Yeshivat Shalshelet recently participated in the North Jersey Stock Market Game and placed third out of over 720 teams. The Stock Market Game (SMG) is an educational simulation in which the students learn about investing in stocks using virtual money. The sixth and seventh graders gained first-hand experience with fundamental stock market concepts and the American economic system. They learned the difference between public and private companies, what it means to own a share of stock, and the risks involved in investing in the market as opposed to depositing money in a bank account.
The students were given a virtual sum of $100,000 to manage over the course of 10 weeks. They learned how to research and make decisions about which stocks to buy, sell or hold. The market during this time was incredibly volatile, with President Trump implementing tariffs. The students witnessed a clear connection between government and international decisions and the performance of their stock portfolios. They learned that stocks and companies can lose value not necessarily because of the company itself, but due to the broader economic climate.
The winning team, Nate Kaplan and Shmu Pastreich, like much of America, was losing money just two days before the game ended. A new strategy was needed. Since many teams were in the red, a bold move became the only option. They adopted the motto: “Go big or go home!” Shmu and Nate embraced that mindset and made a daring decision. They invested $65,000 in three stocks and, in just two days, earned a $4,000 profit!
The students discussed how, in real life, this level of risk is not typically advisable—but in the context of the game, it was a brilliant play. President Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs helped the market rebound just as the game was coming to a close, boosting their gains.
The students learned that making money in the stock market is no easy task. Success requires research and an understanding not only of the companies themselves but also of the broader economic landscape. Shalshelet looks forward to participating in the Stock Market Game again next year and continuing to strengthen and deepen the students’ financial literacy.
