StoryTime

Buster Bear is excited for his Shabbat birthday party! He invites all his animal friends who all bring special foods to help celebrate, reminding us that our special days are most special when we celebrate with others.
THEMES: Friendship
Source: Ellen Allard

Ellen Allard has been privileged since 1976 to perform children’s concerts and present teacher workshops, seamlessly moving between both the Secular and the Jewish world of Early Childhood. She loves singing with kids. And she loves singing with kids and their grown-ups.
Learn more about Ellen: ellenallard.com

This is a story about a tailor who uses his talent and ingenuity to turn a coat into a jacket, a shirt, a vest, a tie, a handkerchief, a button, and finally into a song. It is one of the best examples of recycling you’ll ever find!
THEMES: Recycling
Source: Folk Story

Ellen Allard has been privileged since 1976 to perform children’s concerts and present teacher workshops, seamlessly moving between both the Secular and the Jewish world of Early Childhood. She loves singing with kids. And she loves singing with kids and their grown-ups.
Learn more about Ellen: ellenallard.com

There was a time when people needed to carry water to those who needed it. One water carrier used the exact same two buckets each day, even though one of them had a leak! It’s an important lesson that even when things seem broken, we can still find blessings.
THEMES: Blessings, Celebrating Imperfection

Ellen Dreskin is an ordained Cantor who has been telling stories to inspire and educate for over 40 years.
Learn more about Ellen: ellendreskin.com

Joseph, a tailor, had a beautiful coat he wore all the time. When his coat rips, he wonders what to do with his beloved coat. Should he throw it out? Sew it up? In this classic story, Joseph learns how to move forward.
THEMES: Creativity, Making the Most of Things

Ellen Dreskin is an ordained Cantor who has been telling stories to inspire and educate for over 40 years.
Learn more about Ellen: ellendreskin.com

Rosh Hashanah is coming and the shofar can’t find his sound! Will he be able to find it before Rosh Hashanah begins?
THEMES: Finding your voice, listening
Source: Unknown

Evelyn “Ms. Eve” Goldfinger is an award-winning performer, cantorial soloist and educator, and the director of Torahtron, Jewish Educational Theatre. Ms. Eve loves sharing stories and songs.
Learn more about Evelyn: www.youtube.com/c/torahtron and www.shalomeve.com

When Leo discovers that Ms. Eve is planting a tree that will take 70 long years to grow, he wonders why Eve is planting a tree at all!
THEMES: Nature, Future Generations, Patience, Environment
Source: Folk Story

Evelyn “Ms. Eve” Goldfinger is an award-winning performer, cantorial soloist and educator, and the director of Torahtron, Jewish Educational Theatre. Ms. Eve loves sharing stories and songs.
Learn more about Evelyn: www.youtube.com/c/torahtron and www.shalomeve.com

Ruthy and Naomi are achayot, sisters, living each on one side of the mountain, har, and working the land. Something curious – and wonderful – happens when they each decide to share with the other. Can you guess what that is?
THEMES: Sharing, Siblings
Source: Folk Story

Evelyn “Ms. Eve” Goldfinger is an award-winning performer, cantorial soloist and educator, and the director of Torahtron, Jewish Educational Theatre. Ms. Eve loves sharing stories and songs.
Learn more about Evelyn: www.youtube.com/c/torahtron and www.shalomeve.com

The best king in the best kingdom smells the best smell… and he wants it. The best gardener shares his seven (sheva) steps recipe for his delicious Shabbat soup. But something is missing… something is not quite right. Could the gardener be keeping the best spice from the best king?
THEMES: Togetherness, Family, Shabbat, Welcoming Guests
Source: Folk Story

Evelyn “Ms. Eve” Goldfinger is an award-winning performer, cantorial soloist and educator, and the director of Torahtron, Jewish Educational Theatre. Ms. Eve loves sharing stories and songs.
Learn more about Evelyn: www.youtube.com/c/torahtron and www.shalomeve.com

Most of us have adults in our lives to teach us about the world. The first humans, Adam and Eve, didn’t have anyone to show them, but it wasn’t long before they learned one of the most important lessons — loving others, and being loved!
THEMES: Love, Companionship, Kindness

Rabbi Rachel G. Greengrass was ordained in 2008 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is a Rabbis Without Borders fellow, a Balfour-Brickner Fellow through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and has written numerous publications. Rabbi Greengrass serves Temple Beth Am in Miami, FL and is the President of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.
Learn more about Rachel: facebook.com/rachel.greengrass.7

