them home to keep and enjoy with their families where they continue the conversation.
IN AUSTRALIA
93% of families expressed that they feel connected to their Jewish community after participating in PJ Library
IN RUSSIA, community partners in dozens of cities and regions across the country bring the stories, themes, and ideas to life by organizing PJ Library programs. For instance, in the Russian Far East, in the city of Khabarovsk, educators from the local Jewish kindergarten organized a shadow theater presentation of Bagels from Benny in the local synagogue and had the children recreate their own version of the story.
IN ISRAEL
90% of parents said that Sifriyat Pijama contributed to their children’s love and enjoyment of books
Sifriyat Pijama HEBREW BOOKS COME TO LIFE IN ISRAEL
Unlike PJ Library, Sifriyat Pijama distributes books through schools. Why? Israeli mailboxes are very small, and anything the size of a book has to be picked up at the post office – usually places where lines are long, particularly on Friday mornings, which is the only time most parents have time to do errands while children are still in school. I saw the classroom as a better venue for book distribution and soon discovered the tremendous value teachers would bring to the program. The teacher is the one who introduces the book to the classroom, usually reading the book in class 2-4 times, and often carries out book-related discussion or activities with the children. So by the time the book goes home, the child is really the family “expert” about the book – a very empowering experience for a small child.
What is the impact of the program on underserved populations?
SIFRIYAT PIJAMA AND SIFRIYAT
together reach 360,000 children in Israel. As the Israeli version of PJ Library, Sifriyat Pijama is adapted to suit Israeli society. It is a classroombased program, operated by Keren Grinspoon Israel (Hebrew for Grinspoon Israel Foundation) in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Education.
reading bedtime stories together and enjoying meaningful conversations on values and heritage. The program distributes high-quality literary books carefully chosen to invite discussion on values and Jewish/ Israeli heritage in school and at home. Children are introduced to the books in class, and then they take them home to keep and enjoy.
Like PJ Library, Sifriyat Pijama offers children and their families an opportunity to expand their home library and to create a tradition of
We spoke with Galina Vromen, director of Sifriyat Pijama, to find out more about the program and how Sifriyat Pijama books come to life.
PIJAMA FOR LITTLE KIDS
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A study by the Ministry of Education found that in 37% of the homes in the program, Sifriyat Pijama books were either the only or predominant children’s books in the home. That alone gives a sense of our impact. For immigrant children and their families, Sifriyat Pijama books are also an introduction to Israeli culture. It is a way for immigrant parents to be exposed to Israeli classical writers (such as Haim Bialik and Leah Goldberg) as well as contemporary writers such as David Grossman and Meir Shalev, who write for both kids and adults. I was very touched by a Russian mother who wrote to us to say that the first time she read to her child in Hebrew was from a Sifriyat Pijama book her daughter brought home, and by an
Ethiopian father who let us know that the suggestions in the back on bookrelated discussion ideas had led him to have conversations he had never thought to have with his daughter.
What does Sifriyat Pijama look for in books? First of all, we are looking for good books with a strong plot, characters children enjoy, a good sense of humor, and great illustrations. We look for books which highlight common Jewish/Israeli heritage in a way that a wide swath of the population can relate to, whether they are religiously observant or not. So, we look for books that revolve around values such as visiting the sick and honoring parents, themes like the specialness of Shabbat, or historical events such as the first concert of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, but presented in a way that tells an engaging story and that is not didactic. It might be surprising to Americans, but we don’t distribute a lot of books about Jewish holidays. There’s a practical reason: We are a school-based program in Israel, and children are on vacation during major Jewish holidays. In addition, since Jewish holidays are national holidays, children are very much exposed to Jewish holidays, and we feel that it makes sense for Sifriyat Pijama to focus more on other aspects of Jewish culture/heritage.
How does Sifriyat Pijama source books to distribute? We vary our books from year to year and don’t repeat books more than once every five years, so the need for new books is always there. We regularly receive manuscripts and book proposals – I don’t think there is a children’s book author, illustrator, or publisher in Israel who does not know about the program. Some books are also sourced from the English PJ Library program. We also meet with children’s book editors on an ongoing basis to brainstorm and discuss what they have in the pipeline and what we think is missing in our lineup. And we keep in touch with staff at Israel’s leading art schools who know we are always on the lookout for talented illustrators.
