Hebrew School Games

Teachers can also have fun while teaching.

Children learn best when their curiosity is aroused and learning is fun. Hebrew school games can teach a variety of things children should know, including Jewish history, the Hebrew language and the Torah. Hebrew teacher Rebecca Gratz founded the first American Hebrew school for children in 1818. She founded Hebrew schools for children to strengthen their knowledge about their history and Judaism.

Echad Negeh Mayah

Echad Negeh Mayah is the Hebrew name for the popular game show "One in One Hundred." Supply each student with pencil and paper. Ask a question about Jewish history or the Torah. Allow 15 seconds to answer the question. Check the answers. A correct answer receives four points to exchange for jelly beans. For each question students get wrong, they have to return two of their points or jelly beans.

Sentence Puzzles

Write a blessing or a prayer in Hebrew on card stock or poster board. Cut the words into individual words or phrases. Challenge the children to put the words into the correct order. This is an enjoyable way for students who come to class early or a great time filler for the last few minutes of class. The game is a good method to encourage memorization of blessings, prayers or scripture.

Quizzer

Quizzer is a fun way to use a statement, which students must answer with a question. Award points toward a specific prize or give jelly bean points. Thus, the correct response to the question of who led the Israelites out of Egypt is, "Who is Moses?"

Hebrew Baseball

Split the class into two teams, such as boys versus girls. Give each team 30 seconds to think of a team name. Students may choose teams from the Israel Baseball League. Write the team names on a blackboard or sheet of paper. Draw a baseball diamond on a black or white board. Flip a coin to decide which team will "bat" and which will "pitch." If the "batter" gets the question right, place the batter's initials at first base; wrong answers are "outs." Perhaps award balls and strikes as an incentive to maintain order. For example, if the batting team is too noisy, assess a strike; if the pitching team is too noisy, assess a ball. Difficult questions can count as a home run. If the pitching team answers, then assess an "out" for the opposing team.

References

• "New World Encyclopedia"; Rebecca Gratz; April 2008
• DLTK's Crafts For Kids; Jewish Activities
• Kaboose: Passover

Resources

• Torah Tots; The Site for Jewish Children
• A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling: Hebrew Lessons
• Chabad: Games