Enjoy this video tribute to the Jewish Mother produced by Shmuel Hoffman. Shmuel’s wife and business partner, Margelit Hoffman, is also a Jewish mother and she blogged about the making of this video. Here are her comments which make watching the video even more fun.
“We were so psyched when the Ptex Group, Wissotzky’s ad agency in Brooklyn, asked Shmuel to make this video. I was in tears when I watched the rough cut, as making this project happen as it did was a ton of work, on top of my regular wifely, motherly, and marketingly duties.
A day before the shoot, I happily went shopping with the business card for props for this amazing project. (Shmuel said, “Keep in mind, if there are things we can’t return to the store after the shoot, they’re yours! So buy things you like.”) Sure! No problemo! Don’t mind if I do. The props are mostly from Target, with a few from Macy’s and Sears. Then on Monday I pulled Moishe out of bed at 4:30AM to make it to the set in Lawrence – the home of the Stahler family.
So many amazing people came together to make this happen. The Stahlers were so generous not only with their home, but with their help. In the Shabbos scene you can catch a glimpse of Lisi and Avi Stahler at the table.
We are so thankful to Leora Mishaan for introducing us to Michal Weinstein, who plays the mother. Michal was so generous with her time, her kids, her wardrobe, and her nanny. Yali from Yali’s Wigs found Michal the perfect shaitel – we had to pull Yali out of her davening to style it, and help us make it to the set on time! The beautiful white Shabbos dress that Michal is wearing is from Teri Jon.
We have to thank Charlie Harary for being a part of this project. He is so easy to work with, and friendly to everyone on set. I would also like to thank my own Jewish mother, who graciously watched our younger kids while we were away filming this. Moishe was actually sad that he had to be in the commercial because he also wanted to sleep at Savta’s house!
Finally, we want to thank the Ptex Group and Wissotzky for using advertising to convey a higher message (and Micah Smith for the referral!) We are here to honor the women who make life run smoothly, and to give them a break during the course of a busy day. In the words of Ani DiFranco, “God’s work is done by people.”
Shine on, dear mothers. Shine on.
(original link to Margelit’s blog post)