Connect with a PJ Library Parent or Grandparent in Your Community!

Angelica lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their two-year-old daughter.  Angelica is excited to be a PJ Library Connector in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She is currently completing her Master’s in Psychology and Education with a focus on spirituality at Teachers College at Columbia University, with a goal to apply her degree in working with new mothers and families during this huge transition in their lives. Angelica enjoys connecting with people and has experience managing community events and partnerships across the NYC area. Angelica is passionate about education, food justice, childhood development, Jewish rituals and mindfulness practices. She is looking forward to connecting with local families and bringing PJ Library to these different communities. Please feel free to reach out to say hi! 

Anya is the Parent Connector for Staten Island, where she resides with her husband, three kids (18, 16 and 3.5), and their dog. She's lived on SI for the last 20+ years, building community connections and sending her kids to JCC camps. Anya is a book lover and runs a small bookstore/subscription library on the island. Anya enjoys gathering parents outdoors for walks, playground dates, and building sandcastles on the beach. Anya is looking forward to meeting you and your families on Staten Island, building up the community, and sharing useful information about everything SI-related and beyond!

Avery (he/him/his) was born in New York City and currently lives in Queens with his wife and daughter.  He is a first generation Nuyorican and the first in his family to graduate college, where he obtained a degree in psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. He is a former parent coach, where he worked with parents of foster children to help them learn bio-behavioral catchup.  

Avery now works at the Translatinx Network, where he serves HIV positive clients. He enjoys spending time with his family, taking walks, hiking and traveling. Avery is consistently attempting to learn something new and loves the arts, languages, and music. Currently he is in the pursuit of improving his French and Greek skills and as a hobby attempting to learn the dead language of his people, the Taino Arawaks (Borikenaiki).

Avital lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. She grew up in Israel and is looking forward to cultivating connections with other parents in her neighborhood. She enjoys taking walks, drinking coffee and yoga. 

Christina (she/her) lives in Battery Park City with her husband and is the proud mom to her three year old son.  Christina works as a buyer in fashion and enjoys reading, spending time outside, seeing Broadway shows, trying new recipes and gabbing with her girlfriends.  Christina is a passionate advocate for maternal mental health.  Christina is so excited to start as a Parent Connector and is looking forward to meeting other families in the neighborhood and beyond through PJ Library.  After converting to Judaism, six years ago, Jewish values and traditions have become a bigger and bigger part of her life and she is so happy she has found a place to share this with others.

Hi, I’m Courtney—a mom of three, a wife, and a teacher. I’m a lifelong learner with a deep love for reading, and in my free time, you can usually find me with my family, trying out new recipes, or soaking up the sun at the beach. I’m so excited to spread the word about PJ Library and their incredible program that brings the joy of Jewish stories into homes like mine!

Danielle Mussafi lives in Long Beach, NY with her husband and two young sons (7 and 1.5). She is an early childhood educator with over a decade of experience in play-based and Jewish preschool settings, and holds additional certifications in kids’ yoga, mindfulness, and newborn care. Danielle is passionate about supporting families with young children, helping them cut through the noise to find calm, connection, and joy in the everyday.  
She is half-Israeli and deeply values her familial and cultural connection to the land and people. In her free time, she loves to read, write, take long meandering walks, and hunt for treasures at local thrift stores. She’s thrilled to be a PJ Library Parent Connector and can’t wait to build community by the beach this year!

A former Brooklynite, Dina (she/her) lives in Staten Island with her husband, toddler, and dog. They all enjoy exploring the Island’s cultural offerings, food scene, and nature. She is looking forward to sharing what Staten Island has to offer by connecting families through Jewish joy and, of course, PJ Library books!

Dori (she/her) is so excited to be a PJ Library Connector for the Upper East Side of Manhattan as the lucky mom of her 9-month-old daughter! Dori works as the Director of NY Student Programs at Exploring the Arts, an organization that supports arts education in high schools across New York City and Los Angeles/Pasadena. She earned her degree in Human Services from the University of Delaware, focusing on children, families, and communities, and went on to study clinical social work at the Graduate School of Social Work at Touro College. She is on the Associate Board of SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education).

