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In This Section
- July 19, 2011
GreenFaith announces the release of a NEW Energy Conservation Resource - May 10, 2011
Hidon HaTorah 5771: Photos - April 14, 2011
Synagogue Leadership Conference 2011 Workshops: “Religious School for All” - March 3, 2011
Dr. Josh Kulp: METNY Scholar in Residence Program - February 25, 2011
PaRDeS Yaakov: Mid-Year “Report Card” - More...
ReadNY! A PJ Library – United Synagogue Initiative
ReadNY!
A PJ Library – United Synagogue Initiative
ReadNY! is an initiative created in partnership between United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) to launch and grow PJ Library as an outreach and family engagement vehicle at a cohort of eligible United Synagogue kehillot. ReadNY! is made possible by a generous grant from the Susser Family Trust.
Through ReadNY!, kehillot in New York City, Westchester and Long Island are eligible to receive a matching grant of up to $39,000 over 5 years. Professional development resources and programmatic and marketing support will be available.
A required Startup Meeting on November 15th will provide a complete orientation and equip each kehilla to complete the application process. This is a first-come-first serve grant opportunity, therefore we encourage every kehilla to read through the materials below and begin preparing ahead of the StartUP Meeting.
1. What is PJ Library?
PJ Library is an award-winning program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that partners with local Jewish organizations and philanthropists to send free, high-quality Jewish books and music each month to families raising Jewish children ages six months through eight years as a gift from the local Jewish community.
2. How does PJ Library strengthen my kehilla?
Every family signed up to PJ Library through your kehilla receives a monthly mailing of an age-appropriate Jewish children’s book or music as a gift from your synagogue and local sponsors. The gift of books and music CDs opens the door to meet new families and serves as a welcome Jewish resource that deepens Jewish identity in the home. The monthly gift creates opportunities for multiple touch-points with families and can be woven into kehilla communications, programs and events for deeper engagement. Read more about PJ Library communal partners.
3. How does the matching grant work?
PJ Library subscriptions are substantially discounted through underwriting by HGF and the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. Based on each kehilla’s number of subscriptions, half of the discounted cost of subscriptions will be covered a matching grant from the Susser Family Trust through participation in ReadNY!. (For a full description of cost structure and matching grant, click HERE.)
Each kehilla will work with HGF and USCJ to determine an appropriate program size and apply for participation and a matching grant that corresponds to the number of subscriptions set as a goal. To begin determining the suitable program size (number of subscriptions) for your kehilla, complete and submit the preliminary information form by November 11th.
Final approval for participation will depend on each kehilla’s ability to secure their portion of the matching funds and will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis.
4. What are expectations of my kehilla?
ReadNY!’s success at each kehilla depends on readiness, commitment and internal capacity.
a. Demonstrating Readiness:
i. Internal approval and buy-in: Are all key staff and lay leaders aware of and excited about bringing PJ Library to your kehilla?
ii. Point Person: Is there a point-person/people identified that can lead the program? (USCJ and HGF will kelp you identify a pointperson/pointpeople as part of the process but we encourage you to begin thinking about who within your kehilla can be a PJ point-person)
b. Commitment
i. Commitment to Outreach: Is your kehilla committed to meeting new families and enhancing outreach capabilities through PJ Library and not restricting the gift to current members?
ii. Weaving PJ into the organization: Is there willingness to weave PJ Library into existing kehilla offerings, into staff roles, and as a way of engaging lay leaders?
c. Internal Capacityi.
i. Role delineation: is there willingness and capacity to dedicate appropriate staff and volunteer resources to the program?
ii. Secure Matching Funds: is your kehilla ready to commit to match funding provided by the Susser Family Trust at least one-to-one commensurate with the size of your PJ Library program and individual grant?
5. What will my team learn at the Startup Meeting?
a. PJ 101 – becoming a PJ Library partne
b. Assessing the best size program for your organization (one-to-one consultation)
c. Building a successful program and meeting your outreach and engagement goals
d. How ReadNY! will weave into other USCJ initiatives
e. Meet other participating synagogues and discuss opportunities for collaboration
6. What is the timeline for ReadNY!?
Click HERE to view a complete timeline. Below are a selection of the most important upcoming dates:=
a. October 19th: Confirm interest in participation
b. Nov 11th: Final day to submit preliminary information form.
c. Nov. 15th: Startup Meeting – attendance required
d. Nov. 22rd: Formal Declaration of Intent to Participate
e. Dec. 15th: Final day to commit your portion of the matching funds
f. Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20: Individual planning meetings to plan for each kehilla’s PJ Library program (every participating kehilla will sign up for a 1.5 hour slot)
7. Great! What do I need to do to start?
a. Tell us you are interested! Sign in HERE by October 19th to let us know you are interested. A United Synagogue Kehilla Relations Manager will follow up with you.
b. Identify representatives. Identify at least two key members of your kehilla (staff and lay preferably) that will attend the Startup meeting on November 15th.
c. Submit the information form. Complete and submit the preliminary Information Form by November 11th to reserve your space for the Startup Meeting
d. Begin identifying sources for matching funds.
e. Contact us. Reach out to Tamar Remz, Director of New York HGF office to discuss how PJ Library can work in your kehilla and for support fundraising and structuring your program. Email Tamar at Tamar@hgf.org.
