In honor of Israel’s 75th anniversary, PJ Library launched a fun, activity-filled online hub on April 25 and 26. Full of resources and activities, the Israel Trail Hub is designed to help families explore the land of milk and honey and connect with their Jewish roots.
“For so many communities, Israel is a lightning rod,” Simon Klarfeld, director of content for PJ Library, told the Journal. “We developed the hub to be something families can partake in together, perhaps sparking future conversations.”
PJ Library, a free program funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, offers engaging storybooks and activities that provide enjoyable and easy ways for families to connect with Jewish life.
The Israel Trail Hub include virtual tours of Jerusalem on YouTube, Israel-centric picture book recommendations for younger kids (for instance, “3 Falafels in My Pita” by Maya Friedman, “The Colors of Israel” by Rachel Raz and “Everybody Says Shalom” by Leslie Kimmelman), an Israeli music playlist and more. There’s also a Historical Timeline of Israel, which highlights key moments in history that parents can use to initiate discussions. “Our incredibly talented team developed what I think has been a real contribution to Israel engagement,” he said. Klarfeld said children can learn how to make hummus (recipe below) and they can follow a tutorial to make their very own Israeli flags for their own Independence Day celebration. “We also invite families to enjoy popular Israeli foods in their own home, from pomegranate juice to shakshuka,” Klarfeld said.
“We developed the hub to be something families can partake in together, perhaps sparking future conversations.”
– Simon Klarfeld
The hub is a great way for families to engage, play and celebrate Israel. “It became blatantly clear, as we developed both the game and the hub, that communities generally would be incredibly hungry for this kind of positive resource, especially for this age group,” Klarfeld said. “PJ Library is synonymous with a positive family experience, and this hub is no exception.”
For PJ Library subscribers, there’s the Israeli Trail board game (for four- to eight- year-olds), which emphasizes the land, people and culture of Israel. They used the real Israel National Trail, which runs from the very north of Israel to the bottom most point. “I’ve walked many parts of it,” Klarfeld said. “It takes months.”
For non-subscribers, other activities include “Questions Children Ask About Israel” and downloadable DIY Memory Cards.
PJ Library’s books have become favorites of kids from birth through age 12, whether the stories serve as first introductions to Jewish values and culture or inspire families to create new Jewish traditions at home. Each month, more than 680,000 books are delivered to families worldwide.
The Israel Trail Hub is now a permanent fixture of PJ Library online. Learn more at pjlibrary.org/israel.
PJ Library Family Activity: Make Hummus
Hummus is a staple of Israeli cuisine and a favorite snack of many PJ Library characters. Looking for an easy family activity? Try making some hummus! Once you’ve made your own, you may never go back to the store-bought kind.
5 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons water
6 tablespoons lemon juice
16 ounces/450g canned chickpeas, drained
½ teaspoon salt
1 or 2 cloves garlic
- Blend tahini, water and lemon juice in a food processor or blender.
- Add chickpeas, salt, and garlic and pulse ingredients until incorporated, then blend until smooth.
- Dip veggies, bread or whatever you like.
TIP: Don’t have a blender? Use a whisk to mix your tahini, water and lemon juice. You can smash your chickpeas with a fork or potato masher.
