PJ Library promotes reading and tzedakah

By Isaac and Marcy Blumberg

SAN DIEGO — When we had our son three years ago, our Jewish friends told us we had to sign up for PJ Library and how wonderful the books were. From the first month of receiving the books in the mail, we realized they were right. We love to read and were eager to start a Jewish library for our children.

Now every month, our son Joseph, 3, gets so excited when the thick envelope arrives and wants to read the books that very night. His sister, Alyssa, 1, also enjoys listening and cuddling with us while reading. They are among 100,000 children receiving PJ Library’s free Jewish children’s books every month in 185 communities in North America. PJ books are a great way to introduce our children to Jewish traditions and show them through pictures, fun stories, and songs how our people celebrate holidays and view life events. 

This month, we received a tzedakah box along with the book selection about Hanukkah. Tzedakah is an extremely important part of Judaism and has always been important in our family. We want to ensure that our children know the importance of giving back to people and causes in our community and around the world. We want to instill in them that kindness isn’t just using nice words but it is also about “actions” and giving to others in need.

Each Shabbat, Joseph brings tzedakah money to his class, but now with the box from PJ Library, we plan on collecting with both of our children at home as well. We have already begun to discuss where we will donate the money, and it’s important for us to include our children in this discussion.  We plan on taking them with us to deliver the donation as well in hopes that they can see where their money is going. We read the letter enclosed from founder Harold Grinspoon and put the stickers on the box all together.  We are proud to be a part of Grinspoon’s vision and “inspire a wave of charitable giving.” We are thankful for this program and the opportunity to teach our children this “important lesson of responsibility” that the Jewish religion stands for. 

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The Blumbergs provided  this article via PJ Library