Dear Kadima Advisor,
Enclosed is a packet of ideas and outlined programs for Kadima.
The first two pages are a series of ice breakers/mixers and silly
games that serve social and interactive needs.
The second half is a guide to Purim fun. There is a list of
general ideas for Purim programming as well as three ready-touse program outlines
Hopefully, these resources will be helpful in creating quality fun
and educational experiences for Kadimaniks. Have additional
ideas? Contribute to the programming pot! If you have a request,
contribution or suggestion for future educational or programmatic
resources, please e-mail [email protected].
Happy program planning!
Amy Greenfeld
Education Coordinator
Ben Adam L’chavero:
Interactive and Social games and mixers
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Human Bingo – In advance, prepare a bingo card (4x4) with sentences such
as "anyone who speaks a foreign language," or "anyone who has a Nintendo
Wii," and have the participants walk around and get signatures of someone
who answers 'yes' to any of the requested information
Mishpacha! – This one is great for small communities where everyone either
knows each other or is related. Each person says their name and last name,
mother's maiden name and grandmother's maiden name. Usually there is
someone else in the group with one of these names in their family, they call
out "mishpacha" (Hebrew for family)! If not, move on to the next person and at
least you've learned a new name.
Chatter bugs – two circles form, an inside and an outside circle. The inside
circle faces the people in the outside circle. First they must each shake hands
and exchange names. Then the advisor gives them 2 minutes to talk about a
given topic. For example: favorite book, embarrassing story, favorite music,
high school, family, interests
Stupid Human Talents – Have the participants perform their silliest and
oddest special talents and judge which one is silliest/most useful or grossest.
Pairs – In advance, prepare pairs of words that go together such as peanut
butter, Adam and Eve, Superman, etc. Give each person 3 cards (not in sets)
and have them look for their first match. Once they find the match of their first
card, introduce yourself, and shmooze for a minute about a question guided
by the advisor (e.g. Describe what you'd do if you went on vacation). Then
start again looking for your second match and repeat.
Appointments – hand out a sheet with a clock on it. Each person must make
5 "appointments" at different times during the "day" with different people. The
advisor calls out a time and the Kadimaniks look for their appointment closest
to that time. They find the person and talk for 3 minutes about a topic given by
the advisor
Non-musical Chairs – If there are enough advisors to safely supervise, this
is a great alternative to the standard Musical Chairs. Set up enough chairs for
each participant in a circle with chairs touching. Have them walk ON the
chairs and slowly take one by one away. As people fall off, they are out.
Supervise carefully.
Formations – Divide into small groups and have each group make
formations you call out with their bodies: e.g. Magen David, pyramid, map of
Israel, map of Florida, giant triangle, fish, etc.
Non-Verbal Communication – Without talking, line up by birthday, height,
eye color (lightest to darkest)
Who am I, What am I? – Each person says their name and makes a sound
or motion that the rest has to guess what it is
Toilet Paper Pass – Get everyone to take some toilet paper from a role.
Explain that they should never go anywhere without taking care of the tuchas.
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Then go around the circle and get them to say their names and one word
about themselves per sheet of toilet paper (e.g. Joe, sports, brother, student,
cottage, area of the city). The person next to them needs to repeat his name
and one piece of the toilet paper.
Name Game – Good to welcome new faces. Blindfold someone and get one
person to disguise their voice or get someone else to describe something
about that person. The blindfolded person must guess who it is. OR: blindfold
someone and spin them 5 times, take off the blindfold and get them to state
the name of the first person they point to.
Do You Know Me? – Each person is given a nametag of another group
member and an index card. Get the group to mingle and mix and try to gather
information about the name on the nametag by asking other people who may
know this person. It usually works in communities where many people know
one another. The index card is used to write down the gathered information.
At the end of the 10 minutes of "research," the person introduces or finds the
name on their card and tells them what others know of them!
