The Charlotte Jewish News- August 2025- Page 7
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
PJ Library Celebrates a Summer of Fun
By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist
This summer, PJ Library filled the calendar with events that brought stories to life and families together. From ice cream in the park to interactive story times and summer reading adventures, kids had plenty of chances to explore Jewish themes in fun, meaningful ways, while parents found opportunities to connect and build community.
The fun kicked off June 1 with a“ moo-velous” Shavuot Ice Cream Social at Nevin Park, where more than 100 children and parents came out for playground adventures, colorful crafts, and frozen treats from Maebel the Ice Cream Truck. It was a sweet start to the season and a perfect example of what PJ Library does best: bringing Jewish families together to learn, celebrate, and build meaningful connections.
All summer long, kids ages 2 – 12 have joined the Sweet Reads Summer Reading Challenge, picking up book logs at the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and racing toward a 16-book goal— complete with prizes along the way, including coupons for free
Families gathered at Nevin Park for the Shavuot Ice Cream Social
TCBY! For older readers, PJ Our Way launched a Summer Reading Book Club featuring The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz, with a doughnut-fueled book discussion planned for Aug. 24.
PJ Library was also a presence at the Levine JCC’ s Camp Mindy and Camp Katan, where daily story times gave campers the chance to engage with Jewish books and ideas in fun, accessible ways. Additionally, Baby and Me, PJ Playdate, and Hebrew Story Time, programming offered caregivers and their youngest children a nurturing space to learn, bond, explore Jewish themes, and meet others in the community.
Looking ahead, PJ Library is teaming up with Charlotte Jewish Preschool( CJP) for a Backto-School Bash on Aug. 10, and will head to the mountains for Camp Judaea’ s Family Camp weekend from Aug. 29 to 31. With PJ story times and family-friendly activities planned, families can experience the joy of Jewish summer camp together.
PJ Library is made possible through Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’ s Center for
Jewish Education and is offered free to families raising Jewish children. Whether through a book, an event, or a simple moment shared between parent and child, PJ Library continues to help Jewish identity take root and thrive— one story at a time.
Federation 101
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The Levine-Sklut Judaic Library offers thousands of books, hosts author talks, and supports Jewish educators with materials and training. Family-friendly programs like PJ Library’ s Summer Reading program and Passover in a Box give children and families tangible ways to explore Jewish traditions together. For adult learners, programs like the Unpacking Israel: Masterclass Series bring leading Israeli journalists, educators, and cultural figures to Charlotte to deepen understanding of Israel’ s complexity and its central role in Jewish life.
Building on that mission, Federation launched the iCenter for Israel Education and Engagement in 2025, funded by the Sue Worrel Israel Center Endowment
Fund. The iCenter expands access to Israeli perspectives, innovation, and culture through immersive programs, travel opportunities, and engagement with Federation’ s partnership region in Hadera via Partnership2Gether. Why It Matters“ Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte exists to make sure no part of Jewish life stands alone,” says CEO, Adam Kolett.“ It connects people to one another, responds when crisis hits, invests in future generations, and strengthens Jewish identity across every age and stage.” Whether through advocacy, education, philanthropy, or cultural connection, Federation ensures that Jewish Charlotte remains strong, inclusive, and prepared to meet whatever challenges— or opportunities— come next.
CHARLOTTE
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