Films of Jewish Interest: Youth Movie Recommendations
Alef Bet Blast-Off! Episode 1 You've Come to the Right Place.
1995.
Youth VHS 296 A
The Alef-Bet Bookstore is where the adventure begins. Mitzvah Mouse
takes David and Rachel to meet the first Jew in history and renew their
pride in their heritage.
Alef Bet Blast-Off! Episode 2 Fixing the World. 1995.
Youth VHS 296 A
When Grandpa Abe gives a job to a homeless man, David and Rachel are
determined to do their bit to "fix the world." But all their grandiose
attempts seem futile until Mitzvah Mouse takes them to meet the great sage
Maimonides, and the kids learn the value of giving of themselves.
Alef Bet Blast-Off! Episode 3 Lights of Freedom. 1995.
Youth VHS 296 A
David and Rachel meet a young Russian immigrant and try to understand
freedom--with the help of an unexpected visit to ancient Egypt to become
personal slaves of the Pharoah.
Alef Bet Blast-Off! Episode 4 One Big Family. 1995.
Youth VHS 296 A
David and Rachel are helping their Mom prepare for the 25th reunion of
her international Jewish youth group when disaster strikes. With the help
of Mitzvah Mouse, Golda Meir is brought in to inspire the kids and save
the reunion.
Alef Bet Blast-Off! Episode 5 Chanukah Mitzvah. 1995.
Youth VHS 296 A
The entire family is looking forward to another wonderful Chanukah,
except for David who would rather play the part of Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer in the upcoming school play. But when their magical friend
Mitzvah Mouse introduces them to Judah Maccabee, David and his sister
Rachel join the Maccabee army to make sure that the light of Judaism is
forever kindled.
Alef Bet Blast-off! Episode 6 Whale of a New Year. 1995.
Youth VHS 296 A
David loses his sister Rachel's goldfish on Rosh Hashana. David learns
responsibility, and Rachel learns forgiveness when Mitvah Mouse whisks
them back in time to meet Jonah.
During the first century A.D., Judah Ben-Hur is a young Hebrew prince
thrown into slavery by the Romans after a tragic accident, who wins his
way back to his home and family on a heroic adventure of discovery.
This instructional video helps children learn the Hebrew language in a
fun and imaginative way, giving them maximum exposure to sounds, syntax,
and sentence structure.
Filmed in Israel, this series of Biblical stories presents the tales
in their original setting.
Vol. 1. Joshua Smashes Jericho -- Joshua in Trouble Valley.
Vol. 2. Deborah and the Headbanger -- Gideon Gets His Woolly Wet.
Vol. 3. Gideon's Exploding Pickle Pots -- Samson Gets Knotted.
Vol. 4. Samson Gets a Haircut -- Samuel and the Spooky Godbox.
Vol. 5. Saul Rips Up His Camel -- David Gets a Good Gig.
Vol. 6. David and the Hairy Man Mountain -- Saul Goes Bonkers.
Vol. 7. Saul Bumps Into a Witch -- David Gets to Number One.
Colorful puppet characters prepare for the Jewish holiday feast and
Bubbe relates the history of Chanuka, the miracle of the burning oil, and
talks of the importance of religious freedom.
On a giant Matzah Ball in outer space lives a family of funny, furry,
Jewish aliens. When a menorah crash lands the 9-year-old is puzzled as to
what it is because they have not kept up with traditions. He looks to
Earth to see kids celebrating Chanukah.
An animated cartoon which tells the Bible story of the creation of the
earth. One in a series of Bible episodes seen through the eyes of three
young visitors from the 20th Century.
An animated retelling of the famous bible story of the young Israelite
shepherd boy, David, battling the Philistine giant warrior, Goliath.
Dreams in the Golden Country: The Story of Zipporah Feldman, a
Jewish Immigrant Girl. Not rated. 1999.
Youth VHS D
Twelve-year-old Zipporah Feldman is a Russian Jewish immigrant living
with her family in a crowded tenement on Manhattan's Lower East Side in
1903. Zippy faces the challenge of learning English and making new
friends. Her older sister, Tovah, fights to improve the working conditions
of her sweatshop and struggles to hide her forbidden romance with a
handsome Irish boy. When old traditions clash with modern ideals, family
tensions begin to escalate. To save her family, Zippy must find a way to
respect their heritage while following her own dreams of the future.
Yiddish folktale about a poor farmer in a crowded house. Schmooze, a
happy farmer with five healthy children, a solid wife, a moody chicken,
and a comfortable home, returns home one day to discover everyone is
complaining about something. So off he goes to the Rebbe where he is
offered a clever and hilarious solution.
Portrays the lives of two children in Israel, Inbar amd Yoad. One
lives in a self-sustaining kibbutz, and the other in Jerusalem. Looks at
their unique lives and cultures through a child's eyes.
