PJ Library Omaha Shines Bright with Hanuk-kits
This December PJ Library Omaha, a program of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, is working with local Jewish families to distribute 75 Hanuk-kits to public schools across the Omaha Metro. The Hanuk-kits program was implemented in 2023 and was the idea of Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman, PJ Library Coordinator and Assistant Director of Engagement and Education for the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Heidi developed the kit as a way for her son to feel included in his school’s celebration of winter holidays.
“I created the Hanuk-kit when my son and his friends transitioned from the Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center to public school. I wanted them to feel included when so much of the focus is on Santa, elves, and Christmas trees. As a parent, I wasn’t sure how to approach this—and I realized that if I felt that way, other parents probably did too,” Heilbrunn Needleman said.
“So, in my role as coordinator for PJ Library Omaha, I decided to put together a ready-to-use kit for Jewish children who attend public school. I wanted the kits to provide free educational resources for public school teachers to use when talking to their classrooms about Hanukkah. All resources in the kit are for the schools to keep. I also wanted to ensure that classrooms had access to books that reflect Jewish children and their families.”
Utilizing existing resources from PJ Library, Heilbrunn Needleman started making kits geared towards K-3rd graders. The kits included Informational handouts, games, books and ideas on how to incorporate Jewish traditions and heritage alongside school Christmas celebrations.
After the initial batch of 50 kits were assembled, they were distributed to the families who had signed up. Families received their Hanuk-kit, which they would then donate to their child’s teacher or school library.
A parent script was also included as a part of the kit. The script was designed to assist parents who might choose to give a presentation on Hanukkah to their child’s classroom.
“The first year we distributed 50 kits, the second year 65, and this year we have 75 available,” Heilbrunn Needleman said. “So far, our Hanuk-kits have ended up in over 31 different schools in seven school districts in the Omaha area plus one in Iowa.”
Each season the kits are updated with any new resources available. This year’s kit included a teacher sign-up for a seasonal email that will include a listing of upcoming Jewish holiday dates and brief explanations.
“The goal is to assist schools in avoiding significant Jewish holidays when scheduling tests or events,” Heilbrunn Needleman said.
Tammy Lewis, a first-grade teacher at Rockbrook Elementary has implemented the kit into her Social Studies curriculum. She said the activities, game, and book were all helpful resources that her students enjoyed.
“Every fall we have a unit on cultural traditions. The Hanuk-kit really helped my students understand the traditions of Hanukkah,” she said. “The students were actively engaged. I feel like they learned much more using the kit than they would have by just discussing the traditions,” Lewis said.
Anne Miller, a kindergarten teacher at Rockbrook Elementary, enjoyed having a variety of age-appropriate activities to teach her students about the traditions of Hanukkah.
“The kids loved it and learned a lot. Kindergarten used the book “Little Red Ruthie,” played Dreidel, made Menorahs out of paper, and played “Spot the 8 Differences”. We used the website listed in the kit to explore additional activities to do both at school and at home. I also passed the website along to our district WE-SIDE’s Core Committee. The committee is responsible for sharing educational tools to build a stronger, more inclusive community with a focus on creating a belonging for all in Westside,” Miller said.
Parents have also been appreciative of the Hanuk-kits and the Jewish learning they foster within the broader community. Abby Haber, parent of a second-grade student, has participated in the Hanuk-kit program since its first year.
“We chose to participate because we want to provide teachers with resources they may not have when it comes to learning and teaching about holidays,” Haber said. “Our daughter loves bringing the kit to her teacher and sharing about Jewish holidays. She is usually the only Jewish student in her class. She is curious about other religions and loves to share about our religion in return.”
As the third year of the program is underway, Heilbrunn Needleman feels proud of what she’s accomplished. She has shared the Hanuk-kit idea and templates with other PJ Library communities across North America and one in Australia. She looks forward to growing the program even more and spreading the light of Hanukkah one kit at a time.
PJ Library is a national program created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. It helps families connect with Jewish values, culture, and traditions by distributing free Jewish-themed children’s books and resources. The program is implemented locally through partnerships with organizations like Jewish Federations and Jewish Community Centers.
PJ Library Omaha is offered through the Jewish Federation of Omaha. It is generously sponsored by The Chesed Fund, the Foundation IMPACT Grant, the Morton A Richards Youth Program Fund, Special Donor Advised Fund, Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation and the Anything Grant supported by the Staenberg Family Foundation and the Kiewit Companies Foundation. All families raising Jewish children are eligible to receive PJ Library books and participate in local PJ Library programming. The eligible age range for children is birth to 9 years.
Please contact Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman at hheilbrunn@jewish omaha.org if you would like to learn more.