M&Ms – Each participant is told to take 3 M&Ms. Each color represents
something different they have to share as they walk around and introduce
themselves to one another. e.g. Red: something that really bothers them;
brown: something that calms them down; green: something that makes them
laugh; orange: a favorite anything.
Would You Rather… – The advisor calls out: "would you rather…" and offers
2 options and they have to talk with each other about which they would
choose. Examples: Get stranded in Disneyland or Las Vegas, freeze to death
or burn, pee in your pants or have a permanent gas problem (silly but it helps
to make them funny), When the leader yells "switch" the inside circle moves
one person to the left and the game continues.
The Evil Wizard and the Gelflings – One Wizard, the rest are gelflings (little
creatures). Evil Wizard chases the gelflings. When he tags the gelflings, he
yells "heheheh, I'm EEEEEEEEEVIL! They then must stand in a spot waving
their arms yelling "help me gelflings, help me," until 2 or more gelflings save
him by joining hands and skipping around them. The Wizard cannot tag the
others if they are joined hands in a circle trying to save one who has been
caught
Marbim B’simcha
Planning a Kadima Purim
Program? Look no Further!
General Purim Program ideas (based on Purim themes and customs):
1. Mishloach Manot with Bubbies and Zaidies – make Mishloach Manot at a Seniors
home
2. Go to a kosher bakery and learn to bake Hamentashen from the experts!
3. Make Me A Match – the Achasverosh dating game
4. Hester Panim: – Hiding our Faces – Paper Mache masks
5. Create a modern day megillah/Purim Shpiel! – Ask each participant to bring one
item to be used for a costume and create a modern day Purim story. Use modern
day language and ideas (ex. Mordechai sends Esther a text message after he
hears of the plot to kill the king). Advertise your play throughout the synagogue
community and perform it live.
6. Proud to be me – Discuss the idea of Esther hiding her identity. Ask participants
if they’ve ever felt they wanted to be different or tried to fit in to be like their
friends. Turn the discussion from Esther hiding herself to a “what makes me, me”
exercise and make finally, make personalized door plates for bedrooms or
personal coats of arm
7. Havdallah and Megillah Murder Mystery dinner using Purim Characters
8. Making Hamentashen, Purim dramatic mad-libs freeze
Split the Kadimaniks into smaller groups. Have them choose 1 slip of paper from 3
bags- setting, character and problem
e.g. Queen Esther, mall and lost cell phone
Kadimaniks act out the scene, another kid yells freeze and they can choose another
setting, character or problem and recreate the scene
9. Make a booth for the synagogue’s Purim carnival or have the Kadimaniks
volunteer
10. Hungry for Hamentashen Tour: Rent a bus (or have parent volunteers carpool)
and travel to different bakeries taste-testing Hamentashen. Have the Kadimaniks
vote on the best cookie part and the best filling. They can also try different
recipes in the synagogue kitchen and test each other’s.
11. Mishloach Manot Factory – Make Hamentashen shaped hats (like in a factory)
and create an assembly line to assemble Mishloach Manot to give to community
members
12. Purim Art – create paper hand made midrash (no scissors, Kadimaniks must rip
paper to create a scene) on the Purim story
13. Merry Movie Making – Recreate the Purim story using a digital video camera.
Split the Kadimaniks into groups and have each group work on a scene. OR use
a digital camera to do the same and make a collage or “comic book” for each
picture
14. Megillah bibliodrama – put yourself in the Purim characters’ shoes! Give each
group a character and have them act out the story in first person. Use modern
language and issues. Example: Mordechai convinces Esther to sign up for the
new reality show “Who Wants to Marry a King?”
15. Purim Mall Hunt – Give them a clue list of Purim-related clues they would find in
a mall and have them search for each one on the list.
