HOLIDAYS (CHANUKAH)

296.436

ABOVE AND BEYOND  (1987)

Pur

This film talks briefly about how Chanukah celebrates heroes like the Maccabees. It focuses on and interviews three real modern day heroes of Israel—one each from the War of Independence, the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War. Produced by the World Zionist Organization. Study guide available. Note: The opening and closing segments of the video involve three college students in Israel working on a video project about Jewish holidays. Teachers may wish to skip these—as the acting is poor and the situation is artificial—and focus on the segment, which interviews the Israeli heroes.

25 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

296.435

BENJAMIN AND THE MIRACLE OF HANUKAH  (1978)

Ben

This animated film tells of the arduous journey of a little boy sent by Judah Maccabee to obtain oil for the temple in Jerusalem. It deals with the traditional values of the festival—the quest for religious freedom and the triumph of faith.

24 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

296.435

CHANUKA AT BUBBE'S  (Bubbe’s Boarding House Series)  (1989)

Bub

Bubbe (a puppet) and her friends—a host of colorful Sesame Street-type characters—prepare for a Chanukah celebration while Bubbe relates the history of Chanukah.

42 min.  AGE: 4 to 8

296.43

CHANUKAH  (Parpar Nechmad Series)  (1989)

Par

Award-winning video in English from the Israeli educational TV program which addresses Chanukah with puppets, songs and stories. Baz (a turtle) and Uza (a bird) learn which objects are used on Chanukah.

24 min.  AGE: 6 to 10

915.694

CHANUKAH  (Shalom Sesame, Show 6)  (1990)

Sha

Journey with Jeremy Miller to ancient Modin—the land of the Maccabees. Play a round of “Dreidel of Fortune,” watch Moshe Oofnik make his specialty Chanukah donuts, see Kippi finish the Chanukah torch run to Jerusalem, and watch as Joan Rivers, Alan King, Nell Carter and Joshua Rifkind pay tribute to a famous little Chanukah hero. Study guide available.

30 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

Entertaining celebration of the Festival of Chanukah for the entire family. The program includes songs, stories, home decorating tips/crafts, a Chanukah dessert demonstration and a children’s segment with live action puppetry including “Mitzvah Mouse.” Host Fran Drescher introduces each segment. Special guests include Jewish singers Craig Taubman and Theodore Bikel; The Learning Channel’s Teresa Strasser and Whizzen Institute’s Risa Gruberger on craft ideas; Chef Jeff Nathan on making Banana Sufganiot Pudding; a Reggae Chanukah presentation of Chanukah blessings in song and dance by Alan Eder & Friends; and a children’s segment in which Mitzvah Mouse takes kids back to the time of the Maccabbees (Taubman sings “Maoz Tzur” and “Shehechiyanu.” Bikel sings “Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah” in Yiddish and English). Note: Similar in style to “A Taste of Chanukah,” this video offers a wide variety of songs and activities for Chanukah. The only potential problem for audiences is that kids may be bored with the cooking demonstration while adults may not wish to view the children’s “Mitzvah Mouse” segment.

56 min.  AGE:  8 to Adult

296

A CHANUKAH MITZVAH  (Alef...Bet...Blast-Off!  Episode 5)  (1995)

Ale

Part of a children’s video series in which puppets and real people illustrate how traditional Jewish values apply to modern life. In this episode the entire family is preparing for Chanukah—except David, who wishes he could celebrate Christmas. He plans to play Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the school play. Mitzvah Mouse takes David and Rachel back in time to meet Judah Maccabee (played by Don Diamont), who shows them the importance of fighting for your beliefs. The Chanukah song Maoz Tsur is sung, and the Hebrew letter j (Het) is introduced.

Approx. 30 min.  AGE: 4 to 8

Cha

(DVD)

Chanukah children’s video that uses live-action puppetry and

animation to tell the story of Chanukah. Aliens (puppets) on a planet called “Matzah Ball” are amazed when a menorah drops down on them one day from the sky. In searching for its origin, they look to earth and watch (through a type of TV) how Earth people use the menorah and celebrate Chanukah. The program uses original, lively songs and tells a little about the history and practice of celebrating Chanukah. Note: Will appeal only to young children. Not as engaging as many of the other available Chanukah films for children.

23 min.  AGE:  3 to 8

296.442

THE EIGHTH DAY  (1989)

Wur

The conflict between the Greeks and Maccabees is at its peak. A young Jewish couple is faced with the decision of whether or not to circumcise their newborn son. The moving account not only portrays an important moment in Jewish history, but raises a variety of questions relevant to our day, including assimilation.

23 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

296.435

HA SEVIVON (The Dreydel)  (1977)

Has

An animated Hebrew film without captions—for a primary-elementary level—utilizes a limited Hebrew vocabulary. It is a charming story about a dreydel that goes from house to house in search of a child to play with him. Study guide available.

In Hebrew. 8 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

296.435

THE HANUKKAH SOLDIER  (1992)

Han

Set in southern Tennessee in 1862, this is a short play about racial intolerance and religious prejudice during the Civil War. A Jewish northern soldier is forbidden to light his menorah by a prejudiced sergeant. The company's black cook, a former slave, shows the soldier the importance of standing up for your beliefs.

23 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

296.435

HANUKKAH TALES & TUNES  (1994)

Han

An assortment of Chanukah stories and sing-along songs, including a retelling of the history of Chanukah. Songs are written by Debbie Friedman. Note: Lack of kippot and clothing styles may make this video unsuitable for Traditional audiences.

