Goals: A peula with this theme does not present a difficult concept for chanichim to take in. But there should be more depth to it than just “being nice to each other” games. Snif should end with a feeling of caring about other people.

            But such a peula could work on several levels – dealing with the following:

i.                     Our responsibilities towards our friends

ii.                   Our responsibilities towards those people we know or know about who are less fortunate than ourselves (e.g. the elderly)

iii.                  Our responsibilities to less fortunate Jews in other parts of the world

Topic: Bein Adam L’Chavero

Noseh: Kol Yisrael Areivim Ze LaZe

Written By: Leon Covitz

Goals: A peula with this theme does not present a difficult concept for chanichim to take in. But there should be more depth to it than just “being nice to each other” games. Snif should end with a feeling of caring about other people.

            But such a peula could work on several levels – dealing with the following:

i.                     Our responsibilities towards our friends

ii.                   Our responsibilities towards those people we know or know about who are less fortunate than ourselves (e.g. the elderly)

iii.                  Our responsibilities to less fortunate Jews in other parts of the world

Materials: Blindfold, puzzle pieces

Part I: Our Responsibilities Towards Our Friends

There are a number of Games which we can play that deal with helping each other and working as a team.

Game 1: Puzzle

Split the group into teams of about 5. Have 5 colored sheets of paper, each cut into 5 pieces, all in the same way – i.e. a simple jigsaw. Mix up the pieces and give one to each chanich. Each person must make a jigsaw and the first kvutsa to have all their (5) members sitting next to the completed jigsaws (of all one color) is the winning group. To succeed the chanichim will have to give and help each other. The team with the best co-operation will win.

Game 2: Relay Race

            Divide into two teams. Each player has to go to one side of the room and back again without his feet touching the floor. If the rest of the team carries him or put a chair for him to sit on, they win. If not it tends to be impossible.

            Feel free to adapt other games to emphasize members of the group helping each other.

Game 3: Blindfold Stuff

1)      Blindfold a person and have the others guide him through an obstacle course to the other side of the room.

2)      Blindfolded person running as fast as he/she can at a wall until another member of the group shouts to stop

3)      A blindfolded person in the middle of a circle (separate boys and girls for older chanichim) which is so tight that s/he cannot fall, letting themselves be pushed from person to person in the circle. (Be very careful).

Discussion: The person blindfolded or falling is at a disadvantage – they don’t know if they’re going to be OK or not. It’s up to the other members of the group. If those members show that they can be trusted by not letting down that individual he will feel safe. If not, there is no one to stop him from being in physical danger. Our aim as people in not to let anyone feel in danger or not wanted. We should all be able to trust that others will help us when it is required. If we let someone fall over we go and see if we can help.

            Ask the chanichim how they would feel if no one had helping them when they were blindfolded – how would they feel if they felt ill and no one took any notice or came to visit.

            How can we help others who are unable or are ignorant to perform mitzvot? There are many ways such as teaching them the brachot, making up a minyan or even helping them perform the mitzvot. We can take them lulavim on Sukkot, or read them megilot on Purim, or make sure they have matza on Pesach. A madrich actually does this by teaching chanichim.

Part II: Reponsibilities To Those Less Fortunate Than Us

            We touched on these ideas with the last games, so this is just more of an extension of the discussion. We’re thankful to Hashem for our health – not everyone is so lucky. The games with blindfolds showed how only with our help can people succeed in certain situations. So we should help the proverbial old lady cross the street.

            Last Sunday, when it was Chanuka, there was a trip to Elan Village. That is a nice way to help those less fortunate than us.

Part III: Responsibilities to Jews all Over the World

            The chanichim should understand that there are Jews in many countries of the world. Some of them, in countries like Russia or Syria, suffer terribly for being Jews and the least we can do as far as responsibility goes is to identify with them. Better still is something solid, like letterwriting and thinking of them during tefila. We learnt about some communities last month while discussing Kibbutz Galuyot. Since Israel was established, it has always felt responsibility for the Jews of the World.
            Responsibility works on both an individual scale and a national one. Try and plan snif so that the chanichim should see their responsibility to their friends, community and Jews the world round. In order to do a successful peula on this subject you should keep asking the kids questions such as WHY we should be responsible for the rest of the Jews in the world as well as ourselves. But make sure you keep in on their level.