Examples: go to the food court and plan a menu for one of Achasverosh’s feasts. Or
find something that Esther would have worn to her own feast to show the king her
INNER beauty and courage
16. Digital Scavenger Hunt – FOR THE TECHNICALLY SAAVY *try and borrow a
few digital cameras* Give them a list of Purim related words or phrases and have
them look for something to capture that represents that word or phrase. Group
members must be in each photo. Hook it to a TV and produce a slide show
Three full programs attached:
1. Extreme Makeover: Shushan edition – inside out fashion show- inner beauty
2. Matchmaker Matchmaker, Find me a Mate: Achashverosh’s Dating Game
3. PurimPalooza!: a night of improv, silliness, games and food!
Chag Purim Samayach!
Extreme Makeover Shushan Edition: the Inside-Out Fashion Show
Queen Esther’s (inner) Beauty Contest
Goals: Kadimaniks will turn the “beauty contest” of the Purim story into an “inside-out”
masquerade of inner beauty
-participants will “model” personal qualities over physical image
Texts:
1. Pirkei Avot 4:27
“Rabbi Meir says: do not look at the container, rather at what’s inside it”
2. B’tzelem Elohim – Beresheet 1:27
:‫כז וַיְִּברָא אֱלהִים ׀ אֶת־הֽאָדָם ְבּ ַצלְמוֹ ְבּ ֶצלֶם אֱלהִים ָבּרָא אתוֹ זָכָר וּנְ ֵקבָה ָבּרָא אתָם‬
“And God created man in God’s own image, in the image of God did God create; male
and female created God them.”
Materials:
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Story: The Ugly Ducking
It is a beautiful summer day. The sun shines warmly on an old house near a river.
Behind the house a mother duck is sitting on ten eggs. "Tchick." One by one all the
eggs break open. All except one. This one is the biggest egg of all. Mother duck sits and
sits on the big egg. At last it breaks open, "Tchick, tchick!" Out jumps the last baby
duck. It looks big and strong. It is grey and ugly. The next day mother duck takes all her
little ducks to the river. She jumps into it. All her baby ducks jump in. The big ugly
duckling jumps in too. They all swim and play together. The ugly duckling swims better
than all the other ducklings.- Quack, quack! Come with me to the farmyard! - says
mother duck to her baby ducks and they all follow her there.
The farmyard is very noisy. The poor duckling is so unhappy there. The hens peck him,
the rooster flies at him, the ducks bite him, the farmer kicks him. At last one day he runs
away. He comes to a river. He sees many beautiful big birds swimming there. Their
feathers are so white, their necks so long, their wings so pretty. The little duckling looks
and looks at them. He wants to be with them. He wants to stay and watch them. He
knows they are swans. Oh, how he wants to be beautiful like them. Now it is winter.
Everything is white with snow. The river is covered with ice. The ugly duckling is very
cold and unhappy. Spring comes once again. The sun shines warmly. Everything is
fresh and green. One morning the ugly duckling sees the beautiful swans again. He
knows them. He wants so much to swim with them in the river. But he is afraid of them.
He wants to die. So he runs into the river. He looks into the water. There in the water he
sees a beautiful swan. It is he! He is no more an ugly duckling. He is a beautiful white
swan.
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Lists with qualities, attributes in English and Hebrew for Inside Out Fashion Show
(attached)
• Costumes: You can ask the Kadimaniks to each bring something from home. OR
• Supply arts and crafts material for them to create a costume
Scissors, construction paper, poster paper, feathers, markers, glue
• Music, CD player
• Blanket for opening game
• Hamentashen with different fillings
Running the Program:
Begin with a game: Split the group into two sides. Hold a blanket up and have one
person approach each side of the blanket. When you drop the blanket, the two
Kadimaniks must call out the first thing they notice about that person. Go through about
10 rounds and discuss:
Debrief the experience: What does this game teach us about how we see others? We
immediately judge people based on the first thing we notice about them without even
knowing anything about them. Can you give examples?
