Photo credit
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
To go
to a complete listing of
tapes in the Collection, click here.
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 for a single day. How the oil miraculously lasted eight days is the basis for the holiday of Hanukah, the Festival of Lights.
The animated film Benjamin and the Miracle of Hanukah 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 of playing a part in his people's history.
1978, 24 mins.
While you watch, consider . . .
•Some of the obstacles Benjamin encounters on his journey. How does he overcome them?
•Benjamin and Malka’s friendship. How is this an important part of the story?
•How Benjamin’s own miracle is part of the larger miracle of the Jews. This title is distributed by Ergo Media (http://www.jewishvideo.com).
Other films of interest:
Fliegel's Flight An entertaining overview of 4,000 years of Jewish history, told by a charming Jewish bird.
The Animated Haggadah An imaginative claymation retelling
An American Tail Animated feature film of a young Jewish immigrant mouse, presented by Steven Spielberg.
of the Passover story.