Season 3, Episode 1: The High Holidays

It's all in the family on this episode of Hebrew School as our kid contestant, Betzalel, plays three games that are all about family: “Top Ten,” “Prayer or Pop Song?” and “Say My Name.” Our episode also includes the story “The Artists Search” by our Hebrew School storyteller Peninnah Schram, music from Lenny Solomon and our house band Shlock Rock, and wisdom from students from the Ansche Chesed Hebrew School in New York City, who took part in our “Chochmat HaHamonim,” or Wisdom of the Crowd, segment. Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply. If you’d like your school to be featured on our Wisdom of the Crowds segment, email [email protected]

We’re having a birthday party on this episode of Hebrew School as our kid contestant, Odin, plays three games that are all about Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees: “Do We Do That?” “Say My Name,” and “Prayer or Pop Song?” Our episode also includes the story “Honi the Circle Maker and the Carob Tree” by our Hebrew School storyteller Peninnah Schram, music from Lenny Solomon and our house band Shlock Rock, and wisdom from students from New York City’s B’nai Jeshurun Hebrew School, who took part in our “Chochmat HaHamonim,” or Wisdom of the Crowd, segment.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply. If you’d like your school to be featured on our Wisdom of the Crowds segment, email [email protected]

It’s a #blessed episode of Hebrew School as our kid contestant, Charlie, plays three games that are all about brachot, or blessings: “Mah Zeh?” (What Is This?), “Emet, Emet, Bedichah” (Two Truths and a Joke), and “Eavesdropping on History”.  Our episode also includes the story “The Blessings” by master storyteller Peninnah Schram, music from Lenny Solomon and our house band Shlock Rock, and wisdom from first graders from Central Synagogue in Manhattan, who took part in our “Chochmat HaHamonim”, or Wisdom of the Crowd segment.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply. If you’d like your school to be featured on our Wisdom of the Crowds segment, email [email protected]

It’s going to be a delicious time, because this episode of Hebrew School is all about food! Our kid contestant, 9-year-old Micah from San Bruno, CA, plays three games that are all food-themed: “Emet, Emet, Bedicha” (Two Truths and a Joke), “Eavesdropping on History”, and “Do We Do That?”  Our Hanukkah party also includes comedian Joel Chasnoff, Lenny Solomon and our house band Shlock Rock, and students from The Shefa School in New York, who took part in our “Chochmat HaHamonim,” or Wisdom of the Crowd segment.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply.

Spin that dreidel, light the menorah, and grab some yummy latkes, because this week’s Hebrew School is all about Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights! Our kid contestant Malina plays three games all about Hanukkah: “Say My Name,” “Mah Zeh” (What Is This?), and “Prayer or Pop Song?”   Our Hanukkah party also includes comedian Joel Chasnoff, Lenny Solomon and our house band Shlock Rock, and 4th and 5th graders from Beth TIkvah Congregation in Hoffman Estates, IL, who took part in our “Chochmat HaHamonim,” or Wisdom of the Crowd segment.  The fun doesn’t stop when the episode ends. The Jewish Education Project has created additional games and activities for families, as well as resources for educators to use our podcast in the classroom.  This episode also features original music by Kelsey MacDonald.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply.

Light the candles, bake that challah, and pour out some grape juice, because this week’s Hebrew School is all about Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest! Our kid contestant Sivan plays three games all about Shabbat “Prayer or Pop Song,” “Emet, Emet, Sheker” (Two Truths and a Lie), and “Eavesdropping on History.” Our Shabbat guests include comedian Joel Chasnoff, storyteller Peninnah Schram, and Lenny Solomon with our house band Shlock Rock.  The fun doesn’t stop when the episode ends. The Jewish Education Project has created additional games and activities for families, as well as resources for educators to use our podcast in the classroom.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply.  The story you heard in this episode, “The Boy Who Prayed With the Alphabet,” retold by Peninnah Schram can be found in Peninnah Schram's The Hungry Clothes and Other Jewish Folktales, Sterling Publishing, 2008.

The zoo comes to Hebrew school this week, as our kid contestant Orly tames three animal-themed games: “Prayer or Pop Song,” “Mah Zeh” (What’s This?), and “Tall Torah Tales!” Joining this rodeo is comedian Joel Chasnoff, storyteller Peninnah Schram, and Lenny Solomon with our house band Shlock Rock.  The fun doesn’t stop when the episode ends. The Jewish Education Project has created additional games and activities for families, as well as resources for educators to use our podcast in the classroom.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply.  The story you heard in this episode, "Naming of Animals, a Midrash," retold by Peninnah Schram, is based on Pesikta Rabbati (PR); Tanhuma Hukkat #6; Numbers Rabbah 19:3. Quote re "Naming Animals" from The Five Books of Moses, translation by Everett Fox, Schocken Books, 1990 - Genesis 2:20.

Our kid contestant Nachshon teaches us all about tzedakah, the Hebrew word for charity! Donating money, volunteering at a food pantry, donating toys, and providing warm clothing to those in need are all great ways to give tzedakah. Nachshon plays three games: “Say My Name”, “Prayer or Pop Song?”, and “Do We Do That? Also featuring Hebrew School storyteller Peninnah Schram and Lenny Solomon with our house band Shlock Rock, this episode will leave you inspired and excited to learn more about the mitzvah of tzedakah!  The fun doesn’t stop when the episode ends. The Jewish Education Project has created additional games and activities for families, as well as resources for educators to use our podcast in the classroom. The fun doesn’t stop when the episode ends: Visit hebrewschoolpodcast.com for games and activities created by the Jewish Education Project.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply.  The story you heard in this episode, The Maggid of Dubno, a Parable, retold by Peninnah Schram, can be found in her anthology Stories Within Stories: from the Jewish Oral Tradition. Jason Aronson, an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield, 2000, pp. 150-151.

Hebrew School is a game show podcast where kids play fun games to learn about all things Jewish!  Today we learn all about the Jewish High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Join the fun as our amazing kid contestant Rachel plays Emet, Emet Sheker (Two Truths and a Lie), Mah Zeh (What’s This?), and Eavesdropping on History. Also featuring comedy by Joel Chasnoff and a special song by Lenny Solomon and our house band Shlock Rock. This episode is a great way for kids and their families to learn all about these important days on the Jewish calendar.  The fun doesn’t stop when the episode ends. The Jewish Education Project has created additional games and activities for families, as well as resources for educators to use our podcast in the classroom.  Want to be a contestant on Hebrew School? Visit tabletm.ag/hebrewschool to apply.

Your favorite Jewish kids quiz show podcast is back in session! Hosts Frank and Sabrina are joined by this week's contestant, Charlotte, for a series of fun games about all things Jewish—from history to religion to pop culture. Hebrew School is hosted by Frank Spiro and Sabrina Marielle Friedman. The show is produced by Josh Kross, Sara Fredman Aeder, and Robert Scaramuccia. Songs for the “Say My Name” game were composed and performed by Sabrina Marielle Friedman. Have a question about the show, or know a kid aged 7-12 who should be a contestant? Email us at [email protected]. Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.