PJ Library Baltimore

04/22/2025

Join PJ Library for Shabbat and Service at Meadowood Park this Friday at 5 p.m. We’ll sing, picnic, do a meaningful service project together, and soak up that sweet playground time.

🧺 Bring your own picnic dinner
🎶 Enjoy Shabbat songs
🧤 Give back with a hands-on project
🎉 All while having fun with other families

Register today: thejewishnetwork.org/shabbat-and-service

04/17/2025

The action figure trend has officially arrived… PJ Library style! 🎉

We couldn’t resist jumping in and bringing some of our favorite storybook characters—and friends—to life.

Which one would you add to your collection? Tell us in the comments!👇✨

04/11/2025

Passover is all about freedom, connection, and asking questions—big or small.

However you’re celebrating, we hope you find meaning, joy, and maybe even the afikoman 🍽️🍷📜

04/09/2025

Join our Moms on a Mission VolunTeam for a special a family volunteering experience!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for parents/guardians and kids ages 3–12
📅Monday, April 21
🕚 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
📍 Private residence (21208)
🍕 Enjoy family-friendly service projects, pizza, and playground fun!

RSVP to Laurie to save your spot: [email protected]

04/07/2025

Get ready for a meaningful and fun Passover with your family!

PJ Library’s Passover Hub is packed with kid-friendly crafts, recipes, stories, videos, and more—perfect for celebrating together with joy and purpose. Plus, download a beautiful Haggadah to use at your seder!

👉 Explore the guide now: https://pjlibrary.org/passover

04/03/2025

Meet The Edelstein Family!

Brina and Matt live in Highlandtown, with their two little ones—Maisie (21 months), Noah (4 months)—and their dog Bourdie (6.5 years). Brina is originally from Baltimore, and Matt is from Glen Ridge, NJ. Their favorite PJ Library book is "Counting on Shabbat"—Maisie is currently obsessed with counting!

They love the excitement of receiving PJ Library books in the mail, which helps their children learn about Jewish holidays and values in an age-appropriate and engaging way. A favorite family spot is the Baltimore Farmers’ Market, which holds lots of special memories—from Matt’s proposal to their kids' first outings. They enjoy Friday night Shabbat dinners with an open-door policy—everyone’s welcome!

04/02/2025

We are kvelling (feeling happy) after an incredibly uplifting and inspiring PJ Library International conference! Being surrounded by passionate professionals, exchanging ideas, and learning together was truly incredible. Even more special? Having our amazing partners and connectors with us—collaborating, growing, and strengthening our shared vision.

Our Connector, Brooke Berman, shared: "The conference inspired me to find new and creative ways to incorporate PJ Library books into existing programming by making the stories come alive in a way that feels meaningful and relevant."

There’s nothing like a room filled with energy, innovation, and possibility. Can't wait to bring these new ideas to life! 💡✨

03/25/2025

Bring your Passover seder to life with games, laughter, and meaningful connection!

On April 2, join the Jewish Grandparents Network and award-winning educator and improviser Andrew Davies for a free interactive webinar designed especially for grandparents—and anyone who wants to make the seder more playful and memorable for kids.

Learn more and register: https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/improvise-your-seder-how-games-and-play-can-make-passover-memorable-for-grandchildren-and-families

REMINDER: In one week, join JGN and Andrew Davies, award-winning educator and improviser, for an interactive webinar with games and activities for grandparents to bring the seder to life for grandchildren and families. Andrew will include:

• Games like “Pharaoh Says,” “Miriam’s Moves,” and “Maror Photo Booth”
• Doing the hand motions for the order of the seder
• New and different Afikoman activities
• How our own interpretations of Passover rituals can encourage our grandkids to add their voices, energy, and playfulness too

Webinar: Improvise Your Seder — How Games and Play Can Make Passover Memorable for Grandchildren and Families
When:
Tuesday, April 2, 2025
7:00–8:15 pm ET

REGISTER HERE:
https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/improvise-your-seder-how-games-and-play-can-make-passover-memorable-for-grandchildren-and-families/

03/24/2025

Looking for a meaningful and fun way to spend Spring Break? Join us at Port Discovery Children's Museum on Thursday, April 17 for Passover activities, a service project, and plenty of museum fun!

Let’s celebrate Passover & Good Deeds Month together: thejewishnetwork.org/gdm-pj

03/21/2025

This morning, we brought in the Shabbat spirit with our friends at the Rosedale library! There is nothing sweeter than toddlers, parents, and grandparents coming together to share in the Shabbat warmth through songs and stories.

Shabbat Shalom from all of us at PJ Library Baltimore! 💙

03/19/2025

PJ Library wants to help your family celebrate Passover this year! Invite 2 or more other families for a Passover gathering, and we’ll provide tips, recipes, ideas, and even $100 toward your costs. Look for your unique link in your email.

03/18/2025

Join us for Tot Shabbat this Friday at Storyville @ Rosedale Branch Library for a morning filled with fun, music, and delicious snacks!

Register today: thejewishnetwork.org/tot-shabbat-20

03/17/2025

World Storytelling Day is coming up on Thursday, March 20 and we want to feature YOU!

Snap a pic of your family reading your favorite PJ Library book, send it our way, and we’ll share it in our stories! Let’s celebrate the magic of stories together 💙🌍📖

03/12/2025

We're getting in the Purim spirit!

Today our staff learned about the Book of Esther, made mishoach manot (food gifts), ate delicious hamantaschen, and even dressed up as our favorite PJ Library characters—can you guess who’s who? 📚🎭

03/10/2025

April is Good Deeds Month! 💙 Inspired by Good Deeds Day, we’re dedicating the entire month of April to giving back and building community.

From hands-on service projects to small acts of kindness, there are so many ways to make a difference. Join us in making Jewish Baltimore a better place—one good deed at a time.

Get involved: thejewishnetwork.org/good-deeds-month

03/09/2025

Purim is all about joy, but for those with sensory sensitivities, it can be overwhelming. Our Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Rachel Turniansky, shares simple ways to make celebrations more inclusive so everyone can join in the fun. How do you make celebrations inclusive? Share your tips!

Read more:

Purim is a fun holiday filled with noise, costumes, and celebration, but for individuals with sensory sensitivities, it can be overwhelming. Whether planning a large community event or a small family gathering, making Purim more inclusive ensures that everyone can participate comfortably. Here are s...

03/07/2025

We had an amazing time at our Purim-themed Tot Shabbat at the Owings Mills Library! Families came in costume, sang songs, read stories, and enjoyed some delicious Hamantaschen. 🎭📖🎶

A huge thank you to Morah Kate and Morah Amy for making this Tot Shabbat so special for our little friends!

03/05/2025

Meet the Portnoy Family!

Andrea, originally from Pikesville, and Michael, from Fort Lauderdale, live in Pikesville with their kids, Emmy (6) and Ryan (4), and their dog, Sadie. They love the local charm of their neighborhood. Their favorite PJ Library book is "Five Little Gefiltes", which gets the kids laughing as they learn new Yiddish words.

PJ Library has become a key part of their Jewish life, allowing them to explore holidays and share traditions. "It’s a great way for us to connect with our community and teach our kids about the importance of being Jewish," they share.

Outside, the Portnoys enjoy picnics at Lake Roland after the kids play on the playground. At home, they love watching Encanto, celebrating Chanukah with latkes, sufganiyot, and presents, and playing Candyland for family game night.