Tzippy and Nina Kent

PJ Family of the Month - March 2020

How did you hear about PJ Library?
From my daughter's school
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
Nina loves reading
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
after we brush our teeth we pick a book to read and sometimes nina reads it (says the story in her own way)
What's your favorite PJ book?
Pj books teach all different kinds of lessons

The Fuentes Family: Stephanie, Ben, Zach and Alex

PJ Family of the Month - February 2020

How did you hear about PJ Library?
We were invited to join the PJ Library program when Zach and Alex were 2 years old and started DKECC at the JCC. We have been getting books, and games, and holiday recipes and all kinds of Judaica for the last 4.5 years.
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
The stories help the boys to understand Jewish teaching, traditions, holidays and values. They have wonderful illustrations and keep us reading and talking about Judaism, even as the boys began public school and enhance what they are learning in religious school, which they started this year.
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
Our bedtime routine has been pretty much the same since day one. Bath, brush teeth (once they had teeth), read two books (more if time allows), and pick a book to bring to bed. In the last few months, as they have really been working hard on learning to read, we now have the boys each read a book to us before we read 2 books to them.
What's your favorite PJ book?
Zach - Adam's Animals
Alex - Joseph Had A Little Overcoat

The Friedman Family: Sandi, Jonathan, and Blake (4.5 years old)

PJ Family of the Month - December 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?
Family member recommended
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
PJ Library is important in our home. As a Jewish mother and educator, books act as teaching tools. It is important that we pass on a Jewish education to our daughter. We want her to love books but also learn about her Jewish ancestry.
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
Our bedtime routine consists of a bath, brushing teeth, and story time! Often we choose books to read to Blake, but she also has a choice in the books we read! She loves to read to her doll, Baby June. She often chooses books from her "PJ Library book shelf" to read and talk about.
What's your favorite PJ book?
Moti the Mitzvah Mouse.

Meet the Crooks

PJ Family of the Month - December 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?
From friends who told us about Hebrew books through Sifriyat Pijama.
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
Chance to connect about Jewish tradition, identity and Israel.
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
Bath, pjs, brush teeth and bedtime books before light out.
What's your favorite PJ book?
Biscuit Loves Hanukah, Mi Rotzeh Sak - Kemach (Sifriyat Pijama)

Meet the Javers

PJ Family of the Month - November 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?
I believe we heard about the PJ library before the girls were born. Family members told us to sign up. We have always loved getting the books in the mail.
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
The books that we receive have great morals, specifically Jewish morals. We attended many programs with our girls when they were younger.
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
As the girls have gotten older it has changed. Reading is often done after school or while dinner is being cooked. The girls share a room and go to bed at the same time. We ( Josh & I) always lay with the girls for at least a few minutes to discuss the day, laugh or talk. Then we switch beds quickly. Then they are off to bed... usually with one last call back in for some water, to discuss something briefly or an extra hug.
What's your favorite PJ book?
Mrs. Kats & Toosh. The girls read this book at school before receiving it at home from the PJ Library. They were excited to read it with us because in school their teachers asked them to teach the class about the Jewish words in the book.

Meet the Lews

PJ Family of the Month - October 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?
We heard about PJ Library from teachers at a synagogue that we used to belong to in Westchester. They shared how wonderful the program was and how it was a great way to incorporate Jewish traditions and stories for young children into the home.
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
PJ Library is great, and my children look forward to receiving books in the mail. It is important for us to share the joys of Jewish tradition and culture with our young children in a way that is meaningful to them. With the vibrant pictures and engaging stories, PJ Library has been a wonderful way for us as to connect to Judaism with our children.
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
BBedtime routine consists of brushing teeth, reading bedtime stories and/or doing a quiet bedtime activity, followed by "Dreama Dreama" (which is a spell to cast bad dreams away), tucking in, and putting on turtle night light along with sound machine.
What's your favorite PJ book?
Favorite is definitely Kayla and Kugel! My daughter has brought this in several times to read to her class when she was "Shabbat Child" at preschool.

Meet the Allens

PJ Family of the Month - September 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?

Through the JCC, of course!

Why is PJ Library important in your home?

 The fact that this is a free program, just because it's a kind and good thing to share and be generous, makes it a great opportunity to instill those values in our kids. It also makes them feel very proud and special to receive something in the mail with their names on it. And of course, books! Who doesn't love getting a new book!

What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)

When we start to get close to bedtime, we announce that the kitchen is about to close and each of the boys can choose one last snack before we go upstairs. So after they each have 3-4 snacks, we go up. Then we get on PJs and brush teeth, and we tell they can each pick one show to watch. So we all pile on the bed and they pick their shows: Daniel Tiger, Storybots, Curious George, and Be Cool, Scooby Doo are all favorites. 3-4 shows later, it's time for everyone to go in their own rooms--we tell them they can each pick one book before bedtime. So after 3-4 books, they're finally ready to climb into bed and go to sleep.

What's your favorite PJ book?

Oh No, George! George is a very sweet dog who has trouble controlling himself around things like cakes, cats, and trash. His owner shares the same name as our older son so we always have a lot of fun reading it.

Meet the Kriegs

PJ Family of the Month - August 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?

We found out about PJ Library through Miriam Pedler, the director of the Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center at the JCC. Samara began working there when our son Ryder was 3 months old, and it was one of the first things Miriam mentioned. It wasn’t long before we were receiving our monthly books. Now we get to enjoy them with Ryder and his little sister Sydney.

Why is PJ Library important in your home?

 PJ Library is important in our home because our children attend the JCC where they are learning the significance of Jewish values and traditions in school. The books allow us to continue these conversations in our home. It is a pleasure to watch our son eagerly open his mail once a month.

What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)

Our bedtime routine consists of bath, vitamin, teeth brushing, a book or books, and snuggle time. If we’re being completely honest, Wheel of Fortune is a regular part of our routine too, Ryder loves game shows.

What's your favorite PJ book?

Our favorite PJ books are Good Night Laila Tov and Chanukah Lights Everywhere.

Meet the Rosenblums

PJ Family of the Month - July 2019

How did you hear about PJ Library?
My friends who had children before me raved about it. It was one of the first things I signed up for after we had Henry.
Why is PJ Library important in your home?
PJ has always provided our family a way to share the holidays in an age appropriate way with our kids. Through the books we have been able to generate excitement about the holidays we never before celebrated as a family like Tu B'shvat and Sukkot. Also, during times when it feels like everyone is celebrating holidays we are not, it is a wonderful feeling to have a complete library of books that remind us of the wonderful things we do celebrate.
What's your bedtime routine? (Be honest)
Bath, brush teeth, one story, one more story, just one more story, the final one more story, glass of water, final trip to the bathroom, discussion of tomorrows story. Bed.
What's your favorite PJ book?
We love the dinosaur who visits on Shabbat and goes to Israel.

Barry Kanarek has served as a Jewish educator for the past twenty years. Cantor Barry believes in the importance of everyone finding their own derech, or Jewish path in life. In addition to his work at the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County, he serves as cantor at the Nanuet Hebrew Center.