An Innovative Kids’ & Family Learning Opportunity for URJ & ECE-RJ to Share Directly with Families!
Shaboom! is an animated series that teaches everyday Jewish values through magic, comedy and silly songs.
Reform Judaism is involved in this effort as an official digital partner to help introduce quality online content to families raising young Jewish children. We invite you to join us in introducing Shaboom! to families in each of your networks. Each 8 minute episode of Shaboom! playfully shares values like Hachnasat Orchim (Welcoming Guests), Bal Tashchit (Taking Care of Nature), and more. Shaboom! is designed (and researched-tested) for children aged 4-7 and their parents.
Each episode also includes an accompanying parents’ video that explains “what’s Jewish” about the value, and shares practical strategies for modeling it at home.
We Need You! Please Introduce Shaboom! to Families.
In the following pages, we have listed example posts for you to modify for your own Facebook feeds, letters to use as a template in your outreach emails and examples to incorporate Shaboom! into a local program or event that you are hosting.
Do you have questions? Suggestions? Contact us at BimBam (info@bimbam.com or 415-935-4565).
What’s Inside the following pages:
Quickly Link Families to Shaboom! ------------------------------------ (Page 2)
How to explain what the Shaboom! series is all about ------------------------------------ (Page 3)
Ideas to include Shaboom! into local Programming ------------------------------------ (Page 3)
Episodes: Links, Posts & Descriptions (Streaming Now) ------------------------------------ (Page 3 to 5)
Discussion Guides for Families about Shaboom! ------------------------------------ (Page 5)
Sample Text to Share Shaboom! in a Facebook Post ------------------------------------ (Page 6)
How to host an event or program that includes Shaboom! ------------------------------------ (Page 7)
Episodes: Links, Posts & Descriptions (Coming Fall 2016) ------------------------------------ (Page 7)
Shaboom! List of Collaborators and Partners ------------------------------------ (Page 8)
Sample Outreach Letters for URJ & ECE-RJ Professionals
Sample Letter to modify for URJ ECC Professionals ------------------------------------ (Page 9)
Example of Actual Letter Sent (on 5/12/16) from USCJ ------------------------------------ (Page 10)
Quickly Link Families to Shaboom!
- http://j.mp/ShaboomApp - Download the Shaboom! App directly in itunes.apple.com store.
- http://j.mp/URJShaboomBimBam - Episodes, resources, discussion guides, apps etc.
- http://www.youtube.com/c/shaboom - Watch Shaboom! directly on Youtube
- http://j.mp/URJShaboomLinks - To visit this document from any browser use this link
- http://www.urj.org/blog/2016/04/04/reformjudaismorg-hosts-shaboom-animated-jewish-kids-show-share-learning-and-fun - Shaboom! Press Release
How to explain what the Shaboom! series is all about
- Shaboom! is a URJ & ECE-RJ production partner. It is a Kids’ & Family online children’s show.
- Shaboom! is meant for children ages 4-7
- Shabbom! is centered on the “magical sparks” Gabi & Rafael, and incorporates magic, comedy and songs that help kids and families connect with each other and learn everyday strategies that help fix the world.
- Through magic, comedy, and silly songs, Shaboom! teaches everyday Jewish values in a 10 part series covering topics such as Welcoming Guests, and Taking Care of Nature.
- Critically, each episode includes an accompanying parents’ episode that delves more deeply into each value and helps to explain “what’s Jewish” about it.
- Dozens of early childhood educational experts from around the globe contributed their time to help identify each of the values addressed in the episodes.
- The kids episodes are on average 8 minutes in length. The accompanying parents episodes are just under 2 minutes in length.
Ideas to include Shaboom! into local Programming
- Create a "Shabbat Shaboom!" program - show a Shaboom! video, have a related craft project, and read a correlating PJ Library story.
- Enhance Tot Shabbat, weekly Shabbat playgroups/Shabbat Sings.
- Add a Shaboom! video to any program based on one of these Jewish values.
- Let your PJ Parents know about Shaboom!
- Set up a link in your monthly e-newsletter to Shaboom!
- Highlight parent companion videos at parent-only programs.
- Include related episode links as part of publicity or a thank you/follow up email from a program with a related theme.
- Encourage families to watch a video and share ideas about how to bring Jewish values into their homes.
