What’s in a Word?

• This activity allows the participants to gain a few personal facts about the other participants within a small subgroup. Through "collecting" a few facts about each participant, the members of the subgroup can begin to get to know each other. This should not be the only get-to-know-you activity done within the framework of the mifgash.

• It is particularly well suited for large groups which may seem overwhelming for the participants, as it breaks the group up into smaller units and it relies on the participants interaction with one another.

Materials: pens, ISRAEL sheet

How Long: 20 minutes

How Many: Any size (mixed subgroups of 7)

Procedure:

Done in mixed subgroups 1. Split the group into subgroups of seven with a relatively equal number of Disapora and Israeli participants. Give every participant a pen and an ISRAEL sheet. Tell them that they must circulate and learn one new thing about each person in their subgroup. They will do this by allotting one letter of the word "Israel" to a different member of the subgroup. Instruct them that they must tell each person in the subgroup a different fact about themselves, using one letter of the word "Israel" in their statement. This may sound complicated, but it's not. See the illustration below:

Cheryl likes blueberry Ice cream

         Larry is going to Study Biology

                        Michal Reads the Hebrew Newspaper everyday

Avi wants to go into the Israeli Air Force

       Jonathan is Entering his junior year in university.

                               Tali Listens to Avi Gefen discs.

2. When everyone in the subgroup has filled out their ISRAEL sheets, ask the participants to sit in a circle. Instruct them to go around the circle, reading aloud all of the things they have learned about each other. (Ex. Everyone should read the facts about Cheryl, then about Larry etc.)