 The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston's Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE) offers a variety of programs and services for children and families:
The PJ Library
Through the The PJ Library Program, the Bureau of Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston reaches out to Jewish families with young children to help create stronger Jewish homes – homes that foster children’s curiosity about their Jewish heritage and help families explore their Jewish identity.
Each participating child from age six months through age 5.5 who registers for The PJ Library will receive a high quality Jewish children’s book or CD every month for a year. Each book and CD comes with resources to help families use the selection in their home. The book and music list has been selected by the foremost children’s book experts and includes a wide array of themes related to Jewish holidays, folktales, and Jewish family life. The cost of the program for the first year is $60 per child.
Local PJ Partners
All children between the ages of 6 months and 5.5 years whose parents are members of the following congregations: Congregation Beth El, Congregation Jewish Community North, Congregation Beth Shalom, Temple Beth Torah, Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Sinai, Congregation Or Ami, Congregation Shaar Hashalom and Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism have been enrolled in The PJ Library Program, a gift from The Bureau of Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.
All children ages 6 months to 5.5 years whose parents are members of Congregation Emanu El have been enrolled in the PJ Library Program, a gift from the Willie Mae and Alexander Goldstein Fund of Congregation Emanu El.
All children ages 6 months to 5.5 years who are enrolled in Beth Yeshurun’s Preschool have been enrolled in The PJ Library Program, a gift from Paula and Irving Pozmantier and the Beth Yeshurun Preschool.
All children who are students at Becker Early Childhood Center and whose parents are not affiliated with a congregation have been enrolled in The PJ Library Program, a gift from the Joe and Becky Williams Family Fund of the Houston Jewish Community Foundation.
All students who are 6 years or younger and are students in Congregation Brith Shalom's Religious School have been enrolled in The PJ Library Program, a gift from a member of Congregation Brith Shalom.
All children who are up to age 6.5 and who are students in Congregation Brith Shalom's Religious School have been enrolled in The PJ Library Program, a gift from a member of Congregation Brith Shalom.
136 Houston children who registered for The PJ Library program either by mail or online are receiving The PJ Library Program books for one year free, a gift from The Barish Family and The Chair King.
Sign Up!
The next 400 Houston children to register for The PJ Library will receive a free, high quality children’s book or CD each month at no cost for one year, a gift from our local funders, The Bureau of Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, and a grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Contact Information:
Barbara Loeser, Community Outreach Coordinator
Bureau of Jewish Education
Phone Number: (713) 729-7000
Email: bloeser@houstonjewish.org
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B' Yachad
B'Yachad is the BJE's quarterly educational resource created specifically for Jewish children and families. It is distributed to students and families through the Jewish schools five times a year--before the High Holy Day, Chanukah, Tu B`Shevat, Purim, and Pesach --and includes stories, games, activities, blessings, recipes, and other fun and interesting information related to the celebration of each holiday. To download the latest edition of B'Yachad to share with your family, click here.
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Gift of Israel
 The Bureau of Jewish Education’s Gift of Israel savings incentive program provides a unique opportunity for families to save for their child’s future teen trip to Israel. Enrollment is open to children in third through seventh grade who are affiliated with a synagogue and attend either a Jewish day school or religious school. Families are required to deposit a minimum of $150 into the child’s Gift of Israel account annually from time of enrollment through 9th grade. Additional community dollars from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston are set aside each year to augment that amount. Many Houston area synagogues also contribute funds as part of the Gift of Israel program.
Enrollment:
If your child is currently in the 3rd through 7th grade, the time to enroll is NOW.
To download a 2008-09 Gift of Israel Enrollment Packet, click here.
Contact Information:
Ellen Ellison, Gift of Israel and Special Projects Coordinator
Bureau of Jewish Education
Phone Number: (713) 729-7000, ext. 328
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Scholarship Information
The BJE offers scholarships to families who need assistance in order that their children are able to participate in Jewish educational experiences such as Jewish summer overnight camp, summer teen Israel experiences, and semester or year-long programs in Israel. To download a scholarship application, click the appropriate scholarship type below:
Contact Information:
Paulette Walden, Administrative Assistant
Bureau of Jewish Education
Phone: (713) 729-7000, ext. 309
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