- Send out an e-blast introducing Shaboom! Let us know if you need a template to direct parents to subscribe.
Episodes: Links, Posts & Descriptions (Streaming Now)
Episode #01 - About the everyday value of welcoming guests (Hachnasat Orchim)
- Share via BimBam.com: http://j.mp/ShaboomEp1
- Share via ReformJudaism.org: Shaboom! #1 Discussion Guide
- Share via Youtube.com: http://j.mp/URJShaboomKidsEp1
- Share via Youtube.com: http://j.mp/URJShaboomParentsEp1
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Bone Button Borscht
- Sample Facebook Post: Magic time! Take a look at this new preschool series for families! It's SHABOOM!
- Description of Kids Episode: Welcoming Sparks - Cousin Yasmin has come all the way from Israel to visit the Plonys, but the family is being really unwelcoming. They are so busy playing video games and doing their own thing that they even ignore the doorbell! “SHABOOM!” Magical sparks Gabi and Rafael give Papa Plony a giant ear to hear Yasmin’s knocking, but he might as well have plugged it with a pillow! It’ll take more than magic to teach the Plonys a lesson about welcoming guests, or hachnasat orchim.
- Description of Parents Episode: What's Jewish about Welcoming Guests? For Parents! An intro to Hachnasat Orchim - Every culture does hospitality, right? Father of two and psychologist Bill explains some of the practices that families can try out in the realm of welcoming, or hachnasat orchim, that are especially Jewish.
Episode #02 - About the everyday value of visiting the sick (Bikur Cholim) -
- Share via BimBam.com: http://j.mp/ShaboomEp2
- Share via ReformJudaism.org: Discussion Guide
- Share via Youtube.com: http://j.mp/URJShaboomKidsEp2
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/URJShaboomParentsEp1
- Correlating PJ Library book: Sick Day for Amos McGee
- Sample Facebook Post: Here is a fun cartoon for your kids to watch and learn about the value of visiting the sick.
- Description of Kids Episode: The Best Medicine - Grandpa has a broken toe and is stuck in bed! The Plonys feel bad but are too busy with their elaborate weekend plans and Shabbat picnic to do anything about making him feel less lonely. ”SHABOOM!” The Sparks rain chicken soup down, and then send over a flock of quacking ducky pals to cheer everyone up. But what really makes Grandpa feel better is when the Plonys learn a lesson about visiting the sick, or bikur cholim.
- Description of Parents Episode: What’s Jewish about Visiting the Sick? For Parents! An intro to Bikur Cholim - Every culture and every kind of person takes care of sick people, right? Well of course! And in Judaism, this is a mitzvah - or commandment! It is said in the Talmud that one should visit “even a hundred times a day" and that "anyone who visits the sick causes them to live.” There are lots of ways to fulfill this commandment, and maybe surprisingly, it helps not just the sick person but also the visitor. Try it with your children and see how much empathy, compassion and caring can bloom in them.
Episode #03 - About the everyday value of gratitude (Hakarat Hatov) -
- Share via BimBam.com: http://j.mp/ShaboomEp3
- Share via ReformJudaism.org: Episode #3 Discussion Guide
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/URJShaboomKidsEp3
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/URJShaboomParentsEp3
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Todah
- Sample Facebook Post: Share some of the everyday values found in Judaism with your preschooler with Shaboom! a new animated series for families.
- Description of Kids Episode: Everything is Amazing - Lila and Yasmin are out for a fun day in the park together when it rains on their good time. Plus, they accidentally destroy a bird’s nest with their kite. Yikes...until, SHABOOM! The Sparks fly in to help them recognize how amazing the world is and how they can turn disappointment into good times, with the magic of hakarat hatov, recognizing the good. With flying wingboards and dino-copter choppers, this episode will help your spirits soar and gratitude burst out everywhere!
- Description of Parents Episode: What’s Jewish about Gratitude? For Parents! An intro to Hakarat Hatov - Mother of two and start-up founder Margot talks about how Judaism can help us count our blessings, literally, with even young kids. Watch for some practical ideas about coaxing a more grateful perspective on life out of your kids.
Episode #04 - About the everyday value of giving (Tzedakah) -
- Share via BimBam.com: http://j.mp/ShaboomEp4
- Share via ReformJudaism.org: Episode #4 Discussion Guide
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/JPShaboomKidsEp4
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/JPShaboomParentsEp4
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box
- Sample Facebook Post: Shaboom! is a new animated series created for families raising kids ages 4 to 7. Each new episode of Shaboom! shares some of the everyday values found in Judaism - like Tzedakah or giving.
