492.4

HANALE AND THE SHABBAT DRESS (Chanele VeSimlat HaShabbat) and

Han

BERELE, BERELE  (n.d.)

Two separate stories are presented in this Hebrew children’s video. The first, commonly known as Hanale’s Sabbath Dress (28 min.), was written by Yitzhak Dmi’el and is a classic of Israeli children’s literature. It is about Hanale, whose mother makes her a new white dress for Shabbat—which she soils when doing a mitzvah for an old man. The second narrative, Berele, Berele (25 min.), is about a boy who invites friends for his fifth birthday party. Note: The Hebrew level is too difficult for most American students at the age level for which the videos are intended.

In Hebrew. 53 min. total.  AGE: 5 to 10

F

THE HANGMAN  (1964)

Han

Based on Maurice Ogden's award-winning poem and narrated by Herschel Bernardi, this animated film creates a chilling metaphoric journey of the forces of evil as they grow and flourish in the fertile soil of apathy and social irresponsibility. The story concerns a town where the hangman comes for people, one at a time. No one interferes and, at the end, there is only one person left—and no one left to protest on his behalf. Study guide available. Note: An excellent trigger film for discussions involving the Holocaust, ethics and the danger of apathy.

12 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

F

THE HATING MOVIE  (1986)

Hat

A trigger film which illustrates how a misunderstanding catapults into a falling out between two best friends. The friendship between two nine-year-old girls is abruptly halted when gossip leads one girl to think the other hates her. The friendship is finally healed through communication. Based on the picture book by Charlotte Zolotow. Study guide available. Note: This film can be used to illustrate the importance of communication as well as the concept of “Lashon Harah.”

14 min.  AGE: 5 to 12

F

THE HOLLOW BOY  (1989)

Hol

The story of the uneasy friendship of two young men—one Jewish and one the son of German immigrants—in 1936 New York City. Based on a short story by Hortense Calisher. Note: Excellent adaptation, originally aired on PBS, which can be used for discussions on anti-Semitism, pre-Holocaust, friendship and family life philosophies. It should be pointed out to students that the portrayal of the German family in this video is stereotypical—and this can be used as a springboard for discussions about stereotypes.

1 hr.  AGE: 11 to Adult

200

HOW DO YOU SPELL GOD?  (1996)

How

Focuses on basic questions children ask about God, faith, miracles, death, our place in the world, and why bad things happen. The video alternates between clips of children from many different backgrounds talking about their views on these subjects and with short animated stories and poems. Animated segments include the Hindu tale Three Blind Men and an Elephant, Ruth Krauss’ The Carrot Seed, Judith Viorst’s The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Isaac Bashevis Singer’s Menashe’s Dream, and poems by Maya Angelou and A. A. Milne. An excellent film to trigger further discussions about God, faith, and their place in the world. The video is high interest, easy to follow and very well produced. Children depicted seem to be ages 4-10 and represent many religions including Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist. A three-part segment called The Tale of the Watch is interspersed throughout the video and illustrates in a simple and clear manner three ways that Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism look at the relationships between God, man and the world. Based on the book of the same title by Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman. Features their voices as well as those of Maya Angelou, Deepak Chopra and a number of well known actors. Highly recommended.

32 min.  AGE: 8 to 12

296.4

THE JEWISH CUSTOMS  (1988)

Jew

This video has six brief segments, each highlighting a specific Jewish custom, ceremony or value. The following pertains to ethics and values:

Tzedakah: The Jewish Concept of Charity. The Hebrew word “tzedakah” is defined here as meaning both righteousness and charity. In the Bible, tzedakah is shown to be a form of social justice rather than philanthropy. This segment describes Maimonides’ eight degrees of charity, with a mime acting them out. Finally, examples of Jewish tzedakah in our world are described.

8 min.  AGE: 10 to Adult

Short trigger film which shows, using excerpts from the official Palestinian network, how young Palestinian children are indoctrinated to wage Jihad – a holy war – against Israel and the Jews. Included are a number of clips from a program that is the Palestinian equivalent of Sesame Street, produced by the Palestinian Ministry for Education. Viewers will see example after example of very young children chanting and singing songs of violence and hatred towards Israel - songs in which suicide bombers are their role models. Film clips are also shown of Arafat’s duplicity, contrasting what he says to the U.S. during peace talks and what he says on Palestinian television to his own people – lauding Jihad and making martyrs of Palestinians who have killed Israeli civilians. Footage is also shown of Palestinian rallies burning effigies of Israeli buses and towns. Note: The content in this film is upsetting and those showing it must preview and be prepared to handle subsequent discussions.  Opinion will vary as to what age this is suitable for – dependent on the teacher and the viewing population.

