As we begin this year's program cycle, I am excited to share with you some important and fun news.

First, please help me in welcoming Ruth Horton who has joined the Family Engagement Team at the Jewish Alliance as the new PJ Library Coordinator. Some of you may remember Ruth as our interim director of the David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center last fall. Ruth's love of learning, passion for discovery, and affinity for children is contagious! I am confident that her boundless energy and many talents will delight both you and your children. 

This year also commemorates the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Jewish Alliance. Throughout the past decade, more than 1,700 local children have received PJ Library books or music every month in the mail free of charge. With thanks to generous donors to the Alliance's Annual Campaign, we are pleased to provide this gift to your family. 

Finally, we are thrilled to announce that we will soon launch one of PJ Library's new initiatives called PJ Our Way, a Jewish literacy program for children ages 9 - 12 years old. Similar to PJ Library, children will receive a book in the mail every month. However, this program allows pre-teens to choose from a selection of four different titles. Kindly share this exciting news with your friends who have children this age or whose children may have recently aged out of PJ Library. More information will be provided as we get ready to kick-off this pilot program in Rhode Island.

Please know that I am still always available to you if you should have any questions or concerns, and look forward to seeing you all throughout the year at the many different PJ Library events that will be taking place.