Quickies and Challenges: short and longer competitive assignments for Purim
Notes
- Some of the games below are suitable for up to 8 teams; for others, you will need to give turns to 3 or 4 teams or to have two panels of 4 representatives to play against each other.
- Most of the games require :
crafts materials;
"musical" utensils/instruments/recordings;
costume requisites;
stopwatch;
prizes...
Please make a supply list before you start!
- Try to use only one activity of each type [songs, sketches, drawing, speeches...]
Assignments
- Choose a name associated with Purim for each group. The groups have 5 minutes to make a sign with a symbol OR a flag with their emblem [15 pts] and then another 5 mins to make badges for all their members [5 pts].
- Each group composes its own theme song to movement on the uniqueness of Purim [music, rap, effects...]. Allow 10 minutes for preparation and keep the presentations going at a good pace [30 pts].
- Allow teams 10 minutes to prepare a 2-min. speech: the topic can be anything [serious or not] related to Purim, eg: Haman, the first antisemite; customs of Purim... Each team nominates their speaker. Make a presentation list of teams and topics, pairing them up, so that two speakers will speak simultaneously [do a trial run for the first pair of contestants].
The rules are that the speakers must complete their task seriously and talk without cracking up for 2 mins [30 pts]. The contest stops when one of them stops or laughs: if someone manages 1 min, allow 20 pts; for 30 secs allow 10 pts. Speakers must face each other and can try to put each other off their stride - so can the audience!
- Each team is assigned one Purim song* and kitchen utensils [provide cassettes and songsheets if necessary]. The assignment is to perform a rendition of the song to the accompaniment of the "instruments".
* Songs:
Shoshanat Ya'akov
Leitzan Katan
Ani Purim
Chag Purim
any other songs you know...
- Best Handbill Competition Use an expression or verse from the Megillah, like: "And the Jews shall have light and rejoicing, happiness and ..." Score is: best = 20 pts; 2nd best = 15 pts. etc.
- Find someone named Mordechai or who has a relation named Mordechai [5 pts].
- Make a "Purim Plate" on the basis of the "Seder Plate", to include all the elements of Purim in symbolical representation [30 pts].
- Make up a "Four Questions" ["Ma Nishtana"] song about Purim to the same tune used in the Pesach Haggadah [20 pts].
- The wittiest line after Four Cups of Wine - 10 pts.
- Run a mock lottery.
- Drama Improvs. - Guess the Characters
Use 2-4 Bible characters per scene [each team prepares one scene], suitably costumed. Other teams have to guess who they are [5 pts per character].
- The Purim Rabbi
Each team appoints and costumes their rabbi and helps him or her prepare a one-minute "drasha" on a ludicrous topic associated with Purim. Points are awarded for the one which makes everyone laugh most [15 pts, 10 pts, 5 pts...]
- Bonus Ideas Note: Sometimes, one team is leading by an enormous margin and there is another trailing far behind. Even things out a little by stopping the action and setting bonus quickies:
- team stands on one chair
- whackiest outfit, hairdo, shoes
- 3 mins to design a poster-size cartoon, cover for a Megillah
- lightning map of the Persian Empire
- "My Purim hero of today" speech, poem, rap...
etc....
If you tried and liked these ideas, please drop us a line. We also welcome your own ideas, if you would like to share them with others.
Acknowledgement: Reproduced with permission from, Zucher, Yitzhak,
"Shevet Chagim Gam Yachad: Ideas for the Teacher on How to Create a Variety of Festival Celebrations", Jerusalem.
Translated and expanded for this file series by Gila Ansell Brauner.
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