PJ Library Summer Retreat 2026

Welcome!

We are thrilled to host you for the 2026 PJ Library Summer Retreat! This five day, in-person program is centered on creativity, inspiration, and our Jewish community 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 themes and research
• optional (and encouraged) peer guided sessions

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. Each evening we will gather for discussion and sharing. (Tentative schedule to come.)

“The community was amazing. I can’t believe how lucky I was to attend this retreat, and I feel so indebted to PJ Library for supporting me and believing in my writing journey. I still can’t believe it all happened and I got to be there! And now I’m trying to figure out how to get back.”

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

• This is an in-person workshop is built to share ideas for stories with Jewish themes and content, along with rich experiences to explore your creativity.
• PJ Library covers tuition, lodging, and meals.
• Travel stipends are available.
• Storytellers should arrive by 5:30 pm Eastern on Sunday, August 23
• Storytellers will depart on Thursday, August 27 following lunch

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 kitchen at Boyds Mills is not kosher, they are happy to provide kosher certified packaged meals for accepted participants who mark this request.

Important Travel Reimbursement Details

PJ Library will provide reimbursements for up to $500 for North American travel and $1,300 for international travel. For travel from Israel, please only purchase refundable tickets, in which case the travel stipend can extend to $1,700. If flight travel costs exceed any of these limits, please reach out to the PJ Library team for approval: authors@pjlibrary.org.

PJ Library will also cover the cost of shuttles and/or car rentals for travel between transportation hubs and the campus at Boyds Mills. Receipts can be submitted for reimbursement (no hard reimbursement cap for shuttle/rental cars).

Important Travel Links:

• Reimbursement form: https://boydsmills.org/expense-reimbursement-form/
• PJ Library Ride Share/Carpooling Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gta1KA2vFHbYHhDlHMnuByekDUfy-Y7BV3s47KNnAJw/edit?gid=0#gid=0
• Travel to and from Boyds Mills: https://boydsmills.org/getting-here/

How to submit for reimbursement

All reimbursement requests (for flights, mileage, and/or car rentals or shuttle services) are due by September 4th. To submit for reimbursement, download and complete the form above and email it to Support@BoydsMills.Org attaching any applicable receipts. Feel free to use that same email address with any questions about reimbursements or traveling to campus.

Important Dates:

• August 23 – 27, 2026
• Full schedule to come

“I felt nurtured and supported, gently challenged, and made connections

I know will last a lifetime.”

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.

Questions directly for the PJ Library Team can be directed to: authors@pjlibrary.org