PJ Library in Tidewater

03/16/2026

NADIV’s March Madness Bracket Challenge is live! Support PJ Library in Tidewater and help bring free Jewish storybooks to local kids. No basketball expertise required. Buy your bracket now at JewishVA.org/madness and 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 before March 19!

05/09/2025

Join us tomorrow for a special Baby and Me: Shabbat Experience tomorrow from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Connect with parents and children two and under while enjoying coffee, snacks, Shabbat songs, toys, and more. Other partners and older siblings can play in the gym during this time. Please RSVP at jewishva.org/BAM.

04/29/2025

Want to share more about Israel with your children for Yom Ha'atzmaut?
PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation have a deep connection to the State of Israel. We love sharing stories with families around the globe that celebrate Israel and promote a sense of responsibility to the country and its people.
And we're proud to reach hundreds of thousands of Israeli children and their families each month through PJ Library’s Hebrew-language counterpart, Sifriyat Pijama, and Arabic-language companion program, Maktabat al-Fanoos.
We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the history of Israel, connect with Israeli culture, and find resources for talking with kids.

Want to share more about Israel with your children for Yom Ha'atzmaut?

PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation have a deep connection to the State of Israel. We love sharing stories with families around the globe that celebrate Israel and promote a sense of responsibility to the country and its people.

And we're proud to reach hundreds of thousands of Israeli children and their families each month through PJ Library’s Hebrew-language counterpart, Sifriyat Pijama, and Arabic-language companion program, Maktabat al-Fanoos.

We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the history of Israel, connect with Israeli culture, and find resources for talking with kids.

03/10/2025

🍦 Celebrate Golda Meir Day with ice cream & fun! 🇮🇱✨

FREE event, but spots are limited! Register now: JewishVA.org/Golda

🍦 Celebrate Golda Meir Day with ice cream & fun! 🇮🇱✨

Join Danielle & Emily, Tidewater’s Shinshinim, for a special Ice Cream Social at the Simon Family JCC on Monday, March 17, at 5 PM! Enjoy sweet treats, games, and Golda’s inspiring story.

🎟️ FREE event, but spots are limited! Register now: JewishVA.org/Golda

03/05/2025

🎭 Operation Hamantaschen: A Sweet Purim Celebration! 🎭

Join PJ Library in Tidewater at the Simon Family JCC for a fun-filled Purim event! Make and take home delicious hamantaschen, create Mishlochei Manot gift baskets for a special mitzvah project, and celebrate with family and friends!

📅 Sunday, March 9
🕐 Time slots: 1 PM, 2 PM & 3 PM
📍 Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus

📦 Help us spread joy! Bring snacks & candy donations for our gift baskets—even if you can’t attend, your support makes a difference!

🎟 Learn More and Register now:

Contact Sarah Cooper Camp JCC Program Director & PJ Library Program Professional 757-321-2306 [email protected] http://JewishVA.org/Kids

03/04/2025

🍦✨ Celebrate Golda Meir Day with Ice Cream & Fun! ✨🍦
Free to attend, registration required: JewishVA.org/Golda

🍦✨ Celebrate Golda Meir Day with Ice Cream & Fun! ✨🍦

Join Danielle & Emily, Tidewater’s Shinshinim, for a Golda-themed Ice Cream Social! Enjoy Golda trivia, crafts, games, and a special Golda ice cream bar—all in honor of Israel’s only female Prime Minister. Plus, Golda herself (aka a special guest) will make an appearance!

📅 Monday, March 17 | 5:00 PM
📍 Simon Family JCC
🎟 FREE but space is limited—register now! JewishVA.org/Golda

Don’t miss this sweet celebration! 🍨🇮🇱

02/14/2025

"I'm not Cinderella."
That's what Esther tells us at the beginning of the book, Esther Didn't Dream of Being Queen.
Fairy tales lead to happy endings for princes and princesses, and Esther's bravery leads to a happy ending for her entire community.
Esther's decision to utilize her power, face her moment of truth, and risk her life for her people is what the ancient sage Rabbi Hillel had in mind when he said "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?"
Even when life isn't a fairy tale, we can all try to be brave and stand up for others when it matters. Learn more about this book about bravery on the PJ Library website.

