By Liz Ross
I’ve got two boys, ages eight and ten, born in Los Angeles, and brought up reading PJ Library books. When we moved to San Francisco, the stories came with us, threading into our family rhythms in our new city too. After October 7, I co-founded a grassroots group as a resource for Jewish parents from all the K-8 independent schools in the city of San Francisco. Then, one day, my phone rang, and these two threads — my kids’ PJ Library experience and my community connections — began to weave into something transformational.
On the other end of the phone was Joy Sisisky, Federation President and Chief Executive Officer. She said she wanted my help to expand the Federation’s PJ Library Bay Area’s program by offering its free resources into Bay Area’s schools. She knew about our grassroots group and hoped that through our school connections, we could bring PJ Library materials and children’s books into independent schools at no cost. I was instantly on board, and she connected me with Vivien Braly, Federation’s Director of Community Partnerships and Grantmaking who oversees PJ Library Bay Area. That was the beginning.
When Vivien and I met, I said, “Let’s pilot it at my children’s school — Town School for Boys.” I’d built trust with our head of school and lower school faculty, and fostered strong ties with the librarians, too. I told them about PJ Library, and they were astonished by the program’s depth — both in terms of funding and the breadth of the materials. Vivien dug into the PJ Library treasure trove, curating books across reading levels K–8, plus curriculum guides. She sent the librarians a polished package they could easily plug into their library system and share with teachers with whom they partner closely on lessons and projects. We even created a visible tribute: PJ Library stickers on the books so families and teachers could see who had donated and supported these resources.
The proof, as always, lies in the details. Town’s Jewish American Heritage Month became a living showcase: an assembly in the auditorium, a lobby display, and Jewish books in the library. I shared the news in our grassroots WhatsApp group the moment the books arrived. The response wasn’t just enthusiasm; it was a palpable sense of relief and excitement: “What a great opportunity,” many said, and for me, it meant more than a moment of pride — it meant continuity. PJ Library materials continue with books for older ages up to age 12, a robust extension called PJ Your Way. Feedback flowed in a steady tide. The librarians — thankfully — were grateful and clear-eyed about the potential. The deeper value wasn’t only the books themselves; it was the signal, the invitation to tell Jewish stories with joy rather than fear.
Our initial hopes were simple: prove that this could work. And it did, beautifully. Town School’s launch became a proof point that resonated beyond a single campus. Vivien realized there was a pathway into independent schools — one that our grassroots energy could illuminate a path into public schools in the future. By May, this success wasn’t a one-off; we expanded to five other independent schools. Our committee met in person, announced the expansion, and began connecting with nearly 20 more schools, part of a coordinated push from our robust parent network. The result is wonderful: our Jewish children seeing themselves reflected on library shelves, at holidays, and in stories that celebrate Jewish culture with warmth and nuance.
Now, the question that carries me forward isn’t just, “Can we put books in a library?” It’s, “Can our kids walk into a library, look up, and see themselves reflected in the shelves?” The answer, slowly but surely, is yes.
The most meaningful part of this journey isn’t the logistics or the displays — it’s the sense of belonging it creates. The PJ Library stickers aren’t just labels on books; they’re beacons that invite curiosity, celebrate culture, and, most important, remind us that our community is seen, heard, and valued in the places where our kids spend their days.
In the coming year, we are hoping to do a survey with the faculty of different schools to find out how they’re using the books, why they’re using them, and whether they meet their needs. As parents, it’s great to feel good about the program and know the books are there, but we want to ensure they’re being utilized and that we get feedback. We are also aiming to get these books into some of the preschools and SFUSD libraries. The work isn’t done — there are so many other places where these books could be utilized, and we plan to expand the program into more settings.
Would you like to get PJ Library book kits into your local schools? Reach out to our PJ Library team at pjlibrary@jewishfed.org.