30 min.  AGE: 4 to 8

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 Chanukah:

Hanukah. Provides history behind the holiday, including the story of the Maccabees. A description is given of how the menorah is kindled, and the blessings are recited and are shown on-screen in transliteration and with their English translation. The custom of eating fried foods on the holiday is described, and children are shown playing dreidel.

9½ min.  AGE: 10 to Adult

296.43

THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS VIDEO GUIDE  (1990)

Jew

Join a Jewish family on a journey through the Jewish calendar, rediscovering the history and practices of major Jewish holidays. The traditions and rituals of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Passover and Shabbat are presented. Guest celebrities Ed Asner, Theodore Bikel and Monty Hall share their favorite holiday memories. Note: Format is conducive to selecting single holiday segments for classroom viewing, although teachers should preview first. This film is most suitable for home use by families or to introduce Jewish holidays and customs to people of other faiths.

1 hr. 30 min.  AGE: 8 to Adult

Lam

DVD

This DVD contains two separate programs: Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah and Shari’s Passover Surprise. Both shows feature Shari Lewis and her puppet, Lamb Chop. The first tells the story of Chanukah and its traditions. In the second, Shari, Lamb Chop and special guests celebrate a traditional Passover Seder together and they learn about the story of Passover. Note: This is one of the few Jewish holiday videos that adults and older siblings will also enjoy - due to Shari Lewis’s special brand of humor and storytelling. DVD special features include a Lamb Chop interview, new sing-along songs and holiday crafts.

2 hrs. 8 min.  AGE:  2 to 6

296.435

LAMB CHOP’S SPECIAL CHANUKAH  (1995)

Lam

Shari Lewis throws a dinner party to share the traditions of Chanukah with special guests Alan Thicke, Pat Morita and Lloyd Bochner. Her puppet pals, Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy, join in holiday songs and skits. The show includes the preparation of potato latkes and an explanation of the menorah.

1 hr.  AGE: 2 to 6

296.43

THE LESSON OF HANUKKA  (1987)

Les

This film opens with a modern classroom of Jewish teenagers arguing about the importance of Chanukah to Jews today. The discussion leader takes them through a hidden doorway to meet Judah Maccabee and learn the Chanukah story, with emphasis on the problems of Hellenization in Maccabean times and assimilation today. Produced by the World Zionist Organization. Note: Should be previewed by schools for suitability. 

25 min.  AGE: 11 to Adult

296.435

LIGHTS  (1983)

Lig

Animated Chanukah video which follows the Jewish people and their traditions and faith from Mt. Sinai to the conquest of the Jews by the Greeks. The “lights” in this video are flickering Hebrew letters that symbolize Jewish traditions and remind characters to avoid assimilation. The film emphasizes Chanukah’s message of the need for Jews to fight to maintain their Jewish identity when confronted with the influence of other cultures. Narrated by Judd Hirsch. Study guide available.

23 min.  AGE: 6 to 12

296.4

THE MAJE CREATIVITY CENTER PRESENTS  (1988-89)

Maj

The talented staff of the Creativity Center presents three holiday festival puppet shows as celebrated on Sesame Street—Chanukah, Purim and Passover.

20 min. ea.  AGE: 3 to 8

F

STORIES FROM THE JEWISH TRADITION  (1995)

Sto

Contains two Jewish stories:

In the Month of Kislev  (1994). A wealthy, arrogant merchant learns the true meaning of Hanukkah when he takes the family of a poor peddler to court for savoring the smell of his wife’s pancakes from outside their window. Narrated by Theodore Bikel, this story is from the oral tradition and is told with wit and Klezmer music. Based on the picture book by Nina Jaffe. Iconographic.

13 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

Zlateh The Goat  (1973). This poetic, wordless film—based on a short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer—is about a poor boy whose parents tell him he must take his pet goat, Zlateh, to be butchered. Zlateh and the boy must seek shelter from a dangerous snowstorm, and the goat ultimately saves both their lives by providing the boy with warmth and milk. Study guide available.

20 min.  AGE: 5 to10

296.435

A TASTE OF CHANUKAH: A CELEBRATION OF THE JOYS AND MUSIC OF THE

Tas

HOLIDAY  (1999)

Musical celebration of the holiday of Chanukah, hosted by Theodore Bikel. The program includes a broad range of music from around the world and includes performances by the Klezmer Conservatory Band, the Boston Community Gospel Choir, Cantor Morton Shames, and musicians from the New England Conservatory of Music. Bikel provides historical background of the holiday and Yiddish humorist Chasia Segal demonstrates how to make potato latkes. Selections alternate between traditional Chanukah favorites, lighthearted songs, and sacred prayers. Some of the songs include “Oy Chanukah,” “8 Candelitas,” “Al Shlosha Devarim,” “Maoz Tzur” and “I Had A Little Dreidel.”

1 hr.  AGE: 10 to Adult

F

ZLATEH THE GOAT  (1973)

Zla

This poetic, wordless film—based on a short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer—is about a poor boy whose parents tell him he must take his pet goat, Zlateh, to be butchered. Zlateh and the boy must seek shelter from a dangerous snowstorm, and the goat ultimately saves both their lives by providing the boy with warmth and milk. Study guide available.  (Additional copy of the video is available under F/Sto.)

20 min.  AGE: 5 to 10