Annual PJ Library in Vermont Update

We are excited to share with you our

accomplishments this year. In 2022, Jewish Communities of Vermont, implementing partner for PJ Library in

Vermont, received a Signature Covenant Grant for a total of $150,000 for up to three years, to work on building

and expanding the Jewish community in Vermont for statewide community building programs for all ages. We just

received the grant for the second year.

Covenant Grant

Through the Covenant Grant, in 2022, JCVT awarded Mini grants to 13 synagogues and Jewish organizations to

bring the Jewish community together to celebrate Jewish cultural and communal events. We also co-sponsored

Jewish music concerts and a film festival. We know that in all the programs offered, many individuals and families

who attended were not members of synagogues or affiliated with the Jewish community.

We were very excited that so many Jewish organizations wanted to provide Jewish gatherings to the Jewish

community, especially to unaffiliated Jewish families and adults. There are so many Jews who want to be

connected to Jewish life but need a way to find their way in. We offered four regional events and many local

events as a doorway into being connected to the Jewish community.

At the largest regional gathering, Northern Nosh, we offered a Hanukkah puppet show, a children’s concert, and

an intergenerational songwriting workshop, all with well-known Jewish artists, including and Anna Sobel, Joanie

Leeds and Jon Gailmor. Popular and beloved puppeteer Anna Sobel also brought the audience into the puppet’s

world at two other regional events.

PJ Library in Vermont

PJ Library in Vermont is now a well-known and well-liked program. We send monthly books for over 600 kids in

Vermont ages 0-12. PJ Library families are encouraged to invite other families to do something Jewish together

through Get Together Grants, where they are reimbursed up to $100 for food. However, there are still many

people who don’t know about PJ Library and are very interested in enrolling once they know. We had a PJ Library

table at four regional events which was a great way to promote the program. Monthly Zoom and in-person

Shabbat and Holiday programs for families for families are very popular at Temple Sinai in Burlington. We also co-

sponsored many PJ Library programs with other synagogues throughout the state. During Hanukkah, PJ Library in

Vermont cosponsored a public Menorah lighting at the State Capital where attendees were invited inside the

Statehouse to hear the Governor read a PJ Library story to children, to sing Hanukkah songs with a local Jewish

musician and enjoy local cider, hot latkes and donuts. At the regional gatherings and Hanukkah party, PJ Library

books were given out to all.

Harold Grinspoon Grant for Family Education

Through the Parenting Education Grant, state-wide parenting classes and family programs on Zoom and in person

are currently being offered using traditional and modern sources for topics including Feeding the Family, Teaching

our Children about Tzedakah and Encouraging Gratitude. Outdoor Family programs that have been offered at the

Living Tree Alliance Jewish Moshav included Tu B’Shvat and Shugar and Shmooze. Upcoming programs will be

Mother’s Day on the Farm and Shavuot on the Mountain. A week-long Jewish children’s overnight camp will be

offered this summer at Living Tree Alliance, co-sponsored by PJ Library in Vermont. PJ Library families can apply

for a grant for this camp and any overnight Jewish summer camp.

PJ Library Collaborations with local synagogues for family programs across the state have included Temple Sinai,

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, Beth Jacob, Shir Shalom, Chabad of Vermont and Rutland Jewish Center