Games

J. Jewish/Israel Themes

Page 2

J.10. Jewish Telephone

The leader whispers a Jewish expression into the ear of the next participant in the circle.
The participant whispers it to the next group member, etc.
See if the same expression is repeated by the last person in line.

top

J.11. Jewish Objects

The leader splits groups up into small teams sitting around a table, with a pencil and paper.
The leader announces the name of a Jewish object (e.g., menorah, kippah) – this can be done from a hat, if preferred. He or she asks participants to think up creative ways they would use the object.
The teams list their ideas, and afterwards they are sifted out together.
The leader and the group now look for which ideas were: the most original, funny, functional, etc.

top

J.12. Remnant

This activity may be used after other symbols activities to review what is important to the group.

The leader asks the participants in a round:
“If you had to take only one symbol of Judaism with you before the end of the world, what would you take?”
The leader asks each group member to explain why he or she picked a particular item.

top

J.13. Fill in the Blanks

Each participant has a paper and pencil and draws a game board, like the one shown below; if played in groups, set a time limit of two minutes.
When the leader says, “Go,” players fill in as many blanks as they can (working from the top left, across the categories).
When any participant finds that s/he cannot fill in any more words s/he yells “Stop.” Everyone then stops working and points are counted.
Then a new round is played, by choosing a new word and categories (and a new game board).

POINTS SYSTEM
15 points for a word nobody has
10 points for a word which more than one person has
5 points for a word the majority has

Sample Board

  Place in Israel Jewish Holiday Religious Object Nationality Jewish food
I
         
S
         
R
         
A
         
E
         
L
         

top

J.14. Shiriah (Variation)

The leader splits the group into two or three teams.
He or she calls out a (Hebrew) word on a Jewish theme.
The first group sings a song with that word in it.
The second group goes next, and so on until they can’t think of any more songs.
The last group to think of a song gets a point.
The leader then calls out another word.

Variation:
Use Hebrew words, Hebrew songs, or a combination of Hebrew and English.

J.15. Hebrew Bingo

Requires writing materials and a board or poster board.

Each participant receives a copy of the form below and a pencil.
At the sound of the word “Go!” everyone is to fill in his/her chart.
Either:
The first person to fill in five squares (horizontally, vertically, or at a 45 degree angle) wins!
Or, the first person to fill in one horizontal or vertical line wins.

The game stops and the winner is asked to read out his/her answers. While the winner reads the words aloud, the leader has someone write them up on a sheet of poster board, using an enlarged chart.
Then ask others in the group to help complete the whole chart. The leader goes around the room to see if the entire chart can be completed by contributions from group members contribute.

Sample Board

Jewish song or prayer Jewish holiday Place in Israel Hebrew word Jewish food
         
         
   
F R E E
   
         
         

top

Back

The Department for Jewish Zionist Education
The Pedagogic Center
Director: Dr. Motti Friedman
Web Site Manager: Esther Carciente
Sub Site Editor: Dr. Chani Hinker


Terms and Conditions of Use of the Website
Copyright © 1992 - 2008 The Department for Jewish Zionist Education. All rights reserved.
The e-mail addresses @jajz are being discontinued
To Contact Us, Click and Choose Educational Helpdesk under Category