2 versions available:  11 min. or 8.5 min.

AGE:  13 to Adult – see note above.

Slightly trimmed version of the original Jihad for Kids (see listing above), this one is about 2 minutes less in length and is a visually, somewhat clearer copy. This version does not include the brief section that deals with the bias found in Palestinian textbooks. It also deletes the section covering the training camps where children march with guns, proclaiming the importance of potentially giving up their lives for Jihad.

Approx. 8.5 min.  AGE:  13 to Adult

940.53

JOSEPH SCHULTZ  (1990)

Jos

This short, almost wordless “trigger” film raises the issue of moral responsibility versus obedience to authority. The film reenacts a documented incident in 1941 where a German soldier in Yugoslavia refused to shoot civilians before a firing squad—preferring to quietly share their fate. Study guide available. Note: Excellent tool to stimulate classroom discussion.

13 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

574.5

KEEPING THE EARTH: RELIGIOUS AND SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVES ON THE

Kee

ENVIRONMENT  (1996)

Narrated by James Earl Jones, this video was created by the Union of Concerned Scientists to emphasize the importance of all life and inspire people to protect our environment. It includes comments from a wide variety of scientists and religious leaders who offer their perspectives on our relationship to our environment and what our obligations are towards it. Beautiful scenes of nature and animals contrast with scenes of congested urban areas—and are interspersed between commentators. Jewish participants include the Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary and a representative from the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. Study guide available. Note: A well-produced film, useful for units or discussions on Jews and the environment.

27 min.  AGE: 13 to Adult

174.2

THE LAST INFUSION  (Horizons in Bioethics Series)  (1999)

Las

This videodrama, produced by the Jerusalem Religious Council, looks at how choices are made in emergency situations where lives are at risk and all cannot be saved. The film explores the classic case of two people dying of thirst in the desert with only enough water for one. Other examples examined: not enough hospital beds in the I.C.U. for all the critically ill patients; a building has collapsed, and saving people on one floor means people on another floor will die; and who receives medication first when there is not enough medicine for all. Halachic rulings are described by Rabbi Yigal Shafran of the Jerusalem Religious Council.

In Hebrew with subtitles. 18 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

F

THE LOTTERY  (1969)

Lot

Adaptation of a tension-filled short story by Shirley Jackson, this film is about a small American town holding an annual lottery—which turns out to be a ritual of selecting someone to be stoned to death. Powerful to use as a trigger film to discuss scapegoatism, adherence to tradition, hypocrisy, the role of the individual in society, and the bystander’s reaction to a violent episode. Can be used with Holocaust themes. Note: Some violence at the end. Must be previewed.

18 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

F

MAKE A WISH, MOLLY  (1995)

Mak

Molly, a 10-year-old Russian Jewish girl, moves with her parents from New Jersey to California, where she is teased for her ethnic mannerisms. Molly is invited to her new friend’s birthday party—Molly’s first in America. However, the party falls during Passover, and Molly is faced with a dilemma. Her friend is having a very special cake, but Molly’s mother tells her she can’t eat it as foods with leavening are forbidden during Passover. Molly must decide whether it is more important to eat the cake and “fit in,” or to uphold tradition by abstaining from eating the cake and risk “standing out from the crowd.” An anti-Semitic episode adds to Molly’s problems, and Molly’s parents and teachers come up with a surprise solution which enlightens the whole class about ethnic diversity. Based on the book of the same title by Molly Cone and a sequel to the film Molly’s Pilgrim. Study guide available. Note: Not as well written or acted as the film Molly’s Pilgrim (and a little too “pat”), but still engaging for young people. A perfect springboard for discussions about ethnic diversity, accepting others, friendship, personal integrity vs. “fitting in,” Passover and the importance of keeping traditions, Soviet Jewry, and anti-Semitism.

30 min.  AGE: 5 to 14

917.3

MOLLY'S PILGRIM  (1985)

Mol

Winner of the 1986 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Subject, this is the story of Molly, a 9-year old Russian-Jewish girl who is the object of her classmates taunts. When the children each make dolls for a class display of the first Thanksgiving, Molly brings in a very different looking doll—a Russian-Jewish figure that leads the children to understand Molly and her family's search for religious freedom. Study guide available.