Read (or act out on the spot) the story of the Ugly Duckling. What do you think the
message or moral of this story is? Why did all the other animals treat the duckling so
badly? How do you think he felt being different? Were they wrong to treat him differently
because he looked different? Do you think we’re all guilty of this at times?
Teach the concepts using texts: Pirkei Avot and B’Tzelem Elohim: made in God’s
image
What exactly do we mean by saying we’re all “made in God’s image?” Here’s an
example:
Activity
Have all the Kadimaniks choose a partner. Have them stare into their partner’s eyes
and tell you what they see. Keep them guessing until one person says “myself” (my
reflection) or until you have to give away the answer.
B'tzelem Elohim, made in God’s image, means we are all one, made alike but different.
We see ourselves in each other and must look at the inside to see people for who they
truly are.
Discuss concept: Questions for schmooze:
What does the Pirkei Avot quote mean? Give an example from your life (example: I
know a girl who’s really short but she’s an amazing basketball player and I thought
because she was short, she wouldn’t be able to shoot)
What other popular quote do we know that teaches us the same lesson (don’t judge a
book by its cover).
Why do we tend to do this so often?
Do you think its just part of human nature to do this?
Do you think the media influences us to judge on first impressions? (movies, TV,
magazines)?
How does it make someone feel when you do that?
Describe a situation when YOU may have judged someone or been judged by first
appearance/impression? (example: you wear glasses, so you must be smart)
How does judging someone by appearance or first impression influence how that
person feels about him/herself?
Can you think of anyone from the Purim story who is hiding his/her true self? Someone
who is judged and valued for beauty and hides who they really are on the inside?
Practice the concept: The Inside Out Beauty Pageant: Dugma’ot Nifla’ot/Supermodel!
• Explain that you’re going to have an inside out fashion show! In groups, think of
what traits make up the ideal friend. Look through the list of characteristics
(attached) and choose which ones your dogma would have. Create a costume of
this person by turning the inside out! Have one person be the dogma and create
a script describing his/her “outfit”
*perform the fashion show*
Summary: add something yourself
Why did you choose to present those traits? Why do you like the people you call
“friends?” Are you friends with them because you like their clothes? Would that mean if
they were in pajamas, you wouldn’t like them anymore? Are you friends with someone
because they’re beautiful or look cool? Would you stop being friends with them if they
got a sunburn? We choose our friends because we like what’s inside them. We like that
they’re funny, or friendly or open and honest. This is what we mean when we say
‘B’tzelem Elohim” – it’s what’s on the inside that maters!
Hand out Hamentashen
Everyone has their favorite Hamentashen filling. From this we learn
that not only do we each have our own tastes but more so, we learn
that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? If your hamentashen
described you, what trait would your filling be?
Attachment: Characteristics of a Friend
What do you look for in a friend? Characteristics of a Good Friend
What does each mean? How is it demonstrated? Give examples.
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Empathy: Empati
Compassion: Rachamim. Understanding: Havanah (yesh lo havanah)
Warmth: l’vavi (kind hearted)
Including others: kollel
Being open: Lihiyot patu’ach l…
Friendly: yediduti
Honest: yashar
Sense of humor: chush humor
supportive: m’oded
Jealous: mekaneh
Easy to anger: ko’es
Mean/rude: mag’eel
Brave: ameetz
Matchmaker Matchmaker, Find me a Mate: Achashverosh and the
Dating Game
Goals:
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A fun and silly review of the Purim characters
Kadimaniks will engage in fun and silliness while reviewing the Purim characters
Using their familiarity of dating shows and reality TV programming, Kadimaniks
will enjoy social interaction and amusement through a Purim framework
Note: This game should be based on silliness and social interaction, NOT on dating or
pairing up (no pressure on 6th graders). It’s meant to be fun and silly.
