Ella has been transformed into an animated character in them, as her voice narrates the videos, which are part of a series on world religions aimed at key stage one pupils.
Ella told the JC: “I wanted to take part because I thought it would be cool and I might never be asked to be on TV again.
“It was quite funny seeing myself as a cartoon.
“The reaction from my friends and family was really good. A lot of people said how clear my voice was and some people said I sounded like a professional.
“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.”
Ella and her family, who are Orthodox, go to Golders Green Synagogue, which the clips’ creators represented in animation form in the exterior and interior.
In the first of the learner-guide videos, Ella explains how Jewish people show care.
She introduces herself: “Hi. I’m Ella and I’m Jewish.”
She tells viewers: “My synagogue is where my family goes to worship.
“But it’s also where we have lots of community events.
“There’s a nursery and a school and different kinds of activities every week.
“We also try to help people in need because that’s really important in Judaism.”
Ella goes on to explain the importance and meanings of tzedakah (charity) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
The three-minute clip is aimed at five and six-year-olds and a second, more advanced version is aimed at seven-year-olds.
The third video, called Visit to a Synagogue, is aimed at five to seven-year-olds and in the clip she gives viewers a virtual tour of the building.
She shows viewers the Ark, containing the Torah, which she describes as “an important scroll which contains Jewish rules and stories”.
“All stretched out, it’s as long as a football pitch,” Ella says.
She adds: “Every synagogue has a Torah. They are handwritten in Hebrew.”
She also shows the Ner Tamid, or eternal light.
She says: “It’s a light that never goes out and it reminds us that God is always present.”
Ella made the recordings at a studio in Highgate, north London, in December last year, and managed to complete all three clips in under half an hour. She said: “I had a really fantastic time. They said they would use my voice but they wanted to turn me into a cartoon, so I had to send them a photo of myself.
“I was really pleased when I saw the cartoon of me. It has my features and I’m really happy with it.”
Ella, wants to be “an actor or a baker” when she grows up. She said her friends have enjoyed her clips too. “They think it’s fantastic,” she said.
“I love the idea that I’m part of something that will be seen by children all around the world, whether or not they are Jewish.
“I hope it gives people a better understanding of Judaism.
“I’m happy with the way I sound in the videos.
“My voice sounds very clear and confident. I had great fun doing it.”
