PJ Library UK 10th Birthday Graphic

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY PJ LIBRARY UK!

It’s been TEN years of PJ Library magic in the UK, when close to 20,000 children have received a monthly book sent directly to their home. We’ve partnered with 200 organisations inviting PJ Library families to events in their area so they can forge connections with local Jewish families. A big THANK YOU to our families, donors and community partners for helping to build a vibrant Jewish community throughout the UK. Here are our highlights from PJ Library UK’s first decade:

2014

Harold Grinspoon and children sitting and standing holding PJ Library books

Harold Grinspoon, the founder of PJ Library flies over to London to let children at Sinai Primary School know PJ Library would be coming to the UK soon

2015

With seed funding support from the Pears Foundation, PJ Library launches in March at the Arts Depot. 1,500 children sign up in the first month

The Israeli Ambassador hosts a PJ Library event for Israeli families in his garden

2016

Children holding a large driedel made of PJ Library book covers

Starts the first of many PJ Library storytime @ Limmud sessions

2017

A smiling child standing in front of a table filled with PJ Library books

Teams up with Mitzvah Day inviting families to do a good deed for their local community

A woman in a PJ Library shirt poses for a photo with a teddy bear mascot

PJ Library has its first stand at the Maccabi Fun Run

2018

A mother and baby being read a PJ Library book on the beach

Secures funding to deliver second language programming to Hebrew and Russian speaking families

Two smiling girls sitting on the floor with books

Celebrates PJ Library’s 100,000th book delivery

top down shot of a jewish care package for parents

Parents are offered a book of their own! Subscribers choose one of five titles. Marjorie Ingall, author of popular choice Mameleh Knows Best, visits the UK for a series of author Q+A events.

2019

Smiling girl at the dinner table holding a PJ Library haggadah

For the first time, PJ Library family Haggadah sent to subscribers and used on seder night all over the UK!

Three children sitting on the floor reading

PJ Pop-Up Library school tour

Mister G Chanukah Concert performers on stage

PJ Library hosts sell out Mister G Chanukah concert!

2020

A PJ Library 5 year aniversary mug with a cupcake and lit candle in front of some books

Celebrations for PJ Library’s 5th birthday are cut short because...

...the world changes with the arrival of corona virus. UK families went into a long lockdown. PJ Library’s monthly books continue to land on doormats and families are able to attend virtual book clubs and events.

A child standing next to a tree with a height chart attached

PJ Library height chart is loved by families. It was one of many in-the-envelope gifts that accompanies the books. Do you remember the Succot hanging mobiles, DIY Purim mishloach manot boxes, flat pack dreidels and the super popular PJ aprons?

2021

PJ Library partners with Tsitzit and hosts comedy, art and theatre workshops for children, all over the UK.

Photo of a WIZO winner with Author Ivor Baddiel

Collaborates with WIZO and the Jewish News for the children’s Writing Competition. Author Ivor Baddiel presents prizes to the winners.

2022

New PJ Library parents posing with books

PJ partners with antenatal groups, signing up babies from birth!

An astronaut holding a PJ Library book on the internation space station

PJ Library travels into space for a zero-gravity story!

2023

Rachel Riley holding a wand and a PJ Library book

Rachel Riley supports the PJ grassroots fundraising campaign

Noa Tishby's Israel: The Most Misunderstood Place on Earth book

PJ Library sends parents copies of Noa Tishby’s ‘Israel, the most misunderstood place on earth’ as well as resources for helping parents talk to their children about the war.

2024

A mother and two children standing at a table covering their eyes

Hundreds of PJ families take part in the Evaluation report of which 83% say PJ Library supports their family in building upon or adding a Jewish tradition to their home life.

2025

PJ Library turns 10 and celebrates with in-person and virtual events as well as launching the PJ Library 10 for 10 fundraising campaign. To donate visit pjlibrary.org.uk/donate

Wish PJ Library a happy birthday and donate today!