Center for Judaic Studies – Children’s Videos

An American Tail

Steven Spielberg presents An American Tail, a warm and delightful animated feature about a Jewish mouse who immigrates to America from Russia in the late nineteenth century. Fievel Mouskewitz and his family leave behind the evil cats of their homeland and move to America, where there is a mouse hole in every wall” and breadcrumbs on every floor.” But just as they are about to land in New York, Fievel becomes separated from his family. Will Fievel escape the cats and rats of the great big city and find his mama and papa?

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Steven Spielberg’s Jewish immigrant mouse Fievel Mousekewitz travels to the Wild West in this high-spirited animated feature. Fievel and his family have reached America, where the streets are paved with cheese.” But New York’s slums and evil cats make their new homeland less than paradise. “Go West Young Mouse!” comes the cry, and so the Mousekewitz family boards the train for the frontier. But on the long journey through the desert. Fievel overhears some cats scheming to make mouseburgers out of the new arrivals. Will Fievel be able to save the mice of Green River?

The Animated Haggadah

This telling of the Passover story explains the Jewish peoples liberation from slavery in lively, creative claymation. The film, narrated by a twelve-year old named Danny, begins at a modern-day family Seder complete with parents, grandparents, and siblings. Very quickly, the family is transported to ancient Egypt, a land where the evil Pharaoh, enthroned in the middle of a very sandy desert, performs wicked deeds in colorful ways. They – and we – witness reenactments of the burning bush, the ten plagues, and other events, along with clever depictions of ancient Egypt itself, a land of swaying pyramids and wily men. The Animated Haggadah takes its young viewers on a journey into the mysterious past to explain the mysteries of the present, and shows Jewish history in a unique form.

Benjamin and the Miracle of Hanukah

In 165 BCE, after years of persecution, a small band of Jews led by Judah Maccabee defeated the Syrians. But when they liberated the Temple in Jerusalem, they found that the holy oil for the Eternal Light had been desecrated and that only enough was left to burn a single day. How the oil miraculously lasted eight days is the basis for the holiday of Hanukab, the Festival of Lights. The animated film Benjamin and the Miracle of Hanukab tells a delightful Hanukah story about the brave exploits of young Benjamin and his loyal donkey Malka, sent on the perilous mission by Judah Maccabee to bring back pure oil from Caesarea. Children will be captivated by the plucky Benjamin, who fights bandits, wild animals, and his own fear to play a part in his peoples history.

Daniels Story

Daniel, age 10, is a composite of the Jewish children who experienced the war. In a childs voice and language, Daniel recall the chain of events that took him from his happy middle-class German life to the concentration camps: racial laws that that forced him out of school, the yellow star he had to wear, moving to the ghetto, losing the people he loved. The story is enhanced by photos of real people and situations, though none too graphic for young children's eyes.

Dear Kitty

Dear Kitty uses the story of Anne Franks remarkable diary to teach pre-teens about the Holocaust. The film weaves a brief but thorough history of the Nazi era into the story of the Franks’ life in Germany, their flight from the Nazis into Holland, their experiences hiding in an attic during the war, and Anne’s eventual death in Bergen-Belsen. Anne’s words in her diary, which she called “Kitty”, allows young viewers to identify with her feelings of fear, confusion, and hope, and reflect on her fate and that of the many other Jewish children who perished in the war. Passages in the diary that describe Anne’s desire to become a writer and the need she felt to record her experiences for posterity are highlighted, giving children a sense of the importance of personal history.

The Devils Arithmetic

Sixteen year old Hanna Stern was a typical American teenager who ignored her familys heritage until a mystical Passover Seder takes her back in time to Germanoccupied Poland on an emotional journey of life, death, and survival. Transported to a dank, cold concentration camp, she experiences the horror of the holocaust and for the first time understands the grim reality of her peoples fate. Fighting for survival, she keeps everyone's spirits up by entertaining them with stories of the future, but she soon must face a terrible sacrifice.

