Nurturing young families

Allison Zabelin fell in love with music at a young age.

After seeing Itzhak Perlman perform on Sesame Street, Zabelin began playing violin at just 4 years old. She performed in Maxwell Street Klezmer Band’s Junior Klezmer Orchestra from age 8 through high school, and went on to pursue a career in music education.

So, when she became a mom, it wasn’t surprising that she had planned to incorporate music into her motherhood journey, delighted to share her musical talent with other young families in the Jewish community.

But then, just before her son, Peter, was born, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the new mom-housebound like everyone else-was craving connection with others. That’s when she signed up for a jBaby new parent class, and despite its all-virtual meetings, she found much-needed support.

When the pandemic died down, Zabelin was able to attend PJ Library family Camp at OSRUI, something she has continued to do for the past several summers, where she regularly plays violin at the camp’s Shabbat and Havdalah services.

PJ Library Family Camp activities are comprised of a variety of sports, arts, games, and other recreational activities, all designed with the needs of young families in mind. Zabelin’s family of three has already attended camp three times since her son, now 3, was born and encourages other families to get involved.

“I can’t recommend it highly enough,” she said. “It’s a weekend away from your household and day-to-day stresses where everything is well planned and thought out for both you and your kids. But most of all, it’s been a great opportunity to meet new friends.”

Today, thanks to programs like PJ Library Family Camp, Zabelin continues to build connections with other young families while sharing her lifelong love of music.

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In 2024, you made it possible to–

Welcome 36,000 Chicagoland families at events through JUF and its agencies.

Provide 8,000 local children free, monthly Jewish books through PJ Library and PJ Our Way.

Host 500 programs and events for young families.

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“We adore PJ Library and are grateful for the literature that is forever expanding and continues rooting us into Jewish culture, traditions and family history into our home.”

~Aayisha Ruby Gold , PJ Library subscriber

“It was so special for the kids to be somewhere with so many Jews and where it was all Chanukah, all the time. We don’t have the opportunity to be in a lot of secular spaces that are so Chanukah-ified rather than all Christmased out.”

~Anna, Young Families mom