PJ Library sends curated, award-winning storybooks and activities for kids from birth through age 12, sparking meaningful conversation and providing opportunities to explore and celebrate Jewish life together.
A gift of Jewish storybooks delivered each month thanks to JCVT and the generosity of donors in the Vermont Jewish community.
Ricky Klein
“I grew up culturally Jewish, but have never really practiced actively, so I was super excited to get PJ Library for my daughter when she was born to help keep that thread alive. When Nora was about two and a half, one evening she just said, "Why are we a Jewish Family?" Well, clearly PJ Library Books did their work! I don't think she ever would have identified as Jewish without those monthly books! Starting then, we committed to deepening our practice and now, five years later, we observe Shabbat every Friday and Havdalah every Saturday and are proud members of the Jewish Farmer Network.
PS My answer to her question at the time was, "Because we don't believe that one human being, no matter how amazing, can save all of humanity. We are all called upon to do good in the world every single day to make the world a better place. Many faiths believe this, but we happen to believe it in a Jewish way and call it Tikkun Olam."
L-
“Dear PJ Library, thank you for mailing books to me and my sister. the books are interesting to me and I like them.”
PJ Library in Vermont: A Year Filled With Stories, Smiles, and Community
We ushered in summer by celebrating PJ Library’s 18th birthday in Vermont with a festive birthday bash in Manchester. Families enjoyed cheerful crafts, tasty treats, birthday cupcakes, and a charming puppet performance about books and reading by Anna Sobel of Talking Hands Theatre.
At Northern Nosh, PJ Library delighted attendees with an interactive reading of Bone Button Borscht by Aubrey Davis. Our book table—always a favorite—invited families to explore wonderful titles and take home new stories to enjoy.
The season continued with a special Hanukkah-themed story time at the Manchester Community Library, complete with engaging stories and hands-on activities.
We were also pleased to participate in Hanukkah celebrations across Vermont’s synagogues. A particularly magical moment came at the Statehouse Hanukkah lighting, where Governor Scott read a Hanukkah story to the gathered community.
Become a Parent or Grandparent Connector
PJ Library Connectors serve as friendly ambassadors in their local communities, helping families build relationships with one another and with Vermont’s vibrant Jewish life. They create welcoming, low-barrier gatherings that make Jewish experiences accessible, joyful, and memorable.
Interested in participating as a PJ Library in Vermont Parent and Grandparent Connector? If you enjoy bringing people together and connecting with families raising Jewish children, we would be delighted to connect with you.
Contact Alison for details!
PJ LIBRARY CELEBRATES 50 MILLION BOOKS
PJ Library in Vermont, now in our 18th year, is a program of Jewish Communities of Vermont. We partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to send a gift of monthly Jewish children's books to families across Vermont.
PJ Library Collaborates with synagogues and organizations for family programs across the state.
We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you. Your children are constantly learning about the world around them through the stories they hear. PJ Library books can bring Jewish ideas and inspiration for you and your children to share together.
Families raising kids from birth through 12 years old with Judaism as part of their lives, are welcome to sign up. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, family make-up, or observance may be.
When your child is 8.5 years old, they are eligible for the next chapter of PJ Library called, “PJ Our Way.” Like PJ Library of Vermont, PJ Our Way is a monthly gift from many supporters throughout Vermont and beyond. Through PJ Our Way, children 9-12 are able to choose their own books each month, write reviews, make videos and are eligible to apply to be part of the PJ Our Way design team. Since it is a separate program, parents need to enroll their children by going to www.pjourway.org.
PJ Library in Vermont is made possible by donations from people like you including parents, grandparents and community members and through partnering with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. For books alone, our cost per child is $40/year. Pay it forward to help another family become part of the Jewish story in Vermont!
For more information, contact Alison Hill, PJ Library of Vermont
Shabbat in The Park with Ohavi Zedek & Temple Sinai
Everyone is welcome! Join us at Veterans Memorial Park Pavilion (rain location is Temple Sinai).
Please bring chairs and/or blankets and a vegetarian dish or nosh of your choice.
Tu B'Ave Shabbat Retreat
Tu B’Av Shabbaton:Celebrate community, nature, and love!
Join us for a transformative weekend celebrating Tu B’Av (the Jewish holiday of love) with a special Shabbaton on the Living Tree farm.
What to Expect
Friday evening. Experience a warm, family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat featuring traditional songs and prayers as we welcome the Sabbath together. This special evening will also serve as the culminating celebration of Valley Teva Camp, where campers will share the sparkles and gems from their week in nature.
Saturday morning. Deepen your spiritual practice through:
Uplifting communal singing
Guided meditation and contemplative practices
Meaningful Torah study and discussion
Prayer in community
Children’s programming
Experience includes
Friday evening: Community potluck dinner (Living Tree provides challah, farm-grown salad, and simple pasta for kids—guests bring vegetarian dishes to share)
Saturday: Breakfast and farm-fresh lunch provided by Living Tree
Beautiful Vermont farm setting for reflection and connection
Jewish wisdom teachings brought to life
Opportunities for both solitude and community
Family-friendly environment welcoming all ages
Optional camping under the stars in the Living Tree field
Our formal program ends after lunch on Shabbat, but you’re invited stay the day and enjoy our hiking trails and private Mad River swimming spot! You’re also welcome to camp an extra night.