"I'm not Cinderella."

That's what Esther tells us at the beginning of the book, Esther Didn't Dream of Being Queen.

Fairy tales lead to happy endings for princes and princesses, and Esther's bravery leads to a happy ending for her entire community.

Esther's decision to utilize her power, face her moment of truth, and risk her life for her people is what the ancient sage Rabbi Hillel had in mind when he said "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?"

Even when life isn't a fairy tale, we can all try to be brave and stand up for others when it matters. Learn more about this book about bravery on the PJ Library website.

01/10/2025

With the end of the week comes Shabbat, and then with the end of Shabbat comes Havdalah. But what's Havdalah?
Havdalah literally means "separation" and divides Shabbat from the return to the work week.
In Havdalah Sky, coming to one-year-old subscribers this month, a young girl joins her Mama, Ima, Savta, and Saba to gather together to perform the Havdalah rituals. They show how cozy even the end of Shabbat can be.
Does your family mark the end of Shabbat with Havdalah?
Havdalah Sky was written by Chris Barash, illustrated by Sarina Rich, and published by PJ Publishing, with narration by Deirdre Wade.

01/03/2025

What will 2025 hold? We can only be sure of one thing – more great books!
Here's a sneak peek at just some of the titles heading to PJ Library subscribers in the coming year. Which one are you most excited about?
Next Year in the White House
Written by Richard Michelson
Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Co-published by PJ Publishing and Crown Books for Young Readers
Live Your Dream
Written by Tamir Goodman
Illustrated by Jim Madsen
Published by PJ Publishing
The Blue Butterfly of Cochin
Written by Ariana Mizrahi
Illustrated by Siona Benjamin
Published by Kalaniot Books
The Witch of Woodland
Written by Laurel Snyder
Published by Harper Collins
Always Anthony
Written by Terri Libenson
Published by Harper Collins

12/13/2024

What you might know: This year, Hanukkah and Christmas overlap (the first night of Hanukkah is December 25).
What you might NOT know: the term "Chrismukkah" actually dates back to 19th century Germany.
It's true! According to Jüdisches Museum Berlin | Jewish Museum Berlin, Weihnukkah (using the German word for Christmas) was a term used among German Jews in the 1800s.
While this overlapping of traditions isn't an official holiday, it's the way some people refer to celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah in their homes.
In the Northern Hemisphere particularly, both holidays help bring light into the dark winter days. So, whichever way your family chooses to celebrate, do so joyfully and authentically, and you'll be bringing light into the world this season.
Are you thinking of hosting a December gathering with friends? PJ Library can help with ideas and even reimburse some of your costs! Look for a postcard in the mail (or an email reminder) with your unique application link, and then head to the PJ Library website for Hanukkah party ideas.

What you might know: This year, Hanukkah and Christmas overlap (the first night of Hanukkah is December 25).

What you might NOT know: the term "Chrismukkah" actually dates back to 19th century Germany.

It's true! According to Jüdisches Museum Berlin | Jewish Museum Berlin, Weihnukkah (using the German word for Christmas) was a term used among German Jews in the 1800s.

While this overlapping of traditions isn't an official holiday, it's the way some people refer to celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah in their homes.

In the Northern Hemisphere particularly, both holidays help bring light into the dark winter days. So, whichever way your family chooses to celebrate, do so joyfully and authentically, and you'll be bringing light into the world this season.

Are you thinking of hosting a December gathering with friends? PJ Library can help with ideas and even reimburse some of your costs! Look for a postcard in the mail (or an email reminder) with your unique application link, and then head to the PJ Library website for Hanukkah party ideas.