Have you ever felt like you wanted to give up because others said what you were trying was too hard? Or, have you ever felt like all you could hear was the encouragement to keep going? Two frogs were once dealing with these same feelings!
THEMES: Perseverance, Believing in Yourself

Rabbi Rachel G. Greengrass was ordained in 2008 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is a Rabbis Without Borders fellow, a Balfour-Brickner Fellow through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and has written numerous publications. Rabbi Greengrass serves Temple Beth Am in Miami, FL and is the President of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.
Learn more about Rachel: facebook.com/rachel.greengrass.7

A bear keeps taking the honey needed for the Shabbos kugel (noodle pudding), until Grandma learns he is lost and invites the bear to come to dinner.
THEMES: Shabbat, Family, Kindness, Hospitality
Source: Jacqueline Jules

Max Handelman is a storyteller for audiences of all ages, mesmerizing people on Shabbatons and weddings, at camp and in classrooms, and of course, at Tot Shabbat. Max is a recipient of the Covenant Award for Jewish Educators and is the author of the picture book The Shabbat Angels.
Learn more about Max: facebook.com/maxine.handelman/

Anansi the Spider receives multiple dinner invitations and almost loses his legs!
THEMES: Sharing, Helping Others, Community
Source: A folk tale from the Akan people of Ghana

Marques Hollie, he/they, is a theatre artist, storyteller, classically trained musician, and ritualist (currently) based in Philadelphia, facilitating holy sparks globally.
Learn more about Marques: marqueshollie.com

Two families who had been close friends start to drift apart and no longer get along. After one family hires someone to build a wall between them, he decides to build something else instead.
THEMES: Second chances, the power of friendship
Source: Folk story

Rabbi Leora Kaye is a lifelong storyteller who is always looking for more people that want to share stories – hearing from her – and her from them.
Learn more about Rabbi Leora: facebook.com/leorakaye

A young girl who visits her grandmother each summer learns a good lesson about disappointment and how it can lead to learning new things.
THEMES: Optimism
Source: Adapted from a story in “A Complete Treasury of Stories For Public Speakers” edited and compiled by Morris Mandell

Rabbi Leora Kaye is a lifelong storyteller who is always looking for more people that want to share stories – hearing from her – and her from them.
Learn more about Rabbi Leora: facebook.com/leorakaye

Two men lost in the desert both have the same dream about how to get home. They follow the guidance, but learn something along the way about balancing happiness and disappointment.
THEMES: Working together, contentment
Source: Folk story

Rabbi Leora Kaye is a lifelong storyteller who is always looking for more people that want to share stories – hearing from her – and her from them.
Learn more about Rabbi Leora: facebook.com/leorakaye

We’ve all had days when we have so many things to do, but we just want to stay in bed and put our tasks off for later. This story tells of a rabbi who faced that very same temptation head-on, showing us how we too can push through our temptation and “get up and go early.”
THEMES: Being Proactive

Rabbi Leora Kaye is a lifelong storyteller who is always looking for more people that want to share stories – hearing from her – and her from them.
Learn more about Rabbi Leora: facebook.com/leorakaye

A young boy packs a bag one day and goes looking for God. When he stops for lunch he meets an older woman and learns that God is a lot closer than he thought.
THEMES: Gratitude, Kindness, Sharing

Rabbi Leora Kaye is a lifelong storyteller who is always looking for more people that want to share stories – hearing from her – and her from them.
Learn more about Rabbi Leora: facebook.com/leorakaye

After many years, a rabbi runs out of ideas of what to teach his community. When it comes time for Friday night services, what will he say? This story asks us to think about who our teachers are, and how we learn.
THEMES: Learning, Humility

Rabbi Leora Kaye is a lifelong storyteller who is always looking for more people that want to share stories – hearing from her – and her from them.
Learn more about Rabbi Leora: facebook.com/leorakaye

A classic Chasidic tale of generosity and good deeds.
THEMES: Caring for Community, Tzedakah, Sukkot
Source: co-written by Shira Kline from a story first heard by Nissan Mindel

Join Shira and Lab/Shul for everybody-friendly, artist driven, sacred Jewish gatherings!
Learn more about Shira: shirlala.com

