Page 43 - Jewish News_Oct2021

FOCUS ON YOUTH October 2021 7B

A program of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, PJ Library & PJ
Our Way engages children between birth and age 12, and their families, with
books and activities that enhance their Jewish journey. Throughout the year,
families gather for story times and other special programs where they can
socialize and meet new friends. PJ is for any family raising Jewish children –
affiliated, unaffiliated, interfaith or non-traditional. The program is completely
free for families, thanks to the generosity of The Harold Grinspoon Founda-
tion, Edie and David Chaifetz, the Federation and other generous donors.

PJ Library welcomes new chair

and a new calendar of events

By Alicia Casals, Incoming Chair, PJ Library
halom! I am honored to be the gram for our daughter. Personally, PJ daily due to the pandemic, that is okay daily prayers: “Every day creation is
Incoming Chair of PJ Library is now a part of our daily lives, from because if there is anything we have renewed.”
SSarasota-Manatee. To be part of reading our amazing PJ books to plan- learned in this past year and a half, it For more information about PJ
such an amazing, engaging and wel- ning and executing fun crafts and is resilience. After all, as Rabbi Deb- Library, please contact Jessi Sheslow
coming program for families raising get-togethers. orah Waxman says, “The capacity for at 941.343.2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.
Jewish children in our kehillah (com- The years 2020 and 2021 have resilience has been woven into the org.
munity) is extremely important to been extremely hard and confusing for fabric of Judaism over thousands of
me. I have been everyone, especially for our children. years.” STAY
a PJ volunteer Thankfully, we have had an amazing Our PJ community will be here for
and then a board group of volunteers led by Teen & Fam- safe in-person get-togethers as well as
member since ily Programs Manager Jessi Sheslow engaging and exciting virtual kinship. CONNECTED
2019, as well as and Community Connector MG Ber- Programs and activities such as our
the go-to craft man, who have made being involved outdoor Picnic and Play, Science Sun-
mom! within the PJ community during shut- day and Afikoman Hunt will bring our
My family downs fun and engaging. We all made community together for those times
and I have been sure to participate virtually as often as when we can meet in person. We will
a part of Saraso- we could with fun crafts, amazing ed- also have our fun crafts along with our
Alicia Casals ta since 1992. I ucational packets, videos and delicious educational, creative and enjoyable
even had my Bat Mitzvah and Confir- recipes, in which everything revolves packets that you can do as a family at
mation here! I moved to Tampa for a around Jewish customs and values. home.
short period of time but missed Sara- Even though we were apart, we PJ Library Sarasota-Manatee is
sota far too much. My husband Henry always had our PJ community a sin- here for our children their parents,
and I moved back in 2016 and had our gle click away! Our little program has their grandparents and our community.
daughter Lola in 2018. since turned into a force to be reckoned Because of this, our future is bright. I
I learned about PJ Library while with. encourage you to follow our Facebook
I was pregnant and was thrilled to be- What will our 2022 PJ communi- page to join the vibrant online commu- .com/jfedsrq
come a part of such an amazing pro- ty look like? While things can change nity. I will leave you with this from our

A p p l e s
Apples

& & PJ SRQ was so happy to usher in the
Honey
H o n ey new year with our families, in a COVID

safe way. We loved seeing your faces
and hope you loved our gift bag. Very
special thanks to Lauren Hofing for
D r i ve - U p E ve n t donating her local honey, Sandy Klein at
Drive-Up Event
AVIVA for making the teddy bears, and
Detweiler’s for providing the apples!

June Weiner Lola Casals
can’t wait to taste is so happy
the honey! with her new
Teddy!

MG Berman
gives a
happy family
their
gift bag.

Asher Weber Maddox
loves his Logan Goparian Redavid
Apples & Honey with his has a new
gift bag. Teddy Bear. buddy!

For more information on PJ Library, including a listing of upcoming PJ events, go to JFEDSRQ.org/PJ