- Description of Kids Episode: Get with the Giving - The Plonys are feeling selfish. The kids fight over their toys, and Papa and Mama can’t seem to take the community charity drive seriously - Papa wants to donate his leftover beans and tuna! ”SHABOOM!” The Sparks magically help the Plonys donate everything they own, from the shirts on their back to all the furniture in the house. Ay yi yi! In the process, the Plonys learn about generosity: giving doesn’t just make us feel good; it’s tzedakah and it’s our important job.
- Description of Parents Episode: What’s Jewish about Giving? For Parents! An intro to Tzedakah - As Miranda, public health researcher and mother of two, explains, making a regular practice out of tzedakah can be game-changing for a family. Tzedakah means justice, and fairness - and giving to charity is just one way to think about it.
Episode #05 - About the everyday value of Honor or Respect (Kavod) Release 05/11/16 -
- Share via BimBam.com: http://j.mp/ShaboomEp5
- Share via ReformJudaism.org: Epsiode #5 Discussion Guide
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/JPShaboomKidsEp5
- Share via Youtube: http://j.mp/JPShaboomParentsEp5
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Do Unto Otters
- Sample Facebook Post: This episode of the new preschool series for families covers the everyday value of respecting others. http://j.mp/ShaboomEp5 Magic time! It's Shaboom!
- Description of Kids Episode: All the Respect - Papa Plony is obsessed with beating the Baloney family in the annual relay race. But when Yasmin flakes out on practice, and a new team member shows up with an unexpected physical difference - he panics. SHABOOM! The Sparks come to the rescue with incredible upsie-downie magic, including an upside-down rainbow ramp, a giant stuffie and a lesson in showing kavod, or respect. Tune in and find out who wins the race. Kol hakavod!
- Description of Parents Episode: What’s Jewish about respect? For Parents! An intro to Kavod - As Liora, social worker, family educator and mother of three, explains, kavod means honor or respect and in Jewish terms, it is not something that must be earned - rather, it is something inherent to us as human beings. We give kavod to each other because it is the right thing to do - and there are some great ways to help kids learn about this.
Discussion Guides for Families about Shaboom!
ReformJudaism.org/ has embedded Shaboom! episodes along with discussion guides for families. Check them out! Share them with educators to share with families!
- #1: /jewish-life/family/parenting/teaching-children-about-welcoming-guests-hachnasat-orchim
- #2: /jewish-life/family/parenting/teaching-children-about-visiting-sick-bikur-cholim
- #3: /jewish-life/family/parenting/teaching-children-about-being-grateful-what-they-have-hakarat-hatov
- #4: /jewish-life/family/parenting/teaching-children-about-donating-charity-tzedakah
- #5: /jewish-life/family/parenting/teaching-children-about-respect-kavod
Sample Text to Share Shaboom! in a Facebook Post
You might want to watch an episode yourself first and give it a personal touch. Feel free to copy and paste these examples too.
Here are a few comments of what we have have seen grandparents and parents post:
- Shaboom! makes watching kids videos a pleasure, they even have an app!
- I don’t know about you but I’m so sick of Paw-patrol. This show is so much better.
- Uhhh this show just taught my kid about welcoming guests and now he is watching another episode about why it is nice to send his friends cards if they are sick. This video series is making parenting easy for me today.
- Making dinner and want your kid to watch something? Try this
- This is a must watch video for all parents!
- I just watched this video with my son and he was glued to it. you would have thought it was something on nick jr. but it wasn't it was educational and Jewish!”
- My kid asked me to watch that video again where the two sparks help save the world. you should take a few minutes to watch this video and see if your kid loves it as much as mine do.
- Watch out youtube - Shaboom! is taking over the market for jewish families.
- What a great show to watch during that deadtime my kid has before dinner.
Here are a few examples of what we have have seen professional organizations post:
- Shaboom! is a new animated series created for families raising kids ages 4 to 7. Share some of the everyday values found in Judaism with each new episode of Shaboom!.
