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GALA (from page 1)

“The gala gives us the ability to look
back and remind ourselves of all we
have accomplished in the past 100
years … and to dream of the future
with the Federation in incredible shape
for the next 100 years,” says Tonkin.
“That leaves us with the now – cele-
brating today. We will be celebrating
all the people in the room with grat-
itude and optimism. It’s important to
PJ Library sends 50-millionth book say ‘L’Chaim!’”
Tonkin adds that our forebears, the
people in the room and those who will
PJ Library, the flagship program of the Hagen, BB Camp’s Youth & Day Camp follow provide not just monetary sup-
Harold Grinspoon Foundation, delivered Services Director, at shagen@bbcamp.org port. “They give their time, effort and
its 50-millionth free book to Jewish fami- or visit facebook.com/PJLibraryOregon. love to make this community strong.”
lies this summer. In 2007 the Oregon Jewish Community JFGP Chief Development Officer
What started out in 2005 as a small proj- Foundation partnered with HGF to bring PJ Wendy Kahn, who has worked with
ect in Western Massachusetts has now Library to the Portland area. This was made Tonkin to plan what they both call a
grown to affect the lives of millions of Jew- possible because of early support from Lila party, is excited to “Celebrate success-
ish children worldwide. Portland was one Goodman z”l, Renee Holzman, Shirley es, come out of the sadness and go
of the first communities outside Massachu- Lenske z”l, Liz Menashe, Lois Schnitzer forward.”
setts to fund the program for local children. and Eve Stern. The Jewish Federation of “What is the value of a party?” says
PJ Library is truly a collaborative under- Greater Portland assumed leadership of the Kahn. “It is a symbol of the commu-
taking, a gift from the Jewish community. Portland area program in 2011. nity, the people, of holding it up and
Here in North America, the program is Since 2011 B’nai B’rith Camp and OJCF honoring it in one night. It is about all
made possible by partnering with near- have been funding partners in providing of us.”
ly 200 communities to reach more than books to children and families in Oregon Tonkin says he gained a tremendous
240,000 children per month. The Jewish beyond Portland. BB Camp provides en- sense of gratitude during the many
Federation of Greater Portland and B’nai riching programming in Bend, Salem-Cor- hours he and Kahn spent exploring ar-
B’rith Camp partner with the HGF to bring vallis, and Southern Oregon while the Jew- chives of photos, articles and papers,
PJ Library to the Greater Portland and Ore- ish Federation of Lane County provides and interviewing people who have
gon Jewish communities. Portland current- such programming in the Eugene area. built this community. He gained an ap-
ly has a waiting list for new subscriptions. Books are translated into seven languages preciation for the Federation’s ability
“We look forward to welcoming new and then delivered to more than 680,000 to be flexible, react and adapt. They
subscribers soon,” says Rachel Nelson, kids each month across more than 35 coun- will share the people, history, chal-
who oversees the PJ Library program in tries. In 2009, the HGF launched Sifriyat lenges and strength they discovered in
the Portland Metro area. “We are excited Pijama in Israel through its sister organi- a short video during dinner. “A picture
to share the Jewish stories and songs of PJ zation Keren Grinspoon Israel. Since that is worth 1,000 words,” says Tonkin.
Library with children and their families, time, the HGF has partnered with philan- JFGP Board Chair Mindy Zeitzer
along with programs and experiences to thropists around the world to open pro- says she appreciates “Ed and Wendy
extend the program ‘beyond the books’ into grams in Latin America, Europe, Russia for putting in so much time and energy
so much more.” and the Pacific Rim. to create and plan an amazing com-
For more information on the Portland PJ Library is funded by the HGF and for- munity celebration. … It will be an
program, visit jewishportland.org/pjli- ward-thinking donors, including generous incredibly fun and elegant celebration
brary, facebook.com/PJLibraryPortland or philanthropists and foundations, Jewish and gathering after far too long of a
contact Rachel Nelson, JFGP Director of communal organizations and many indi- hiatus! I’m looking forward to seeing
Educational Initiatives & Associate Direc- vidual donors who have found joy through everyone’s faces!”
tor of Community Relations, at rachel@ PJ Library. “I cannot wait for our community to
jewishportland.org. “We couldn’t have reached this amazing come together at the Gala,” says JFGP
“BB Camp is proud to be the Implement- milestone without the help of our philan- President and CEO Marc N. Blattner.
ing Partner for PJ Library throughout the thropic partners,” says Winnie Sandler “Not only are we celebrating the Jewish
state of Oregon (excluding the Eugene Grinspoon, president of the Harold Grin- Federation’s 100th anniversary, we also
and Portland areas),” says BB Camp CEO spoon Foundation. “It is through a commu- are celebrating all the incredible accom-
Michelle Koplan. “It is extraordinary to be nity effort that we are sharing millions upon plishments of our Jewish community. It
such an integral part of a program that has millions of stories with the next Jewish will be a night not to be missed.”
just delivered its 50 millionth book. Provid- generation, and we look forward to doing Zeitzer adds, “I invite and hope ev-
ing Jewish values and literacy in thousands even more together in the years to come.” eryone in our community comes to cel-
of homes worldwide, especially here in Or- PJ Library books have become everyday ebrate our 100-plus years of a vibrant
egon, will impact our Jewish children for favorites of kids from birth through age 12, and engaged Jewish community and
generations to come. We are so delighted whether the stories serve as first introduc- raise our glasses to 100-plus MORE.
to be engaged in such meaningful work.” tions to Jewish values and culture or inspire This is joyous opportunity to help sus-
For more information on PJ Library in families to create new Jewish traditions at tain and support our vibrancy!”
Oregon beyond Portland, contact Sammie home. To find out more, visit pjlibrary.org.
6 Jewish Review Sept. 7, 2022