What I like about the DVD is its informative lessons. Doni warmheartedly explains why people celebrate the holidays. She says, "Chanukah allows us to celebrate what we are grateful for in our lives" and teaches us to never loose hope. During Chanukah, a game called "dreidel" is played with your friends. Doni tells you how to play it, step by step. I also love the "how to" cooking parts. This is when food lovers can get into the kitchen and learn how to make Jewish foods such as from latkes (fried potato pancakes) and matzo pizza. She tells exactly what you need and how much, except how long to cook it. The food looked so good I think I may make some. The music it is upbeat, catchy and it may be the only time you hear country music mixed with Jewish lyrics. What makes it even more fantastic is the musical accompaniment by Eric Lindberg. He's a wonderful guitar and banjo player. One little issue that I have is that all the lyrics for the beautiful songs like Dayenu, Bim Bam, and Lecha Dodi are all in the Jewish language. Subtitles in English would be a great improvement. I have no idea what they are singing about.
My favorite part is when Doni shows how to make challah - a braided bread you make on Shabbat. I -love bread! The smell, the taste - I go nuts for it. I was so excited that I wrote down the ingredients and plan to make it.
Mama Doni is a beautiful singer and has personality plus. You can tell she's really passionate about the Jewish holidays and loves sharing them with us.
The moral is "try new things." Whether you participate in the Jewish culture or not, you can still enjoy learning about a new way to celebrate with friends and family. You can make new foods or play new games as long as it's with the people you love.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this to 5 to 12 year olds. For this age group, this is a great introduction on how Jewish holidays are celebrated and why.
Keefer C. Blakeslee, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Out of all the movies I've seen, this one was the most unique. It's not a movie about a fiction story or a documentary. It is, in fact, almost like an activity movie! "Jewish holiday Party" is a great way to learn how to celebrate Jewish holidays!
This movie has comedy, wonderful music and ...some yummy recipes and traditions for all the Jewish holidays! This movie also tells the story of how each holiday came to exist and history behind each one.
Technically there is not story line. However, the video is broken into mini episodes with different holidays - Passover, Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new years) and so much more! It's very educational!
Since I'm Jewish this movie appeals to me greatly. A lot of those traditions and recipes are frequent visitors in my house. The facts are quite accurate with a few minor items that can be left to interpretation but still have the main point of each exciting day or days. The actors are great and the camera work is very clear as well. One small thing I felt was missing was focus. On some occasions, the focus of the camera was not on the item that was important at that moment. But, I still think that it teaches you a lot about the Jewish holidays.
My favorite scene is when everyone thinks that something called "gelts" are real money. (They are chocolate coins used in a game called "dreidel"). They are all very confused and it's pretty funny!
I recommend this movie for ages 5-18 because it's definitely meant for kids. I give it 4 out of 5 stars because I think it could have been more clear.
Gerry Orz, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Do you know what Chanukah, Passover and Shabbat are? Whether or not you do, you'll have a blast watching Mama Doni in this very fun three-episode Holiday Party DVD.
This DVD is great for when you want to celebrate a Jewish holiday but you don't know how. She tells you everything you need to know about getting into the holiday spirit - the Jewish Holiday Spirit, as she takes you through the Winter Holiday of Chanukah, the spring holiday of Passover and the weekly holiday of Shabbat.
The main character, of course, is Mama Doni. She has many friends, young and old, that pop in throughout the show. But she is the star! We learn about all three holidays thru some new takes on old Jewish songs as well as some new songs. They were all upbeat and fun to listen to. She also tells many great stories as she guides us through her kitchen and shares some wonderful recipes on classic dishes like Latkes, Challah Bread and a new one I wouldn't call an old classic but something that I sure want to try - Matzo Pizza!
My 8-year-old sister and I were so inspired that we made the Challah Bread and the Latkes right away. They were both very delicious!
I like the lighting and how it compliments Mama Doni's face. She is such an energetic and appealing host. With all the movement going on, the camera man does a great job by giving us clear and steady shots. I also enjoyed the editing because it isn't too fast or too slow and I like seeing Mama Doni in different settings and outfits.
