Hi. This comment has nothing in particular to do with the “ugly grany,” though that is humorous. I’m writing because I see through a couple of your Tablet articles that you’re a fan of “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” and also an astute Jewish parent. So here’s the question: Do you think Sylvester is a Jewish story? And if it was being produced at a theater near you, can you think of any kids’ programming outside the theater that a hip synagogue might do in connection with the show as outreach?
A rabbi and new fan (I also commented at Tablet on your great “Zionist camp” post),
Jeremy
Hi, Jeremy — I do think Sylvester is a Jewish (or at least Jew-y) story! The Jewish Museum in Manhattan did a full-on William Steig exhibit — I think you could argue that the themes in his work FEEL Jewish. (You could Google the exhibit and see what tidbits you find.) I could see doing a fun art project in which kids painted two pebbles, and used one to make a wish for themselves and one to make a wish related to tikkun olam. Maybe you could also do something about animals in the Torah and their Hebrew names, or stories of parental love in our tradition….? Or something on the seasons and the cycle of Jewish time as well as the time Sebastian spent as a rock?
Hi. This comment has nothing in particular to do with the “ugly grany,” though that is humorous. I’m writing because I see through a couple of your Tablet articles that you’re a fan of “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” and also an astute Jewish parent. So here’s the question: Do you think Sylvester is a Jewish story? And if it was being produced at a theater near you, can you think of any kids’ programming outside the theater that a hip synagogue might do in connection with the show as outreach?
A rabbi and new fan (I also commented at Tablet on your great “Zionist camp” post),
Jeremy
Hi, Jeremy — I do think Sylvester is a Jewish (or at least Jew-y) story! The Jewish Museum in Manhattan did a full-on William Steig exhibit — I think you could argue that the themes in his work FEEL Jewish. (You could Google the exhibit and see what tidbits you find.) I could see doing a fun art project in which kids painted two pebbles, and used one to make a wish for themselves and one to make a wish related to tikkun olam. Maybe you could also do something about animals in the Torah and their Hebrew names, or stories of parental love in our tradition….? Or something on the seasons and the cycle of Jewish time as well as the time Sebastian spent as a rock?
Hm, there are some Jewishly-adaptable ideas here: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/sylvester_and_the_magic_pebble.php
I love the idea that you’re using a local theater production to spur creative Jewish education for kids. Go you! And thanks for reading my stuff.
Thanks for the ideas! That’s great!