In the living rooms of over 680,000 homes across 41 countries, a monthly ritual unfolds. A small package arrives, bearing the distinctive blue and white PJ Library logo. Inside waits a carefully selected children’s book that will transport families into worlds of Jewish folklore, tradition, and modern Jewish life. For the children who receive these books, it’s a moment of joy. For the parents and grandparents who share them, it’s a gateway to meaningful conversations about heritage. And for Harold Grinspoon, the 95-year-old philanthropist who launched this initiative in 2005, it’s the fulfillment of a vision that has now delivered over 50 million free books worldwide.
The Genesis of a Literary Movement
Before PJ Library entered the scene, finding high-quality Jewish children’s literature required determination. Parents would need to seek out specialized bookstores, navigate limited selections at mainstream retailers, or wait for holiday-season displays that offered token representation at best. The landscape was even more challenging for interfaith families or those living outside major Jewish population centers.
Grinspoon, a Massachusetts-based real estate developer and philanthropist who built his fortune from humble beginnings, recognized this void through a surprisingly circuitous route. It wasn’t until his 60s that he reconnected deeply with his Jewish heritage, inspired partly by his wife Diane Troderman’s commitment to Jewish education and continuity.
The concept for PJ Library came from an unexpected source: country music star Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails free books to children regardless of family income. Grinspoon saw the potential to adapt this model specifically for Jewish content, creating an initiative that would transcend economic barriers while strengthening cultural identity.
Beyond Mere Distribution
What distinguishes PJ Library from mere book distribution is its curatorial excellence. Under the guidance of children’s literature experts and Jewish educators, the selection process for each PJ Library book is remarkably rigorous. Manuscripts are evaluated not only for literary and artistic merit but for cultural authenticity, age appropriateness, and the potential to spark meaningful family conversations.
The initiative has also transformed the publishing landscape itself. Before PJ Library, publishers had little financial incentive to invest in Jewish-themed titles for children. The guaranteed purchase of thousands of copies for distribution changed the calculus entirely, encouraging publishers to take risks on new voices and perspectives within Jewish literature.
Award-winning author and illustrator Lesléa Newman, whose pioneering work includes “Heather Has Two Mommies” and numerous PJ Library selections, notes: “PJ Library has created space for authentic Jewish stories that reflect the full diversity of our community. They’ve expanded what ‘Jewish literature’ means for a new generation.”
This expansion includes books featuring Sephardic traditions, stories of Jews of Color, narratives about Jewish values in contemporary settings, and tales that help children navigate complex emotions—all through a distinctly Jewish lens.
The Ripple Effect
The impact of PJ Library extends beyond individual households. Rabbis report that families are bringing PJ Library books to synagogue, asking questions inspired by the stories. Jewish community centers have built programming around monthly selections. Educators note that children arrive at Jewish preschools and elementary schools with a foundation of knowledge gleaned from these colorful pages.
Perhaps most significantly, PJ Library has become a crucial entry point for interfaith families and those with limited Jewish backgrounds. Survey data collected by the program reveals that over 90% of participating families with limited Jewish connections report that the books help them feel more equipped to have conversations about Jewish traditions and values with their children.
The program has expanded beyond books to include music, podcasts, and PJ Library Radio, all accessible through their digital platforms. PJ Library’s sister program, PJ Our Way, allows children ages 9-12 to select their own books online, extending the relationship through the critical tween years.
The Philanthropic Model
Harold Grinspoon’s innovative approach to funding has been as transformative as the program itself. Rather than building a centralized charity dependent solely on his foundation, Grinspoon created a partnership model that has strengthened Jewish philanthropy across North America and beyond.
Local communities raise half the funds needed to operate PJ Library in their region, with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation providing the remaining support. This structure has engaged over 200 community partners and thousands of individual donors who might not otherwise have supported Jewish causes.
This collaborative approach has attracted support from other major Jewish philanthropists, including the William Davidson Foundation and the Jim Joseph Foundation, multiplying the initial investment many times over.
Looking Forward
As PJ Library continues its growth trajectory—now reaching approximately one in three Jewish children in North America—the organization faces both opportunities and challenges. Maintaining quality while scaling globally requires careful navigation of different cultural contexts. Rising production costs and supply chain disruptions have created logistical hurdles. And the digital revolution in children’s media demands thoughtful integration of print and digital experiences.
Yet the foundation remains focused on its core mission.
For Harold Grinspoon, now in his tenth decade, PJ Library represents far more than a philanthropic project, it is his legacy.
Indeed, in homes across the globe, as parents and children curl up with a PJ Library selection, they’re not just reading, they’re becoming part of that enduring narrative, one bedtime story at a time.
By ORA Staff. Image credits: PJ Library