Storytelling Performances

“I discovered the magic of storytelling over 20 years ago, as a beginning teacher.  When I began to tell a story, I noticed calmness and deep concentration sweep over groups of fidgeters.  I watched as warmth, intimacy, trust and delight were generated within the listeners for each other and the world inside the story.  I soon realized that we all have this very same experience.  This is why I love to share stories.

Through these storytelling performances we can all witness the first wedding, try on King Solomon’s ring of power; be healed by Elijah’s old tree branch (from the Tree of Life) of a walking stick; meet the kindly Shretelech and tremble at the mystery of the Underground Forest.  I love how stories magically leap directly into the hearts of listeners, and as a consequence, their love of Jewish life grows.

Whether sharing stories during services, in the classroom; on a hike or by a campfire, my stories give toddling four year olds, rowdy sixth graders, the coolest of teens, and serious adults a chance to individually encounter Jewish heroes and myths and deepen their connection with Jewish tradition.”

Performances available include:

  • The Birth of Love: Tales for the Days of Awe

Ancient mythology, Old World Yiddish tales (set here in the Berkshire foothills), mystical tales, medieval folktales and other surprises are mixed together.  These stories were first shared at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.  To watch the title track, The Birth of Love, click here and scroll to bottom. To buy CD, click here.

  • The Jar of Tears: A Memorial for the Rebbe of the Warsaw Ghetto

This 50 minute storytelling performance is based on the life of Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapiro, known as the Rebbe of the Warsaw Ghetto. This performance consists of a series of imagined letters that chronicle his spiritual journey inside the ghetto. The letters written to the Master of the World provide a portrait of his changing experiences, introduces his mystical theology of weeping, and shares how he remained a compassionate leader even then, even there. This performance won the Charles Hildebrandt Holocaust Studies Award in honor of its artistic excellence, depth of vision and technical mastery. *This is the only performance not suitable for younger children.  To watch a preview, click here and scroll down. 

  • The Life and Times of Herschel of Ostropol: The Greatest Prankster Who Ever Lived

This performance brings to life the spirited and light-hearted Herschel, a beloved folk character from the Ukranian village of Ostropol. Filled with warmth, humor and excitement these stories are jam-packed with lively re-tellings of traditional folk stories, old world Yiddish tales, and introduce Ida, Herschel’s strong-willed, quick-witted and beloved wife. Fun and pleasure for the whole family. This village joker, the Steven Colbert of his day, brought quick wits and humor to hard times.  

  • Solomon the Wise: On Coronation, Demon Battles, and Meeting the Queen of Sheba

Solomon, King of Kings, ruled with help from a ring of power-a ring inscribed with the mysterious four letter name of the Source of Life itself!  It is not just the Hobbits of Middle Earth that tell of magical rings.

  • The Beggar of Blessing: Tales of Elijah the Prophet

Meet the stranger who is invited to all Passover Seders.  Who knows, maybe you will be healed from his old tree branch of a walking stick- it is from the Tree of Life after all.

  • Land Giants and Sea Monsters: Mythic Stories from the First Days

Stories of amazing and fabulous creatures help us imagine the very early days of creation when the world was fresh.

  • Honi Circlemaker: Adventures of an Ancient Rain Maker

We’ll join the ancient Honi HaMaga’el, who not unlike Johnny Appleseed, learns to value trees, rain, and the circle of life.  Of course Honi’s fruit of choice is the Carob.

  • Ordinary Folk; Extraordinary Fervor: The Lost Yiddish Stories of the Connecticut River Valley

The Jews of Greenfield and the Jews of Amherst are as different as day and night.  Come listen in and learn about the mystic farmers of Greenfield and the mythic Jewish scholars of Amherst.  Amazingly, the tensions from the Old Country somehow found their way here too!

  • Winter Tales, Summer Tales: World Folktales for all Seasons

Stories, like song, dance, and language itself is found in cultures around the world.  Hear a few of Maggid David’s favorites in this multicultural performance.

  • A Monster Named Year and Other Stories for the Chinese New Year

Fun and adventurous stories in celebration of Chinese Culture and the Chinese New Year.

To learn about Storytelling Workshops, click here.

————————————————————————-

-CD’s Available-

The Birth of Love: Tales for the Days of Awe includes David’s retelling of ancient mythology, Old World Yiddish tales (set in the Berkshire foothills), medieval folktales and other stories first told at High Holiday services.

The Life and Times of Herschel of Ostropol: The Greatest Prankster Who Ever Lived brings to life the spirited and light-hearted Herschel, a beloved folk character from the Ukranian village of Ostropol. This CD is jam-packed with lively re-tellings of traditional folk stories, old world Yiddish tales, and introduces Ida, Herschel’s strong-willed, quick-witted and beloved wife. Filled with warmth, humor and excitement, this CD provides fun and pleasure for the whole family.