If You Really Knew Me

If You Really Knew Me

Hachnasat Orchim Games and Activities for Creating a Welcoming Environment

Game 1: Alpha Beta Planets

Divide the group into 5 smaller circles Planet Aleph, Bet, Gimel, Dalet, Hay

Each team behaves with specific customs only characteristic of the members of that group (attached)

Task: You must design a planet theme park as a group, pick a theme, pick rides or forms of entertainment it would include and how it would represent your planet.

As the students as discussing, they must demonstrate the customs and characteristics of their planet provided.

After about 7 minutes, 2-3 people will be removed from each group and brought into another group. The group is not allowed to give away any character traits or explanations. The point is for the newcomer to adapt to the new culture and for the planet members to respond to an outsider.

Two more people are moved out of the group and moved into another group

Step 2: Analyze the experience

-reconvene to debrief the experience

Questions:

What were some of the characteristics of your planet? How was the discussion dominated by the behaviour? How did it feel that everyone knew what to do? What did it feel like as the newcomer, as the outsider? Were you confused, frustrated, discouraged? Did anyone try and help you? Did you feel that you could interrupt and ask for help? Did you miss your own group where you knew what was going on? Did anyone wish to reach out to the newcomer? Did you even notice that he/she could have been lost or confused?

Step 3: Integrate the analysis and the discussion

When you first entered the world of USY, who welcomed you? How were you welcomed? Have you ever been in a situation where you did not feel welcome or felt like a stranger and no one reached out to you? Explain.

In this game, did you feel overwhelmed by the new customs and culture? Did anyone reach out to you and draw you into the community? What does it mean to be part of a community, to be part of a group? As Jews and as USYers, we are a special and unique group. We have our own language, (USY lingo), customs, rituals, beliefs and culture but how can we as leaders be more supportive to each other and to welcoming newcomers?

Explain Parsha connection: In this weeks parsha, Vayera, three men appear at Abraham tent. He doesnt know that they are angels of God but he right away greets them, welcomes them, encourages them to wash and relax and feeds them. He is rewarded for his kindness and hospitability when they promise him a son.

To break down barriers and make everyone feel welcome, were going to play a few getting to know you games.

Game 2: Mishpachot

Materials: pens and index cards

Instructions: have everyone write down 3 last names they have in their families (maiden names, grandparent last names, etc.). They have to walk around the room and try to find any matches with other people.

Point to make: were all connected in some way. Even people who you thought you had no connection with, may end up surprising you with some kind of similarity! Also, being part of a Jewish family means, youre never really alone!

Game 3: Cross the Line

Materials- a line on the floor made with masking tape

1) Cross the Line(adapted from the Challenge Day activity featured in If You Really Knew Me, an MTV reality show)

Goal: The purpose of this activity is to draw on differences and similarities and to get to know people beyond stereotypes, assumptions and rumors.

Place a straight line of sting or tape on the floor. Ask USYers to stand on one side of the tape. Explain that you will call out a statement instructing them to cross the line if the statement applies to them. You can use this list and/or make up your own.

Preliminary: Explain that this is a getting to know you activity that is serious and can get intimate in terms of information sharing. Everyone should be as honest with themselves and the group as possible. There will be NO judging, laughing or accusations made. We are here under the premise of tolerance, understanding and respect.

Introduce with Jewish Text:

Explain: Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Sages, teaches us many lessons for real life. It is almost like a book of wisdom for the every day. Before we begin this activity, keep these two Jewish texts from Pirkei Avot in mind throughout:

Judge every person favorably" (Pirkei Avot 1:6) Page 19 of sourcebook

Heb: dan lchaf zchut"Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place." (Pirkei Avot 2:5) page 44 of sourcebook

Following each statement, allow a few seconds for the group to observe the numbers of those who crossed the line and those who didnt.