Elyse is the very proud mother of one daughter and grandmother of one granddaughter. She lives in the beautiful community of Northport on the North Shore of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. She is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and works in a local school district and in a private clinical practice setting.  Elyse has been very active in leadership for many years at her synagogue and presently serves as the Vice President of Education. She enjoys traveling, cooking, kayaking and various crafts. Lately, she has been learning Yiddish online and wants to learn to play the guitar. Elyse is excited about this opportunity to support Jewish grandparents and  families.  She believes that through engagement in grandparent focused activities and inter-generational experiences we can give our very precious little ones a head start by helping to create a community for them which values meaningful Jewish connections across the lifespan.

Esther lives on the south shore of Long Island with her movie-loving husband, her social and curious one year-old son, and their delightfully naughty cat, Hammie (not Kosher). She is a licensed clinical social worker and Associate Director of a college counseling center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Esther for connection, camaraderie, suggestions, or where your favorite sushi spot is (also not Kosher).

Galit (she/her) lives in New Rochelle with her husband and two-year-old son. Before moving to New Rochelle, Galit lived in Manhattan and founded sightseenyc.us, working as a licensed tour guide for the Museum of the American Gangster, the New York Adventure Club, and Inside Out Tours, among others. She is now loving Westchester living and meeting and connecting with other local families. You can catch her trying to juggle three languages in her household (English, Hebrew, and Greek), singing songs unnecessarily elaborately from her toddler's baby gym class, and being an excellent wing-woman for parents looking to meet other parents. She is thrilled to be starting as a Connector and is so excited to meet you at what are to be super fun events! Feel free to share ideas -- she can't wait to see you soon!

Hailey lives in Merrick with her husband, three boys (ages 2. 4 and 6), and dog. She is taking time off from teaching high school Earth Science and loves transforming her passion for teaching into hands-on learning with her children. Hailey enjoys crafting, traveling, charcuterie boards, and spending time with family and friends. She has been involved in Jewish programming for years and is excited to do so through a parenting lens and build community locally with PJ Library!

Harriet is a teacher by day and mom of two by day and night. Harriet lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn in a tiny but perfect apartment with her husband and two kids, ages 4 & 6. She loves enjoying all that her neighborhood has to offer, and also enjoys cooking and baking, skiing in winter, and sitting on the beach in summer. She also loves to travel and share her experiences and advice to anyone who wants to hear it! As a part of a JoC/Sephardic/Interfaith family, her children have enjoyed exploring their various identities using PJ Library books and look forward to making friends in the neighborhood and larger Brooklyn community.

Jamie (she/her) is a PJ Library Parent Connector for Brooklyn Heights and, in the summer, for families spending time in the Hamptons. She resides in Brooklyn Heights with her husband Matt and almost three-year-old daughter Sydney. During the summer she spends a lot of her time in Bridgehampton with Sydney’s grandparents. Jamie is a patent litigation attorney, and in her free time, she enjoys traveling and going on adventures with her family. Jamie is very excited to connect with other families with young children in Brooklyn this year and the Hamptons this summer and looks forward to planning many fun outings and activities for the kids! 

Jenn (she/her) lives in Cortlandt Manor with her husband and two children (ages 2 & 4). Growing up she was always involved with Jewish organizations and is looking forward to bringing PJ Library to the area. She enjoys traveling, exercising, getting together with friends, and baking. She enjoys setting up play groups with her children's schools and volunteering for class activities.  Please feel free to reach out to join or suggest an event, or to say hi. She is looking forward to connecting!

Joanna is a mom of two boys (4 and 6) living in Astoria, Queens for the past 16 years. She's excited to continue to build the PJ Library community in Western Queens and meet new families. She also works in photo production and loves putting on a fun event!

Joy (she/her) moved to Plainview, NY over the summer after living in Great Neck for 21 years. Joy lives with her husband, three girls (7,5,1) and dog (2). During the day, Joy works as a Jewish communal professional in Long Island. Joy is excited to combine both her love for building Jewish community and bringing people together in her new role as a PJ Library Parent Connector. Joy is excited to meet people in Plainview and build friendships! In Joy’s free time, you can find her at a new coffee spot, at the library with her girls or at the park. Joy is looking forward to connecting and hearing different perspectives about raising Jewish Children on Long Island! 

