Parashat Va’era 5763

Peula- Chevraya Alef (Banim)

Yo! It is not yet Israel month, but we are going to be setting the grounds for Israel+kinda dealing with 2 Bi’shvat.  2 Bi’shvat =tree planting= the best way to show that Hashem gave US Israel.  (trees show ownership over the land).  

So, this week the peula will be about the Chalutzim (Pioneers). 

Soooo we're going to tell an exciting adventure story about the chalutzim!!!  But first, we must prepare the chanichim, because they have a very important role in

this story.  Play a game with them, where they stand in a line/circle/whatever, and every time you say a number, they have to do an action + noise to

match the number.  Go through the numbers really quickly... it'll get really funny.  Make sure you teach them each of the movements and sounds, first! 

After a while, when you see that they've got the numbers down pat, replace the numbers with words.  Go through this for a while, and maybe make it into a game by eliminating kids as you go along....

Here are the numbers/names with their matching motions/sounds:

#1)(Land) kiss your fingers, then "touch" the ground 

#2) (chalutzim) make a motion like you are digging with a shovel, and say "I'm working the land!"

#3)(eucalyptus trees) hold an imaginary straw to your mouth and make a sucking sound

#4) (malaria) make a buzzing sound, then "smush" the bug by clapping

#5) (kibbutz) hold a finger above your upper lip, like a "mustache" and say "heyhey!" is a strange voice (ask Racheli or Datya to find out how it sounds)

#6) (farm) hold two fingers like "horns" on either side of your head and say "moooooo!"

#7) (fight) make fighting sounds and motions

#8) (Turks) make a square "hat" on your head with your hands and say "gobble gobble"

After the game, incorporate the newly learned sounds/motions into this story.  Make sure the kids actively participate in it, cuz it'll be fun!!!  Don't be afraid of being really dramatic or using outrageous accents...

Stage 3:

Ask your chanichim if THEY would have stayed and settled the land despite the dangers…

You can explain the courage it took to settle the land back when there was danger all over the place (Turks, Malaria, droughts, locusts, etc…).