abreast of children’s issues and give them a
Jewish spin. “Our most recent show is on
middot, character development. This show
specifically focuses on good manners, patience, cleanliness, being kind, and the importance of each individual. A large part of
this show deals with bullying and how to
deal with it. Recent research shows that
one needs to empower the bystanders to
‘stand up’ for their friend and develop empathy in the children. We read from our giant story book, ‘It’s cool to be kind’, where
we aim to develop empathy and empower
It doesn’t take a psychologist or a teacher
to know what speaks to kids. Just ask any
mom who’s trying to feed her kids sprouts
(yeah, right – these days, pretty much anything resembling food) and she will tell you
what works. Song and dance, movement,
drama, role-play, anything and everything
exciting and even, if she is calisthenically
able, standing on her head.
But, I guess being a psychologist and a
teacher would help enormously, which is
maybe what put the then Perelman sisters
Michal Furman and Rachael Diamond on
the Jewish performers map. From the
time they were children, they were both
involved in shul children’s services, camps
and informal education – with an understanding of kids and what makes them
tick far beyond their years.
“Our programmes always included puppet shows, acting and props and were most
often random and impromptu, which
evolved into a humorous, enthralling
show,” they explain. And it’s in their bones
– inspired by their mother, Denese, “a talented superwoman” who taught them “to
always give of our best and give to others”.
For the past five years, through marriage
and kids and growing up, they have remained true to their mom’s ethos and have
been putting it to work showing kids just
how deep Torah goes; its valuable life lessons; and how fun and inspirational it can
be – all through drama and song.
The beauty in their collaboration is that
they are taking their own, unique skills –
Michal as an “out-of-the-box thinker”, a
creative educator; and Rachael from her
studies in psychology and experience as a
46 JEWISH LIFE ■ ISSUE 85
IT’S HEART-WARMING TO SEE ALL THE WONDERFUL VIBRANT
JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS WHICH PRIDE THEMSELVES IN DEVELOPING
CHILDREN WITH GOOD VALUES AND A LOVE OF TORAH AND MITZVOT.
speech and drama teacher, and using them
to engage children of all ages on many issues that otherwise might be out of touch
for them.
“In my experience,” says Rachael, “I
have found that kids learn the best
through fun, exciting songs and movement.” Indeed, says Michal, who loves using creative techniques through which to
educate, “we have found that not all kids
can ‘sit’ in a classroom, and can more readily absorb information through music,
rhyme and rhythms”.
The shows they have created and perform successfully for schools and communities around the country are interactive,
ensuring the children are able to connect to
the characters, and sing along to their
catchy songs – making the learning fun.
The aim is to make Yiddishkeit come alive
for the children, and this happens as the
children interact and take part in the
shows, where they are living and experiencing everything they have just learnt in the
classroom. They first started off with a Purim show, the response to which led them
to develop a Pesach show and a Rosh Hashanah show, and they quickly became exciting milestones that mark the children’s
year and which they anticipate.
Every year they perform for schools,
changing the shows with new props, songs
and ideas, and thus keeping their shows
fresh, exciting and relevant. They don’t
only concentrate on the chaggim, but keep
the children to have a ‘no tolerance policy
to bullying’.”
They are currently developing a new
show on feelings, to encourage children to
become emotionally intelligent by exploring different feelings and the results they
have on themselves and others, guiding
children on how to express and communicate feelings to peers and adults.
Before they develop their shows, they consult with educators, school social workers
and psychologists on what are the topical
issues that need to be addressed, and they
then teach these serious and sometimes
lofty issues through song, music, colourful
props and movement. “It’s heart-warming
to see all the wonderful vibrant Jewish day
schools which pride themselves in developing children with good values and a love of
Torah and mitzvot”, and the way that,
through the fun and merriment of song
and dance, children can open themselves
up to