The chanichim will understand how deep is the “KESHER” (the connection, relationship) between us - Am-Yisrael, and our land-Eretz-Yisrael.

“Am Israel Be’Eretz Israel…”

Written by: Michal and Tehilah/Menachem, Cleveland

Goal: The chanichim will understand how deep is the “KESHER” (the connection, relationship) between us - Am-Yisrael, and our land-Eretz-Yisrael.

Age: Zach

Suitable for Shabbat (requires prior preparation)

# Tell your chanichim a story about the love of your life.

READ IT BEFORE, AND DON’T READ IT FROM THE PAPER!

For making it more interesting you can hold a picture on its opposite side that the chanichim will think that it is your boy/girlfriend but actually it is a picture of Eretz-Yisrael.  It can be more interesting if you’ll tell the story as if it happened to you. Every time it says zion (for madrichot – ziona) or he etc., say I. You’re smart, you can do it…

Since Zion (I) was a little boy he (I) loved Ziona. In the kindergarten, Zion loved to play with Ziona in blocks, Lego, dolls, whatever. When they played “house” together, Zion was the father and Ziona was the mother. Sometimes, Zion pulled Ziona’s ponytail, and Ziona cried. The teacher warned Zion that if he would continue, he wouldn’t play with Ziona any more. Sometimes, Zion didn’t play with Ziona. He played with other girls, and even so Ziona was hurt, she always forgave him when he said he apologized. Everyone knew that Zion loved Ziona and Ziona loved Zion. Although Zion was a wild boy, and was rude to his teachers, Ziona loved him. When Zion and Ziona went to first grade at school, they sat next to each other. When they had to do an assignment for school, they did it together. When Zion forgot his lunch, Ziona shared hers. When Zion didn't do his homework, Ziona tried to convince him that he should do it next time, and helped him complete his. All the teachers and the children knew that Zion loved Ziona and Ziona loved Zion. You couldn't say a sentence about Zion without mention Ziona, and vice versa. That’s the way it was always, during kindergarten, elementary school and high school. Zion and Ziona, Ziona and zion.

One year in high school Zion started to get low grades, he was rude to his teachers, didn’t do his homework, and came home late. Zion’s father decided he would be better off in another school, far away from his teachers, far away from his friends and yes- far away from Ziona. Zion tried to convince his father to change his mind but he couldn’t. Ziona tried to avoid the fact they won’t be together, but she couldn’t. Zion tried to hide his feelings and not show his distress. They were very depressed.

 Zion started learning in a different school. Ziona cried a lot, Zion had a tear once in a while. They both were very upset. They knew that from now they won’t be together all the time and they will hardly get to meet each other. Boys chased Ziona, but she pushed them away knowing that the only guy for her is Zion. Every moment Zion had, he thought about Ziona, and Ziona thought about Zion. Zion even wrote his own prayer - and asked to come back to Ziona. Zion did well at school, his grades were high and his father decided it is time for him to come back - come back to his family to his friends and to his Ziona. Ziona and Zion were so happy, there was no way to describe it. Zion and Ziona knew that from now on nothing would keep them apart.

#Ask the chanichim what this story represents. Get them to understand by themselves the other meaning of the story…

   A summary: the story about Zion and Ziona represent the relations between Am-Israel and Eretz-Israel. Am Israel is Zion and Eretz Israel is Ziona. Hashem promised Avraham that Eretz Israel will belong to his children. Since then, Eretz Israel and Am Israel were inseparable. Hashem gave conditions to Am Israel about them staying in Eretz Israel - If they behave properly they will live there in peace. But if not, they will go to the Galut, the same way Zion went to another school. And when Am Israel started to correct his ways, Hashem decided to bring them back to the promise land. Now, Am Israel is in Eretz Israel, they went through wars, difficult times and still is. But we always know that Am Israel belongs to Eretz Israel.

# To emphasize the chanichim the strong relationship, and the ways Am Yisrael remembered Israel throughout the whole history, ask these questions. For every correct answer- the chanich gets a small map. The winner is the one with the most maps at the end. Add more questions!!!

 Questions:

-         What does the chatan do an his wedding that has to do with Eratz Yisrael? (Brake a glass to show our happiness isn’t complete because we’re in Galut)

-         What do we sing under the Chupa – in the wedding? (After braking the cup) (“Im Eshkachech Yerushalaim…” – if I’ll forget you, Yerushalaim)

-         When are we supposed to sing “Leshana Habaa Beyerushalaim Habnuya” (yom kipur and pesach)

-         Name two Mitzvot that can be done only in Israel. (Maaser, hafrashat chala, shmita, etc.)

-         What does the letter “shin” on the draydelle stand for? – What does it mean? (Sham – there – in Israel)

-         What letter is written in Israel instead? (peh - po – here)

-         What do we say in Bircat Hamazon that has to do with Israel? (u’vne Yerushalaim, Rachem na, etc’)

-         What some people do in the engagement party related to Israel? (Brake a dish to show are happiness is not completed)

-         What part of shmone esre we don’t say like in Israel and is inserted not to forget? (bircat kohanim)

-         What do we do when we build a new house to remind us of Israel? (Leave a spot without paint)

-         Why do we fast on Tisha BeAv? (Come on, that you know.)

-         What do we do on Tu Bishvat to remember? (Eat fruit of Israel)

# To show the chanichim the natural match between Am and Eretz Yisrael  – tell the following story:

“Once there was a very special tree. The tree was very fruitful; people came from all around the world to see this unique tree. One day a rich man saw the tree and decided that he must have this tree in his garden, so he bought the tree, took it out of its natural habitants and planted it in his garden. The rich man was very surprised when the tree that once was so fruitful and perished had no fruit and had almost died, he didn’t understand what happened. Then a wise man explained to him that each living thing has its own natural place where it belongs and only there it can reach its full potential. The specific plant was flourishing because it was at its natural surrounding, but when taken away from there it died.”

#And the conclusion: am Yisrael is bounded to Israel in a special relationship that is in each and every one of us naturally.