- Share some of the everyday values found in Judaism with your preschooler with Shaboom! a new animated series for families. #WatchSomethingJewish
- Have Shaboom! spark a Jewish moment in your family's life. #WatchSomethingJewish
- Have you watched #Shaboom yet? What do you think?
- Magic time! It's SHABOOM! Take a look at this new preschool series for families! #WatchSomethingJewish
- Getting kids excited about everyday Jewish values! #WatchSomethingJewish
- We will share links to every episode over email and Facebook as they are available. Watch it on the Shaboom! i0s app, on youtube.com/shaboom or {embedded on our own site}.
- Watching Shaboom! is a fun learning experience as a group, and we are excited to share it with you on {DATE} at {LOCATION}.
- We are thrilled to be hosting an event for families to watch Shaboom! together on {DATE} at {LOCATION}. There will be music, crafts and other activities for both kids and parents - stay tuned for more info!
How to host an event or program that includes Shaboom!
Individuals and organizations interested in incorporating a Shaboom! episode into a local gathering or event should contact us at BimBam (info@bimbam.com or 415-935-4565). Local gatherings and Shaboom! watch-parties are popping up around the country. Here are a few examples:
- San Francisco, CA on Sunday, 04/10/16 at The Contemporary Jewish Museum, 10 to 11:45am featuring rainbow spin art and marbling clouds in the art studio, storytime in the gallery, a photo booth, dancing up and down to live colorful music and of course the chance to see Shaboom! on a big screen with the show's creators in the audience.
- Foster City, CA on Sunday, 05/22/16 a Pajama Party Premiere at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center (“PJCC”), 9:30am to 11am.
- Highland Park, IL on Sunday, 09/18/16 at the Highland Park Community House organized by the Jewish United Fund (JUF) featuring the music of Naomi Less, crafts and healthy snacks!
Episodes: Links, Posts & Descriptions (Coming Fall 2016)
Shaboom! Episode #06 - 09/07/16 - About the everyday value of Taking Care of Nature (Bal Taschit)
- For Kids! Waste Not
- For Parents! What’s Jewish about taking care of the earth? An intro to Bal Taschit
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Just a Dream
Shaboom! Episode #07 - 09/14/16- About the everyday value of Courage of the Heart (Ometz Lev)
- For Kids! Hero Heart
- For Parents! What’s Jewish about having courage? An intro to Ometz Lev
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Sadie and the Big Mountain
Shaboom! Episode #08 - 09/21/16- About the everyday value of Peace in the Home (Shalom Bayit)
- For Kids! Get Along, Gang
- For Parents! What’s Jewish about peace at home? An intro to Shalom Bayit
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: It Could Always Be Worse
Shaboom! Episode #09 - 09/28/16 - About the everyday value of Returning Lost Objects (Hashavat Aveidah)
- For Kids! Finders, Returners
- For Parents! What’s Jewish about returning what’s not ours? For Parents! An intro to Hashavat Aveidah
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Found
Shaboom! Episode #10 - 10/05/16- About the everyday value of Saying I'm Sorry (Slicha)
- For Kids! Really, Really Sorry
- For Parents! What’s Jewish about saying sorry? An intro to Slicha
- Correlating PJ Library book recommendation: Red, Blue and Yellow Yarn
Shaboom! List of Collaborators and Partners
Shaboom! Content Leadership, and Distribution Support
Individuals from some of the leading children’s education, technology and entertainment firms consulted on Shaboom!, including leaders from Sesame Workshop, Amazon Studios, and Pixar.
To most effectively achieve learning and engagement outcomes with children and parents alike, the nonprofit media production company creating the show, BimBam worked in partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and PJ Library® Alliance, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) with the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ), The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), Interfaithfamily and the Jewish Community Center Association (JCCA) to develop and distribute the series.
Shaboom! Funding and Resource Development
The Shaboom! initiative has been made possible through the generous support of Peleh Fund, Harold Grinspoon Foundation and PJ Library® Alliance, The Covenant Foundation, Bernstein Family Foundation (DC), Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and an anonymous foundation. The Shaboom! parenting video resources have been made possible by The Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah.