Definitions of ‘king’ and ‘queen’ are gender neutral. It doesn’t matter who plays the roles
of Achasverosh or the potential matches
Materials:
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Royal costumes for hosts/advisors- as simple as a red bed sheet and a crown
from a 99 cent store
A queen and king crown- homemade or 99 cent store.
Board Game – see description in step 3
Purim trivia questions for trivia rounds to choose daters
Audience participation questions
Large Alef, Bet and Gimmel signs for audience (ballots)
Large Alef, Bet and Gimmel signs to label the daters
A big office chair (King’s throne)
Heart decorations
2 dozen Hamentashen (enough per Kadimanik)
Pens and paper for each group for party planning
Markers, sparkles, feathers (any craft supplies) for Party invitation
1 bagel or doughnut for Septor Spin
Hockey stick or broom stick for Scepter Spin
Cinnamon heart candies
A Royal match Scoreboard- poster board with Alef, bet and gimmel on it (to tally
points)
10 oranges (eat after – don’t waste a good orange!)
Running the Program:
Set up the room like a coffee shop. Use hearts and “cheesy” decorations so it looks like
a dating game show.
Advisors dress up as “royal advisors.” They perform a little “shtick” and re-enact the
drama with Vashti. Welcome everyone to “Who wants to be Queen.”
Step 1: Elect a King- find your Achashverosh
Connect the TEXT: Read the quote for Megillat Esther
Esther 2:2-3 – Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him: 'Let there be
sought for the king young virgins fair to look on and let the king appoint officers in all the
provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto
Shushan the castle, to the house of the women,
PARAPHRASED TO MAKE APPROPRIATE: Esther 2:2-3
“Then the king’s servants said to him: ‘let us make a match for the king- young queen
like people he would like to meet and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of
his kingdom, that they may gather together potential matches unto Shushan the
castle…”
Matchmaker matchmaker, make him a match!
Game: Name Game – a good ice breaker and elimination exercise to choose the “king”
(can be male or female)
Everyone stands in a circle. One person goes in the middle and calls out a name of a
Kadimanik. That person must quickly duck down and the 2 people standing on either
side must turn toward one another and say the other person’s name10 times.
Example Ben, Shira and Jason are standing in the circle. Someone in the middle calls
out “Shira.” Shira ducks down and Ben and Jason turn to one another and start yelling
each other’s names. Ben’s name is heard first, Jason wins.
The person who says the other’s name first, wins. The other person is out. If it’s a close
call, they have to keep repeating the name over and over until someone tires and is out.
If the person whose name is called doesn’t duck before the others start yelling the
names, that person is out. Keep going until one person is left and becomes King.
Sit the King down at his/her “thrown” (a big office chair). He/she will help advisor run the
game
Step 2: Purim trivia competition (to find the daters)
Set up a table with 5 Hamentashen spaced out. Five volunteers come up and hold their
hands behind their backs. Advisor asks a question and first Kadimanik to grab a
Hamentashen, gets to answer the question (and eat the Hamentashen after). Next
Round, five more come up until there are 5 “daters” (numbers depend on size of group).
Remind the audience that their participation will be required throughout the game. Give
them the Alef, Bet and Gimmel signs and tell them it’s their voting ballot.
Step 3: Board Game (see attached for lists for each category)
Board game is taped to a wall or placed on a flip chart stand. On heart shaped cards,
write categories:
• Purim Heroes – if you were in ________ shoes
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Laytzan Katan (silly tasks)
What if… – give them a “what if” situation to answer
You Decide – Esther’s dilemmas
Queen’s Orders – audience performs a task
Explain to the group that physical beauty is irrelevant in this matchmaking game.
Achasverosh is looking for a gutsy gal with intellect, one who is wise and makes smart
decisions.
Ask each dater the same question and the audience gets to hold up their voters’ ballot
for queen candidate alef, bet or gimmel
The audience chooses the categories following each vote.
Step 4: Final Round: Party Time!
Achasverosh is a party animal. His match must be a great party planner. Split the
audience into 3 groups and have each queen candidate lead each party-planning group.