How is Sifriyat Pijama funded? The Israeli Ministry of Education is our biggest funding partner, providing 48% of funding for the cost of the books and their distribution in preschools and 66% of the funding for the books in first and second grades. Keren Grinspoon Israel provides the rest of the funding by grants from a number of foundations – among them the Harry and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation and WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization).
It seems as if Sifriyat Pijama has created more opportunities for the community, beyond the classroom and home. Yes, it does this in several ways. First, Sifriyat Pijama has led to the creation of a cadre of books that underscore common Jewish heritage. Initially, we used mostly existing books, but increasingly we have worked with publishers to create new books or re-illustrate old books. We have sometimes given illustrators and writers their first break, and that’s always a thrill. These books take on a life of their own because they continue to be sold by publishers commercially. In addition, each year many children’s theaters and storytellers develop performances based on books from our list and market them to schools, libraries, and community centers because they see it as an advantage – schools are interested in plays that are based on books the children know through our program, and young children like to see performances based on stories they already know. It’s a win-win all around. Also, libraries sometimes organize exhibitions of what the preschools have done with the books, like art work and other book-related activities. As Sifriyat Pijama grows we strive to enhance efforts to supplement the program at the community level.
GALINA VROMEN has worked for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) for the past 15 years, initially
as director of special projects and Israel grants at the Foundation’s head office in Massachusetts. She returned to her native Israel in 2008 and become the founding director of Sifriyat Pijama. Before joining HGF, she was an international journalist – in Mexico, France, the Netherlands, England, and Israel. She holds a BA in anthropology and mass media from Hampshire College and a master’s in English literature from Bar-Ilan University.
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Shared Stories, Shared Future
How How partnership partnership creates creates opportunity opportunity for Russian-speaking Jews BY MARINA YUDBOROVSKY BY MARINA YUDBOROVSKY DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL OPER ATIONS DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL OPER ATIONS GENESIS PHIL ANTHROPY GROUP GENESIS PHIL ANTHROPY GROUP PROUD PJ LIBR ARY PARENT PROUD PJ LIBR ARY PARENT
AS A CHILD, MY FAVORITE BOOKS included AS A CHILD, MY FAVORITE BOOKS included
such titles as Kolobok and Dr. Aybolit and the such titles as Kolobok and Dr. Aybolit and the poems of Agniya Barto. If these don’t ring a poems of Agniya Barto. If these don’t ring a bell, it’s probably because you did not grow up bell, it’s probably because you did not grow up in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Likewise, in in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Likewise, in the 1990s, after my family moved to the United the 1990s, after my family moved to the United States, I was at an utter loss when American States, I was at an utter loss when American friends or TV shows referred to Dr. Seuss, friends or TV shows referred to Dr. Seuss, The Giving Tree, Amelia Bedelia, or other The Giving Tree, Amelia Bedelia, or other beloved mainstays of children’s literature. This beloved mainstays of children’s literature. This lack of a shared canon always underscored my lack of a shared canon always underscored my sense of being an immigrant. I love the stories sense of being an immigrant. I love the stories of my childhood, but I also missed being in on of my childhood, but I also missed being in on the joke or knowing the reference. the joke or knowing the reference. Today my 5-year-old daughter can spot the Today my 5-year-old daughter can spot the big white envelope, with a blue logo and her big white envelope, with a blue logo and her name on it, from across the room. She does name on it, from across the room. She does not know it yet, but it is this envelope that, not know it yet, but it is this envelope that, month by month, is giving her a shared canon month by month, is giving her a shared canon of literature with Jewish children around the of literature with Jewish children around the world. It’s not hard to imagine her sitting in world. It’s not hard to imagine her sitting in a dorm room years from now and laughing at a dorm room years from now and laughing at a punch line involving Sammy Spider with her a punch line involving Sammy Spider with her roommates from any one of the 17 countries roommates from any one of the 17 countries where PJ Library is reaching families today. where PJ Library is reaching families today. I am lucky to not only be a PJ Library mom but I am lucky to not only be a PJ Library mom but to also have had a hand in helping PJ Library to also have had a hand in helping PJ Library grow in scope and scale through a partnership grow in scope and scale through a partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG). PJ Library Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG). PJ Library is uniquely broad in its appeal and extremely is uniquely broad in its appeal and extremely versatile, giving it tremendous potential to versatile, giving it tremendous potential to further GPG’s mission of strengthening the further GPG’s mission of strengthening the Jewish identity of the Russian-speaking Jews Jewish identity of the Russian-speaking Jews (RSJ) around the world. The openness and (RSJ) around the world. The openness and dedication of the PJ Library team has made dedication of the PJ Library team has made
