398.2

AARON’S MAGIC VILLAGE  (1995)

Aar

This animated, song-filled children’s movie is based on the stories of Nobel Prize winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer. The film was produced in France (although it is in English) and includes the voices of Fyvush Finkel and Tovah Feldshuh, as well as music and lyrics by Michel Legrand (Yentl) and Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof). The story concerns 10-year-old orphan Aaron and his old goat, Zlateh, who travel to Chelm (a village of fools) to live with Aaron’s Uncle Shlemiel, Aunt Sarah and their three daughters. An evil sorcerer steals the Chelmites’ magical book and creates a Golem, who he orders to destroy the entire world. Aaron sets out to defeat the sorcerer and save the world from the Golem’s destruction. The stories also include a Lantauch, a mischievous imp whose spells never work properly. Note: It is a real treat to view a full length animated Jewish film—although this one drags in spots and may not have the child appeal of popular animated features.

1 hr. 20 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

492.4

THE ADVENTURES OF PINUKI (Harpatka’otav Shel Pinuki)  (1994)

Adv

Six animated short stories about Pinuki the dog, in Hebrew without subtitles. Based on the American books about “Spot” the dog by Eric Hill. Includes Pinuki at the Playground, Pinuki Bakes a Cake, Pinuki Visits the Fair, Pinuki Goes Out to the Garden, Pinuki Visits the Farm, and Pinuki Goes on a Picnic. Note: This video was produced for Israeli children. Therefore, the Hebrew spoken is at a higher level of difficulty than the age for which this film is intended (2-6). Teachers must preview.

In Hebrew. 40 min.  AGE: Intended for 2 to 6

Zero Mostel, Ida Kaminska and Harry Belafonte star in this unusual tale, based on a short story by Bernard Malamud. Mostel plays Morris Mishkin, an elderly Jew who has just lost faith in God, as well as his own will to live. Morris’s tailor shop was destroyed in a fire, leaving him in financial difficulty; his daughter intermarried (so he cut her off); his back is failing him, and his wife has been seriously ill for two years. When the film opens, Morris witnesses a theft and sees the African American thief killed before his eyes as he flees the crime. This is the last straw for Morris, who loses faith and blames God for his troubles, claiming that God has cursed him. Then into Morris’s kitchen appears Belafonte, who proclaims that his name is Alexander Levine, and that he is an angel sent by God to help Morris. This “angel” remarkably resembles the thief who just died. Levine says that he is on probation in heaven and needs Mishkin to believe in him. Mishkin, the stereotypical Jewish pessimist, longs for a miracle to save his wife’s life – but can he believe Levine, who both says he is Jewish and sent by the Divine? A thought-provoking and discussable film, with especially fine performances by Mostel and Kaminska. Note: Groups or classes may wish to first read the short story and compare/contrast. Rated PG-13.

1 hr. 46 min.  AGE:  13 to Adult

F

THE CAFETERIA (1984)

Dramatization of an Isaac Bashevis Singer short story which originally aired on American Playhouse. The story focuses on the relationship between Aaron, a successful Jewish European born Jewish writer and a young woman – a Polish Holocaust survivor – who meet in a cafeteria in 1960’s New York. The writer, Aaron, was probably modeled after Singer himself. Although Aaron teaches at the university and lectures around the world, he prefers to live above a Kosher butcher shop on the West End in New York and frequents the cafeteria for lunch. The cafeteria is filled with a variety of “old time” Jews who speak Yiddish with him and argue politics and philosophy. Then one day in the cafeteria, Aaron is fascinated by a young female factory worker – an intriguing woman who survived German concentration camps and Russian prison camps. The two become friends and meet infrequently over the years, until Esther tells Aaron a story that sounds unbelievable to him, leading the viewer to question what is real and what is not.

53 min.  AGE:  14 to Adult

492.4

CAPS FOR SALE  (1993)

Cap

Hebrew version of a humorous American children's story about a cap seller who runs across some mischievous monkeys. After the Hebrew version, the story is done in English as well. Based on the children’s book Caps for Sale by Esther Slobodkin. Study guide available. Note: Easy Hebrew. The age of the audience will depend upon their mastery of Hebrew.

In Hebrew and English. 5 min.  AGE: 6 to 12

398.2

THE CHILDREN'S STORY COLLECTION: VOLUME 1  (1994)

Chi

Contains three stories from Jewish tradition animated with still illustrations by Joel Grishaver:

6 min. ea. Quality varies.  AGE: 6 to 11

Beryl The Tailor. Based on a story by I. L. Peretz. Beryl the tailor gets up in Shul one Rosh Hashanah and asks God, “If the Jews are Your chosen people, then why are the Jews constantly persecuted?” He tells God that he will forgive God, if God will forgive the Jewish people. Later, the rabbi approaches Beryl and tells him that God has accepted Beryl’s deal and forgiven the Jewish people. If only Beryl had held on a little longer, God would have forgiven not only the Jews—He would have forgiven the entire world!

If Not Higher. The I. L. Peretz story about the mystery of the rabbi who disappears every year right before the High Holidays. One year, a Litvak hides under the rabbi’s bed and watches as the rabbi disguises himself and goes on a mission of mercy. After that, when the rabbi disappears each year and congregants suggest he may be visiting heaven, the Litvak always adds, “If not higher!”