24 min.  AGE: 5 to 14

174.2

MY NAME IS JOHN  (Horizons in Bioethics Series)  (1999)

My

This videodrama, produced by the Jerusalem Religious Council, focuses on the future ethical and medical dilemmas of cloning. It presents a hypothetical story about a man who needs a liver transplant and goes to a cloning clinic. He learns he can obtain a liver for $200,000 from a clone named John, who was genetically engineered for organ transplants. The video explores the ethical issues according to Jewish law as to whether this is permissible, and looks at what Judaism might say about the cloning process.

22 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

Israeli children’s video which takes kids on a musical journey through the Six Days of Creation as described in the book of Genesis. Israeli children’s television host, Dalik Vilinitz, along with his oversized puppet friend, Stam, take a group of children on a tiyul (trip) to learn about the creation of the world. The children learn about each separate day of creation and sing songs that teach about basic Jewish concepts and values. The songs are chosen from the 12 passages from Bible, Talmud and the Sages that the Lubavitcher Rebbe deemed as important for all children to learn. The children are appealing, the songs and choreography are lively, and the presentation is upbeat. Note: If the English version of this DVD is selected, viewers will hear an English narration with Hebrew subtitles for songs. Viewers may also opt for the all-in-Hebrew tract. Teachers may wish to show the DVD in segments, highlighting one day of creation at a time. Music teachers may wish to focus on the songs alone. The film does not have an overly didactic quality, and young children should find it enjoyable viewing.

50 min.  AGE:  5 to 9

940.53

PRESERVING THE PAST TO ENSURE THE FUTURE  (1989)

Pre

A somewhat disjointed short film which focuses on Yad Vashem and on the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust. The film opens by showing the reactions of people from varied backgrounds to Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Museum, especially its Children’s Memorial. Children’s voices narrate poetry written by children from the camps, while the screen shows artwork of children who died and documentary footage. The film points out what the world is deprived of with even the loss of one child. Could this happen again today? Scenes of the Ku Klux Klan, skinheads, Cambodia and South Africa flash across the screen. The words “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it” appears on the screen. A powerful and moving experience for both young and old viewers. Note: This film is best used as an introduction to the subject of the Holocaust to lead to further study or discussion. It does not, however, include enough historical background to be used as a primary source of study.

15 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

174.2

A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY  (Horizons in Bioethics Series)  (1991)

Que

A young mother of two is declared brain dead in a hospital after a terrible fall. She is eight months pregnant and being kept alive on a respirator. Doctors wish to perform a cesarean to deliver the child, but they cannot assure the father that the baby will not be brain damaged. This video deals with a multitude of medical, ethical and legal questions surrounding the case including: What is death? How is death determined? What constitutes a human being, and is a fetus a person? What are the father’s rights and the physicians’ obligations? Who has the responsibility to decide? Do the handicapped have fewer rights, or are their lives less valuable? The film was developed by the Jerusalem Religious Council and deals with the stance of halacha (Jewish religious law) on all of the issues. It also defines bioethics and the connection between biblical law and medicine. Note: Discussion leaders must preview and determine suitability for their audience. An accompanying book is available in the library under the title A Lack of Authority: On the Borders of Life and Death, by Rabbi Yigal Shafran.

25 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

940.54

REFLECTIONS  (Witness to the Holocaust, Vol. 7)  (1980)

Wit

Part seven of a seven-part series on the Holocaust in which interviews with survivors provide the narration for documentary footage and photographs. This segment is an afterward in which survivors discuss the universal lessons that can be learned from the Holocaust. It also examines how the Holocaust could have happened and whether it could happen today. Study guide available.

Approx. 20 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

F

7TH HEAVEN: I HATE YOU  (1997)

Sev

Outstanding episode of a family-centered television series which focuses on the Holocaust and on hatred. The main story involves a young boy, Simon, who sees a number tattooed on the arm on an elderly woman who lives in his neighborhood. His father then tells him about the Holocaust. Simon is determined to find out his neighbor’s personal story—especially since his teacher has assigned each class member to interview an older friend or relative about a historical event. After a classmate announces that his father told him the Holocaust is a made-up hoax, Simon decides he must do something. In a very moving scene, he brings his neighbor to speak to the class about her experiences in Auschwitz. The episode also deals with other facets of hatred. In one subplot, two of Simon’s sisters make fun of their older brother’s new girlfriend, hating her without even knowing her. In another subplot, the youngest child in the family tells her mother, “I hate you,” after her mother makes her clean the bedroom wall she has drawn on. All three girls learn that hurtful words and inconsiderate actions have consequences, and that saying “I’m sorry” is not always good enough. Note: This is a powerful and highly instructive episode for warning young people about the power of hatred and as an introduction to the Holocaust.