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival Concert
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival presents students from the 2025 summer festival performing classical chamber works for string quartet. Green Mountain’s mission is to foster artistic excellence as well as the spirit of community engagement in its students. Over the course of the four week program, which is held at St. Michael’s College, each of GMCMF’s 50+ student string quartets performs at businesses and venues in and around Burlington, Vermont as part of the Classical Encounters Series or Quartet Hops. Over 70% of attending students receive some form of scholarship, which is made possible by the generous donations of those who support GMCMF.
Free Admission!
PJ Library In Vermont 18th Birthday Party
🎉 PJ Library in Vermont’s 18th Birthday Party! 🎉
📅 Date: Saturday, June 29
🕐 Time: 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Location: Manchester, Vermont (exact location provided upon RSVP)
Come celebrate 18 years of PJ Library in Vermont with a fun-filled afternoon for all ages!
🎭 Entertainment:
🎨 Activities Include:
Craft your own puppet & bookmark
PJ Library book walk
Cupcake decorating
Interactive adventures
Yummy snacks!
📲 RSVP Required — click to register and receive the event location.
🧁 Fun, friends, and festive activities await—don’t miss it!
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat followed by a bit of Kiddish nosh!
In partnership with PJ Library In Vermont
Pop up Shir Chadash
Children ages 0 - 5 and their favorite adults are invited to join us for a joyful morning of play, prayer, song, and Shabbat celebration. If you would like, please bring an Oneg treat to share.
In partnership with PJ Library In Vermont
Tot Shabbat
Children ages 0 - 5 and their favorite adults are invited to join us for a joyful morning of play, prayer, song, and Shabbat celebration. If you would like, please bring an Oneg treat to share.
In partnership with PJ Library In Vermont
Shavuot ice cream social
Come celebrate Shavuot and the promise of a land of milk and honey with a creemee from the Vermont Maple Creemee Company Truck! There will be several flavors of creemee plus toppings. Dairy free and gluten free options will be available.
Join us for one or both events!
Mitzvah Mania
Everyone is invited to participate in Mitzvah Mania!
Please sign up for one of 12 different mitzvah projects with folks of all ages by contacting Melissa Herman
Suitable for people ages 4-94. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Mitzvah projects will include making food for local soup kitchens, preparing soup kitchen garden for planting, Jewish cemetery cleanup, performing music for and playing games with nursing home residents, etc.
Young Families Concert: Wayne Potash
The Temple Sinai Young Families Program…
presents Wayne Potash!
Designed for ages 0-6, but all are welcome!
Tot Shabbat In The Garden
Young families join Rabbi David and Beth in the JCOGS Mitzvah Garden for our final gathering of the year. We'll dance and sing and hear the classic story, Eliezer and the Gezer, about a stubborn carrot and then plant carrots to eat next year. Followed by a lite nosh.
For kiddos birth to 6 years old and their grown ups.
With thanks to PJ Library in Vermont for partnering on this event.
Yalla Chavarim
Yalla Chaverim Family Program with Sofer Kevin Hale
Please join us for this special Yalla Chaverim family program with Sofer (Torah scribe) Kevin Hale. Rabbi Kevin will also offer an adult ed program that Sunday — either before or after the family program. Stay tuned for details.
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service designed to engage young children and their families. Snacks and social time will follow the service.
Spring Gardening (Copy)
Cafe & Play in the Children's Village from 9 - 11 am. From 9 - 10 am it's Open Play, and for the next 3 weeks we are offering Spring Gardening from 10 - 11 am! (It's a drop-in/by donation for Open Play, and the gardening program is $5.)
JUDA Kids Club's Great Model Matzah Bakery!
Happening Sunday, April 6th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Chabad of Burlington! RSVP at www.chabadvt.org/juda
Young Families Playgroup
The Temple Sinai Young Families PrograM
Monthly playgroup during the school year. Children are invited to bring push toys or ride on toys to use in our big social hall. We will also have toys available to play with.
Designed for ages 0-6, but all are welcome!
For more information, please contact Aimee Hutton.
JCOGS Passover Palooza
In partnership with PJ Library and Stowe Free Library.
Storytime, crafts, music & fun for kids birth to 6 years old and families at the Stowe Free Library! Join Shabbasaurus and Tzipi the Curious Bird and special guest for a sweet Shabbat morning learning all about Passover. With special treats!
For families with kids from birth to six years old.
In partnership with PJ Library and Stowe Free Library.t
Runaway Matzo Ball
Tot Shabbat with Anna Sobel’s Talking Hands – pre-Passover program: The Runaway Matzo Ball, followed by Pizza
Spring Gardening
Cafe & Play in the Children's Village from 9 - 11 am. From 9 - 10 am it's Open Play, and for the next 3 weeks we are offering Spring Gardening from 10 - 11 am! (It's a drop-in/by donation for Open Play, and the gardening program is $5.)