Jewish, Catholic Girls Walk in Each Other’s ‘Shoes’

In a kinder, gentler version of “real TV,” a Jewish 14-year-old and a Catholic 15-year-oldswitch places for four days to attend each other’s religious summer camps.

Their short but mutually eye-opening experiences are the subject of a new episode of the Noggin cable network series “A Walk in Your Shoes,” to be simulcast Sunday on Noggin and Nickelodeon as a thoughtful holiday offering.

Despite the cameras and big boom mikes that follow them about, and the safe, controlled environment, it’s evident from the start that both girls genuinely feel that they are taking a significant plunge into the unknown.

They watch and participate in both nonreligious and religious camp activities--prayers at meals, Shabbat services, Mass, confession--and share their thoughts in separate interviews, speaking directly to the camera.

They delve into differences like intrepid explorers, asking many questions of their friendly hosts. But, being outsiders, not only because of religion, but also because they are new to the group, the pair are clearly reassured to find similarities in social interaction and spiritual community.

The Noggin network specializes in TV and companion Internet educational entertainment for kids ages 2 to 12. Other “switches” in the “Walk in Your Shoes” series include a surfer and an Alaskan dog musher, an elementary school principal and a junior high student, and a military school student and a commune resident.

* “A Walk in Your Shoes” holiday episode, Noggin and Nickelodeon channels, Sunday at 6 p.m. The series regularly airs on Noggin Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Sundays at 7 and 10 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. It can be seen on Nickelodeon Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. on the “Noggin’s Up” block.) The network has rated it TV-Y (suitable for very young children).