Imagine getting reimbursed just for having fun with other Jewish families. Thanks to PJ Library’s “Get Together” grant, Ottawa parents can turn Hanukkah hangouts, Shabbat dinners, or even a low-key parents’ night out into opportunities to build community and get $100 back while doing it.

Families who are subscribed to PJ Library, a program of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, now have an exciting opportunity to be reimbursed for events they hold that have a Jewish focus. The “Get Together” grant is designed to help families recoup $100 spent on organizing and hosting a Jewish gathering. Whether you’re planning a Hanukkah party for kids or a parent night out, the Get Together grant can be used for a variety of purposes.

Within the fiscal year, which ends in June 2026, you can apply three times for the grant, for a total of $300 reimbursed to you. Most families receive their reimbursement within one to two weeks of approval.

Importantly, events do not need to be exclusively for children. The grant is open to all PJ Library and PJ Our Way subscriber families, and gatherings can involve parents only, adults and kids together, grandparents, babies, or mixed groups of friends. They must include at least two Jewish families other than your own, but no more than 10 families.

“Your event could almost be about anything,” said Federation’s PJ Library Coordinator Eriel Ben-Gal. “As long as it’s a Jewish get-together and you are a PJ family, you qualify for the grant. It doesn’t have to be a children’s event.” 

Furthermore, while the event must include a Jewish component, not all guests need to be Jewish. What matters is that the host is shaping a Jewish environment and sharing Jewish experiences.

In Ottawa, some families have used the grant to host Shabbat meals for friends or build community in their sukkahs over pizza parties. Others have welcomed families for candle-lighting gatherings or organized Jewish book clubs. Some have simply wanted to bring Jewish parents together, whether for a class for new moms or a casual night out.

“The only thing that can’t be claimed are milestone events, like birthdays or anniversaries, or around secular holidays,” said Ben-Gal. “The goal is to incentivize people to organize events centred around Jewish holidays and observances, culture, or values.”

The application, which is submitted after the event, asks about the gathering’s theme, number of participants, and the Jewish element that was incorporated. 

Beyond the financial benefit, many families say the grant has encouraged them to try new traditions, connect with neighbours they hadn’t met before, or bring scattered friends together more intentionally. It also helps newer families in Ottawa feel welcomed and supported as they build their own networks. For some, the grant has even sparked ongoing gatherings, turning a one-time event into new friend groups who meet often.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, you can contact Eriel Ben-Gal at [email protected] or visit PJ Library’s website by clicking here.