Program helps teach Jewish children about their heritage
by Diane Haag
The Shreveport Times
April 19, 2006
Nine-month-old Caleb Joseph is more likely to eat his books. But his mom, Barbara, still makes a point to read to him regularly.
Through a program discovered by her rabbi, that tradition can now teach Caleb about his Jewish heritage. The PJ Library, based in western Massachusetts, will send Jewish children a book every month until they are 5 years old.
"It's important that children have books around them as early as possible, and it's neat to have books on various parts of the religion and culture," Barbara Joseph said. "It seemed like something I couldn't turn down."
Rabbi Foster Kawaler of Congregation Agudath Achim learned about the program at a conference last year.
"I said, 'Y'know this could be a godsend for our community,'" he said. "It's difficult to get books, when, Jewishly, we're in the middle of nowhere."
While the synagogue library has some books, families would have to go to Dallas or try their luck with the Internet to find other Jewish children's books.
Shreveport is the first location outside of Massachusetts to participate in the program. Now about 25 other cities are considering it, said Gali Cooks, director of The PJ Library.
It was founded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation as a way to put more Jewish literature into homes. The books are carefully chosen by a committee of librarians and early childhood experts. Different books are chosen for each age enrolled.
The first goal is quality books. From there, they cover a variety of themes such as holidays, values and history.
"We hope families will come together around Jewish themes, thoughts and history and enjoy themselves," she said.
They call it The PJ Library for pajamas with hopes families create their own traditions of snuggling up with their toddler and sharing the books. Each comes with a reading guide and even a cheat sheet for some of the lesser-known holidays or Yiddish words.
"Even those Jews who have not spent much time at temple can pick up one of the books," Cooks said.
Joseph received her first book, "Before You Were Born" by Howard Schwartz, a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed with the quality.
"It's really beautiful," she said. "It's not a typical baby book, but it still held his attention. It's got really nice pictures and language."
Since Joseph grew up here, she wasn't worried about instilling a sense of Jewish identity in her son, but she is grateful for the extra help.
"It's a part of who he is and where he comes from and where his family comes from," she said. "Just like there's a Jewish presence in other aspects of his life so too with his books."
The PJ Library charges families $84 a year for the books and postage, but Kawaler's family foundation is helping local families with the cost.
Kawaler sees it doing great things for families who might otherwise only come in contact with Jewish culture at the synagogue.
He occasionally brings in speakers or gets different publications, but this is the first major effort for the children. So far he has 12 enrolled in the program.
"It helps solidify their Jewish identity, and it helps to teach Jewish values to the children and to the adults as well," he said.