By Stephanie Smartschan
JFLV Director of Community Development & Operations

Are you looking to host a Shabbat dinner? Make latkes for Chanukah with your kids? Invite two or more other Jewish families to join you, and PJ Library will sponsor it.

Through PJ’s new “Get Together” grants, families can receive up to $100 in reimbursement for hosting Jewish celebrations with their friends. All creative ideas are welcome.

For Rosh Hashanah, Chelsea Busch invited two families to her home and led the children in making their own round challahs complete with M&Ms and sprinkles. 

“I always plan to celebrate the holidays with friends or in the community, but often times when the events actually come around, nap time or family obligations get in the way,” Busch said. “The PJ Library grant was great because it enabled me to plan an event that worked with my schedule and it also helped me to be more intentional in creating a meaningful experience for my kids and celebrating Rosh Hashanah with friends.”

Jessica Volchko used her grant for a Rosh Hashanah celebration at the farm. After the families enjoyed apple picking together at Grim’s, the children gathered on the grass for a PJ Library story and dipped their apples in honey together.

“I wanted to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in a fun, meaningful way for my children,” Volchko said. “What could be more fun than apple picking and enjoying our yummy treats with friends? The perfect way to experience the holiday together!”

Applicants must be current PJ Library or PJ Our Way subscribers. You can host multiple times and receive up to four reimbursements between now and April 30, 2020.

To learn more and apply, visit www.pjlibrary.org/gettogether2019.