Jewish Federation of St. Louis Expands PJ Library Outreach to Grandparents

PJ Library is finding new ways to bring Jewish families together, this time by connecting with a generation that plays an important role in passing Jewish traditions to the next generation.

The Jewish Federation of St. Louis recently welcomed Sheri Glantz as its new Grandparent PJ Connector, expanding the program’s outreach to grandparents and creating additional opportunities for families to connect with Jewish life in St. Louis.

PJ Library, overseen locally by Jen Baer, Director of PJ Library & Family Engagement, provides families raising Jewish children with opportunities to explore Jewish stories, traditions, and values. Through community events and relationship-building, PJ Connectors help recruit families to attend events, meet other Jewish families, and become more involved in the community.

Until now, the local program has relied on two part-time PJ Connectors who help families discover programming and encourage greater participation in Jewish life. The addition of a Grandparent PJ Connector extends that outreach to grandparents, who can play a meaningful role in sharing Jewish experiences and traditions with their children and grandchildren.

“Grandparents are vital partners in helping families build Jewish connections that last for generations,” said Danny Cohn, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. “Expanding PJ Library’s outreach to grandparents creates another opportunity to bring families closer to Jewish life and strengthen the bonds that sustain our community.”

Baer sees the new position as an opportunity to reach more families through the relationships grandparents already have with their children and grandchildren.

“Grandparents play such an important role in shaping Jewish identity and family traditions, and we’re thrilled to make them an even bigger part of our PJ Library community,” Baer said. “This initiative is about strengthening relationships across generations and helping grandparents discover meaningful ways to connect with their grandchildren through Jewish traditions, holidays, and values.”

Glantz brings a wealth of experience working with children and families to her new role. A Houston native who now considers St. Louis home, she taught special education for more than 16 years, supervised University of Missouri–St. Louis student teachers preparing to enter the field of Special Education, taught Sunday School music for many years, and spent more than 11 years teaching music at Shirlee Green Preschool at Congregation Shaare Emeth. She also proudly serves on the Jewish Federation of St. Louis Women’s Philanthropy Board.

Known for her positive energy, kindness, and creative ideas, Glantz hopes to create a welcoming community where grandparents can learn from one another, share experiences, and discover new ways to build relationships with their grandchildren.

“I love the idea of building a community where grandparents feel safe to share their successes and their failures, and concerns and ideas, because we all have both,” Glantz said.

For Glantz, the opportunity also centers on preserving the traditions and values that connect generations, regardless of what families can afford.

“I love the idea of continuity. Whether it’s the continuity of culture, religion, heritage, traditions, love, or kindness—basically all the things that money can’t buy—because not every grandparent can afford the same thing for their grandchildren,” said Glantz. “I believe that that should not be a barrier to the magic of being a grandparent, or from a child’s perspective, the magic of having grandparents.”

Her passion for creating meaningful intergenerational connections comes from her own experience as a grandparent. Glantz affectionately calls her three grandchildren, Henry, 6, Oliver, 3, and Lucy, 1½, her “Grand Cookies” because they are “so delicious.” They call her “Sunny,” a nickname that reflects her warm personality.

Sheri is truly sunshine in human form, and her outlook on life is infectious. As she likes to say, “A day without chocolate milk is like a day without sunshine.”

Through this expanded approach, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis continues to create opportunities for families across generations to build relationships, participate in Jewish experiences, and strengthen their connection to the local Jewish community.

Interested in learning more about PJ Library and our new Grandparent Connector Program? We want to hear from you!

Please join us for one of three informal focus groups facilitated by Marci Mayer Eisen, Director of Leadership Initiatives. Share your experiences, connect with fellow grandparents, and help shape programs and opportunities that reflect your interests and needs.

Focus Group Dates:
November 15 at 1:00 p.m.
December 2 at 6:30 p.m.
January 4 at 9:30 a.m.

All sessions will take place at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and food will be provided. Whether your grandchildren live in St. Louis or elsewhere, we welcome your participation! To RSVP or share your thoughts, please contact Sheri at glantzforward@gmail.com or (314) 540-6727.

To learn more about PJ Library, please click here.