Give each group a list
• Party Theme (make it silly and fun)
• Activities/games
• Menu (include healthy options ☺)
• invitations
Groups present and Achasverosh decides which party he’d most want to attend. The
queen candidate that belongs to that group gets 5 extra points.
Tally up points and determine who gets to be Achashverosh’s match. Have a crowning
ceremony and ask the new queen to invite everyone into her new home for
Hamentashen (serve Hamentashen)
Attachment – for game show- Purim in Real Life
Purim
Heroes
Laytzan
Katan
What if…
Imagine you are
in a situation like
Vashti in today’s
world. Describe
the situation and
how you would
stand up for
yourself
Book balance:
walk like a queen
by balancing a
book on your
head from point
A to point B
…you had to
leave your home
like Esther did,
and only take
ONE item
(cannot be a
person) with you.
What would you
take?
You are
Scepter Spin:
…like
You Decide
Orders from the
Queen: Ask the
Audience
Decision time:
Like Esther, you
are faced with a
dilemma. You
are in school and
pass a note to a
friend. Your
teacher stops the
class and your
friend gets in
trouble. Do you
defend her and
say it was you?
There is an evil
Line up shortest to
tallest with you eyes
closed. Queen
candidate gives the
instructions
Queen candidates
Mordechai and
you overhear 2
of your friends
making fun of
another friend of
yours. Do you
say anything?
Queen
candidates spin
10 times and
then must place
the tip of the
“sector” into the
hole of a bagel or
doughnut
Achashverosh,
you wanted to
thank someone
for doing
something for
you and didn’t
know how. What
could you do?
“Haman” in your
school who
constantly picks
on your younger
brother. What
would you do?
What could you
do?
give the audience a
pen. The pen is
passed from person
to person and each
one must invent a
name and use for this
object (its not a
pen…it’s used for…
You are Esther.
Your friends go
to the park to
play football.
You’re really not
a football player.
Do you pretend
you are, just to fit
in with the
group? What
risks are
involved?
Queens choose
a partner. They
must stand back
to back and draw
each other. The
audience votes
on who’s drawing
is more realistic
…someone
judged you by
your appearance
and said that
since you were
small, you
couldn’t play
football
You’re at a
dinner birthday
party and the
parent serves
pepperoni pizza.
You’re so hungry
but your family
keeps kosher.
Hmm…what do
you do?
You are
Achasverosh and
are throwing a
Super Bowl
party. Your
parent keeps
coming down ask
if anyone wants
more snacks and
is driving you
nuts. What do
you do? Do you
send her away,
angry and upset?
Orange
juggle/toss
…you were
queen for a day.
What new law
would you pass?
What would you
want to do?
You’re having a
party. You send
out the Evite to
your friends and
2 people who
really annoy you,
ask you to come.
What do you do?
Queen’s Orders:
Twisted
Hamentashen/Pretzel
-group stands close
together in a circle
and reaches their
arms out. Each
person grabs a hand
across from them
and the group must
untie the knot with
instruction from
queen candidates
King’s Decree:
Hebrew broken
telephone
Queen says a
sentence in Hebrew
(anything he/she
knows) and passes it
along to her people.
You are
Mordechai. Your
brother is a
sophomore and
is really good at
making movies.
There’s a
competition for
High schoolers to
submit original
films. He won’t
do it but you
know he has a
Game: You’re
the Greatest,
Can you Give Me
a Smile? Make
the King Laughqueens must say
the name of the
game and do
something silly to
make a serious
king laugh
…you were
hanging out with
your friends and
Someone wrote
a story about a
friend of yours on
their MySpace
page. You were
there when what
he/she describes
supposedly
happened. What
would you do?
