Our Events

PJ Library Holiday Celebrations

Our Young Families Celebrates events add a Jewish twist to your favorite family friendly destinations through Chicagoland. We’ve brought Passover frogs to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and a giant menorah to the Chicago Children’s Museum - from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Ha Atzmaut (Israel’s Birthday), we invite your whole family --grandparents too! -- to celebrate every season.

JUF Young Families programming is enriched by the diversity of our participants. We know each family is unique and all are welcome. Please email us at youngfamilies@juf.org if you have any questions or if you require any accommodations to make our programming accessible and welcoming to your family.


Shine Together: A Chanukah Celebration with PJ Library & Jewish Day Schools

Sunday, December 7, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM <Add to Calendar>

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with PJ Library, Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School, Bernard Zell, and Chicago Jewish Day School at The Family Room, Lakeview’s new indoor play space!

Learn more about your local Jewish day schools with representatives from participating schools providing creative Chanukah crafts. Enjoy holiday-themed treats, connect with parents and educators in your community, and experience the joy of the season together.

Highlights include:
A musical performance by Sarah Jayne Lane
Sensory play bins
Chanukah crafts
Kosher snacks
PJ Library free book giveaway & storytime

This event is free, but space is limited—register today to reserve your spot!


Location:
The Family Room Chicago
3229 North Broadway
Chicago IL, 60657


Contact:
PJ Library
pjlibrary@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

JUF Young Families Celebrates Chanukah at the Winter Lights Festival

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM <Add to Calendar>

Third Night- Bright Lights!

Join JUF Young Families at Oakbrook’s Winter Lights Festival for a cozy Chanukah celebration. Take a twinkly walk with your crew, then head inside for pizza, sufganiyot, live music, and a joyful community candle lighting.
It’s going to be festive, delicious, and full of holiday cheer!


Location:
Winter Lights Festival - Central Park West
1500 Forest Gate Rd
Oak Brook IL, 60523


Contact:
JUF Young Families
youngfamilies@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

PJ Library| Chanukah Party at Max and Benny's| Northbrook

Thursday, December 18, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM <Add to Calendar>

It's time to bring in the Chanukah light! Come celebrate Chanukah with other PJ Library families! We will have delicious food and fun crafts.
This holiday season, we will support the JCFS holiday gift drive. JCFS Chicago's Holiday Gift Drive benefits hundreds of children in the Jewish and broader Chicagoland community. Join us this holiday season in bringing joy to our community while strengthening belonging and well-being among children and families by bringing a gift card with you to Max and Benny's to any major store (Target, Amazon, Walmart, Etsy) in one of these amounts: $10, $25, or $50. Your gift card will go directly to a JCFS client to brighten their child's holiday.
The cost per family is $36 and includes a delicious dinner. Space is limited, so please register ahead of time. Thank you!


Location:
Max and Benny's
461 Waukegan Rd.
Northbrook IL, 60062


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

Make Something from Nothing with PJ Library & Jewish Day Schools

Sunday, January 25, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM <Add to Calendar>

Travel through Akiba and unlock the magic hidden in every corner. Discover surprises, spark your imagination, and create something totally new from… absolutely nothing!

Sneak peeks include:
📦Cardboard Challenge
💡Lights & Shadows
📖Story Lab
🗺️Small Worlds
& more...


Location:
Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School
5235 South Cornell Ave.
Chicago IL, 60615


Contact:
PJ Library
pjlibrary@juf.org
312-357-4920


Register Online

“The participants in my jBaby class are a really special group of warm families who are dipping their toe into Jewish programming, had a positive experience and want to get more involved.”

jBaby Chicago Parent