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possible an engagement strategy based on possible an engagement strategy based on both the best practices of the program and both the best practices of the program and the specific needs of the Russian-speaking the specific needs of the Russian-speaking community. By leveraging local Russian-speaking community. By leveraging local Russian-speaking Jewish professionals, who became critical Jewish professionals, who became critical advocates of the program to the RSJ population, advocates of the program to the RSJ population, today PJ Library books reach thousands of today PJ Library books reach thousands of Russian-speaking Jewish families across North Russian-speaking Jewish families across North America. Many of these families also participate America. Many of these families also participate in specially designed “beyond the books” in specially designed “beyond the books” engagement opportunities to further their engagement opportunities to further their connection to their community and each other. connection to their community and each other. Neither the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, nor Neither the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, nor we at GPG, were willing to stop with North we at GPG, were willing to stop with North America. We collaborated on a PJ Library America. We collaborated on a PJ Library pilot program in Moscow in the Russian pilot program in Moscow in the Russian language that launched in December 2015. language that launched in December 2015. Today, 7,000 children and their families in Today, 7,000 children and their families in communities across Russia are also a part of communities across Russia are also a part of the PJ Library experience. the PJ Library experience. I believe PJ Library to be a unique project, I believe PJ Library to be a unique project, which has shown the continued relevancy of which has shown the continued relevancy of books in the information age. In the wild and books in the information age. In the wild and endless sea of digital distractions, it has created endless sea of digital distractions, it has created an anchor of quality, a dedicated stream of an anchor of quality, a dedicated stream of reliable content that, like a compass, helps to reliable content that, like a compass, helps to guide the next generation to the vision of a guide the next generation to the vision of a common Jewish identity based on shared Jewish common Jewish identity based on shared Jewish stories and ideas. stories and ideas. The universality of the medium of the printed The universality of the medium of the printed word proves itself again and again to be a great word proves itself again and again to be a great common denominator. Each PJ Library book common denominator. Each PJ Library book is a building block for the future of Jewish is a building block for the future of Jewish peoplehood, answering the needs of parents seeking cultural enrichment, an introduction or a resource on the Jewish calendar, or simply, a bedtime story to share. Thus, “Jewish reading” becomes a pastime to enjoy, not a chore to be endured.
RUSSIAN-SPEAKING JEWS Beyond those considerations, however, there is also a tremendous effect on a child’s sense of self, since PJ Library books are in many cases the first-ever pieces of correspondence children receive in their own name. This show of respect is much more than just a gesture. It is a recognition of the child as a growing individual and a demonstration of faith in his or her intellectual capabilities. PJ Library doesn’t just educate and entertain – it empowers. Now, as we begin a new chapter of cooperation between PJ Library and GPG in the United Kingdom, where we go beyond Russian speakers to focus wider on underserved Jewish families around the country, regardless of where they were born, I am certain that PJ Library’s unique mission and our partnership are vital for ensuring our common Jewish future – one book at a time, one child at a time, and one family at a time, mine included.
Visit gpg.org for more information about Genesis Philanthropy Group.
During the 70 years of Soviet rule, Russian-speaking Jews in the Soviet Union were denied basic freedoms and opportunities for self-fulfillment. Their passports listed most of them as Jewish, providing ample opportunities for anti-Semitism and limiting their abilities to enter some universities, get jobs, and advance in their personal or professional lives. At the same time, there was almost no opportunity to engage Jewishly in society or at home. When the gates of the Soviet empire first cracked, and then fell, many Soviet Jews came to America in search of better lives for themselves and their children. Decades of grassroots advocacy in America also played a crucial role in the emigration of Soviet Jews. An American success story today, Jews from the former Soviet Union have been able to establish themselves as an integral part of Jewish communities across North America. And now, the children of those immigrants are becoming parents themselves. These new parents grew up as Americans. They went to American schools and colleges, they watched 90210 and Saved by the Bell, and they listened to New Kids on the Block and Madonna. But they also grew up in homes where everyone spoke Russian. They spent their summers with grandma learning physics and chess, not in a Jewish camp. They celebrated Jewish holidays with SovietJewish family dishes. For the most part, they didn’t have a friend or a relative who would suggest Hillel or a gap year in Israel. In short, while being thoroughly Americanized in many ways, in terms of their Jewish identification and associations, they look a lot more like their parents than their American contemporaries. Now, when Russian-speaking Jews of this generation are taking their place in Jewish communities – as participants, contributors, and volunteers – they also seek to give their children the high-quality Jewish cultural content that they themselves missed. Here, their needs and the mission of PJ Library meet in perfect union and create a tremendous opportunity, which the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy Group are working to harness.
