New Games Challenge: An Alternative Service
SWUSY Oy-lympics: Regionals 2012
Jonas Actor, SWUSY REC VP 2011-2012
GOALS:
 Fun, engaging alternative service
 Team building
 A small amount of exercise
 Have fun
MATERIALS:
 Siddurim
 Space!!!
 2 balls
 2 baskets
 Proper clothing for Shabbat for an active service, such as a pair of shorts under a skirt
METHODS:
This service correlates selected prayers to games of the New Games Movement. New Games are
designed with the goals of fair, fun competition that can be played with almost anyone, almost
anywhere.
TIMELINE:
Introduction
Game: Everybody’s It
Nishmat to Barchu
Game: Elephant, Palm Tree, Monkey
Shema
Game: Slaughter
Amidah/Relaxation
Conclusion
TOTAL: 45 min
Explanation Execution
02 min
06 min
04 min
02 min
08 min
04 min
02 min
10 min
05 min
02 min
08 min
37 min
SCRIPT:
Good morning! Welcome to the New Games Challenge! Today, we are going to pray through playing
a bunch of games. We’re gonna start with a warm up- just as Birchot HaShachar and Psukei
D’Zimrah preps us for the service, we're gonna play a game called Everybody's It.
Game: Everybody’s It
 Type: Group Game
 Number of People: The more, the better
 Materials: SPACE!
 Methods: Well… as the name suggests, everybody’s it, trying to tag everyone else. Once
you’re tagged, you’re out and become an obstacle for everyone else to avoid. Winner is the
last one standing!
Play the game twice.
Everybody warmed up yet?
Let’s take a look at the game we just played: It's quite difficult to be alone, isn't it? You have to fend
for yourself and avoid being tagged by everyone! The way to solve this problem is to work together,
to come together as a community so that no one person is alone. In our service, we do this with the
Barchu. Please turn to page __ for Nishmat, followed by the Barchu.
All right, time for another game! This game is called Elephant, Palm Tree, Monkey, and here’s how
you play:
Game: Elephant, Palm Tree, Monkey
 Type: Group Game
 Number of People: As many as you want
 Materials: space
 Methods: We are in a jungle world, made up of palm trees, elephants, and monkeys. An
elephant is composed of on person who turns himself into a long trunk and then two other
players, one on each side of the trunk, who become large, floppy ears. A palm tree has a large
trunk that reaches towards the sky, and has two palm fronds arching gracefully at its side.
Monkeys always travel in groups of three, striking a “hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil”
pose. The game begins with one person in the middle, the “spinner,” who is placed in the
middle of the circle. The spinner then spins around and points to a person while yelling out
elephant, palm tree, or monkey. The person who is pointed to assumes the middle role of the
trio, and the two people flanking him must complete the pose. The person who responds the
slowest to the spinner is out; when he becomes out, he becomes the spinner for the next
round before being replaced and then removed from gameplay. Game ends when there are
only three people remaining.
When you think about it, this game is quite similar to the second paragraph of the Shema, where we
talk about action, reaction, reward, and punishment. Let's break this game down: first there's the
action- the calling of what you're gonna make; then there's the reaction- y'all rush to get into
groups; there's either reward- you get to keep on playing; or punishment- you're out. In the second
paragraph of the Shema, we go through the same steps: We receive a commandment (action) we try
to fulfill the commandment (reaction) we succeed (reward) or we fail (punishment). So, now, let's
say the Shema, starting on pg. __.
Now in the service, we move on to the Amidah, where we praise God and thank God for the time to
rest. Yet, right now, we're excited and energized at a convention, we're not quite ready to rest, and I
don't think any of us would appreciate resting quite right now. So, we're gonna play a little game
called Slaughter.
Game: Slaughter
 Type: Group Game
 Number of people: 2 teams, each less than 30
 Materials: a specific, set boundary to play in; 2 innertubes or large baskets; 2 medicine balls
(a smaller form of ball works better if necessary)


Methods: Each team takes off their shoes and gets on their knees. Then, each ball is placed in
the center of the basket/innertube, one given to each team. Once the game begins, each team
must try to get their ball into the other team’s basket. As long as you stay on your knees and
stay in bounds, anything goes to either protect your basket or move your ball. If any part of
you crosses the boundary, you are out and must leave the game. Therefore, one of the most
popular strategies is to try to push the opposing team’s members out of the arena. You can
do this alone, or you can team up with other members on your team to ‘gang up’ on members
of the opposition. Remember to play fair, as no one likes someone who uses too much force.
Another version of this game is called Annihilation, which is the same as Slaughter but
without the balls: the goal is to force the other team out of the arena.
Play for 15 min or until a team scores.
Fun game, huh? I don't know about y'all, but this game always tires me out. We all can appreciate a
quick breather after playing. For the next few minutes, try to relax, breathe, and rest. After all, that's
what Shabbat is for- to rest after a long week of work or school or a long New Games session.
A few notes about this rest:
1) Keep your eyes closed
2) Stay as still as you can
3) Try to keep quiet
Take this time to sit down or lie down on the ground, and just rest. Enjoy the restfulness of Shabbat.
I hope you enjoyed this service, now we're going to join up with the other groups for Torah service!
Shabbat shalom y'all!