Inches to Metric: The Tattooed Torah (5th Anniversary)

“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.“- Italo Calvino

Inside book cover, Marvell at her first book fair. Photo Beth Kopin

By the time Marvell Ginsburg began writing The Tattooed Torah in 1981 she was already a rock star in educational circles. As her daughter, I had grown accustomed to her wonderfully audacious ideas. She was always busy; presenting at conferences, strategizing on best practices for Jewish preschools, creating “the ideal preschool” and writing a “how to guide” for teaching Jewish concepts. When Mom published The Tattooed Torah, a Holocaust story for preschoolers (ages 4+), it was controversial/revolutionary. I wasn’t surprised.

I have memories of Mom reading and editing The Tattooed Torah as a work in progress aloud to my Dad. He was fighting terminal cancer, I suspect it gave them something positive to focus on. The first edition was published in 1983, illustrated by Jo Gershman, second edition was published in 1994, with slight text changes by Marvell and a different illustrator, Martin Lemelman. I was astonished and proud. Mom always forged her own path.

Towards the end of Marvell’s life, I suggested doing “more with her book,” hoping it would bring her something positive to focus on. This was a full circle moment. After she passed, we did “EVEN MORE”! We produced The Tattooed Torah animated film based on her book in English (Voice-Ed Asner), and Spanish (Voice-Fernando Allende), with subtitles in 10 languages (including Hebrew and Arabic), and a curriculum guide accompanying the film. The film was Co-executive produced by Goldrich Family Foundation and USC Shoah Foundation which streams both languages, English version on PBS and Chai Flicks. As an outcome of the film we updated and published the third edition of the book in 2021 posthumously.

On left original version, second edition, and third edition of The Tattooed Torah. Photo Beth Kopin

Back of the third edition. Note author Marvell/Bubby standing with grandson Brett at his Torah reading ceremony, holding Little Torah. Photo Beth Kopin

Frequently asked question… How did I get the idea to make the film?

In 2016, two years after Marvell passed, I began dreaming about turning the book into a film. The dreams kept coming. One day I laughed and said “Ma’ I don’t know how to make a film but I’ll figure it out.” The dreams stopped. I meditated and received an idea; I needed a screenplay based on Marvell’s book so I could pitch “the concept” to film makers.

I asked our son Brett if he was interested in turning Bubby’s book into a screenplay. Brett was between post college road tripping and Rabbinical school, loves a good project as much as I do, adored his Bubby Marvell and would do anything to work with her, albeit posthumously. He said, “Mom I don’t know how to write a screenplay.” I suggested he Google a screenplay, and study the format. He went into his room, read theToy Story script and three days later emerged with a first draft. The rest is history. Working with my grown son, building our dream team, and creating the film was a highlight of my life; each step was filled with grace and felt like a magic carpet ride.

It’s five years since we premiered the film over a jam packed weekend of screenings at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, Temple Am Shalom in Glencoe, and Solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook. Immediately film festival acceptances and requests for screenings began pouring in. The first festival screening was JCC Chicago Jewish Film Fest at Evanston Theater, March of 2020. The following week the world shut down from Covid.

Screening at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. On left Martin Lemelman (Illustrator), Beth Kopin (Executive producer), Melinda Goldrich (Executive producer), Jeffrey Pittle (Key animator), Rabbi Brett Kopin (Co-screenwriter), Little Torah. Photo Beth Kopin

Am Shalom screening. On left Rabbi Brett Kopin (Co-screenwriter), Marc Bennett (Director, Co-screenwriter), Rabbi Steven Lowenstein Am Shalom, Beth Kopin (Executive producer). Photo Beth Kopin

JCC Jewish Film Fest. From left Beth Kopin (Executive producer), Daniel Alcheh (Composer), Chris Robins (Post production, animator), Lisa Effress (Producer), Rabbi Brett Kopin (Co-screenwriter), Marc Bennett (Director, Co-screenwriter), Martin Lemelman (Illustrator). Photo Beth Kopin

Looking in the rearview mirror, Covid was a silver lining. Live screenings are incredibly fun and meaningful but require tremendous logistics; filling auditoriums, travel, tech issues etc. Zoom screenings were a game changer. We arranged a Latin American screening (ten countries participated) with our Spanish version,  Canadian nationwide screening with their Public School System, making the Canadian National News on Holocaust (click link) Remembrance Day, National Ramah, festival and community screenings.

The Tattooed Torah site. We were accepted into 54 festivals and won in 9 including Best Shorts for Humanitarian Award and Award of Excellence. Photo Beth Kopin

This past Yom Hashoah/Holocaust Remembrance, our team was invited by Rabbi Josh Warshawsky of Congregation Agudas Achim of Columbus Ohio, in conjunction with the Columbus Board of Rabbis to present our film (link) The Tattooed Torah. Martin Lemelman, Rabbi Brett Kopin, Little Torah and I presented. We met with Columbus  Jewish Day School third-fifth graders earlier that day. While introducing us Rabbi Josh mentioned he and Rabbi Brett learned how to read Torah from Little Torah at Schechter.

Columbus Jewish Day School, third-fifth graders. Left to right Martin Lemelman (IIlustrator), Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, Rabbi Brett Kopin (Co-screenwriter), Little Torah, Beth Kopin (Executive producer), Eran Rosenberg educational/Ritual director. Photo Beth Kopin

Panel discussion at Agudas Achim. Little Torah always gets a prominent seat in the panel. Photo Beth Kopin

As a special request, I brought Little Torah to Columbus. I went to Schechter, picked up Little Torah, placed her in a car seat, then picked up our six year old granddaughter. When she got into the car she noticed Little Torah sitting in the other car seat. She was surprised. I said I was taking Little Torah on a trip. She asked,“Wasn’t Little Torah scared? She was leaving her Torah family from the ark and would miss them.” That question hit me between the eyes. That was Marvell’s point of the book! 

Little Torah enroute to Columbus. Photo Beth Kopin

I placed Little Torah in my cabin suitcase. While boarding the plane I placed her in the overhead and whispered “From now on, Little Torah, we will always take good care of you.” Marvell Ginsburg.

Page from The Tattooed Torah. Photo Beth Kopin

Each incredible member of our team felt the power in this tiny story. All who see the film or hear the book are moved, inspired and enlightened, especially the young ones; empowered with knowledge their faces light up and they ask infinite questions.

Film poster with team signatures. Photo Beth Kopin

“When you put your art out into the world it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the world.” David Bowie. When we produced our film we hoped it would/could reach many viewers. We estimate over a million views and have nearly sold out our third edition of the book. Amazon. I wrote a blog series on the film, The Making of a Movie #1. For additional posts click on the header My Blog.

Shelf of honor. Notice Brett sitting with Ed Asner behind our trophy. Photo Beth Kopin