PJ Library sends its 50 millionth book

PJ Library, the flagship program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), celebrated the delivery of its 50 millionth free book to Jewish families this past summer.

What started out in 2005 as a small project in Western Massachusetts has now grown to affect the lives of millions of Jewish children worldwide. The Jewish-themed storybooks offer families a fun and easy way to add Jewish connections during reading time. The books, serving children ages 0 to 12, often serve as an introduction to Jewish values and culture or inspire families to create new Jewish traditions at home.

Here in Chicago, JUF has been bringing PJ Library to the Chicago-area Jewish community since 2009. “For over 10 years, JUF has been proud to be a PJ Library partner helping to bring books to over one million children and counting,” said Rachel Rapoport, Director of JUF Young Families. “We look forward to continuing to welcome many more children into the PJ Library family here in Chicago through books, community events, neighborhood gatherings, and more.”

Throughout North America, the program is made possible by partnering with nearly 200 communities to reach more than 240,000 children per month. Globally, books are translated into seven languages and then delivered to over 680,000 kids each month across more than 35 countries, including in Latin America, Europe, Russia, the Pacific Rim, and Israel. In 2009, HGF launched Sifriyat Pijama in Israel through its sister organization, Keren Grinspoon Israel.

PJ Library is funded by the HGF and visionary donors, including generous philanthropists and foundations, Jewish communal organizations, and many individual donors who have found joy through PJ Library. “It is through a community effort that we are sharing millions upon millions of stories with the next Jewish generation,” said Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, president of HGF. “We look forward to doing even more together in the years to come.”

To learn more, visit pjlibrary.org .