Are the Berenstain Bears Jewish?

Answer 1

Yes they are, according to their autobiography the Bear Facts. At the bookselling site, Alibris, they are listed under Jewish Fiction.

http://www.myjewishbooks.com/sep02.html

Answer 2

I imagine that Stan and Jan Berenstain are (the writers), but I have never seen any evidence of religion in their works. I mean, there are themes about being kind to others and working hard, but those aren't NECESSARILY religious themes.

Answer 3

From the books I've read, it would be very easy to assume that they are. Yet they could just as easily be middle-class Church of
England bears. Or for that matter old fashioned New England bears. But my impression of Mum & Dad bears were that they are just like my very much Jewish parents...and the cubs too, for that matter, remind me of a couple of my siblings.
Jewish or not Jewish...surely it doesn't matter...read it for yourself and see if whatever it is teaching the reader (apart from teaching him/her to read) is in keeping with the ethics that you are hoping to teach. "The Messy Room" basically teaches that "Work First" ie 'Clean up your bedroom.' then "Reward After" 'Yummy honey cakes and a play outside.' plus that cleaning up can be fun too. It also assumes that boy bears are to clean up after themselves just as girl bears do...this might be an issue for some unenlightened cultures.

Honeykah...lol

Answer 4

I don't recall any Jewish themes in their books, like "the Berenstein Bears celebrate Yom Kippur" or anything like that. I also don't recall their Bar/Bat-Mitzvah's or seeing them wear Yamalkahs. I doubt it, generally the books, movies, films..etc minimize portraying anyone as Jewish.

Answer 5

I have read and own practically all of the Berenstein Bears books and never have I seen or read any sign of them being Jewish....

Cheers!

Answer 6

Well, they do celebrate Honeykah... ;)