The last scene in Young Abraham is a showdown between Nimrod, king of Ur Kasdim and biblical Abraham, ending as Abraham emerges from a furnace before a nation of converted idolaters and a repentant King Nimrod.

That is the climax and message of the CGI (computer generated imagery) animated motion picture, a vivid and compelling retelling of the biblical and Midrashic story of Abraham’s discovery of G-d. At last, entertainment with Jewish and visual depth for young audiences. Pre-released in April to a hugely enthusiastic response, Young Abraham lays out an authentic narrative in a brilliantly animated world and redefines the future of Jewish films.

To research and write the script, the producers of the $1.8 million project Saadyah El Haddad and Eliyhau Cohen approached two Montreal-based Chabad rabbis, Yisroel Bernath and Zvi Herschovich.

“The goal was to bridge traditional Judaism and Hollywood,” says Rabbi Bernath, Director of Chabad NDG and Loyola Campus. After an exhaustive study of numerous Midrashic sources and commentaries, the pair submitted the first draft in March of 2006, but they were “involved throughout the following years to monitor the project to ensure that the film stayed true to the text.”

Set in ancient Mesopotamia, the film opens with King Nimrod’s demand of his general Terach to hand over his newborn son, Abraham, who had been marked by Nimrod’s stargazer a rebel of the kingdom. As young Abraham grows up on the run from Nimrod’s men, he ruminates on the idolatrous ways of the polytheistic culture of his time and eventually arrives at his own recognition of a one and only G-d. During Abraham’s brief stint in his father’s idol shop and throughout the film, the comically broad dialogue provides a healthy dose of laughter while conveying real Jewish values.

The dazzling visuals work in tandem with the Midrash and various commentaries to enhance and bring the story to life. According to Ibn Ezra, an eleventh century commentator, Abraham traveled to Noah and studied Torah under his wing. Then, after years of preparation and study, Noah urged Abraham to return to Ur Kasdim and put an end to the idol worship.

“Many people have called us just to ask if that really happened; people don’t know a lot of these details,” says Bernath.

In Atlanta, GA, Rabbi Eliyahu Shusterman held a screening of Young Abraham for an audience of thirty children who attend the Chabad day camp. Jennifer Slifkin brought her five children and watched the film together with them.

In a movie-saturated society, “this film competes for kids' attention,” says Slifkin, an attorney. “The animation was top notch and definitely comparable with anything else out there.”

In an age where form is always a factor, Young Abraham has Pixar appeal while still remaining historically accurate and retaining the true meaning of the story of Abraham’s triumph of faith and tradition. The possibility for making this an outstanding educational experience, says Rabbi Hershcovich, is what inspired them to work on this film.

“Children learn better when they see the story,” he explains. He hopes that the film, which will be released in time for the new school year, will open the eyes of children and potential producers alike.

“This film sets a new bar for producers who can teach more people by getting the information out there in a film, while keeping their feet on the ground and sticking to the sources.”