When Jewish professionals gather in discussion of The PJ Library, a program that provides free, high-quality Jewish children’s literature and music to families across the continent on a monthly basis, the Kansas City version of The PJ Library is almost always mentioned as a model.

The PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and is made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. In Kansas City it is supported by the Jewish Federation. All families raising Jewish children in the Kansas City area from 6 months of age through age 8 are welcome to enroll. The program is offered free of charge.

Karen Gerson, director of informal education for CAJE, the educational arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, said one of the main reasons the program is so successful here and talked about nationwide is because it is very collaborative. That collaboration has helped ensure high enrollment.

“We have almost 70 percent of our 6-month through age 8 group of kids enrolled in the program. Depending on the day we have around 650 enrollees and we have about 1,000 children that fall within this age group. It’s really unheard of to have this big of a number engaged and involved in this program,” Gerson said.

Here in Kansas City The PJ Library is popular not only with families with young children, but with their grandparents and aunts and uncles as well. As it begins its fifth year here in March, it has also developed a very devoted committee of volunteers who are ambassadors representing the area’s congregations as well as the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and the Jewish Community Center’s Child Development Center.

Twice a year those ambassadors will check the list of members in that age group with the list of PJ Library enrollees. Anyone not on The PJ Library list will be contacted in some way by the ambassador. That could mean anything from a personal phone call from the ambassador, a message of some type from a professional in the organization or simply a flyer about enrolling in the program.

“We really work hard to make sure that all those that are engaged and involved in synagogue or preschool life here in Kansas City are given the opportunity to take part in PJ Library. Other cities don’t have a system in place where professionals work together as closely as we do here. Our system works well here because we all see that a community program like this is a win-win not only for the community but for the individual institutions as well,” Gerson said.

There’s even a member of the committee who is what Gerson calls “under engaged,” meaning a person who is not a member of a congregation. That person serves as PJ Library’s liaison with those who do not have children enrolled in a Jewish preschool or are members of a synagogue.

“In the past we have never publicized the program in the secular world. We have recently brainstormed some things that we can do there, also. So that person’s role is also to work to get the word out about PJ Library in the secular world,” Gerson said.
In addition to the monthly books and CDs that are mailed from the national headquarters, Kansas City’s PJ Library sponsors several programs throughout the year. Last year those programs took on a collaborative spin as well and the plan is to continue that direction in 2012. For instance this Sunday’s concert featuring Sheldon Low is being co-sponsored by all the Jewish preschools.(See below for more information.)

“That helps us in a number of ways. First of all, preschool teachers and the preschool professionals will be there. Parents and children always like to see a familiar face at events. They also really help promote it and they want their families to be there and it makes it more community minded when we have the backing and support from the congregations and institutions,” Gerson said.

This year PJ Library will continue its partnership with HBHA’s My First Book Club.

“It’s monthly on Wednesday afternoons for 3- to 5-year-olds to help promote the Academy and see what life is like as a kindergartner there. PJ Library books, PJ Library activities and a snack are provided there as well,” Gerson said.

The newest program this year is being coordinated with The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

“In January we’re starting PJ in the Ark. B’nai Jehudah has a beautiful ark in the library where the program will take place. There will be three opportunities on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. where any 2-year-old to pre-K child, whether they are B’nai Jehudah members or not, is welcome to attend a story time and art activity and snack, all using PJ Library books,” she explained.

Another popular PJ Library program takes place in February for grandparents or grandfriends and children ages 2 to pre-K. It’s planned by a committee comprised of grandmothers and their daughters.

“It’s an opportunity for grandparents to have special time with their grandchildren and for the parents to have a couple of hours on their own,” Gerson said.

This program will be held at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. For the past four years most, but not all, of the programs were held at the Jewish Community Campus.

“We’re trying to get out there and showcase the community to families with young children,” Gerson said.

Sheldon Low performs PJ Library concert Sunday,  Jan. 8

Sheldon Low will perform a concert aimed at children ages infant to age 8 and their families on Sunday, Jan. 8, in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Campus. Doors open at 3:45 p.m., the concert begins at 4 p.m. and is expected to last an hour. It is free and open to the community. Second grade students from the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy will join him for a few songs.

Low is considered the newest face in Jewish music performing rock concerts, Shabbat Services and leading artist-in-residency weekends in Jewish communities throughout the United States. During the past three summers he has performed at a variety of Jewish summer camps throughout the country and frequently appears on stage with Jewish rock musician Rick Recht. He has released two albums, “On One Foot” and “It’s All Challah to Me.”

While his professional bio says he was born and raised in St. Louis, Low did live in Kansas City for a while and actually attended the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy for a couple of years when he was very young.

“It’s really nice to be able to bring back a professional entertainer who has roots here,” said Karen Gerson, director of informal education for CAJE, the educational arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.

Gerson said Low’s style is very similar to Recht’s, who is a popular entertainer who played to a large PJ Library crowd last January.

“We’re really excited that we are able to provide two family-friendly concerts in a row that are intergenerational. We’re noticing that grandparents and aunts and uncles are attending these big events and everyone is welcome,” Gerson said.