Esther

The story of Esther takes place later in time than any other biblical book and hundreds of miles from the Land of Israel. Which is exactly what makes it so relevant, says the narrator of People of the Book: Esther. In 586 BCE, the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jews of Judea were dispersed. They became aliens in many countries, including Shushan in Persia (now Iran), where the Purim story unfolds. This entertaining video captures the pageantry of the Purim story, yet never neglects its deeper meaning. While the actors bring the intricate plot to life, the narrator puts the events in larger context, exploring the significance of this tale of masks for generations.

Fliegels Flight

A little Jewish bird name Fliegel takes two bored youngsters on a flight across 4,000 years of Jewish history. Fliegel takes off in Canaan, where it all began with God’s promise to Abraham, swoops in on hard times in Egypt, and alights at Mount Sinai to hear the message “at the heart of our lives.” From there, he does a quick survey of the high and low points of Jewish life in the diaspora. But even when life was tough, Fliegel points out, the Jews kept learning and evolving. Fliegel’s Flight is a compact and intelligent animated summary of Jewish history. In a few pointed remarks, this little bird covers a lot of ground, giving children a way to absorb many events and themes.

Hanukkah: Let There Be Lights

Hanukkah has been celebrated for more than 21 centuries, yet it has been largely misunderstood in our time, says the narrator of Hanukkah: Let There Be Lights. Yes, its a joyous gift-giving holiday, but its simple rituals – like lighting candles and spinning dreidels – are linked to crushing religious repression, the destruction of one of the holiest places on earth, and the survival of the Jewish people. It marks the first time in recorded history that people chose to die rather than relinquish their religion. This PBS production explains the history of Hanukkah, the holidays legends, the origins of its customs, and how Hanukkahs emphasis on the freedom of people to express their beliefs continues to inspire.

Lights: A Hanukah Video

This humorous animated tale is symbolic of the central message of Hanukah – that Jews need to assert their Jewish identity when confronting the influences and claims of the world culture. The “lights” of the title do not refer literally to the Hanukah story, but to flickering Hebrew letters, which represent the Jewish tradition that the Greeks tried to destroy. The lights travel with the main Jewish characters as a constant reminder not to succumb to cultural assimilation. One young man, originally drawn to the Greek letter, joins the victorious revolt to save the one remaining light of the Temple menorah.

Lovely Butterfly: Chanukah

With puppets, games, animation, stories, and familiar holiday songs, Lovely Butterfly is a lovely way to teach children about Chanukah. Join the puppets, Butz (who doesn't know too much about Chanukah – yet) and Uza (who knows a little more – and flaunts it), along with their human friends Effi (Effi Ben-Israel) and Ronni (Lzi Hitman) in songs and conversation about the traditions of the Festival of Lights. Then participate in a Chanukah party filmed at a real school in Tel Aviv. Prepared by Israel Educational Television and translated into English, this charming video will captivate young children who may just be learning about dreidels, latkes, and candle-lighting.

The Mitzvah Machine

Jeff feels uninspired by the rote duties for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. When his uncle Martin gives him a robot kit for a present, Jeff secretly builds a machine that looks just like himself. On the big day, the robot is a star, filling Jeff’s unsuspecting parents with a feeling of pride. But Jeff is troubled by his actions. Ironically, it is the Mitzvah machine – a mechanical being without a choice – that explains to him why he feels conflict.

Molly’s Pilgrim

Children of Jewish immigrants often bore the emotional brunt of their family’s transition into American society. Their fresh spirit was called upon to wade into the unfamiliar social depths of an alien culture. But those children often suffered the taunts of classmates and acquaintances who felt uneasy about someone who spoke, dressed, and prayed differently from them. Molly’s Pilgrim is an Academy Award winning film about a nine year old Russian Jewish immigrant girl named Molly who is the object of her classmates’ derision. When the children make dolls for a class display of the first Thanksgiving, Molly brings in her own version of a pilgrim – a Russian doll. Her unique perspective on the holiday provides her classmates with a bridge to understanding Molly and her family’s quest for religious freedom.