Why God Chose Mt. Sinai. An original Midrash animated with still shots and narrated by children. God has decided to give the Torah to Israel, and every mountain wants to be chosen as the Torah mount. God finally chooses Mt. Sinai—a quiet, modest little mountain which thought of others above itself. Note: The film has an amateurish quality, and the vocal portion is sometimes hard to follow.

492.4

ELIEZER AND THE CARROT (Eliezer Vehagezer)  (1994)

Eli

Four of the most beloved tales of Israeli author Levin Kipnis are given new life in this charming film. Includes Eliezer and the Carrot, The Chick Who Went to Look for a Different Mother, Father’s Big Umbrella, and The Tale of the Hat. Note: As this video was produced for Israeli children, the Hebrew spoken is at a higher level of difficulty than the age for which this is intended (3-8). Teachers must preview.

In Hebrew. 35 min.  AGE: Intended for 3 to 8

398.2

ENOUGH ALREADY  (1996)

Eno

Animated musical version of a classic Jewish folktale. A poor farmer goes to the Rebbe for advice on what to do about his small, overcrowded house. The Rebbe advises him to take in the farm animals—one by one. At the end, when the Rebbe tells him to remove the animals, the family is grateful for what they originally had. The film begins with the quote from Pirke Avot: “Who is rich? Those who are happy with what they have.” Note: The animation is not exceptional, but the humorous plot and lively songs, set against klezmer music, will keep children engaged.

26 min.  AGE: 2 to 6

F

THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS  (1998)

Fir

Wonderful adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s National Book Award-winning story. This drama takes place in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1949 and tells the story of a shoemaker and his wife who have a daughter, Miriam, of marriageable age. They want her to have a better life than theirs, to marry a college boy; but they are unaware that she is in love with her father’s assistant, a Holocaust survivor. The film leads to an examination of what is most valuable in life. Stars Carol Kane and Israel Horovitz. Study guide available.

28 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

398.2

THE FIXER  (1995)

Fix

Video adapted from a slide show. Joel Grishaver tells and illustrates his version of the Jewish folktale about a man who “fixes things” and is happy to be alive and to work for his basic needs. A wicked king wants him to be miserable; but, ultimately, the fixer drives the king from his kingdom without having to resort to violence. Study guide available. Note: Can be related to the idea of “tikkun olam.”

9 min.  AGE: 6 to 11

492.4

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Zahava V’Shaloshet Hadoobim)  (n.d.)

Gol

Animated Israeli version of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with songs interspersed. Note: The Hebrew level is too difficult for most American students at the age level for which the video is intended.

In Hebrew. 50 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

F

THE GOLEM OF L.A.  (1994)

Gol

A modern day Golem story set in 1990’s urban America. Ed Asner plays the elderly rabbi in the oldest remaining synagogue in Los Angeles. The story involves David, a contemporary young Jewish man studying to be a teacher, and his elderly, religious grandfather. David’s grandfather is very upset that his 75-year-old synagogue is about to be demolished to make way for luxury apartments. In desperation, he brings to life a Golem to help save the synagogue—not anticipating the consequences. The story highlights the generation gap and differences between a modern day Jewish teenager, who doesn’t see the need for old traditions, and the world of his Traditional grandfather, who doesn’t understand his grandson’s secularism. Note: Teachers may wish to read students a more traditional Golem story, such as The Golem, by Barbara Rogasky, Let’s Steal the Moon, or one of the picture book versions—and then compare this modern day version.

25 min.  AGE: 10 to Adult

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 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

F

HOME FOR PASSOVER

Hom

Originally produced for a Jewish television program called “The Eternal Light,” this tale illustrates the theme of having faith in one’s fellow man. This drama is based on a Sholom Aleichem folktale and stars Gene Wilder and Sada Thompson. Note: The quality of the video is imperfect, as it was made from an old film. Mainly for fans of Aleichem or Wilder.

B&W. 30 min.  AGE: 14 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

F

THE KEEPING QUILT  (1993)

Kee

Author/illustrator Patricia Polacco reads aloud her children’s book, The Keeping Quilt. This story shows how the patchwork quilt the author’s Russian great-grandmother made was used as a chuppah and passed down through the generations in her family. Polacco also introduces her family and shows the actual quilt on which the story was based. Viewers can note changes in customs and lifestyles throughout the story. Study guide available.

11 min.  AGE: 4 to 10

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

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

F

MRS. KATZ AND TUSH  (Reading Rainbow)  (1993)

Mrs

“Reading Rainbow” is a PBS children’s video series which introduces quality picture books. In this episode, the children’s book Mrs. Katz and Tush, by Patricia Polacco, is read with close-ups of the book’s illustrations. This is a story of a cross-cultural friendship between an elderly Jewish widow, Mrs. Katz, and Larnel, her young African-American neighbor. The friendship deepens when Mrs. Katz agrees to keep a tailless cat Larnel has found, which she names “Tush.” The two celebrate Passover together and share a lasting friendship. The actual reading of the story takes 9 minutes, followed by host LeVar Burton’s visit to an elderly Jewish friend of his he refers to as his “bubbie”, who teaches him how to make challah, potato latkes and chicken soup with matzah balls. This segment covers 10 minutes, followed by children spending time with their favorite “older” person and some quick book reviews. Study guide available.

30 min.  AGE: 5 to 8