PROO F JU LY 2018
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PA R T N E R
SPOTLIGHT FEATURING BELINDA BARDAS
To Share is Human, To Collaborate Divine This is a story of how PJ Library expanded across Australia and became a continent-wide partnership of funders. Australia is enormous, covering an area of 7.5 million square kilometers, yet with a small Jewish population estimated at 113,000 people, with 84% disproportionately living in our two major capital cities of Melbourne and Sydney. We were looking for a collective way to deliver PJ Library books and programs that support and celebrate Jewish values culture and traditions across Australia, without duplication of existing infrastructure. Until last year, PJ Library had been operating in New South Wales (Sydney area) and the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) through local Jewish community organization Shalom while the rest of Australia remained untouched. The Australian Jewish Funders and a formative group of individual funders were committed to seeing PJ Library grow throughout Australia and become a national program. Together, we were excited by the opportunity to bring a proven, global program to more families in Australia and develop effective philanthropic collaborations. However, there weren’t many examples of funders partnering to support an initiative across all of Australia – organizations in Australia don’t typically work nationally. We determined that PJ Library could be our test case. The Australian Jewish Funders worked with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Shalom to strategize how we might expand PJ Library nationally in
an efficient, cost-effective way, leveraging as much of the existing program infrastructure as possible. With such an excellent opportunity to co-fund and leverage the New South Wales model and unify the broader Australian Jewish community under the PJ Library program, I was in! We created a strategy that avoided structural duplication and reduced costs while allowing PJ Library in Australia to identify underserved populations and engage the broadest community of Jewish families – many of whom are on the periphery of Jewish life. What I’ve gained, beyond knowing that these magical stories are reaching thousands of homes, is an opportunity to work together with like-minded funders and community leaders across Australia. Together, we understand the value of caring for the community, caring about people, welcoming them, listening and sharing stories. As funders, we unite to build a Jewish community that will enrich all our lives, through values, tradition, and culture.
BELINDA BARDAS is co-chair of the Australian Jewish Funders and a trustee of the Victor Smorgon Charitable Fund.
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FINDING COMMU NIT Y IN CUBA BY WINNIE SANDLER GRINSPOON PRESIDENT
T
HAROLD GRINSPOON FOUNDATION
his past winter, my family visited Cuba on a person-to-person cultural exchange. We toured Havana and its environs, spent time with local residents, and learned about the Cuban way of life, culture, arts, history, tobacco industry, and outsized passion for baseball. Much in Cuba is not quite what I expected. The US embargo – which Cubans call the “blockade” – is an ever-present reality, but if you look closely you find exceptions. For example, you can find American food products there. Our guide explained that in 2002, Cuba was hit with a devastating hurricane. American companies were granted an exemption from the embargo to supply food and medicine to the island. That 2002 exemption is still in place, allowing for familiar American brands to reach Cuba’s shelves. I wasn’t expecting to find Pepsi and Pringles in Havana, but there they were. I also wasn’t expecting to find private home ownership in the socialist country, but I learned that many families own their apartments. At the time of the revolution in 1959, families were allowed to purchase the individual apartments they lived in, but no individual could own the buildings themselves. On occasion we would spot a drab building with one section of the exterior beautifully restored; our guide explained that a tenant likely had wealthy relatives abroad who had sent money for repairs. These surprise patches of color were a perfect match to the brightly colored 1950s vintage American-model cars that still cruise Havana’s streets. The most delightful surprise came toward the end of our trip. Our guide asked if anyone had an interest in
