jbop consists of the Activity Center software and content modules, called Activity Packs. The Activity Center software is included with every order. To learn how jbop works, click here.

With the release of Version 3, there are now 25 Activity Packs altogether. Click on any title below to see what it contains. Activity Packs marked with an asterisk are available in the Holidays set.

ROSH HA-SHANA

The ROSH HA-SHANA Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the symbols and sounds of Rosh Ha-Shana, emphasizing the call for renewal in its prayers, rituals, and narratives. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of special Rosh Ha-Shana prayers and the different sounds of the Shofar;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about the hidden symbolism of the shape of the Shofar;
• to make their own animation of the story of the Binding of Isaac;
• to answer interactive questions about Rosh Ha-Shana rituals and messages;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Teru’a, Din, Tapu’ah, Devash, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Avinu Malkeinu", to which they can record additional tracks.

YOM KIPPUR

The YOM KIPPUR Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the meaning and rituals of Yom Kippur, emphasizing a personal exploration of the notion of Teshuva. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the meaning of Teshuva and how it is expressed in the prayers of the Yom Kippur liturgy;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about how we engage in Teshuva with the people in our lives;
• to make their own animation of the story of Jonah;
• to answer interactive questions about mitzvot relating to Yom Kippur;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Kippur, Seliha, Hatima, Tzom, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Be-Rosh Ha-Shana Yikateivun", to which they can record additional tracks.

SUKKOT

The SUKKOT Activity Pack will help students and families understand the historical significance of Sukkot and the meaning behind Sukkot rituals. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of how we build a Sukkah and the blessings of lulav and eating in the Sukkah;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on the symbolism of the Sukkah ("Sukkat shalom");
• to make their own original animation of the Israelites' wanderings, the Aliya l'Regel, and a Sukkah they create and decorate themselves;
• to answer interactive questions on the origins and rituals of Sukkot;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Lulav, Etrog, Hadas, etc.) and understand the concept of Ushpizin;
• and to sing along to a unique "Lulav Hokey Pokey", which humorously teaches how to shake a lulav, and to which they can record additional tracks.

SIMHAT TORAH

The SIMHAT TORAH Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the unique relationship we have with the Torah (our “never-ending story”), emphasizing the rituals and images of the Simhat Torah celebration. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of basic Simhat Torah practices and roles, including the specific verses we read to end and begin the Torah;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about our unique metaphors for the Torah;
• to make their own animation of an imaginary “dance through the Torah”;
• to answer interactive questions about Simhat Torah mitzvot and meanings;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Hakafa, Aliya, Hatuna, Degel, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Sisu Ve-Simhu", to which they can record additional tracks.

HANUKKA

The HANUKKA Activity Pack will help reinforce the Hanukka story and Hanukka rituals for students and their families, emphasizing various themes that the holiday evokes (light, bravery, spirit, miracles, leadership, etc.). It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the Hanukka candlelighting blessings;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about the hidden meanings of the letters of the dreidel;
• to make their own original animation of the Hanukka story;
• to answer interactive questions about the Hanukka narrative and Hanukka rituals;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Menora, Hanukkiya, Sevivon, etc.);
• and to sing along with the song "Maoz Tzur", to which they can record additional tracks.

TU B'SHEVAT

The TU B'SHEVAT Activity Pack will help students and their families understand the origins and uniqueness of the Jewish new year of the trees, emphasizing the "seven species" that grow in Israel and the importance of planting trees in Israel. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the development of Tu B'Shevat, the traditional significance of the seven species of the Land of Israel, and the relevant blessings for eating from these species;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about what trees give us, and what trees and people have in common;
• to make their own original animation of the story of Honi HaMe'agel, who slept for seventy years and learned the importance of planting trees;
• to answer interactive questions about the seven species, Jewish laws relating to trees, and the Zionist project of reclaiming the Land of Israel;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Etz, Tamar, Rimon, etc.);
• and to sing along with the song "Tzadik KaTamar", to which they can record additional tracks.