Judy and Larry are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren.

Both Judy and Larry are attorneys who retired to the East End of Long Island after several years in Washington, DC and Boston. They grew up in Jewish homes where celebrating the holidays was a special experience. They enjoy traveling, skiing, bicycle riding, kayaking and swimming.

Judy and Larry look forward to bringing grandparents and grandchildren, living in the Westhampton, Southampton and Quogue areas together, during the summer months as grandparent connectors. Please feel free to reach out to say hello or suggest an event.

Lauren (She / Her) lives in Brooklyn Heights with her husband and two-year-old daughter. She holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and currently oversees the HR function at a dynamic startup. Passionate about traveling, music, the beach, and animals, she is excited to deepen her involvement with the PJ Library network and contribute to building an inclusive local community.

Liz is proud to lead the incredible New York Parent Connector team as PJ Library's Family Engagement Manager. She started with PJ Library as a Parent Connector in Westchester in 2019. Liz and her husband are the proud parents of three energetic PJ Our Way and alumni tweens and teens. When not parenting or working, Liz serves as President of her local Library Friends group and as Membership VP of her synagogue's Board of Trustees, in addition to being an active volunteer at her kids' schools. Liz is passionate about supporting and connecting families raising young children.

Melanie (she/her) lives in Ossining with her husband and two children (1.5 y/o son & newborn daughter). She is the Director of Refugee Resettlement and Legal Services for Jewish Family Services of Greenwich and is involved with many local Jewish organizations throughout Westchester County. She is looking forward to connecting with local families and bringing PJ Library to the area. Please feel free to reach out to join or suggest an event, or to say hi. She is always up for a coffee, stroller walk or play date at the park!

Michael is a new parent and recent transplant to Riverdale, NY. He loves the PJ Library program and is looking forward to connecting with other parents in the area. Growing up Michael attended Jewish summer camp and felt deeply connected to the community he met there.

Michelle Dinenberg lives in Chappaqua, NY and is the proud mom of her daughter, Ayla (age 10) and son, Charlie (age 7). She is an active volunteer for UJA of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), and on various committees at Ayla and Charlie's elementary school. Michelle enjoys working out and playing tennis. She worked as a Parent Connector for three years and is excited to return to the team to mentor the Manhattan Connectors this year.

Milene (she/her) lives in Inwood with her wife and three children (a three-year-old toddler and one-year-old twins) in a tri-lingual home. She is a Cuban Jew who lived in France for many years. She graduated as a Theatre Director and is passionate about art, creativity, and networking. She enjoys outdoor activities like bike rides, hiking, jogging, and visiting the beach with her family. Milene looks forward to gathering PJ Library families and building community in her beloved Inwood.

Natasha is the PJ Library Parent Connector for Russian-speaking parents on the South Shore of Long Island. She loves meeting new families! Some of her favorite Parent Connector activities include pumpkin painting, moms' yoga night, and her recurring Walk Club. In addition to being a Connector, she is also a pharmacist. She lives in Merrick with her husband and two active boys (ages 3 and 6) and enjoys the many outdoor activities Long Island has to offer.

Nicole (she/her) is a Jew by choice and the mom of a toddler daughter. She's lived in Astoria for 8 years, and the New York City area for over 17 years, though she's forever a Californian at heart. She's a former journalist working in advertising and an avid runner and baker. Nicole is excited to meet new families in Western Queens and continue to build the PJ Library community.

Rashel lives in Brooklyn Heights with her husband, baby boy, and their silly cat Maya. Rashel is looking forward to bringing PJ Library to the Brooklyn Heights (and BoCoCa) community. She has traveled to over 40 countries, loves taking walks around the neighborhood, trying new restaurants, cooking, exercising, and getting together with friends, old and new. Please feel free to reach out to join or suggest an event or just say hi. She is looking forward to connecting and is always up for a coffee, stroller walk or play date!

