OVERVIEW: 

Jewish summer camps play an important part of Jewish life.  It is estimated that 43% of Jews have gone to Jewish summer camp.  Why not bring back (or introduce) the nostalgia for your community with Maccabiah, a program devoted to friendly competition.   

MATERIALS:  

• Supplies for games  

• 4 Hanukkah menorahs, box of Hanukkah candles 

• Leftover box of matzah 

• 4 Kippot 

• 4 dreidels 

• Red solo cups 

• 4 containers play doh 

• Different colored shirts or bandanas for teams 

• Resource sheet with summer camp facts 

PROGRAM OUTLINE: 1.5 hrs – 2 hrs 

• Program begins with some fun learning about Jewish summer camps (see attached sheet).  

• Then teams are chosen for competition.  You can use different colored t-shirts, socks, or bandanas for teams 

• This program can be made bigger or smaller depending on number of participants and event space.  If you used a nearby park then you could do bigger games like tug of war, 3 legged race, running races, soccer or frisbee, etc.   

• If you are working with a smaller area then you can do more ‘minute to win it’ style games.  Here are some suggestions of Jewish themed games: 

• First team to sing the aleph-bet song 

• Have to get all 9 candles to stay upright in a Hanukkah menorah 

• See who can break a piece of matzah the straightest.  (Leftover matzah from Passover is cheap at grocery stores or I have a box 🙂) 

• Run across the room with an unclipped on Kipah and not let it fall off 

• Who can spin a dreidel the longest.  Or, who can spin a dreidel upside down 

• Who can cup stack the fastest in the shape of a Jewish star 

• Who can braid the prettiest challah out of playdoh 

• Many summer camps do things like cake decorating, poster or song making for your team, or trivia for extra points and to make sure that everyone has a chance to show off their skills.   

Program can end with celebratory snacks, drinks, or fun awards.