Hatikva, What It Means To Me

That the Chanichim should understand the meaning of our country and the importance of the hope. Another goal is for them to understand the meaning of the national anthem of our land.

a variety of random objects, each line of HaTikva on strips of paper to draw out of hat

What’s the Meaning?

Written by: Chani and Reut, Cleveland

Goal: That the Chanichim should understand the meaning of our country and the importance of the hope. Another goal is for them to understand the meaning of the national anthem of our land.

Suggested Age: Zach

Suitable for Shabbat

Materials: a variety of random objects, each line of HaTikva on strips of paper to draw out of hat

# Put on the floor many different items. Each chanich must pick one of the items and say how it shows his connection to Israel. For example: a hat- I like to visit and hike in Israel and feel it’s the nicest place for me. A book: Israel for me is the source of the greatest book- the torah. Two triangles-  Magen David- Israel for me is the symbol of the Jews all over. You can find a connection for everything- just be creative. (a few more examples: a shoe, string, marvels, doles etc’)

# To find out what the state meant to the Jews throughout the generations we will try to understand the meaning of “HATIKVA” – sentence by sentence.

Divide the Chanichim into two groups.

The Madrich (you….) will have a hat with all the sentences of  “HATIKVA” every group in it’s turn will take out a sentence- and hand it to the Madrich without looking. Their job is to try and understand it according to the clues and tasks they have to do.  Don’t forget to explain the meaning after every sentence.

Be aware to the fact it might be a bit difficult to the younger groups so make it as easy as you want and help them of course. 

Kol Od Balevav Pnima- Show the Chanichim a big heart, and you can whistle the tone of that line in order for them to guess it.

Nefesh Yehudi Homiya- Ask- what differs us from animals? The answer is- the ability to talk understand etc’ which is due to our Neshama or as it is called in the song “NEFESH”.

U’l’faaty Mizrach Kadima- Show the Chanichim a picture of a sunrise. Ask- where does the sun come from? (And in Hebrew- Mizrach) if we managed to get campuses- so show them the campus as well.

Ayn Letzion Tzofya- show them the picture of the eye looking towards Jerusalem- Zion.

Od Lo Avda Tikvatenu- Hide a note that says “Hope” in the room and let the Chanichim find it. As you know- Avda means lost and Tikva means hope. Isn’t it cool?

Hatikva (bat) Shnot Alpaim- show the Chanichim the picture with the briefcase- which is called “Tik” +VA + Girl=Bat +Years= Shnot +2000= Alpaim.

L’hiot Am Chofshi Be’Artzenu- tell one of the Chanichim to act a prisoner that is going out of jail. Ask- what ifs freedom? (Chofesh)

Eretz Zion V’yerushalaim- show the Chanichim- according to their level scrambled words of “ ERETZ ZION YERUSHALAIM”

Finished? Yofi! Now lets understand what Israel is in the song:

First of all, the hope is a very major issue in the song… it is very important not to despair, even in hard times like today we must keep on hoping just like our nation did for more than 2000 years, during tough times, as well as good ones.

Israel also means a land of freedom – a land where every Jew isn’t afraid nor embarrassed to show it, because the state belongs to the Jews.

When you think and sing about Israel the first place that comes to your mind is Jerusalem- the chair of God in the world- a place that symbolizes that “In God we trust”