- Small communities are eligible to send up to 2 people
- Midsize communities are eligible to send up to 3 people
- Large communities are eligible to send up to 4 people
- The New York Partnership Network attendance is by invite-only. Please reach out to Alison Goldberg with questions.
- PJ Library International attendance is by invite-only. Please reach out to Rachel Kozupsky with questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
A: Each PJ Library community is eligible to attend the conference:
Parent Connectors, Parent Ambassadors, PJ Library team members, and Supervisors are all welcome to attend, space permitting. We also encourage you to consider bringing a "friend" to the conference! “Friends” could be a colleague from a Jewish partner organization with whom you already have a great working relationship or one you hope to work more closely with in the future. Consider your connections with Jewish day camps, Jewish day schools, or the JCC.
If you would like to bring additional people beyond your approved amount, please complete this waitlist form as soon as possible. Our team will be in touch with each community on the waitlist. Please reach out to your Engagement Officer with questions or to strategize who best to include from your community.
Q: WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE?
A: The gathering will take place at the Marriott Springfield Downtown Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, April 8, 2024, with programming ending at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
This is an experiential conference that builds on previous sessions. It is important that you plan to be at our opening on Monday afternoon and stay through our closing session on Wednesday.
Q: WHAT DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
A: Thanks to the generosity of The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, registration, and hotel accommodations Monday and Tuesday night are paid for. Kosher meals from Monday dinner through Wednesday lunch are covered as well. Attendees will be responsible for travel expenses to and from their home community, including any additional nights at the hotel.
Q: HOW DO I BOOK A ROOM AT THE MARRIOTT SPRINGFIELD DOWNTOWN?
A: The HGF will make ALL hotel reservations. On your registration form, please indicate each night that you will stay at the hotel (including additional nights, pre or post-conference*). HGF will cover the cost of a single hotel room for each guest on Monday and Tuesday nights. *Attendees will be responsible for paying $159 plus applicable taxes for each additional night at the hotel.
Q: WILL FOOD AND MEALS BE KOSHER?
A: All food served throughout the conference will be certified Kosher under the supervision of the Rabbinical Council of New England (KVH heksher) from Monday dinner to Wednesday lunch. We are happy to accommodate food allergies. Please list all dietary restrictions on the conference registration form when prompted.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
A: The dress code is casual meets business casual. This means leaving your suits, ties, heels, flip-flops, and shorts at home. Jeans, khakis, comfortable shoes, and sneakers are welcome. The rooms can get chilly, so don't forget a sweater. Need more assistance or have questions about the dress code? Reach out to Engagement Officers Lori Hoch Stiefel or Jessica Korsunsky.
Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at water stations, a reusable coffee/tea mug if desired to help cut down on waste, a tote bag to carry your swag, some business cards for networking, and cash for tipping hotel room cleaning staff.
Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 FOR THIS CONFERENCE?
A: We ask participants to stay home or refrain from participating in the conference if they are sick, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have recently tested positive for COVID-19.
We ask participants who have been exposed to COVID-19 within the past 10 days to wear a well-fitting mask throughout the event.
Q: I'M NOT ABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON. WILL SESSIONS BE RECORDED?
A: This will be a hands-on, experiential conference, and as such, sessions will not be recorded. Reach out to your Engagement Officer to discuss other virtual professional development opportunities.
Q: WHAT IS THE HGF CONFERENCE STATEMENT OF VALUES?
A: The HGF is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all 2024 PJ Library International Conference participants. We embrace learning from different perspectives, encourage the exchange of ideas, and believe in hearing from all voices because it strengthens our conversation and advances our work.
Q: HOW DO I REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS?
A: PJ Library strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you need any accommodations during our three-day event, please contact us at conference@hgf.org.
Q: I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?
A: Please email our planning team with any questions.