EDUCATION
The Jewish Federation’s Youth and Outreach Programs By Ryan G. Van Cleave
Though the name has changed a few times
connect and learn together. The kids and parents can
during the many decades it’s been in existence, The
get into their pajamas and then read together from
Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has always
books such as A Holiday for Noah by Susan Remick
worked to make a difference in the lives of others,
Topek, Kippi and the Missing Matzah by Louise Gi-
both locally and abroad. What some people don’t re-
kow, and King Solomon and the Bee by Dalia Hardof
alize, though, is the deep commitment they’ve made
Renberg. It’s a way for them all to connect to Judaism
to connect with, support, and educate young people
and family, and feel good about practicing reading as
through a variety of youth programs.
well. More than a few grandparents are taking part
The PJ Library program begins an important conversation about Judaism with the youngest audience
in the fun, too. “Plus once a year,” adds Eiffert, “the participants get a music CD.”
of all. Andrea Eiffert, the Jewish Federation’s Teen
The Jewish Federation also collaborates with
and Family Program Coordinator explains it as es-
other organizations to bring in speakers for family
sentially being “a book club for Jewish children from
workshops. Recently, The Federation partnered with
6 months to 8 years old.” Thanks to the generosi-
The Community Foundation of Sarasota, The Goldie
ty of The Jewish Federation, The Harold Grinspoon
Feldman Academy and Temple Emanu-El for a pre-
Foundation and other donors, more than 200 Jewish
sentation by Dr. Cheryl Ellerbrock and Rabbi Elaine
children in our community receive a free book every
Glickman for a program entitled “Raising a Mensch.”
month that helps them better understand their heri-
The talk was free for PJ Library members and those
tage. It’s a low-stress, high-impact way for families to
who attended learned about Jewish values such as March 2016
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