I think what this film teaches families is that celebrating holidays is fun even if it is not your practiced religion. I'd even say these three episodes have nothing to do with religion at all as it celebrates the Jewish Culture and not whose God you believe in.
I give this show 5 out of 5 stars because it is lively and there is never a dull moment.
I think this film is appropriate for all ages because you can watch these three episodes and learn new interesting stuff with your family that you have never experienced before.
Mama Doni's Jewish Holiday Party is now available on DVD. Reviewed by Canela Roey, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
What I like about the DVD is its informative lessons. Doni warmheartedly explains why people celebrate the holidays. She says, "Chanukah allows us to celebrate what we are grateful for in our lives" and teaches us to never loose hope. During Chanukah, a game called "dreidel" is played with your friends. Doni tells you how to play it, step by step. I also love the "how to" cooking parts. This is when food lovers can get into the kitchen and learn how to make Jewish foods such as from latkes (fried potato pancakes) and matzo pizza. She tells exactly what you need and how much, except how long to cook it. The food looked so good I think I may make some. The music it is upbeat, catchy and it may be the only time you hear country music mixed with Jewish lyrics. What makes it even more fantastic is the musical accompaniment by Eric Lindberg. He's a wonderful guitar and banjo player. One little issue that I have is that all the lyrics for the beautiful songs like Dayenu, Bim Bam, and Lecha Dodi are all in the Jewish language. Subtitles in English would be a great improvement. I have no idea what they are singing about.
My favorite part is when Doni shows how to make challah - a braided bread you make on Shabbat. I -love bread! The smell, the taste - I go nuts for it. I was so excited that I wrote down the ingredients and plan to make it.
Mama Doni is a beautiful singer and has personality plus. You can tell she's really passionate about the Jewish holidays and loves sharing them with us.
The moral is "try new things." Whether you participate in the Jewish culture or not, you can still enjoy learning about a new way to celebrate with friends and family. You can make new foods or play new games as long as it's with the people you love.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this to 5 to 12 year olds. For this age group, this is a great introduction on how Jewish holidays are celebrated and why.
Keefer C. Blakeslee, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Do you know what Chanukah, Passover and Shabbat are? Whether or not you do, you'll have a blast watching Mama Doni in this very fun three-episode Holiday Party DVD.
This DVD is great for when you want to celebrate a Jewish holiday but you don't know how. She tells you everything you need to know about getting into the holiday spirit - the Jewish Holiday Spirit, as she takes you through the Winter Holiday of Chanukah, the spring holiday of Passover and the weekly holiday of Shabbat.
The main character, of course, is Mama Doni. She has many friends, young and old, that pop in throughout the show. But she is the star! We learn about all three holidays thru some new takes on old Jewish songs as well as some new songs. They were all upbeat and fun to listen to. She also tells many great stories as she guides us through her kitchen and shares some wonderful recipes on classic dishes like Latkes, Challah Bread and a new one I wouldn't call an old classic but something that I sure want to try - Matzo Pizza!
My 8-year-old sister and I were so inspired that we made the Challah Bread and the Latkes right away. They were both very delicious!
I like the lighting and how it compliments Mama Doni's face. She is such an energetic and appealing host. With all the movement going on, the camera man does a great job by giving us clear and steady shots. I also enjoyed the editing because it isn't too fast or too slow and I like seeing Mama Doni in different settings and outfits.
I think what this film teaches families is that celebrating holidays is fun even if it is not your practiced religion. I'd even say these three episodes have nothing to do with religion at all as it celebrates the Jewish Culture and not whose God you believe in.
I give this show 5 out of 5 stars because it is lively and there is never a dull moment.
I think this film is appropriate for all ages because you can watch these three episodes and learn new interesting stuff with your family that you have never experienced before.
Mama Doni's Jewish Holiday Party is now available on DVD. Reviewed by Canela Roey, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
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Kid Critic video review by CANELA ROEY 
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Kid Critic video review by KEEFER C. BLAKESLEE
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