National PJ Library Conference

[Archived from May 22, 2009]

[by Marsha Roth]

To celebrate three successful years of The PJ Library, The Harold Grinspoon Foundation held its first national PJ Library Conference at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center outside Baltimore, MD, March 29 and 30. Louisville program co-chairs Marsha Roth and Mona Schramko and director Allison Schwartz were among the almost 100 educators, development directors and community leaders who attended the intensive two-day meeting.

The Pearlstone Center is set in the beautiful Maryland countryside with hiking trails and nature. However, during any free time groups of adults could be found huddling around a stone fireplace gleefully reading children’s picture books and trading them around like baseball cards. It was all about the books and ways to ensure that more and more children could have access to the PJ Library Program.

Harold Grinspoon and his wife, Diane Troderman, are inspirational leaders with a talented staff. Workshop topics ranged from ways to secure matching funds to tips on engaging PJ parents. The Louisville delegation led a very successful session on Lay Leadership. We were definitely the authorities on building a successful parent participation board. We shared our advice and took home many innovative ideas to keep Louisville’s PJ Library exciting and beneficial to our community.

Our committee is busy looking for ways that the entire Louisville Jewish community can become involved in this fabulous family adventure. PJ Library Louisville is planning some great events for this summer and fall. Partnerships with community members will help keep PJ strong and active in Louisville.

The Grinspoon Foundation funds their selected cities for a large portion of the cost of the books which arrive each month at the doors of our young Jewish children. It is with the wonderful assistance of the Stephen, Sandra & Donald Linker Family Fund that we are able to match the Grinspoon funds.

If you would like to become a part of this new family tradition in Louisville, please contact Allison Schwartz at 451-4481 or sign up here.

 

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