This past Sunday, over 2,000 families ventured to the Upper East Side for a day dedicated to the joy and excitement that Jewish children’s books inspire. They were attendees of the first ever Jewish Children’s Book Festival, presented by PJ Library and 92NY, with support from the Jewish Book Council and UJA-Federation of New York.
Once inside the expansive 92NY building, kids and their parents spent several hours exploring a “book shuk” – a market with free books to peruse and take – as well as rooms with hands-on activities, face painting, a concert from Grammy-award winner Joanie Leeds, workshops, author meet-and-greets, and book signings.
The event was inspired by memories of classic book fairs: Tables stacked high with stories waiting to be discovered, and glossy covers catching the light. But unique to this book fair were Jewish families from across the spectrum of Jewish life who saw their own stories reflected on the covers of the books proudly displayed across the tables. For the first time in such a setting, children saw their Jewish culture in front of them, with Spanish, Russian, or Hebrew-speaking characters, Shabbat traditions, and books filled with Yiddish and Ladino phrases peppering the tables. Children and parents alike exclaimed in delight as they found their story and clamored to take it home.
For PJ Library, which sends free Jewish books monthly to 40,000 subscribers ages 0-12 in the metro New York area, and supports programs connecting families raising Jewish kids across the five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island, in-person events and programs help connect families beyond the books, into community with other Jewish people.
“This event is a love letter to the PJ Library community in New York,” explained Meara Ashtivker, Director, PJ Library New York. “We are helping families find time to be together to delight in the joy of Jewish books. You can come here and engage with Jewish content in such a way that leaves kids motivated to connect with Jewish books and with each other.”
At the event, younger kids attended read-aloud sessions from beloved PJ Library authors Sara Ackerman, Ann Koffsky, Ellen Weinstein, and illustrator Sabina Hahn, while older ones enjoyed workshops from authors Alan Silberbeg (Meet the Latkes, P is for Pastrami) and Erica Perl (All Three Stooges, When Life Gives You O.J.). The Jewish Book Council and PJ Library also held sessions for parents and educators looking to learn more about engaging children with storybook content.
At PJ Library, books are the springboard to engaging with Jewish culture and traditions. So, by marrying books with author and illustrator panels and book signings, workshops, crafts, and music, PJ Library created an inviting, kid-friendly atmosphere that opened avenues into even more joyful Jewish experiences. In addition to free monthly books, PJ Library has a robust website with resources, holiday guides, recipes, and book lists. PJ Library also offers $100 Get Together microgrants for subscriber families who create Jewish-themed gatherings for themselves and at least two other families.
“It is so important to be showing the joyful, community-oriented, light parts of being Jewish right now,” notes Ashtivker. “At this time when it might feel a little daunting to explain to kids why being Jewish is fun and important, this book festival is a joyful, engaging, easy-to-access event for New York-based families. They can see others around them finding so much comfort and fun in being Jewish, and let the feelings of Jewish joy, pride, and Jewish stories be what they carry home with them.”