PURIM

The PURIM Activity Pack will help reinforce the Purim story and Purim rituals for students and their families, emphasizing the ironic and humorous twists that led to Jewish survival and the crazy spirit of the holiday. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the heroes of the Megilla and Purim laws and customs;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on turn-arounds in the Purim story;
• to make their own original animation of the Purim story;
• to answer interactive questions on the characters and events of the story and on Purim rituals;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Megilla, Ra'ashan, Keter, etc.);
• and to sing along to a rousing version of "Mishenichnas Adar", to which they can record additional tracks.

PASSOVER SEDER

The PASSOVER SEDER Activity Pack will help students and their families prepare for the family Seder, appreciating the connection between the rituals and messages of the Haggada and the Jewish value of freedom. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of all of the main Seder blessings and phrases;
• to experience a lively and useful "multimedia midrash" to help master the Ma Nishtana;
• to animate their very own Haggadah;
• to answer interactive questions on Seder rituals and important passages in the Haggada;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Maror, Matza, Hametz, etc.) and master the order of the Seder;
• and to sing along with a lively version of "Dayenu", to which they can record additional tracks.

YOM HA-ATZMA'UT

The YOM HA-ATZMA'UT Activity Pack will help students and families understand the historical importance of the establishment of the State of Israel. It allows students:

• to hear "flash news bulletins" leading up to Israel's historic independence;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on the first Independence Day in 1948;
• to make their own original animation of Israel's independence story;
• to answer interactive questions about leaders and events that led to the establishment of the State of Israel;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Medina, Degel, Atzma'ut, etc.);
• and to sing along with "HaTikva", to which they can record additional tracks.

ROSH HODESH

The ROSH HODESH Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the unique holiday of Rosh Hodesh and its renewing influence in our calendar and among Jewish women. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the historical development of Rosh Hodesh observance;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on the unique character of the moon;
• to make their own animation of the story of the Golden Calf (and how, by tradition, women refused to offer their gold earrings);
• to answer interactive questions about Rosh Hodesh rituals and the “lunar aspect” of our calendar;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Hodesh, Hadash, Yare’ah, Nashim, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Eili Ata" (from Hallel), to which they can record additional tracks.

LUAH HA-SHANA

The LUAH HA-SHANA Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the rhythms of the Jewish year, with an emphasis on its unique flow and the interconnectedness of the holidays. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the overall structure of the Jewish calendar and the nature of its two seasonal halves – the fall-winter time (“falling of rain”) with its holidays and the spring-summer time (“dropping of dew”) with its holidays;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on hidden connections between different Jewish holidays;
• to make their own animation on the seasons and symbols of the Jewish year;
• to answer interactive questions about Jewish holidays – meanings, rituals, sequence;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Lu’ah, Hag, Tishrei, Kislev, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Le-Shana Ha-Ba’a Bi-Yerushalayim", to which they can record additional tracks.

WELCOMING SHABBAT

The WELCOMING SHABBAT Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the significance of Shabbat and to the blessings and songs for the Friday night table. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of Erev Shabbat blessings;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about B'reishit and the first Shabbat;
• to make their own original animation of the six days of Creation and Shabbat;
• to answer interactive questions about Shabbat rituals and the Creation story;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Nerot, Yayin, Challa, etc.) and understand the meaning of "Shabbat bride" and "Shabbat queen";
• and to sing along with "Shalom Aleichem", to which they can record additional tracks.

HAVDALA

The HAVDALA Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the significance of Havdala and to the blessings and songs of the Havdala ceremony. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the Havdala blessings;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on Havdala rituals and the distinction between Kodesh (holiness) and Hol (everday);
• to make their own original animation of the Havdala ceremony;
• to answer interactive questions about Havdala rituals;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Havdala, Esh, Besamim, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Eliyahu HaNavi", to which they can record additional tracks.

