By Lisa Plotkin
For the past 12 months, PJ Library RVA has been hand-delivering a Shalom Baby gift bag to Jewish homes with a baby under 1 year old.
Within the reusable, branded tote is information about Richmond's local Jewish synagogues and agencies, a wooden toy Shabbat set or infant toy, local Jewish school swag, and gift cards and free passes to family-friendly businesses around town.
PJ Library RVA Coordinator Lisa Plotkin or a PJ Library Volunteer have the most fun and special honor – a short visit to chat with the parent(s) and new baby!
The response from recipients so far is only positive.
One parent noted that “the best part of Shalom Baby is just the kindness it reflects from our community.”
PJ Parent Sam Lefkowitz shared, “The swag is the absolute cutest thing and I LOVE the stickers! The entire bag is incredibly thoughtful. We LOVE PJ events, but the bag made us love the program even more. Shalom Baby is such a sweet welcome for the newest members to the Richmond (Jewish) community. PJ Library and the Federation make it clear that no matter your age, you belong here. Whether you're new to the city or from here, being reminded that there are so many Jewish organizations for your child to be a part of is especially helpful!”
PJ Parent Conor Shapiro can be seen around town using the branded tote bag for groceries – if you see him, please say hi!
He adds, “Shalom Baby is a great way for Jewish Richmond to show that they care about fostering the next generation of Jewish children and families. Connecting families via PJ Library is a great way for new parents to share their joys and commiserate their struggles. You are not alone -- and Shalom Baby is a welcome reminder of that.”
We hope to see the Shalom Baby bag in use around town as more are delivered to families, as a visible reminder that our Jewish community in Richmond is present, strong, and proud.
You can request a Shalom Baby bag delivery here for your own child or a new baby you know in the community. The only prerequisites are that the family lives in or around the Richmond community and that either parent is Jewish or has Jewish heritage.
Read more about Shalom Baby and sign up for a delivery: https://jewishrichmond.regfox.com/shalom-baby
Our wonderful sponsors have included: Aleph Bet Preschool, Children’s Museum of Richmond, Friendship Circle of Virginia, Happy Palette, Jewish Family Services, Reviresco Coffee, Richmond Family Magazine, RTA, VaRep Theater, Weinstein JCC, Weinstein JCC Preschool, and Whole Heart Space Yoga Studio.
See several more photos from recent Shalom Baby drop offs.
The entire Shalom Baby initiative is made possible by the creativity of the PJ Library professional network, the Rachel B. Banks Youth Fund of Richmond Jewish Foundation, and the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. The launch of this project could not have succeeded without the creative thinking and organization of PJ Parent Sheri Rodman who shared her time, energy, phone calls, and made many delivery visits.
We are excited to continue this special initiative for a second year, bringing a wholehearted Jewish Richmond welcome to local Jewish families with young children. In our quest for more local gift cards to include in the bag, we’d love to hear from you with suggestions and connections. We love supporting small and/or local businesses. Please contact Lisa if you know of a great shop that may want to sponsor this initiative, especially those relevant to families with young children.
Contents in the gift bag may change due to things like a worldwide toy wine bottle shortage in the wooden toy Shabbat set (true story!), but the sentiment remains the same: Welcome to our newest PJ Library children – we are so glad you are here! We look forward to sharing the joys of Jewish Richmond with you and your family.
For more information or to request a Shalom Baby gift bag for a baby under 1 year, visit https://jewishrichmond.regfox.com/shalom-baby or contact Lisa at PJLibrary@JewishRichmond.org.