Rebecca (she/her) is a PJ Library Parent Connector for families in Brooklyn. She lives with her husband, and 2 year old daughter in Cobble Hill Brooklyn, and spends her summers in Sag Harbor. She is a professional dancer and Pilates Instructor/Pilates Teacher Trainer. She is a proud granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, and feels very strongly about being involved in her local Jewish community. She cannot wait to connect with more PJ families in Brooklyn and beyond!

Rebecca (she/her) grew up on the Upper East Side and loves having the opportunity to raise her two children (age 5 and 1) in the same neighborhood where she was raised. Rebecca was a preschool teacher for 10 years in special education and general education settings before becoming a full-time mom. Her family celebrates quirkiness and its neurodiverse members; on the weekends they love spending time together reading, visiting museums and eating chocolate croissants. Rebecca looks forward to meeting you and your kiddos and creating an inclusive Jewish space for families to connect and have fun! Rebecca also needs help settling a year-long debate: she argues that Passover is the best holiday, but her son insists Purim takes the cake- let me know what you think!

Roni is the PJ Library Parent Connector for Israeli/Hebrew-speaking families in Brooklyn. She lives in Bay Ridge with her husband and two daughters (2yo and 6 yo). Roni moved to the U.S 22 years ago from Israel and been living in Bay Ridge for the past 15 years, where she teaches Hebrew at her local synagogue to 5-6 year olds, who love reading PJ Library books in class!

In her free time Roni loves working out and doing art projects with her kids. She is very excited to be part of the PJ Library team and is looking forward to meeting other Israeli families in Brooklyn!

Roz lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and 3-year-old daughter. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Roz has lived in New York City since 2008. She loves all the wonderful options available to families in the neighborhood, especially the parks, playgrounds and museums. She especially enjoys the free concerts and events during the summertime. Please reach out to suggest an event or just say hello. She is looking forward to connecting!

Sam (she/her) lives in Edgemont with her husband and toddler son. She grew up in the Reform Jewish community, and spent much of her career working in digital marketing for Jewish non-profits. She is also a content creator with a focus on fashion, lifestyle, and of course, motherhood. Sam loves to read and spend time outdoors. She is new to the area and so excited to connect with other parents who love PJ Library!

Sam (she/her) is excited to be part of the PJ Library family. She is a mom of a toddler, dog mom of three, and wife living in Forest Hills, NY. Originally from Long Island, she loves to spend the summer out there traveling to Montauk and the Hamptons frequently. 

During the school year, Sam is a teacher and family yoga instructor for both kids and adults. Throughout the year, Sam loves to be outdoors, go on day trips with her family, art projects, and dance parties.

Sam is excited to meet you and plan fun, engaging activities for you and your family.

Shana (she/her) lives in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with her husband, toddler daughter, and their Jack Russell terrier. She is a music therapist and Hebrew school teacher for children of all ages. She also conducts Tot Shabbat programs in Queens and Long Island and runs her own “grown up and me” music class. She loves getting together with family and friends, cooking, traveling, exploring new places, art, music, taking walks, and being outdoors. Being a part of a Jewish community is important to her and she is excited to team up with PJ Library as a way to help other Jewish families connect together with fun outings, activities, and gatherings.

Shari (she/her) lives in Miller Place with her husband and three boys (ages 1, 4, and 7). She grew up in this area and loves everything about it! Shari and her family enjoy the beaches, parks, farms, and wineries. In her free time, she loves to paint and create photo books. Shari looks forward to play dates, holiday celebrations, crafts, and more!

Shelbi lives in Stony Brook with her husband, two young daughters, and goldendoodle. She's a former early elementary school teacher who loves children's literature and working with young kids and their families. Shelbi enjoys reading, traveling, the beach and spending time with her family and friends. She is passionate about Judaism, parenting, and health & wellness. Shelbi is very excited to connect with local families and build Jewish community! 

My name is Sivan and I live in Riverdale with my sweet 6 year old daughter, who gives me so much joy. I grew up in Israel and and Jewish values and traditions are very important to me. I was an officer in the Israeli army and was always involved in volunteer work. I am looking forward to connecting with fellow single parents. Together, we can create connections and strengthen our community in the neighborhood!