When Yom Kippur rolled around last month, it was easy for the Handmaker family to explain the holiday to their two sons, Cameron, 5, and Max, 4.

At bedtime, they simply pulled out their copy of Sammy Spider’s First Yom Kippur—a free book they received courtesy of PJ Library Chicago, a program of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago that proudly celebrates its fifth birthday this year.

Part of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s worldwide initiative to promote Jewish literacy among children and their families, PJ Library (the “PJ” stands for pajamas) is an international program that mails free monthly Jewish-themed books and music to children six months through 8 years old.

Chicago’s PJ Library program is the largest in the country, boasting approximately 6,000 participating families. Since its inception five years ago, the program has mailed more than 317,000 books and CDs to close to 9,000 area households.

“It’s so great to have books like these that we can come back to year after year to teach our kids about Jewish traditions,” said Pam Handmaker, Cameron and Max’s mom. “They can really relate in a way that they just can’t with books about superheroes. It’s like, ‘Look, they built a sukkah! We built a sukkah!’ Plus they get so excited when they see that a new book came in the mail. It’s always the first book I have to read to them that night!”

To celebrate five years of enriching Jewish learning, PJ Library Chicago will rock out at a party on Nov. 16 featuring chart-topping Jewish children’s singer-songwriter Joanie Leeds.

“We are so excited to celebrate with all our PJ families,” said Rachel Rapoport, program director for PJ Library Chicago. “We couldn’t be more pumped to have Joanie joining us for our birthday bash. It’s going to be a great event!”

The party will take place Sunday, Nov. 16 from 3-5 p.m. at Café Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo. In addition to a special musical performance by Joanie Leeds, the event will feature arts and crafts, face-painting, a photo booth, and of course, birthday treats! Additional details are available online at juf.org/bdaybash.

PJ Library is a program of JUF Young Families, charged with reaching out and engaging families with young children in Jewish life. Thanks to additional generous funding from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Crown Family, Iris and Steve Podolsky, the Anschel-Eilian Family Charitable Foundation and other local donors, all participants like the Handmakers receive all PJ Library books and music completely free of charge.

Last September, the Chicago program expanded its offerings for children aged 9 to 11 with the addition of PJ Our Way, which allows older kids to choose the books they receive. They can also write reviews, upload their own video trailers, and share ideas on the PJ Our Way web site.

For more information about The Birthday Bash, or to sign up to receive PJ Library books and music, please visit juf.org/pjlibrary or contact Rachel Rapoport at [email protected] or (312) 357-4831.