PJ+ at Holy Blossom: Where Community Begins

PJ+ at Holy Blossom: Where Community Begins

At Holy Blossom, we are always asking a simple but powerful question: How do we help families feel that they belong here—not someday, but right now?

One of the ways we answer that question is through PJ+, our joyful Sunday morning program for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 18 months to 4 years) and their caregivers. In partnership with the wonderful team at PJ Library, PJ+ offers a space where our youngest learners—and their grown-ups—can sing, read, create, and explore Jewish life together. While older siblings are in Sunday school, PJ+ families gather for stories, songs, and crafts rooted in Jewish values and holidays, building connections that extend far beyond the classroom.

This past spring, as we wrapped up another vibrant semester, we were reminded that PJ+ is about so much more than programming. It is about relationships. It is about creating an entry point into community. And, increasingly, it is a bridge, welcoming new families into Holy Blossom and helping them find their place in the community.

Alma and Asaf Zamir are one such family. What began as a few visits has grown into a deep and meaningful connection, shaped by Tot Shabbat, PJ+, and the warmth of this community. We are so grateful to share their words with you here:

“We have been part of the Holy Blossom community for more than six months now, and what began as occasional visits has grown into something truly meaningful for our family.

Having moved to Canada far from our extended family, we were especially aware of the space that distance can create. While nothing can replace family, finding a sense of connection and togetherness became very important to us. In many ways, Holy Blossom has helped fill that gap, offering a warm and welcoming environment where we feel supported and connected.

Before enrolling in PJ+, we had already started coming to Holy Blossom for Tot Shabbat and Shabbat services. From those very first visits, we immediately felt the warmth and openness of the community. It made it easy to return week after week. Rabbi Baruchel, along with other members, consistently greeted us with kindness and openness, always ready to help with any question or concern.

When our daughter Eleanor later joined the PJ+ program, it felt like a natural extension of something we had already begun. PJ+ didn’t introduce us to the community—it deepened our connection to it. It gave our daughter a joyful and engaging way to connect, while strengthening our own sense of belonging.

Rabbi Baruchel has been at the heart of this journey. Her warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care for each family shine through in everything she does. She creates spaces where both children and parents feel comfortable, included, and valued.

Over time, Holy Blossom has become more than just a place we attend—it has become a community we feel part of. The welcoming spirit we experienced in those early visits continues to shape our experience today.
We are so grateful for the path that brought us here. What started with a few visits grew into a deeper connection, and PJ+ helped strengthen that bond even further. It is a wonderful feeling to know that our family has found a place where we are welcomed so warmly and can continue to grow together.”