Rabbi Melanie Levav

Our programs:

Roots Research Project

Project Roots enables Russian-speaking Jewish families conduct genealogical research and explore their family roots by accessing archives and materials in the US, Eastern Europe and former FSU with the assistance of a professional researcher.

BluePrint Fellowship

The program empowers RSJ change makers to create their own community-building initiatives, with the support of a network of peers, educational workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and mini-grants for project implementation.

B'nai Mitzvah RSJ Family Journey

A customized, year-long family program for Russian-speaking Jewish parents and their children leading up to Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

COJECO Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage

The Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage offers a series of top-notch Jewish and Israel-related educational sessions in English and Russian. Learn more on how to attend these free virtual lectures and help support the academy!

RJKrug

Interested in a unique Jewish learning program co-created by Russian-speaking Jewish families and leading Jewish educators? RJKrug, an Innovative Jewish Learning Program For Children and Parents, will soon begin its cohort for 2023-2024.

Germany Close Up

Bringing Russian-speaking Jewish young adults on a 9-day educational trips to Germany to explore the past and present of Jewish life in Germany, and to experience modern Germany first hand.

COJECO New Jersey

We have launched a successful program for adults, children, teens, and families in Northern New Jersey, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Ukraine: Refugee Resources & Ways to Help

As the war in Ukraine rages on, our community is welcoming more refugees from Ukraine every day. COJECO has been working tirelessly to help people impacted by the War in Ukraine to resettle in New York and New Jersey. Read more about our efforts and Join!

COJECO Anniversary Gala

Join COJECO in celebrating its annual gala honoring the RSJ Community. Stay tuned for details about the 2024 annual gala!

Rabbi Melanie Levav

Director, PJ Library in New York

mlevav@hgf.org

Rabbi Melanie Levav is the Director of PJ Library New York, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, where she leads a New York-based team charged with growing PJ Library in New York, bringing the gift of high-quality, free children's books into the homes of families raising Jewish children in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Previously, Melanie served as the Assistant Executive Director, Financial Resource Development, at the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, a JCC serving the Russian-speaking Jewish community in Brooklyn, New York, where she was also the agency's first full-time Jewish educator earlier in her career.

Organization

Harold Grinspoon Foundation

pjlibrary.org

Mission: PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, offers families the gift of free Jewish books about Jewish culture, values, traditions, and much more every month. Beyond the books, PJ Library in New York partners with local organizations to offer exciting events and gatherings for families with young children in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.