Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

On a very hot "Summer Sunday" morning, more than 200 people-including little Macy Lefkowitz and Eli Kuvin shown here-gathered for a pool party hosted by the JCC's Early Childhood Learning Center and JFGO's Shalom Families/PJ Library.

The collaborative program featured lots of time for swimming fun, delicious Mexican food and fruit ice pops. PJ Library books were on hand for families to read after lunch-after all, it's important to wait 30 minutes to swim after you eat. What better way to pass the time then with delightful PJ Library stories?

PJ Library helps grow children's values with Jewish concepts. It ensures that they make Judaism second nature, instead of second best. It nurtures relationships to Jewish tradition, learning, beliefs and practices. The beauty of the PJ Library is that it creates Jewish memories by bringing Jewish content to the recipients' homes. With beautifully written and colorful books, parents read to their children stories of treasured Jewish values like kindness, respect, and tolerance as well as the Jewish holidays sparking an interest in the child and a sense of belonging.

JFGO then magnifies the effect of the books by providing relevant community programs and partnerships with the synagogues and agencies. The Jewish Federation was excited to collaborate with the JCC's Early Childhood Learning Center because it was an opportunity to show PJ families the incredible preschool and the educational opportunities it can provide to children.

PJ Library is part of the Shalom Families initiative that is a program locally funded through JFGO. To learn more about Shalom Families please visit http://www.jfgo.org.