Living Room With A View

A great new video allows you to see into the homes of Israeli children.

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
AppleTree Editor

a

in school, where he enjoys math ( t 6'/2,
he's already doing multiplication) and
learning not only Hebrew but English
Families of the World [video]: Families
and Arabic, as well. After school, Yoad
of Israel. Produced by Master
plays soccer and basketball in his yard.
Communications, Inc. Copyright 2001.
This video is terrific for so many rea-
sons.
Imagine that you have been invited into
First, you really do get a nice view of
the lives of two families in Israel. One
normal Israeli life. Second, both adults
lives on a kibbutz, the other in
and children can enjoy the gentle yet
Jerusalem. You get to eat with them, go
informative story-telling.
to school with them, learn all about
Third, the parents in the videos are
their daily lives, celebrate Shabbat with 1 top-notch role models. All are extremely
them.
active in their children's lives. Yoad's
What is it like? In a word: great.
father, for example, is a busy professor
"Families of Israel" is a wonderful
and scientist, but still comes home and
video by Master Communications Inc.,
cooks dinner. The parents speak honest-
the company responsible for "Families
ly and simply, but never condescending-
of Brazil," "Families of Korea,"
ly, about the troubled Middle East.
"Families of Japan" and more. Each 30-
They are concerned about the world
minute program gives viewers a glimpse
(Yoad's mother makes a trip to the recy-
of life in another country, as seen
cling center), and they give tremendous
through a child's eyes.
affection to their children.
In "Families of Israel," we meet Inbal,
Best of all, you never feel as though
her siblings and parents, who all live on
the parents are "on" for the camera; this
a small kibbutz. Life for Inbal begins at
appears to really be day-to-day life.
6:30 a.m. when she wakes up and gets
Especially meaningful are the two
dressed. She heads off to the kibbutz
families' Shabbat celebrations. Yoad's
cafeteria for breakfast (she has toast) and
family is more traditional. (The end of
to prepare her mid-morning school
the video makes it clear that, while the
snack (this day, it's cheese and a peanut-
program shows the family lighting
butter-and-jelly sandwich, though her
Shabbat candles, this was actually done
favorite is chocolate and peanut butter).
on another day because videotaping on
We follow her to school and then
the. Sabbath is prohibited). He and his
home again, where after a late lunch of
parents enjoy an elegant dinner with
salads (Inbal says, "I love vegetables")
Yoad's grandparents, then play games
she plays with her father, brother and
around the table. Inbal is at the kibbutz,
sister on sand dunes and then in the
where dress is casual and everyone joins
kibbutz pool. We also come to know
in saying the blessings together.
Inbal's father, who works on the kib-
At both homes, you sense the sincere
butz, and her mother, an art therapist.
respect, affection and appreciation for
The second segment concentrates on
family and Jewish tradition.
Yoad, who lives in Jerusalem. Yoad's
If "Families of the World" videos are
father is a scientist and his mother
unavailable at your favorite bookstore,
works with troubled youth. Yoad loves
contact Master Communications at 1-
the tooth fairy and playing games on
800-765-5885 or visit the Web site:
the computer.
www.familiesoftheworld.com
Like Inbal, he spends six days a week

10/19
2001

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