In partners, toss
an orange from
person to
person. Each
time you
successfully
catch it, take one
step further from
each other. The
pair that wins
gives free points
to the candidate
of their choice
Feast for the Queen:
Each person in the
group is designated
as “appetizer, main,
or dessert” They
must walk around the
room finding 2 other
people to complete a
meal for the Queen’s
banquet. The group
of 3 plans a menu
and the potential
queens choose their
good chance.
How do you
convince him
favorite meal.
PurimPalooza!
Background: Hang a poster with the quote on the door:
Esther 9: 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day of the
same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Goal: Purim is a day of joy and celebration, so let the Kadimaniks loose at
PurimPalooza! Participants will engage in fun and silliness through a series of games,
activities and group interaction on Purim concepts and themes.
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Supplies:
• Magazines
• Scissors (one per group)
• 6 boxes graham crackers
• Pretzel sticks
• Reveal It! Word list (attached)
• Purim costumes for leaders
• Points board
• 1 blind fold per team – t-shirt, bandana, whatever you can find that works as a
blindfold
• Picture of Haman for wall
• A paper Haman’s hat to stick to picture of Haman
• Cups (one per participant)
• Jugs of water
• Sheet of paper and marker for Round 3 sing off
• About 100 pieces of paper and enough pens for each person
• Purim story on index cards (one set per group)
• Ziploc or paper bag of verbs, adjectives and nouns from Purim story
Program outline:
Leaders dress up as Purim characters and are the hosts of “PurimPalooza.” With
energy and spirit, they welcome Kadimaniks to the event and explain what will happen.
The group is then split into teams of 5-10 and the games begin! PurimPalooza is a
game of rounds. Each team will compete against the others.
Round 1: Made Ya Laugh!
Leader/advisor is King Achasverosh. He/she sits on a chair in the middle of the room on
a “throne” Each participant must entertain the king and try and make him/her laugh.
Each team sends one representative and keeps going until each person has had a
chance. Points are tallied.
Round 2: Fill/Spill- Achasverosh’s Chug A Lug:1 small cup of water per participant
Line cups of water on a table. Each participant must try and drink the cup of water
without using her/his hands. If they spill a lot, they don’t get the point (some spillage is
allowed).
Round 3: Sing Off: Karaoke at Achashverosh’s Feast
Call out a Purim related word (Examples: joy, party, brave, beautiful, king). Each group
must think of 8 (English or Hebrew) songs that have that word in the verses or chorus.
Round 4: Ha Rosh shel Achasverosh (dizzy spin)
Mr. party animal Achasverosh has a spinning rosh! Teams line up and on the count of 3,
the first person is blindfolded and begins to spin! Group counts to 20 and then the
spinner passes the blindfold to next person until each person goes. The last person to
spin must then race for Haman’s hat and pin it on the picture of Haman hanging on the
wall. The first team to stick the hat on Haman, wins
Round 5: Mordi’s Secret Spy Game (also known as Shadow)
This game is done as one large group. Explain that Mordechai sat outside the palace
and overheard Bigtan and Teresh plotting to kill the king. This game is called Mordi’s
secret spy game – you never know who’s watching you! Each person secretly chooses
someone to shadow. This means you must follow this person closely while trying to
avoid being shadowed yourself. Participants run around keeping close behind their
shadow and trying to figure out and avoid their own shadow.
Round 6: Reveal it
Esther did not reveal her true identity. Can you reveal the hidden Purim word?
Ask for one volunteer per group. Give them a Purim word for the group to guess and 10
words (attached) that they cannot say while describing that word. Have 3 Kadimaniks
be the “beepers” and beep every time one of the forbidden words is said. Time them for
2 minutes or until they reveal the word.
Round 7: Mixed up Megillah
Give each group a set of index cards with parts of the Purim story on each one. They
have two-five minutes to map out the story in its correct order. The first group to
assemble the story, wins.
