Jewish Food For Thought: The Animated Series
Written and animated by Hanan Harchol, Jewish Food For Thought: The Animated Series, is a collection of engaging animated conversations between Hanan and his parents that explore Jewish teachings on themes such as forgiveness, love, gratitude, and many others. This project was created with generous funding by The Covenant Foundation, with Fiscal Sponsorship by FJC and The Foundation for Jewish Culture. Study Guides included by Rabbi Leora Kaye and Beth Huppin.
IN-PERSON MEETINGS: Would you like to attend and/or host monthly, in person Jewish Food For Thought Animation Chats, where you can connect with others? Sign up below for more information..
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAPPINESS DURING CHALLENGING TIMES - PART 1 - (Part 2 below)
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAPPINESS DURING CHALLENGING TIMES - PART 2 - (Part 3 below)
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAPPINESS DURING CHALLENGING TIMES (PART 3)
Created with generous funding by The Covenant Foundation.
Awe
Opportunities to experience awe exist everywhere. Awe enriches our lives, creating openings for meaning, love, joy, wisdom, and connection to a mystery larger than ourselves. Too often, however, we don’t pay attention, and we miss these life-enriching opportunities. The animation examines the importance of awe and suggests ways to help us bring awareness to everyday wonders.
WATCH + View Study Guide
Hanan Harchol’s AWE animation featured on Central Synagogue’s website
Mourning/Loss
Losing a loved one is a natural part of life, and yet, when it happens it can be profoundly overwhelming. In this animation, Hanan and Daddy are on on their way to a Shiva, and Hanan is wondering what he can say to comfort the mourner.
WATCH + View Study Guide
Justice/Charity/Tzedakah
What is the relationship between charity and justice? In what ways are we all constantly benefiting from others, and are we cognizant of what we are receiving from others? Do we have a responsibility towards other human beings? And how does human dignity fit into all of it?
WATCH + View Study Guide
Conflict Resolution
What makes it possible to create space for people who disagree with each other to sit together in mutual respect, believing in the value of each other? How does one cultivate “humility in the presence of views widely divergent from our own”? Have you ever been brave enough to use vulnerability to awaken the humanity of another? How might Jewish tradition provide guidance?
WATCH + View Study Guide
Kindness (Chesed)
What is it about a selfless act of kindness that makes it so special? Does kindness just affect the person on the receiving end or also the person giving it, and if so, how? WATCH + View Study Guide
Landlord
(Theme: Forgiveness)
Why would you want to forgive someone who has wronged you? Is there any benefit to forgiving? Is there a “right” time to forgive? And what does religion have to do with it? WATCH + View Study Guide
Love & Fear (Part 1)
What is love really all about? Are there different kinds of love? How much does giving have to do with love? How much of love is about yourself, how much is about others and, what do fish have to do with it?!
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Repair (Theme: Apology)
When is the last time you genuinely apologized to someone for something you did? What makes an apology worthwhile? What steps do people need to take in order for an apology to be sincere? Do you think Judaism’s “opinion” will agree with yours?
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You Can Dance (Theme: Gratitude)
What is the relationship between gratitude and happiness? Why is gratitude so important? And, what does religion have to say about it? Does Judaism say anything unexpected?
WATCH + View Study Guide
The Power of the Earth
(Theme: Humility)
Can being humble actually be a source of strength? What does it mean to be “like the earth?” How can I let go of needing the recognition of others, and if I support the advancement of others, can it lead to my own growth as well? What does it mean to bend?
WATCH + View Study Guide
Judging Favorably
Why does judging others negatively hurt us more than it hurts the person we judge? What information do we lose when we judge others negatively? What can we learn about our own faults from our negative judgments of another person? WATCH + View Study Guide
Love & Fear (Part 2)
Where does fear come from and what happens when you are afraid? How does fear affect your behavior and in particular how you treat the people around you ? Is fear based on real danger, or is it at least partially in our your head? And, are there ways to feel safe, even in frightening situations? WATCH + View Study Guide
Looking in Other People's Windows
(Theme: Envy)
Where does envy originate? Does it always have to be bad? Is there anything you can learn about yourself from being envious of others? WATCH + View Study Guide
Love & Fear (Part 3)
Is love related to fear, and if so, how? How can the space between two people actually bring you closer together? What can you learn from fear? And even when you are fearful, can you choose to trust?
WATCH + View Study Guide
Faith
How is faith an active experience? What do you have to do in order to have faith? Does faith have to be about God? How does what happens in your life affect your faith? And, really, what makes you think that the next time you reach out your hand to someone, they will shake it back? WATCH + View Study Guide
My Teacher
What impact do teachers have on our lives? How much of who we become is related to the teachers, mentors, and guides who influenced us? WATCH
In Memory of my Father
In memory of my father, Micha Harchol, z"l, 1938-2012 WATCH
Maror - Bitter Herbs
(for Passover)
This animation was created by Hanan Harchol for the project Projecting Freedom: Cinematic Interpretations of the Haggadah. - Project director Rabbi Leon Morris and curator Saul Robbins. WATCH
Excerpts of Live Presentation on the topic of Humility for Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
This was a live discussion on the topic of Humility, hosted by Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies which took place in July, 2020. Thank you to Rabbi Leon Morris, Rabbi Alex Israel, the entire Pardes Community, and The Covenant Foundation.
Live Discussion on the film ABOUT A TEACHER and Jewish Values within.
This was a live discussion from July, 2020, hosted by Central Synagogue and Rabbi Nicole Auerbach about Hanan’s feature film, ABOUT A TEACHER, and the numerous Jewish values contained within the film.
This project was created with generous funding by The Covenant Foundation, with fiscal sponsorship by The Foundation for Jewish Culture and FJC.