It is a common sight in secular communities to watch children "waging war" with one another, imitating their favorite superheroes with imaginary battle kicks and leaps. They beg for the latest in plastic weaponry, as all the best superheroes have mega-destructive laser beam guns and the like available at a store nearest you. Children have powerful imaginations and often incorporate everything they see and hear into their daily play. An imagination is a blessing, except when its inspiration comes from violent and unsuitable sources.

Without Jewish computer games and activities for children, a parent might find herself persuaded to buy Power Rangers paraphernalia for her children for Chanukah instead of Menorah Man or some other Jewish hero. A child who amuses him or herself for hours playing computer games or reading comic books now has an alternative. The visual and audio stimulation of Jewish computer educational tools allows children the same interactive play as they would get with secular programs, but with the values and words of Torah. Recently, wonderful games and Torah software have been produced for children, teaching Aleph-Bet and middos. We have enough new kosher software to keep our children busy, while immersing them in the spirit of Torah and mitzvos. As they play, they are learning about the wonders of Noah and his teiva, or how to read the Aleph-Bet more fluently. Jewish educators have wisely foreseen the enormous potential for chinuch contained in the media of computer comics, video games and other children's software. We have chosen to review a small sampling of the current children's software just in time for Chanukah.

The Jewish Hero Corps:
An Animated Interactive Comic Book

The Jewish Hero Corps star in this interactive comic book written and produced by Alan Oirich. Oirich's mission was to create something Jewish and entertaining for children without any violence. Despite what television and videos may show, Oirich espouses the theory that it is not violence that children are looking for, but conflict and resolution. The story opens and we are introduced to Earl Chandler who is on an airplane high above the ground. He is given a videotape by an air hostess and as he watches it, he discovers a devious plot to destroy Jewish knowledge. He hears about a terrible new weapon, a team of "Forget-me-Bots" who are capable of eradicating all traces of Judaism from the world by erasing memories of Jewish children in schools and shuls.

Earl Chandler jumps off the plane without a parachute, but no parachute is needed by his alter ego, Menorah Man. Menorah Man quickly burns up the tape and sets off for the base of the Jewish Hero Corps. There we are introduced to the other super heroes, Yarmulke Youth, Minyan Man (who turns into 10 men if needed), Draidel Maidel who spins like the wind, Shabbos Queen and Hyper Girl, a baalas teshuvah who becomes Matzah Woman. The Jewish Hero Corps, who get all their superpowers from mitzvos, work together to save the day.

Compelling and fun, the story itself is suitable for children between the ages of 5-12, but as an interactive game, probably best suited for 6-10. The story is interesting and the illustrations are done by Marvel comics artist Michael Netzer, complete with yarmulkes, tzitzit and tznius clothing.

Ask for "The Jewish Hero Corps" by calling Jewish Multimedia Center toll-free at 1-888-WWW-SHUK.

Children can join the free Jewish Hero Corp Fan Club by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to SMO Mgmt., PO Box 435, Planetarium Station, New York, NY 10024.

Aleph-Bet Schoolhouse
Davka Corporation
For ages 4 and up

This fun-filled program teaches children the Aleph-Bet with four different colorful aleph-bet games to play: "Name That Letter," "Unscrambulator," "Coloring Book," and "Magical Aleph-Bet Tour." Particularly helpful is the game involving the often confused letters of the Aleph-Bet such as mem and tes and beis and kaf, in which the child has to pick out all the mems from a board of both mems and tes's. I found this one of the best features of the game, as it is also suitable for an older child who has problems discerning between letters of the Aleph-Bet. This program gives children of all ages a wonderful opportunity to practice and improve their knowledge of the Aleph-Bet on their own.

Call Davka at 773-465-4070 or toll-free at 1-800-621-8227.

Noah and the Rainbow
Davka Corporation
For ages 3 and up

Noah and the Rainbow is an enchanting storybook about Noah and the Flood, originally written by Shoshana Lepon and published by Judaica Press. Now adapted for the computer, it becomes a sparkling children's tale with exiting graphics and little creatures and birds who add cute little comments when pressed, charming a child to wide-eyed delight. It is easy to use and can either be read aloud or read by the child on his or her own. It also has a few other activities for a child including a puzzle game, a coloring book and a matching game.

Call Davka at 773-465-4070 or toll-free at 1-800-621-8227

Mitzvah Man
Torah Educational Software (TES) For decades, Pac Man has been a favorite among children, but now, with the arrival of Mitzvah Man, the child's hero sports a yarmulke and peyos. This game has an additional twist. In order to eat the "yeitzers," the child must answer excellently formulated questions on Torah, Shabbos and Halachah. There are two levels of questions, one for students and one for scholars. The questions in this game are extremely interesting and educational, and children and adults alike will spend a little more time than intended enjoying this game.

Call TES at 914-356-1485 or call toll free: 1-800-925-6853

Hanukkah Activity Center
Davka Corporation
For the whole family

The Hanukkah Activity Center provides the whole family with eight great ways to make Chanukah more fun! It brings Chanukah alive with its eight entertaining Chanukah games which include music and bright graphics. The games include: "Draidel Drama," the traditional draidel game adapted for computer, "Hanukkah Juke Box," a wonderful tool for teaching all the best Chanukah songs with lyrics in Hebrew and English, "Menorah Magic," which teaches children the correct bracha for lighting the menorah, "44 candles," a counting game where you must collect the exact amount of candles needed for all of Chanukah, "Memory Challenge," "Who am I?" which tests your child's knowledge of Chanukah heroes, "Hanukkah Browser," which teaches Chanukah history and a "Hanukkah Coloring Book."

Call Davka at 773-465-4070 or toll-free at 1-800-621-8227

Junior Judaica
A Junior Encyclopedia
Torah Educational Software (TES)

With a huge database, this adaptation of its parent encyclopedia has some pictures, but is mostly an excellent research tool for older children. Don't mistake it for a game. It's a quick reference tool that, for the sake of visual interest, includes a sampling of pictures. Older children interested in the reading material will like it better than younger ones, who won't be as stimulated by the "tachlis" interface.

Call TES at 914-356-1485 or call toll free: 1-800-925-6853.

Search for Your Israeli Cousin II
Torah Educational Software (TES)
for Windows

A clever and visually striking program, "Search for Your Israeli Cousin II" has some similarity to the popular "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" series. Here, an urgent search propels the user through a fascinating educational journey. The user gets to travel the world searching for Jewish relatives and encounter rich relics of Jewish culture and history along the way. The pleasing pictures and animation make for an enjoyable interface of a fascinating search mechanism where cute airplane flights serve as the background for vivid text detail about worldwide Jewish communities and their rich heritage. A touch of the board game of Clue in here, with its indulgence of fun and details, "Search for Your Israeli Cousin II," is a whimsical way to explore worldwide Jews and Judaism.

Call TES at 914-356-1485 or call toll free: 1-800-925-6853.