QUICK TAKES - Aug. 27, 2009

Jake Gyllenhaal and Christina Applegate are among the stars slated to appear in a new “Sesame Street”-style production geared toward teaching Jewish American children about Jewish culture.

“Shalom Sesame,” a 12-part series for preschoolers featuring the globe-trotting Muppet Grover, will explore Jewish identity and traditions and will film on location at several Israeli sites, including the Western Wall.

Guest stars such as Debra Messing, Greg Kinnear, Anneliese van der Pol and Cedric the Entertainer will join puppets and children in segments filmed in Israel and the United States, according to the series’ producers.

“Shalom Sesame” was first produced in 1986, selling more than 1 million copies on video and DVD. The new incarnation, expected to be released in December 2010, will tackle more issues of diversity for Jewish children and be accompanied by an interactive website and other outreach materials.