Perfect for classroom use. Leave time for discussion afterwards. Teachers or parents must preview the survivor’s testimony (near the end of the episode) to determine suitability for younger audiences.

1 hr.  AGE: 13 to Adult

362

SHELTER BOY

She

Short news clip about the experiences of a homeless family. We meet the Metcalfs who are living in a shelter after losing their home in a tornado in Nebraska. Study guide available.

15 min.  AGE: 8 to Adult

362.8

TO SAVE A LIFE: ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN JEWISH FAMILIES  (1997)

To

Created for use by abused Jewish women, Jewish leaders, and professionals, this video looks at domestic violence in the Jewish home. The film includes interviews with three Jewish women of various ages who have been victims of physical and/or emotional abuse, interspersed with comments from rabbis and psychologists. It also addresses the religious issues that may be troubling Jewish women and preventing them from seeking help. Note: An excellent guide for facilitators accompanies the video. The film can easily be used for programming in women’s groups, but it is stressed that a skilled facilitator must conduct the program—someone with expertise in the field of working with domestic violence. A two hour allotment of time is suggested for showing the video and subsequent discussion.

35 min.  AGE: Adult

296.439

TREES FOR TOMORROW AND TOMORROW  (1987)

Tre

In the main story line, we see puppet Honi learning from an old man the value of planting a carob tree, even though it will not bear fruit for 70 years. This story’s Honi is based on Honi ha-Ma’agal (Honi the Circlemaker), a figure from the Talmud. The film stresses the importance of caring for future generations, the power of prayer, and the importance of doing a good deed without seeking a reward. Study guide available. Note: Teachers may wish to pair this video with the children’s book Honi the Circlemaker.

13 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

574.5

VISIONS OF EDEN: A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT  (1997)

Vis

A group of Jewish leaders and experts in the fields of science, religion and philosophy go on a retreat along the Appalachian Trail. They share their thoughts about the relationship between Judaism and the environment as they hike, camp and explore the natural world. Participants include Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Bill McKibben, Dr. Mitch Thomashow, Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard, Rabbi Everett Gendler, and individuals from the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. Note: Most of the film involves this group of people discussing Judaism and the environment in group discussions. Therefore, it will probably be of most interest to adult groups.

1 hr.  AGE: 14 to Adult

F

THE WAVE  (1981)

Wav

A riveting dramatization of an incident that took place at a northern California high school in 1967. In response to a student questioning how the German people could claim ignorance of the Holocaust, the teacher initiates a classroom experiment. Through strict, regimented behavior, Mr. Ross creates ”The Wave”—a school movement based on ideas of power, discipline and superiority designed to make the students understand the mentality behind Hitler's Youth Movement. Note: The results are frightening and should be used to promote discussions about prejudice, conformity, misuse of power and the Holocaust.

46 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

296.3 

Based on the best selling book by Rabbi Harold Kushner, this video takes a closer look at the lives of 6 men and women who have confronted and overcome monumental loss. Periodically, Rabbi Kushner interjects his philosophy, commentary, and tells about his own personal experiences dealing with the loss of his son from progeria. The individuals interviewed include 3 groups of parents who have lost children (one as an adult, one as an infant, and one as a teenager), a woman with terminal cancer and her friends and family, and a therapist who deals with severely handicapped individuals. Those interviewed have life affirming attitudes and express how living through tremendous loss has given them the ability to help others experiencing suffering.

41 min.  AGE:  12 to Adult

F

WHY WE NEED EACH OTHER: THE ANIMAL’S PICNIC DAY

Ani

Animated trigger film which illustrates that the differences between people are valuable. A group of picnicking animals ridicule the physical differences of other animals who wish to join them. When threatened by a flood, the outcast animals save the entire valley by utilizing those very differences which had been mocked. Study guide available.

10 min.  AGE: 4 to 10

301.451

THE WRITING ON THE WALL  (1994)

Wri

Produced as a CBS Schoolbreak Special, this is the story of three teenage boys who write anti-Semitic graffiti on a rabbi’s house, a Holocaust survivor’s car, and the local synagogue. Rather than seeing them in jail, the rabbi suggests he teach the three boys for a total of 25 hours. In that time, he involves the boys in a learning process about the Holocaust, Judaism, and tolerance. The film stars Hal Holbrook and is based on an actual event. A 1995 Emmy Award winner. Note: Ideal for use in public schools or even Sunday School settings, relating to the topics of anti-Semitism, ethics, tolerance, or even as an introduction to Holocaust studies.

45 min.  AGE: 10 to Adult