visiting one of the few synagogues in the country. A small group of us said yes, and we were dropped off at the doors of Temple Beth Shalom. There we were greeted by the synagogue’s longtime president, an engaging woman in her 80s named Adela Dworin. Like many of the Jews of Cuba, Dworin’s family came to Cuba from Poland in the 1930s to escape the pogroms, intending to stay in Cuba temporarily on their way to the United States. By the 1950s there were some 15,000 to 25,000 Jews in Cuba. Then came the revolution, and the vast majority of Jews emigrated to neighboring countries. The remaining Cuban Jewish community survives on donations – both money and supplies – from abroad. Many Jewish travelers to Cuba bring medicine and basic staples to stock a small pharmacy operated at the synagogue. Visitors also bring books, including PJ Library books from our Spanish series. It was heartwarming to find PJ Library books in the synagogue library for all to enjoy. We sent word back to our tour group that we would not be joining them that evening; we would be staying for Friday night services and Shabbat dinner. The service was led by two Cuban teenagers, and the dinner was served by the temple’s youth group. We followed along as best we could in Spanish and Hebrew, but we didn’t need to catch every word to connect with the many people we met that evening. We felt the embrace of a welcoming community, and we left hopeful that those teen leaders would carry the Cuban Jewish community forward. P ROO F S U MMER 2018
21
FROM
Russia
TO
ed way to me eting he r. I paus my on s ou rv ne tly gh sli s I wa e. gh I was starting to ru n lat fo r a mo me nt, even th ou last in mo re th an 30 ye ar s – We hadn’t see n each ot he r at wo uld we talk about? Wh n. ee et pr a s wa I t me time we I on afte r all these ye ar s? mm co in ve ha we uld wo Wh at om I ght an d gave Svetlan a, wh sto pped the train of th ou te the ye ar s, a hu g. recognized instantly despi me in Mosco w in the early My co usin Svetlan a visite d my family move d to the ‘80 s – a ye ar or so be fo re mily has lived in Ne w fa my , en th ce Sin . tes Sta Unite d insk with he r family. Yo rk; she staye d in Chelyab rally. We talke d about tu na d we flo n tio sa er nv co The ed t lif e. The discussion tu rn ou ab s, kid t ou ab , ess sin bu e ed he r involvement with th to Ju daism: Svetlan a sh ar ity an d, to my great an d Chelyabinsk Jewish co mmun insk. t of PJ Library in Chelyab or pp su r he e, ris rp su t an ple as some 30 ye ar s ago, my When I was leaving Russia typic al was limite d (as was fairly ism da Ju th wi t en em olv inv ny Sovie t migration, as it is fo r ma fo r Sovie t Jews). Afte r im s an d Jewish ph ilant hrop y wa er Jews, my road to Ju daism We beco me a part of the xn to e at un rt fo s wa I g. lon fairly d my ways to give back. fin to d an m ra og Pr e ag He rit wh o raise a daug hter, Lilian a, to e at un rt fo re mo en ev I was ish the fact of beco ming a Jew d an h va tz mi t ba r he ok to earched many causes when adult ve ry ser iously. She res ct an d decided to su pp or t oje pr h va tz mi t ba r he planning t a bo ok titled Wh at ’s a Ba PJ Library. Lilian a wrote lesto ne mi e ng the me aning of th ini pla ex at ed aim , h va tz Mi d sold self- pu blishe d the bo ok an to lit tle kids. Toge ther, we PJ Library. co pies to raise mo ne y fo r rise to see th at my co usin, rp su my s wa t an as ple d So great an s afte r half a lif e apar t, ha d an rld wo e th ss ro ac y half- wa is te rr ific organiz ation th at me sa e th t or pp su to n ch ose Svetlan a er the wo rld. Th is he lpe d making a dif fe rence all ov t ion, wh ich will cer tainly las an d I rekindle the co nnect a lif etime. Jane Grey f | New Yo
rk, NY
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New York Left to Right: Svetlana and Jane with Jane’s Grandmother (Svetlana’s Great Aunt) and Svetlana’s Sister
The first time I heard about PJ Library was before the official launch in Russia. My son was an adult at the time, but I wished there had been Jewish books around when I was raising him, and when I was a young girl too. That’s why I decided to make a difference for modern Chelyabinsk kids. In October 2016, thanks to my support and the contributions from other generous funders, Jewish kids in Chelyabinsk received packages with their first PJ Library books. Six months later something extraordinary happened. I traveled to the United States to meet my niece Jane, with whom I had lost touch when she moved away more than 30 years earlier. As Jane and I were catching up on work, kids, and life, I proudly told Jane about the new Jewish project in Chelyabinsk called PJ Library. Jane lit up and showed me a book her young daughter wrote and selfpublished to fundraise for PJ Library as her bat mitzvah project. It seems that there’s a “Support PJ Library” gene. Check your relatives! Svetlana Ignatovich | Chelyabinsk, Russia