Who are you?

Length: 1 hour

Target age group: Alef

Goal: To explore what it means to be a Jew and to bring the Chanichim to the realization that there is no one definition of a good Jew.  We have to be open minded.

Trigger: All Chanichim should stand in a circle, and play “Mi Kamoni?” (one person stands in the circle and asks, who has ____ like I do? Those who do change places and the last one goes in the middle)

Peula:

1. Hand each Chanich a piece paper with the header “A Jew is…..” have them finish the sentence.

2. Read the (made up) encyclopaedia definition of a Jew

3. Discuss the definition and how the Chanichim react to it.

4. Tell the story: There is a very wealthy Jewish man.  He has 3 sons, who are each different hashkafically.  He must decide which one is the best Jew, and therefore deserving of his inheritance.  Choose 3 chanichim to read out the sons.

5. Have the rest of the Chanichim debate briefly who is the best Jew.  Vote.

6. Game of basic Jewish knowledge.  Ask the Chanichim questions about Judaism, and for each right answer, give a candy.

Conclusion:  Read “Moshiach’s Hat”.  Explain that we have seen many different characteristics today, all of them belonging to a quote unquote Good Jew.  We should be careful not to judge too quickly.

Eitan, son #1

Eitan is a lawyer.  He lives in New York.  He was formally the vice president of “Mizrachi”, a Zionist movement that focuses on Torah VAvodah.  He is religious and donates large sums of money to Israel, and to Yeshivot for scholarships towards oversees students.  He encourages many Jews to make Aliyah, including his own children.  His wonderful wife, Helen, is a first grade teacher at the local Hebrew Academy.

Natan, son #2

An artist who is unsuccessful at publicizing his talents.  He earns money working as a night time security guard at a gas station in Tel Aviv.  Natan is a left wing Jew who is proud of his service in the Israeli army.  He is divorced with three children, who live with their mother in Petach Tikva.

Yosef, son #3

Yosef went to school at the Hebrew Academy, and then continued to learn in a Haredi Yeshiva in New York until the age of 22.  Afterwards, he met his wife and decided to set up a large family.  Because he heard that Israel gives financial support to large families, he decided to make Aliyah and has since lived in Bnei Brak with his 9 children.  He learns Torah in a Haredi Kollel, and didn’t serve in the army, because he believes it is not religious enough. 

IT was the night of the Geulah, -- And in every single Shtiebel
Sounds of Torah could be heard -- Coming from every kind of Yeedel.
This one in English, -- Some in Hebrew, some in Yiddish.
Some saying P'shat -- And some saying a Chiddish.
And up in Shamayim--The Aibishter decreed:
"The time has come -- For My children to be freed.
"Rouse the Moshiach -- From his heavenly berth.
Have him get in his chariot, -- And head down to earth.
"The Moshiach got dressed -- And with a heart full of glee,
Went down to earth and entered -- the first Shtiebel he did see.
"I am the Moshiach! -- Hashem has heard your plea!
Your Geulah has come! -- It's time to go free!
"They all stopped their learning; -- This was quite a surprise.
And they look at him carefully, -- With piercing sharp eyes
"He's not the Moshiach!" -- Said one with a grin,
"Just look at his hat, -- At the pinches and brim!"
"That's right!" cried another -- With a grimace and frown,
"Whoever heard of Moshiach, -- With a brim that's turned down?"
"Well," thought Moshiach, -- "If this is the rule,
I'll turn my brim up -- Before I go to the next shul."
So he walked right on over -- To the next shul in town.
Sure to be accepted, -- Since his brim was no longer down.
"I'm, the Moshiach!" he cried, -- As he began to enter
But the Jews wanted to know first -- If he was Left Right or Center
"Your clothes are so black!" -- They cried out in fright.
"You can't be Moshiach--You're much too far right!"
"If you want to be Moshiach, -- You must be properly outfitted.
"So they replaced his black hat -- With a Kippah that was knitted.
Wearing his new Kippah, -- Moshiach went out and said:
"No difference to me -- What I wear on my head.
"So he went to the next shul, -- For his mission was dear.
But he was getting frustrated -- With the Yidden down hear.
"I'm the Moshiach!" he cried, -- And they all stopped to stare,
And a complete eerie stillness -- Filled up the air.
"You're the Moshiach?! -- Just imagine that!
Whoever heard of Moshiach -- Without a black hat?"
"But I do have a hat!" -- The Moshiach then said.
So he pulled it right out -- And plunked it down on his head.
Then the shul started laughing, -- And one said " Where's your kop?
You can't have Moshiach -- With a brim that's turned up!
If you want to be Moshiach -- And be accepted in this town,
"Put some pinches in your hat -- And turn that brim down!"
Moshiach walked out and said: -- "I guess my time hasn't come.
I'll just return -- To where I came from.
"So he went to his chariot, -- But as he began to enter,
All sorts of Jews appeared -- From the Left, Right, and Center.
"Please wait - do not leave. -- It's all their fault!" they said,
And they pointed to each other -- And to what was on each other's head.
Moshiach just looked sad -- And said, " You don't understand."
And then started up his chariot -- To get out of this land.
"Yes, it's very wonderful -- That you all learn Torah,
But you seem to have forgotten -- A crucial part of our Mesorah.
"What does he mean?" -- "What's he talking about?"
And they all looked bewildered, -- And they all began to shout.
Moshiach looked back and answered, -- "The first place to start,
Is to shut up your mouths -- And open your hearts.
"To each of you, certain Yidden -- Seem too Frum or too Frei,
But all Yidden are beloved -- in the Aibishter's eye."
And on his way up he shouted: -- " If you want me to come,
Try working a little harder -- On some Ahavat Chinam!"