Activity:

Cross the line if:

Stage 1: EASY/COMMON

Youve ever been to a concert

Youve ever worn your shirt inside out by accident

Youve ever been to a foreign country

You speak more than 1 language

You have a friend you know youll be friends with forever

You have a friend or family member who embarrasses you

Have an allergy

Have been in love or loved a non-relative

Have spread a rumor

(depending on how well the group knows one another, you may want to add a few more Stage 1 comments)

Stage 2: more emotional

Youve ever been hurt by a best friend

Someone has confided in you with a serious or dangerous secret

Youve ever felt different/like an outsider

Youve ever felt that you dont belong

You know someone who is gay

You know someone who has a learning disability or who learns differently than most

You know someone who is physically different than most

You know someone who constantly puts others down (bully, Mean Girl, etc.

You have felt that you would never get through a difficult time or situation and your world was ending

You have felt ugly, fat, unattractive, small

Felt like a loser or felt you werent good enough

Sent an email/text/post that you shouldnt have or regret

Stage 3: Tough Stuff (but more common than you think)

You know someone who puts him/herself down

You have suffered a rumor or been humiliated by a rumor

Know someone who has

You know someone who has intentionally hurt him/herself physically

Know someone who has attempted suicide

Know someone who has carried out a suicide

Discussion:

Explain: This activity is inspired by recent and more common news pieces of young people hurting themselves because of the actions of others (bullying, cyberbullying, gossip, etc.).

What did this activity teach you in general? Responses? Reactions?

What did it teach you about yourself? About others in the group?

How did it feel to see others step forward at the same time as you did for some of the responses?

How did it feel to see others step forward when you didnt?

How does this exemplify empathy and help us try to better understand each other?

Ask 2 people to repeat the Pirkei Avot texts Judge every person favorably" (Pirkei Avot 1:6) Page 19 of sourcebook

Heb: dan lchaf zchut

Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place." (Pirkei Avot 2:5)How can you apply dan lchaf zchut and the other text to what you learned?

What does this teach you about being yourself and accepting others as who they are/being open/welcoming to others?

Discuss the idea dan lchaf zchut and learning to give everyone a fair chance and not judging until weve been in there shoes. Ask them to share their own examples of how how dan lchaf zchut and the other text applies to:

Looks

Gossip and rumors

Abilities (of all kinds, of different kinds)

Intelligence (of all kinds)

Academics

Athletics

Transition into improv games

Sometimes we judge others without really giving them a chance to be who they really are. Were going to give everyone a chance to let loose a little, without judgments and place ourselves in other peoples shoes through some improv fun. Remember Pirkei Avot and allow yourself to be free to be what you wish with these games. No ones judging so relax and have fun!Section II: Free to Be/Improv Games

Improv games allow you to break down barriers and act a little outside of the box, outside of your comfort zone. There are no judgments, no stereotypes, no negative perceptions or pre-conceived notions. You can be anything or anyone you want to be.

African Chant

Someone calls out a profession. A contestant sings about that profession, with the others accompanying the chants. Alphabet

Contestants act a timed 90 second scene with each action in the scene starting with successive letters of the alphabet.Bad Applicants

Again, call out a profession or job. Have contestants present the World's Worst applicants for that job.Ballad Of...(Glee style!)Two contestants sing a ballad about Mark or Liz (youth advisor).Hollywood Couples

Two contestants improvise a scene changing into various famous couples suggested by the audience.

Dating Service

Contestants act out short dating service videos using character types called out by audience (example: football jock, nerd, Point to make- everyone is looking for someone to accept them, no matter who they are. There is someone out there for everyone whether it is a date or friend so give everyone a chance!Interpreter

One person interviews another with a third person sitting in the middle as the interpreter. The interpreter and subject being interviewed speak in gibberish to each other and the interpreter translates creatively and with humor to the interviewer.

Point to make- sometimes there are friends of yours who dont feel like anyone understands them. It can be your responsibility to speak up for that person.

Gospel

Call out a scene. Contestants must each act out the scene in gospel or opera (example: grocery shopping, doing the dishes, cleaning your room) Home Shopping

Two contestants perform a home shopping program or info-mercial selling useless items theyve invented.Living Scenery

Two contestants act a scene using the others (audience members) as any required props.

Moving People

Two contestants act out a given scene, but they can only move when moved by two audience members.

Musical The contestants perform a musical based on a situation someone in the audience has recently experienced.