FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2023
Contact: Bethany Friedlander, PJ Library JEWISH Colorado, 303.316.6443 bfriedlander@jewishcolorado.org
PJ Library Helps JEWISHcolorado Connect Jewish Families and Celebrate Jewish Life
Grants will strengthen social connections and increase opportunities for Jewish experiences and learning across the United States and Canada
Denver, Colorado – Colorado State families raising Jewish children will now have more opportunities to participate in Jewish life, thanks to a grant recently awarded by PJ Library®, the flagship program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, which provides free books to families raising Jewish children all over the world.
PJ Library JEWISHcolorado received $25,000 to expand our Partnering Organization/Family Connector partnership in outlying Colorado communities. Jewish organizations in outlying areas serving families with young children pair up with family connectors who connect locally with families looking to connect with other Jewish families in their neighborhoods.
Tracy Newman, director of community engagement for PJ Library, says, “These dollars have a literal impact on Jewish communal life in our partner communities. The grants showcase PJ Library’s best practices for engaging a wide-range of families in vibrant, dynamic Jewish life.”
“Jewish Colorado is honored to receive this grant and thrilled to be part of the global PJ Library community reaching more than 667,000 children and their families across 37 countries” said Bethany Friedlander, PJ Library Manager for JEWISHcolorado.
The 20 winning grant proposals were chosen through a competitive process open to organizations implementing PJ Library across the United States and Canada. A survey of participants in previous grant-funded projects showed:
85% of families connected socially during the programs
64% of families followed up with the social connections afterward
76% of families sought out or attended other Jewish programs
99% would recommend the programs to friends
“It is our pleasure to amplify the amazing work of Jewish communities across the US and Canada,” said Jessica Emerson McCormick, director of engagement for PJ Library. “We work hand-in-hand with our partners to make sure that we are going well beyond the books to support the rich engagement work that is right for each unique market.”
We are grateful to our PJ Library Alliance partners who have joined the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in funding these engagement grants: William Davidson Foundation; The Marcus Foundation, Inc.; The Azrieli Foundation; Genesis Philanthropy Group; Jim Joseph Foundation; The Micah Foundation; Sam Berman Charitable Foundation; Carl & Joann Bianco; The Crown Family; Marilyn Einstein & Steven Sim Charitable Fund; Dr. Steven Grinspoon; Klaff Family Foundation; One8 Foundation; Howard & Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; Stephen and Bebe Saks Family Foundation; Sherrie R. Savett Family Foundation; Mike & Sofia Segal Family Foundation; Susser Family Trust; Walter, Arnee, Sarah, & Aaron Winshall; Zucker Family Foundation; and three anonymous partners.
About JEWISHcolorado
JEWISHcolorado mobilizes resources to ensure that Jewish culture remains accessible, vibrant, and secure, for all Jews in Colorado and abroad, acts on issues of concern to the local community, stewards our communal resources, and maintains living links with the people of Israel in partnership with local, national, and international agencies. For more information, please visit jewishcolorado.org.
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