SHMA AND VE-AHAVTA

The SHMA AND VE-AHAVTA Activity Pack will use the Shma and Ve-Ahavta as a way of introducing prayer and its role in the Jewish experience. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the texts of the Shma and Ve-Ahavta, their role in Jewish prayer;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about the hidden letters of the Shma;
• to make their own original animation of the story of a boy who prayed through his flute as a first step into the world of prayer and kavana;
• to answer interactive questions about Shma and Ve-Ahavta and related mitzvot - prayer, mezuza, tefillin, Sefer Torah, etc.;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Shma, Yisrael, Ehad, Tefilla, etc.);
• and to sing along with the Shma, to which they can record additional tracks.

TORAH SERVICE

The TORAH SERVICE Activity Pack will introduce students and their families to the Torah service, emphasizing the way prayers, blessings, and ritual movements express our relationship to the Torah. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the prayers we say when the Torah is taken out of the Ark and returned to the Ark, and the blessings before and after an Aliya la-Torah;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" which offers a glimpse inside a Sefer Torah;
• to make their own animation of the Torah service;
• to answer interactive questions about mitzvot relating to the Sefer Torah and the Torah service;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Sefer, Aliya, Yad, Keter, etc.);
• and to sing along with "Rom'mu", to which they can record additional tracks.

ABRAHAM & SARAH

The ABRAHAM & SARAH Activity Pack will help students and their families explore the story of Abraham and Sarah, emphasizing various understandings of Lech L'cha and various expressions of Brit, Tzedek, and Hachnasat Orhim. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the chronology and themes of the Abraham and Sarah narrative;
• to experience a playful "multimedia midrash" which ties Abraham's "Lech L'cha" to the centrality of the Land of Israel;
• to make their own original animation of Abraham's and Sarah's journey, from "Lech L'cha" through the birth of Isaac;
• to answer interactive questions about Abraham and Sarah, and the values they embody;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Emuna, Brit, Hachnasat Orhim, etc.);
• and to sing along with a lively version of "Ufaratzta", to which they can record additional tracks.

JACOB & ESAU

The JACOB & ESAU Activity Pack will help students and their families explore the story of Jacob and Esau, emphasizing the brotherly rivalry and trickery, Jacob's journey and "wrestling", and, ultimately, the brothers' reconciliation. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the chronology and themes of the Jacob and Esau narrative;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about Jacob's wrestling;
• to make their own original animation of the story of Jacob and Esau, including Jacob's dream, his love for Rachel, and his wrestling;
• to answer questions about the events and characters of the story;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Ya'akov, Yisrael, Sulam, etc.);
• and sing along with the song "El HaMa'ayan", to which they can record additional tracks.

JOSEPH

The JOSEPH Activity Pack will help students and their families explore the story of Joseph and think about issues of conflict and "tikkun" within Joseph's family. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of key themes from the Joseph story;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about the hidden significance of the colors of Joseph's coat, revealing the sequence of events in Joseph's life;
• to make their own original animation of the Joseph story, from the gift of the coat through the reconciliation in Egypt;
• to answer interactive questions about the events of Joseph's life, the dreams, the roles the brothers play;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Ketonet, Halom, Ahim, etc.) and master all the names in Joseph's family;
• and sing along with a lively version of "Hinei Ma Tov", to which they can record additional tracks.

EXODUS FROM EGYPT

The EXODUS FROM EGYPT Activity Pack will help students and their families explore the narrative of Moses' encounter at the Burning Bush through the crossing of the Red Sea, and the role this story plays in shaping Jewish consciousness. It allows students:

• to interactively "listen in" on key conversations between God and Moses, Moses and Pharaoh, and Moses and the Children of Israel;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on what it means to be a slave and the journey toward freedom;
• to make their own original animation of the Exodus story;
• to answer interactive questions about the Exodus narrative;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Avadim; S'neh; Makot; etc.);
• and to sing along with a dramatic version of "Avadim Hayinu", to which they can record additional tracks.

