This past week, 175+ PJ Library partners from communities across North America came together with PJ Library staff in Springfield, MA for three days of learning and networking at the organization’s International Conference, which has been held annually since 2009. These individuals, who represent and implement PJ Library in their hometown communities, took part in workshops and elective sessions, enjoyed creative decor and takeaways, and tuned into incredible panel discussions.
"This is an amazing week for the PJ Library program professionals from across North America who bring PJ Library to life for families with young children in their local communities,” said Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, President, Harold Grinspoon Foundation. “Everyone walks away from this conference with creative ideas inspired by other people who they've connected with and learned from. It's a great opportunity to share best practices, successes, and lift each other up."
The Springfield Downtown Marriot, where the conference was held, was donned with pictures of windows and mirrors, illustrations from popular PJ Library books, PJ Library banners, and book shuks: small displays of books grouped by an interest area or identity. Some of these focused on Mizrachi and Sephardic stories, while others highlighted holidays or connecting with grandparents. Each was chosen to inspire participants to look inside to see Jewish stories that could resonate with their experiences, or those that could inspire them to learn something new.
This was in honor of the conference’s theme—Mirrors and Windows—which reflects an education pedagogy popularized by Emily Style. This curriculum notes that kids must not only see themselves reflected in stories (mirrors), but that it’s equally important to peek through these to show windows into the lives of others.
“Over the course of giving away millions of books to kids, we have relied upon the mirrors and windows paradigm,” shared Alex Zablotsky, Executive Director, PJ Library, in an opening address. “Children should see their own Jewish lives and lived experiences reflected in our books, and they should peer out into the beautifully diverse world of Jewish families that look different from their own.”
To help the attendees connect further to the program, Alex went on to illustrate the goals of PJ Library: Grow to reach more families, curate excellent books, provide Jewish resources for parents, and activate those who want to sustain PJ Library into the future.
Enthusiasm for PJ Library is widespread, and several of the leaders behind PJ Library’s 184 implementing partners were on-site to speak to this affinity. In a panel, Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Milwaukee, noted that “PJ Library is not a book program. PJ Library is the single greatest Jewish community outreach program that we’ve ever seen.”
To help ensure PJ Library can continue to support community outreach and engagement, the program professionals, executives, and parent connectors who attended the conference were able to take part in several sessions for regional networking, mentoring, and learning. These workshops, some peer-led, many facilitated by staff from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and still others featuring individuals from partner organizations like Hillel International, UpStart Lab, and Brandeis University, helped participants troubleshoot and brainstorm about ways to better grow, engage, and retain their PJ Library communities.
Throughout the day, attendees chose from a variety of panel options that covered everything from marketing and outreach to meeting diverse participant needs, working with donors, social media, and much more. Professional development electives also combined participant areas of interest, like camp, Torah, music, social media, and building a culture of philanthropy.
And although the conversations were wide ranging, the focus of the ideas always came back to books.
“We believe in an expansive Jewish future. We also believe in an inclusive Jewish future. When the content is diverse and inclusive, it represents the fabric of the Jewish community of all its different facets,” shared Lily Rabinoff-Goldman, CEO of JCC Greater Boston. “I really believe in a Jewish future that we haven’t imagined yet, and storybooks are aligned with that, and it’s so deeply meaningful.”
The appreciation also flowed back to those in the room.
“You all are the reason that PJ Library is such an exceptional engagement program for families with young children across the globe,” Winnie explained to packed ballroom. “This conference is our thank you to you.”