Sesame Street Returns to Israel

TEL AVIV,
November 22: Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization, is
returning Rechov Sumsum (Sesame Street) to Israeli television after nearly a decade, with 40 new
episodes that will premiere on Channel Hop! on December 15.

The program’s
new season will featured the well-known Muppet characters, including the
grouchy but beloved Moshe Oofnik and his Israeli Muppet friends, Brosh and
Noah. In addition, the program now features its first Arab-Israeli Muppet,
Mahboub, contributing to the show's effort to model an inclusive Israel and a
multi-cultural society.

Veteran human
cast members include the Jewish-Israeli Tzachi and the Arab-Israeli Ibtisam,
who will be joined by new neighbors, including Irina, a Russian immigrant.

"With our
partner Hop! we are proud to produce a program that will provide an infusion of
hope to a new generation in Israel," said Gary E. Knell, the president and
CEO of Sesame Workshop. "Sesame Workshop is committed to creating media
that makes a difference in the lives of children.”