Shaboom! Content Affiliates and Distribution Support
ECE-RJ, MazelTot.org, REBOOT, IKAR, Shalom Learning, Jewish Federation of San Francisco, RitualWell, Shalom Sesame, The Contemporary Jewish Museum, Slingshot, Hazon, Jewish LearningWorks, Jewish Learning Venture with jKidPhilly, Jewish United Fund and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, The Kitchen, Mishkan Chicago, Jewish Gateways, 70/Faces Media (Kveller and MyJewishLearning), RitualWell, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and Jewish Learning Matters
Sample Outreach Letters for URJ & ECE-RJ Professionals
Sample Letter to modify for URJ ECC Professionals
RE: Introducing Shaboom! (URJ Digital Collaborator)
Recently, we were involved in creating a new animated series for families raising Jewish kids called Shaboom!. Would you consider sharing any of the episodes with your families on your facebook page (after you take a minute of course to review the show yourself first)? A short post on your facebook page or within your weekly email to families would really help build some traction for the show. Here are a few example posts that I have seen other Jewish professionals use recently:
- Come on and watch Shaboom! The full spring series is streaming now http://j.mp/ShaboomEp5
- Shaboom! is a new animated series created for PJ families raising kids ages 4 to 7. Each new episode shares some of the everyday values found in Judaism - like in this episode we learn about Tzedakah or giving. http://j.mp/ShaboomEp4
- Give Shaboom! a try this afternoon with your kid at home http://j.mp/ShaboomEp3. See if the show sparks a Jewish moment in your family's life.
- Share some of the everyday values found in Judaism with your preschooler with Shaboom! a new animated series for families. http://j.mp/ShaboomEp2
- Can you imagine a Jewish Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood? You don't have to imagine it because it is here - Shaboom! http://j.mp/ShaboomEp1
Let me know what you think of Shaboom! and if you think it might resonate with families in your network.
Thanks, URJ or ECE-RJ Professional or Volunteer
Example of Actual Letter Sent (on 5/12/16) from USCJ
RE: Spark Jewish moments with families via Shaboom!
Shalom!
I just watched the newest episode of Shaboom! and it was the sweetest 10 minutes of my day thus far (and that includes kissing my kids at the bus stop this morning. Ok, they’re teenagers, but still…)
As an official collaborator of USCJ, we see Shaboom! (the new animated series for families) as a great way to deepen the connection between Judaism and family life.
Shaboom! is designed (and research-tested) for children aged 4-7 and their parents. Each of the 10 episodes are accompanied by a separate two-minute video for parents that delves into each episode’s value, explaining “what’s Jewish” and instilling in parents the knowledge and confidence to model those values for their children. I watched this too this morning, and I think you’ll agree Shaboom! is a great way for our kids and their parents to learn about and integrate Jewish values into their daily lives.
I’d like to invite and encourage you to share each of the Shaboom! episodes directly with families as part of your existing outreach and communications. Here are a few ways we’ve seen community leaders incorporate Shaboom! into their work:
- Post the links to the videos when they are available on social media and in your e-signature, adding your own two cents about how the value highlighted in the newest episode happens in your life or the lives of families you know. {Here’s the link for this week’s episode about Kavod: http://j.mp/ShaboomEp5}
- Do something big with local partners, such as a Sunday morning launch event. (For example, in Northern California, the Peninsula JCC partnered with the local PJ Library and a local USCJ Congregation to host a Shaboom! Pajama Party Premiere that included PJ Library story time, healthy snacks, a Shaboom! episode on a big screen, and fun family crafts).
- Do something simple, like encourage parents to watch Shaboom! when you speak with them on the phone or send out a newsletter. The show is streaming on Youtube.
Previous episodes can be accessed here:
- In this episode we learn about Tzedakah or giving. http://j.mp/ShaboomEp4
- Give Shaboom! a try this afternoon with your kid at home http://j.mp/ShaboomEp3. See if the show sparks a Jewish moment in your family's life.
- Share some of the everyday values found in Judaism with your preschooler with Shaboom! a new animated series for families. http://j.mp/ShaboomEp2
- Can you imagine a Jewish Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood? You don't have to imagine it because it is here - Shaboom! http://j.mp/ShaboomEp1
If you are interested in exploring more ways to use Shaboom! as a tool for engaging families, please drop Lisa Finkelstein at BimBam (lisa@bimbam.com) a note, and we can brainstorm ways to incorporate Shaboom! into your community programming. And if your parents or teachers give you great or not-so-great feedback, Lisa and I would love to hear that too.
Kol tuv,
Maxine Handelman
Early Childhood Education Specialist, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
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