Chicago-based artist and teacher Freddie Levin retells the legend of
the Golem and leads a paper-cutting workshop for children ages 8-11.
Levin's workshop builds on David Wisniewski's Caldecott Award-winning
children's book Golem.
A reading from the book by Karen Levine of the biographical tale of a
Czech girl who died in the Holocaust, told in alternating chapters with an
account of how Fumiko Ishioka, the curator of a Japanese Holocaust center,
learned about her life after Hana's suitcase was sent to her.
Two Jewish celebrations--Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and
Passover, a holiday celebrating freedom and renewal--are presented to
children through illustrated stories, puppets, and songs. At a Hanukkah
celebration, youngsters learn about the miracle of the Menorah as they
light candles, play games, and sing songs to commemorate the holiday. As
part of an introduction to Passover and the traditional Seder meal, a
group of children visit a matzo bakery where they mix, squish, roll, and
flatten dough to create their own matzo. Grades K–4.
Heroes of the Bible! Lions, Shepherds, and Queens (Oh My!).
2001.
Youth VHS V
In "Daniel and the lion's den," Larry the Cucumber (as Daniel) finds
himself in deep trouble thanks to the King's conniving wisemen, played by
a trio of slippery scallions. In an exciting finish, Daniel learns that
even in the lion's den, he is still in God's hands. In "Dave and the giant
pickle," Junior Asparagus (as David) is pitted against a really mean,
really big pickle! In the end, little Dave learns that with God's help it
makes no difference whether you're 9-feet tall or 2-feet tall. In "Esther,
the girl who became queen," a small-town girl wakes up with the weight of
the world on her sholders and the fate of her people in her hands. Can she
find the courage to do what's right?
In "The story of Flibber-o-loo," the parable of the Good Samaritan is
brought to life. In" Rack, Shack & Benny," Nebby K. Nezzer builds a
90-foot chocolate bunny and three guys named Rack, Shack and Benny learn
just how risky it can be to stand up for your beliefs. In "Josh and the
big wall," Josh and the children of Israel have to decide whether it's
better to do things their way or God's way.
Exciting adventures appear at every turn as children are introduced to
the history of Jewish Americans, their journey to America, and Jewish
traditions they observe. The program also covers the geography of Israel
and the lives of Jews living there.
An animated cartoon which tells the Bible story of Jonah and the
whale. One in a series of Bible episodes seen through the eyes of three
young visitors from the 20th Century.
An animated cartoon which tells the Bible story of Joseph and his
jealous brothers as seen through the eyes of three young visitors from the
20th century.
Jeremy Miller and Kippi ben Kippod travel through a mysterious tunnel
that magically transports them to exotic places, including the beautiful
beaches of Palmachim, the underground caves of Bet Guvrin, and the secret
passageways behind the Western Wall.
Lamb Chop's special Chanukah is a whimsical musical celebration of the
holidays for all families. This video creates a truly multicultural
experience. Shari and Lamb Chop affirm the spirit of this joyous holiday
with good friends, while inviting all faiths to share in learning and
experiencing the delights of Jewish culture.
Journey to Palestine of the second century B.C., where a Syrian-Greek king rules over the Israelites, confronting them with a trying test of their faith
An animated cartoon which tells the Bible story of Moses. One in a
series of Bible episodes seen through the eyes of three young visitors
from the 20th Century.
You're invited to Bubbe's Boarding House for a very special Passover
celebration. Join the puppet cast as they learn about the history and
traditions of the Passover Seder. Original songs as well as traditional
favorites provide a joyous Passover experience for the entire family.
A tale of two brothers, one born of royal blood, one an orphan with a
secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of
free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But the truth will
ultimately set them apart, as one becomes the ruler of a powerful empire,
the other is the chosen leader of his people. Voices: Val Kilmer, Ralph
Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover,
Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, Martin Short.
King Ahasuerus of Persia chooses a beautiful Jewish woman, Esther, to
be his new Queen. Esther's cousin Mordecai tells her of the King's order
for all the Jews to be killed for Mordecai's refusal to bow down to Haman,
the King's favorite counselor. Esther must decide whether to risk angering
the King by asking him to spare the Jews.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of
Atonement and forgiveness, are the two High Holidays of the Jewish
calendar. Children are introduced to these solemn, reflective holidays
through a traditional prayer and Tashlikh ceremony. They also learn about
the symbolism of foods associated with these holidays, the special
clothing that is worn, and the importance of the Torah and performing good
deeds throughout the year. Grades K-4.
Oogy crash-lands his spaceship right in the middle of the Rosenberg
family Seder and learns everything about Passover. When it's time to
return to Planet Matzah Ball, Oogy realizes that he hasn't found a leader
for his Seder - or has he?
A young girl, dressed as a boy, goes off with her father and a band of
traveling musicians into the Polish countryside. A classic Yiddish
language musical-comedy.