One Minute Bible Stories (Old Testament)

Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop tell ancient tales in One Minute Bible Stories (Old Testament). The stories are just that – short and fast paced. Using numerous illustrations, Lewis zips through familiar tales, beginning with Adam and Eve and moving on to Noah, the Tower of Babel, the Patriarchs, Moses and the Exodus, Joshua, David, Ruth and Naomi, Gideon, Solomon, Jonah, and Job. The ever-expressive Lamb Chop remains fresh and hilarious, a wonderful guide to the tales of the Torah.

The Sabbath Kit

The Jewish Sabbath reminds us that God created the universe. As He rested on the seventh day, so does man, His greatest creation. Indeed, the Torah commands us to put away work, school, and obligation to celebrate the Sabbath. The Sabbath Kit presents four short videos that explore the literal meaning of Sabbath – rest. Each story will captivate younger children and raise thought-provoking questions in the process. The animated Faces contrasts the busy work week with the human nature of the Sabbath. Through song and animation, “Chaims Hoedown” shows how the farmer takes one day off a week. “Manna” is a farcical look at how the children of Israel collected the coveted food. “Time Out” is a fast-paced animated short about a man adjusting to the Sabbath after a hectic week.

The Secret in Bubbie’s Attic

The Secret in Bubbie’s Attic gives some all-American kids a taste of the Old Country. Upbeat, original holiday songs (there's even a rap music Chanukah tune) and klezmer music mix with jazzed-up versions of Yiddish folktales to give contemporary youngsters a sense of the rich tradition they inherit from their grandparents. While playing hide and seek at their Bubbie’s (grandmothers) house, friends stumble across a mysterious attic door. There they find old Hebrew books, a shofar, a ta//is bag and a mysterious old trunk. When they open the trunk, out pops a sparkling Jewish genie who can’t wait to tell them stories—and reveal an intriguing family secret.

Shalom Sesame

Imagine traveling with America’s best-loved childrens' television program to Israel! Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie, Grover, Cookie Monster and Elmo are your furry guides to a magical series of adventures in the Holy Land. Children will be delighted as their favorite characters talk (and teach) in English and Hebrew. Shalom Sesames eleven episodes feature stars such as Itzhak Perlman, Bonnie Franklin, Jeremy Miller, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Alan King. Follow them on a tour of some of Israel’s unique joys – the lush orchards of Kibbutz life, the town of Modin where the Maccabees lived, the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv, and the awesome splendor of Jerusalem.

Shalom Shabbat

The spirit and songs of the Sabbath are explored with hosts Chaim Topol, Hanny Nachmias, and a cast of talented children on this entertaining video. Wherever Jews settled, they preserved their ancient customs – very often by adapting their own rituals to local styles. Shalom Shabbat takes us on a tour of Shabbat celebrations around the world, where families from Poland to Spain to New York observe the day in ways familiar and unique. When the restful Shabbat of Eliyahu the Fisherman (Topol) is disturbed, Ronnie takes Eliyahu to his school, where teacher and classmates sing beloved songs of Shabbat preparation. At Ronnie’s grandmother’s house, more traditional melodies evoke the joyful day.

Shirim Ktanim: Hebrew Songs for Children

With a wink here and a jig there genial Israeli TV star Uzi Chitman takes toddlers and young children on a musical tour of over 40 of Israel’s best-loved children's songs. Accompanied by a handful of Israeli boys and girls, the singer/guitarist cavorts against a backdrop of colorful, simply sketched scenes depicted in each song. Line dances and clapping games liven the action and little ones will join in the pantomime of songs like “Lakova Sheli” (My Hat Has…) or “Etsbaot Li” (I Have Fingers). They’ll also laugh at hearing their own favorites like “Old McDonald” sung with a Hebrew twist when Chitman and his chaverim (pals) visit the farm of “Dod (Uncle) Moshe.” Adults can help the kids keep up with this fast-paced collection by reading the translations and transliterations that accompany most songs.