Peulah - Simulation of Aliyah Bet - The Founding of the State of Israel
Brief
This activity can be a standalone activity or part of a larger Yom Meyuhad program. The goal is to provide a fun, challenging opportunity for chanichim to experience something that parallels the efforts of pre-State Zionists who were willing to risk everything to break through the British blockade of the Homeland.
Equipment
Appendix XVII (1 copy for madrich/a reference)
Boats
Bags (containing notes and an optional snack) (1 per each chanich/a)
British Flag
Prizes (for the five winning chanichim)
Activity length: 90 minutes
Age Groups
Elementary, Middle School
Topics
Zionism
Shabbat Appropriate
Download for Printing
Program
Procedure:
Appendix XVII will provide the madrich/a with a great deal of background information and should be read prior to the session.
This activity, if possible, should be scheduled to occur after campers have studied Aliyah Bet in Core Session #4. If feasible, the activity can be especially effective if it begins in the pre-dawn hours, with tzevet waking campers with an announcement that all of the displaced persons must ready themselves immediately as word has just arrived that there will be a momentary lapse in British surveillance of the coast, due to the upcoming festivities marking the King’s birthday. Every Jew must report to the dock in five minutes or risk being left behind!
At the lake or the pool, the boating staff has prepared a fleet of boats to carry all of the campers and staff.
A particularly gruff-sounding madrich/a announces to the assembled refugees that the time has come to try to reach the Holy Land. The madrich/a explains that lookouts are posted on the shores keeping an eye out for British troops and that decoys have been posted at alternate locations to distract the soldiers.
Chanichim set out in the boats just as the daybreak creates enough light to ensure safety.
At a midway point in the journey, each chanich/a is handed a bag with a snack (this is in no way required, but some kind of snack will be appreciated. If the activity takes place before Shacharit, it can be a piece of fruit or a granola bar) and a note. The note says:
“Ye sons and daughters of Israel! We know all you have suffered these last years at the hands of the evil forces in darkest Europe. We beat our brows over our inability to help you more while you were being sent like sheep to slaughter, but we vow that this will never happen again! We have been mounting a valiant struggle to achieve our own sovereign dreams in the land of our forefathers, and after nearly 2,000 years we finally shall make it a reality.”
“We extend our hand in love, brotherhood and understanding, and we shall help you reach the shores of our Land. Continue on the journey as you have begun, keeping quiet and not attracting attention to yourselves or your companions. When you near the shores of our beloved homeland, you will see two scouts from the Hagana. They will look as though they are two lovers enjoying a moment of solitude at the seashore, but they will be your lifeline. Follow the directions they will give you, and you will be brought to freedom. PAY STRICT ATTENTION: The first words they shout will be “Shalom aleichem!” That’s Hebrew and it means “Welcome.” If they say anything else, something has gone amiss and you must try to come ashore further south, or linger in the sea until further instructions arrive. May the Rock of Israel guide you, and may we be united in our land shortly.”
“We leave you with the words of our national anthem, Hatikva, or The Hope. Once you are among us, you will learn its words if you don’t already know them. It is our inspiration, and with your help, brothers and sisters, we shall fulfill the hope.”
As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart
With eyes turned toward the East looking toward Zion
Then our hope the two-thousand-year-old hope will not be lostTo be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem
כֹּל עוֹד בַּלֵּבָב פְּנִימָה
נֶפֶשׁ יְהוּדִי הוֹמִיָּה
וּלְפַאֲתֵי מִזְרָח, קָדִימָה
עַיִן לְצִיּוֹן צוֹפִיָּה
עוֹד לֹא אָבְדָה תִּקְוָתֵנוּ
הַתִּקְוָה בַּת שְׁנוֹת אַלְפַּיִם
לִהְיוֹת עַם חָפְשִׁי בְּאַרְצֵנוּ
אֶרֶץ צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם
Chanichim and madrichim continue on their journey, and as they approach the shore, they see two people (madrichim or mishlachat members) strolling on the water’s edge.
The leaders of the boat convoy instruct everyone to wait together until the stragglers catch up [“We must enter our land together, all of us at once!”].
Once everyone is together, the convoy begins to row toward shore. One of the couple on the shore shouts in their direction, “Welcome to our land!”
Just as the chanichim realize something has gone amiss (or their counselors prompt them to recheck their instructions and realize there’s a problem because the proper command has not been shouted!), several boats filled with tzevet and the Union Jack (the British Flag) appear out of nowhere.
This ambush should be conducted without violence, and the British soldiers should divert the boats to a different landing point where the chanichim will be seated in a large circle and divided into several smaller groups for “interrogation” by the British troops.
The interrogators (madrichim/members of the mishlachat) will explain that as a goodwill gesture five members of the captured group will be allowed to stay in Palestine. The others will be deported to Cyprus until further arrangements can be made for them. “We will choose the lucky five based on the answers you can offer us. If it is so important to you to live in this place, then perhaps you can explain to us why it is in fact so important for you to live in Palestine. Whoever shall explain themselves most clearly and convincingly that is who shall be allowed to stay!”
Chanichim will be divided into groups for interrogation, and they will wait in a single-file line for their opportunity to make their case.
After all the prisoners have been heard, the British soldiers will send everyone to a neutral place to await the outcome.
The Rosh Edah will announce the names of the lucky five who were the most convincing with their answers, and they will be given some sort of prize.
All chanichim will then be sent back to their tzrifim to rest or sleep until regular kimah.
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