The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation is entering into a partnership with Cohen Hillel Academy to fund The PJ Library for children ages six months to eight years.

“Our community is blessed to have three agencies funding this program — the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Cohen Hillel Academy and the Lappin Foundation,” said Robert Lappin, foundation trustee and local funder of The PJ Library. “The PJ Library is the most successful outreach tool in the national Jewish community. This partnership ensures that funding is in place for several years, allowing young Jewish and interfaith families to keep receiving the beautiful books.”

The PJ Library, created by philanthropist Harold Grinspoon, supports families in their Jewish journey by sending Jewish-content books and music monthly to children, enabling families to share special Jewish stories and songs together. More than 850 children, representing more than 550 families, are enrolled in The PJ Library on the North Shore, and more than 50,000 nationally.

The program’s reach is what is attractive to Cohen Hillel Academy. “One of the biggest challenges for our school’s recruitment efforts is finding families,” said Ken Schulman, CHA Head of School. “The PJ Library will give us the opportunity to meet young families we would otherwise not know, and vice versa. Whether or not they choose a Jewish day school education for their children, families of The PJ Library are welcome to participate in programs sponsored by the school. Being a funding partner with the Lappin Foundation is a natural,” Schulman added.

The PJ Library is free and open to Jewish and interfaith families with children of appropriate ages, and who live in or are affiliated with a Jewish organization in any of the 23 communities of the Foundation service area. Enrollment is ongoing. “We have a special incentive to enroll now,” said Phyllis Osher, foundation program associate. New families and people who refer a new family will be eligible to win a basket filled with Chanukah items. The drawing will take place on December 3, 2009.

For more information or to enroll, contact Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).