PJ Library Sephardic Stories Retreat

Welcome to the Retreat for the Sephardic Stories Initiative  hosted by PJ Library

The Sephardic Stories Initiative is part of PJ Library’s mission to represent the diversity of North American Jewish communities through the books sent to families.

With generous support and guidance from the Seattle-based Samis Foundation, and following extensive research and recommendations from a specially formed advisory committee, the Author Stewardship Team invited seven experienced and published authors of Sephardic and Mizrahi backgrounds to create stories inspired by their own experiences over a two-year period.

These authors were granted the opportunity to dig deeper into stories with the support of experts in the field, customized virtual meet-ups, and a special in-person gathering.

Details about our In-Person Gathering

WHAT TO EXPECT

This five day, in-person program is centered on mentorship, inspiration, and community building, with:

• opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction
• ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity
• support for Jewish, Sephardic, and Mizrahi research

Mornings will be structured around lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities. Afternoons will be for independent writing and revising, as well as meetings with fellow creatives (including your faculty reader and small groups).

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

• This is an in-person workshop at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center hosted by PJ Library.
• Your tuition, lodging, and meals are covered.
• Travel stipends to the retreat center will be available from PJ Library. 
• Arrival should be between 3pm – 5:30 pm Eastern on Sunday, June 15, 2025
• Departure is set for Thursday, June 19, 2025 following lunch (if travel schedule permits)

Important Dietary Information:

PJ Library maintains kosher style options for programs that they host. During this retreat, we will only be serving vegetarian and kosher fish options. Snacks and drinks will be certified kosher. While the Highlights Foundation’s kitchen is not kosher, they are able to provide kosher certified packaged meals for accepted participants who mark this request.

Important Travel Information:

We ask that participants submit the reimbursement form you will receive from the PJ Library team, along with any relevant receipts, for travel reimbursement no later than 06/26/25. Reimbursements will cover up to $500 for North American travel and $1,300 for travel outside of the U.S.

Please only purchase refundable tickets, in which case the travel stipend can extend to $1,700. If travel costs exceed any of these limits, please reach out and we will make it work. Any applicable shuttle fees will be covered separately by PJ Library.

ABOUT PJ LIBRARY:

Learn all about PJ Library at https://pjlibrary.org/home.

PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month. We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, or family make-up, or observance may be.

ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION RETREAT CENTER:

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops (including this special partnership with the PJ Library) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional lands of the Lenape Nation. For more information about attending a workshop or retreat here, visit the Barn at Boyds Mills website.

To learn more about the Highlights Foundation, please read about the mission and Community Standards.