Ella, 10, stars in BBC video about Judaism
A 10-year-old member of Golders Green Synagogue is the animated face and voice of a new BBC video aimed at telling children about Judaism
Ella Scott was chosen by the United Synagogue to narrate the Judaism videos for BBC Bitesize, the broadcaster’s online study support resource for younger pupils.
A cartoon version of Ella, who attends Rimon Jewish Primary school, is seen alongside animated versions of the exterior and interior of Golders Green Synagogue, the Scott family shul.
In the first video – part of a series on world religions – Ella teaches students how Jewish people care for others, through giving tzedakah, providing meals for older people and visiting the sick. She also explains how her synagogue becomes an NHS Blood Donation venue during the year and how her community takes part in initiatives to protect the environment.
In the second video, also aimed at pupils in years 1 and 2, she guides viewers on a virtual tour of the synagogue, pointing out the Ark, Sefer Torah and Ner Tamid.
The production company approached the United Synagogue about the idea in September and Ella recorded her voiceover in October. “I wanted to take part because I thought it would be cool and I might never be asked to be on TV again”, she said, adding: “I thought it would be cool to be a cartoon — and it was quite funny to see myself that way.”
The BBC, Ella explained, sent the scripts for the two videos three weeks before the recording, which took place in a studio in Highgate Road, north London.
“I tried not to look at people and focus on the script,” Ella said, adding that she’d now like to do more recording. Proud mum, Lisa, said BBC staff had been “very impressed” with Ella’s calm approach.
Ella told Jewish News: “Videos like these matter because non-Jewish pupils learn about Judaism in school and it’s important the content is accurate. It’s also important that pupils know about different religions so that they respect them – for example, if they don’t know about Judaism, they might say they don’t like it.”
The videos can be seen HERE
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