Round 8: Paper Bag Purim (paper bag dramatics)
Give the group little pieces of paper and pens. Call out “noun” “adjective” or “verb” and
names of Purim characters and have them write whatever Purim related words come to
their mind on each slip of paper. Purim characters go in one bag and verbs, nouns and
adjectives go in another. Have one volunteer from each team pick from the bag of
random words and the other of names of Purim characters. They must act out a scene
as close to Purim related using their words and their group must guess what Purim
related words or scene they’ve acting. Each team guesses separately but other teams
can steal it after one minute of guessing.
Round 9: Shaky Shushan: Esther builds herself a home (Graham cracker stacks)
Using graham crackers and pretzels (mini marshmallows or anything else that’s sticky
may also be used), the team that builds the tallest castle, wins the round.
Round 10: Super-Model
Using magazine pictures, each group designs a “super-model”- pictures and words that
depicts virtuous characteristics of either Esther or Mordechai. The team that can best
depict and describe a “virtuous” character wins. Advisor/leader judges.
Summary:
Tally the scores and announce the winner of PurimPalooza! Remind
Kadimaniks of the custom of joy and gladness on Purim. It’s a MITZVAH to have fun!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------ATTACHMENT 1: Round 6 Reveal It list of words and their “forbidden words”
Bigtan and Teresh
Haman
Plot
King
Overhear
Palace
Secret
evil
advisor
jealous
kill
Mordechai
kill
Mordechai
gate
hang
report
Hamentashen
Esther
Triangle
Filling
Haman
Hat
Cookie
beauty
queen
Hadassah
niece
Mordechai
prune
poppy seed
three
food
ears
Mishloach Manot
Costumes
Send
Friends
Basket
Goodies
Treats
dress up
Queen Esther
Haman
carnival
Mordechai
family
package
gift
deliver
bags
Megillah Reading
Synagogue
Graggers
Haman
Scroll
Esther
listen
Purim
Story
read
noise
pur
Achashverosh
3 corners
bow
king
brave
pageant
saves
Jewish
hides
silly
clown
fun
hiding
megillah reading
Purim themes to add to discussions or to inspire programming:
Unmasked! What do we hide about ourselves?
•
What kind of person do you present to your friend, teachers or family members? Is each a
different “you?” Why do we present ourselves different to each person we meet? Around whom
are you your true self? What makes you comfortable to be that way?
Jews in High Places – using power to make a difference – Queen Esther
•
Do you know any Jews in positions of power today? Do they use their powerful role to help the
Jews? Should they? Are you proud to know of someone who’s famous and Jewish? Can you
name some famous Jews? How do they make a difference in the world?
Taking Chances, taking risks – You go girl! (Queen Esther)
•
Both Mordechai and Esther had a lot of chutzpah. Can you think of times when you’ve had to
show your chutzpah or stand up for something? Was it risky? Were you taking a chance by doing
or saying what you did?
Beauty within or beauty to get in?
Esther becomes queen because of her physical beauty. Yet, she proves soon after that her courage and
intellect surpass her shiny hair!
• Think of TV shows (particularly reality TV). Do you notice how everyone on TV is physically
attractive? Do you notice that sometimes even the least intelligent people become popular
because they’re beautiful? Are these people famous for beauty within or do they use beauty to
“get in?” Can you think of real life examples of that? Examples: Legally Blond Harvard video
application- she gets in because she applies in a bikini!
Giving
•
Matanot L’evyonim and Mishloach Manot- Purim customs in the Megillah to give gifts to our
friends and charity to the poor. We celebrate our freedom and victory over evil Haman. Why do
we do so by giving and sharing with friends, family and the needy? Why do you think we must
always take into account the poor or needy when we celebrate?
And of course, like every other Jewish holiday theme….”they
tried to persecute us, we won, let’s eat!”
• Hmm…this seems to be the familiar theme or pattern of Jewish holiday stories/history. Why is
that? Why have we always “won?” What keeps us so strong? Why do we celebrate every Jewish
holiday with certain foods?