TEN COMMANDMENTS

The TEN COMMANDMENTS Activity Pack will help students and their families "recreate" the experience of Sinai, and become familiar with the contents of the Ten Commandments and how they relate to students' experience. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of each Commandment and what it means;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about how pregnant mothers played a key role at Mount Sinai;
• to make their own original animations of the experience at Sinai, complete with lightning, thunder, and fire;
• to answer interactive questions about the Ten Commandments and their applications;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Na'aseh; Nishma; Luhot; etc.);
• and to sing along with the song "Torah Tziva Lanu Moshe", to which they can record additional tracks.

LASHON HA-RA

The LASHON HA-RA Activity Pack will help students and their families understand the power of speech through both traditional Jewish teachings and contemporary examples. It allows students:

• to reflect on a traditional teaching about speech (Mi Ha-Ish);
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" based on the Torah narrative with Miriam, Aaron, and Moses' wife Tzippora;
• to make their own original animation based on a fun contemporary telling of the story "Feathers", in which a girl learns about the power of speech;
• to answer interactive questions about real-life "Lashon Ha-Ra" situations and to test their understanding of the "Feathers" story;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Lashon Ha-Ra, Daber, Haver, etc.);
• and to sing along with a special additional-lyrics rap version of "Shalom, Haverim", to which they can record additional tracks.

TZEDAKA

The TZEDAKA Activity Pack will help students and their families understand the Jewish values of Tzedaka and Gemilut Hasadim, and the corresponding notions of Tzedek and Hesed which underlie them, through teachings, tales, and examples. It allows students:

• to study the connections between Tzedaka nd Gemilut Hasadim, and do an interactive review of Maimonides' "ladder of charity";
• to experience a colorful "multimedia midrash" based on the legend of the Levyatan (primordial beast), a tale which establishes the place of Tzedek and Hesed in the world;
• to make their own original animation based on the story of the "Rich Man and the Mirror", in which a rich man learns the value of Tzedaka;
• to answer interactive questions about Tzedaka, Gemilut Hasadim, and their applications;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Tzedaka, Gemilut Hasadim, Mitzva, Tikkun Olam, etc.);
• and to sing along with the song "Al Shlosha Devarim", to which they can record additional tracks.

HONORING PARENTS

The HONORING PARENTS Activity Pack will help students and their families appreciate the Jewish value of Kibud Av Va-Em, honoring parents and grandparents. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of the commandment to honor parents and its applications;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" on what parents give us and what we give parents;
• to make their own original animation on a Talmudic tale of a man who brings meals to his elderly father, until the man becomes poor;
• to answer interactive questions about the real-life challenges of honoring our parents;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Kavod, Av, Em, Mishpaha, etc.);
• and to sing along with the chant "Abba, Ima", to which they can record additional tracks.

FIRST VISIT TO ISRAEL

The FIRST VISIT TO ISRAEL Activity Pack will help students and their families appreciate what's unique about Israel - Israel as homeland to all Jews, as a place of living Hebrew, as a country of immigrants and Jewish diversity, as the land of the Bible, as a nation still embattled and looking forward to peace. It allows students:

• to reflect on the words of HaTikva;
• to experience a "multimedia midrash" about Moses' imaginary first visit to Israel;
• to make an original animation of a teenage cousin's visit to modern Israel;
• to answer interactive questions about life in Israel and Israel's importance as the Jewish homeland;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Yisrael, Oleh, Ivrit, etc.);
• and to sing along with an exotic Middle Eastern version of "Eretz Zavat Halav U-D'vash", to which they can record additional tracks.

JERUSALEM

The JERUSALEM Activity Pack will help students and their families understand the historic connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish people, and explore aspects of contemporary life in Jerusalem. It allows students:

• to do an interactive review of historical highlights of Jerusalem;
• to view a "multimedia midrash" relating Jerusalem street signs (King David Hotel, Knesset, Mahane Yehuda) to historical figures and events;
• to make their own original animation of the legend of the two brothers;
• to answer interactive questions about Jerusalem's past and present;
• to review key Hebrew terms (Shalom, Tzion, Knesset, Kotel, etc.);
• and to sing along with the song "David Melech Yisrael", to which they can record additional tracks.