Shalom Sesame
An English-language introduction to Israeli culture and Judaism.
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Shalom Sesame is an anglicized variation of Rechov Sumsum (רחוב סומסום), the Israeli version of Sesame Street, which originally aired in 1983. Produced in 1986 and between 1990 and 1991 for the direct-to-video market in the United States, it aimed at introducing Israel and Judaism to children not necessarily fluent in Hebrew, since Rechov Sumsum is completely done in Hebrew. Beginning in April 1988, the episodes were broadcast on PBS following their video releases.
It includes characters from both Sesame Street and Rechov Sumsum, the Hebrew/Arabic version produced and aired in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Jordan. In October 2010, a new 12-part Shalom Sesame series began, adding Mahboub, an Arab Israeli Muppet, and other new characters from the 2006 revival of Rechov Sumsum. The revival also features the Israeli singer Ayal Ingedashet, of Ethiopian Jewish background, as the human character Lamlam in each series.
Characters from Rechov Sumsum
Kipi Ben Kipod, a pink giant porcupine analogous to Big Bird, first appeared in 1983 and has a pet goat named Sheba. Moishe Oofnik is Oscar the Grouch's cousin.
Brosh is an orange monster who enjoys cleaning. Mahboub is a young blue monster who speaks both Hebrew and Arabic. Avigail is a young pink monster who is happy with everyone.
Did You Know?
- Kipi Ben Kipod also appeared in Barrio Sésamo as Espinete, a big, human-sized pink hedgehog who used disguises including a wizard, Dracula, and a superhero called Super Espi.
- The only revival episodes broadcast on PBS Kids were 'Chanukah: The Missing Menorah' and 'It's Passover, Grover!'
- The 2010 revival added Mahboub, a young blue monster who speaks both Hebrew and Arabic.
- Special guests included Itzhak Perlman, Mary Tyler Moore, Joan Rivers, B.B. King, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
- The series was directed by Aaron Kaplan, who went on to direct all the local sesame series thereafter.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Shalom Sesame (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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