Bringing Jewish pride into public schools

PJ Library Victoria & Beyond director Hila Ben Gera recently brought Rosh Hashanah into public schools through free interactive storytelling sessions, aiming to strengthen Jewish pride while building understanding in the wider community.

Each session begins with a question every child can relate to: “Who likes birthdays?” Ben Gera then tells the children that the world has a birthday too, sharing examples of how different cultures celebrate the New Year at different times and in different ways, before introducing Rosh Hashanah as the Jewish New Year.

During one session, a little girl stood up and said, “Oh, I celebrate that. I’m Jewish!”

“She was so excited and so proud,” Ben Gera recalled. “I realised I hadn’t heard a child say that with such enthusiasm in a long time. She felt completely safe to stand up in front of her classmates and proudly say who she was.

“In the climate we are living in, I think one of the most important things we can do is help build resilient Jewish children who feel happy and proud of who they are. At the same time, their classmates get to experience Jewish culture through something joyful, welcoming and relatable,” she said.

The initiative reached around 500 children in public primary schools and early learning centres across Melbourne, including schools connected with UJEB programs, with many learning about Rosh Hashanah for the first time. Schools also shared photos and information about the sessions in their newsletters, extending the reach to hundreds more parents and families.

The program is part of PJ Library Victoria & Beyond’s broader work connecting children and families with Jewish stories, culture and values. It operates in Australia in partnership with UJEB and is supported by the Besen Family Foundation and the Erdi Foundation.

“Children are naturally curious and open,” Ben Gera said. “If we can plant little seeds of understanding, connection and pride at this age, that feels especially important right now.”