Making Key Connections
By Emma Dixon
Zipporah Hruby is good at making connections, whether it’s introducing a child to a book or fostering relationships within the local Jewish community.
Zipporah is Shalom Orlando’s family engagement director and PJ Library professional. Having worked with PJ Library for the past three years, she knows that many people only associate the program with receiving Jewish books in the mail. However, there is much more to the initiative.
Zipporah Hruby (holding Henley Gold) at a local PJ Library event. Zipporah is Shalom Orlando’s family engagement director and PJ Library professional.
“It’s PJ Library Shabbat, it’s holiday events, and it’s PJ Library Parent Connectors,” she says. “Parent Connectors build Jewish community in their local area, knowing that for many families, those gatherings are their only Jewish touchpoint.”
There are currently three Parent Connectors in the Central Florida area, each with their own PJ Library Facebook page where fun events are shared with local families. The activities range from playdates for kids to coffee meetings for parents to me time for moms.
Hungry for more
Brie Fox lives in Oviedo with husband Steve and their children, Sammi (9) and Dylan (8), and has been working as a Parent Connector for more than a year.
“My role is to bring Jewish families together to both foster community and connection,” she says.
Brie’s focus is on the Oviedo, Winter Springs, and Casselberry areas, but families from across the region participate in the events she puts together.
Brie Fox with husband Steve and children Dylan and Sammi.
“I have found that many families, especially right now, are hungry for Jewish connection and involvement for both themselves and their children,” she says. “And they will drive those extra miles to broaden those relationships.”
Adds Brie, “I have connected families whose kids were in the same classroom and didn’t know each other. I have watched friendships blossom. Shabbat dinners sprout up, and children learn a little bit more about their identities. I like knowing I had a small part to play in all of that.”
Wendy Cintron with husband Omar and children Eden and Eliana.
It’s personal
Wendy Cintron and husband Omar live in the Lake Nona area with their children, Eliana (8) and Eden (4). Wendy has been a Parent Connector for about five months and loves her job.
“I plan play dates, meet parents for coffee, organize Moms’ Nights Out, and hold family events and activities,” she says, adding that her motivation for being a Parent Connector was personal.
“I wanted my kids to meet more Jewish friends in the area,” she says. “I want them to learn more about Jewish holidays and feel more of a connection to Judaism like I did as a kid.”
Wendy also loves the inclusiveness of the PJ Library organization as a whole.
“It doesn’t matter what degree of Judaism you practice,” she says, “all are welcomed here.”
Cassidy Greenberg with husband Matt and children Charlotte and Lucy.
I got you babe
Cassidy Greenberg and husband Matt live in Orlando with their two children, Lucy (2 ½) and Charlotte (14 months). Cassidy has been the PJ Library Parent Connector for Babies since August of this year. Like Brie and Wendy, she plans local meetups and playdates, but her emphasis is on families with babies.
“Additionally, I meet with parents and their babies one-on-one or in small groups to get to know them, what they’re looking for, and what they need to feel supported and connected in the Orlando Jewish community,” says Cassidy.
She is proud of PJ Library and the relationships the program builds.
“Over time, as we get older, reading is more often an independent exercise,” says Cassidy. “For our babies and children, it is much more of a shared activity. PJ Parent Connectors are your resource for gaining meaningful connection and community.”
Adds Zipporah, “My Parent Connectors found families I wouldn’t have been able to find. I’m so proud of the work they are doing. My dream is that we have a connector in each city!”
For more information about PJ Library, or to join a local PJ Library connector group, please email Zipporah Hruby at zipporah.hruby@shalomorlando.org.
This story was originally published in print in Winter 2024.