Two farmers who love the same apple tree get in an argument about whose land the tree is on.
THEMES: Nature, Tu B’Shvat

Join Shira and Lab/Shul for everybody-friendly, artist driven, sacred Jewish gatherings!
Learn more about Shira: shirlala.com

In this story of the Garden of Eden, Bird is at first unable to move about with ease. With help from Creator, she finds her inner strength and learns that with this courage, she can soar.
THEMES: Courage, Self-Expression, Shabbat Bliss
Source: Folk story re-imagined by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and Shira Kline

Join Shira and Lab/Shul for everybody-friendly, artist driven, sacred Jewish gatherings!
Learn more about Shira: shirlala.com

A king falls ill and his healer prescribes nothing less than the shirt of the one who is absolutely happy. The search for this person leads the King’s messengers to every corner of the kingdom. Who could it be? The wealthiest person? The most famous person in the kingdom? The answer may surprise you!
THEMES: Happiness, Values, Freedom of Spirit
Source: Folk story

Join Shira and Lab/Shul for everybody-friendly, artist driven, sacred Jewish gatherings!
Learn more about Shira: shirlala.com

A child puzzles her Rabbi with the utmost important question, “What is it that Jewish people are supposed to do when they get together?”
THEMES: Learning, Love, Curiosity, Listening

Join Shira and Lab/Shul for everybody-friendly, artist driven, sacred Jewish gatherings!
Learn more about Shira: shirlala.com

Tree and Bird is the story of two friends who live on a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee in Israel. Together they discover the true meaning of the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah.
THEMES: Simchat Torah
Source: Story by Leora Lazarus and illustrations by Leon Lazarus

Leora Lazarus is a best-selling children’s author, storyteller, ECE teacher, and Judaica specialist. She has been a Jewish educator for over 35 years in South Africa and the USA. She currently travels as an author and storyteller.
Learn more about Leora: morahleora.com (and find this book as well as other titles. She also has teaching aids such as puppets and feltboard illustrations available.)

Tree and Bird is a story about the friendship between a small bird and a wise old olive tree. Bird has to migrate south from Israel for the winter, leaving his best friend behind. The long journey is made easier as Bird finds connection to his home and his friend through the Havdalah ceremony that ends Shabbat.
THEMES: Havdalah
Source: Story by Leora Lazarus and illustrations by Leon Lazarus

Leora Lazarus is a best-selling children’s author, storyteller, ECE teacher, and Judaica specialist. She has been a Jewish educator for over 35 years in South Africa and the USA. She currently travels as an author and storyteller.
Learn more about Leora: morahleora.com (and find this book as well as other titles. She also has teaching aids such as puppets and feltboard illustrations available.)

Morah Leora goes for a Shabbat walk and meets her friends. Everyone has a different greeting which creates her Shabbat dance
THEMES: Friendship, Shabbat
Source: Leora Lazarus

Leora Lazarus is a best-selling children’s author, storyteller, ECE teacher, and Judaica specialist. She has been a Jewish educator for over 35 years in South Africa and the USA. She currently travels as an author and storyteller.
Learn more about Leora: morahleora.com

What happens when an ant and a grasshopper cross paths and share their approach to the world?
THEMES: Sharing, Collaboration, Community
Source: Adopted from Aesop’s Fable by Renee Cherow-O’Leary

Naomi Less is a singer-songwriter and educator. You can listen to her music on Spotify as well as right here on JKids Radio AND Jewish Rock Radio, where she is the host of Jewish Women Rock!
Follow Naomi on Instagram: instagram.com/naomiless1

What happens when an ant and a grasshopper cross paths and share their approach to the world?
THEMES: Growth, Bravery, Patience, Gentleness
Source: Naomi Less, inspired by Talmud

Naomi Less is a singer-songwriter and educator. You can listen to her music on Spotify as well as right here on JKids Radio AND Jewish Rock Radio, where she is the host of Jewish Women Rock!
Follow Naomi on Instagram: instagram.com/naomiless1

This story from the Book of Legends is set at the time of King Saul, when the future King David was still a young musician. It tells of how a small creature taught David a lesson.
THEMES: Listening, Valuing Others
Source: Cindy Rivka Marshall, adapted from the Book of Legends

Cindy Rivka Marshall is a professional Jewish storyteller and story coach. She offers storytelling skills workshops and facilitates story sharing to build community across differences. Cindy’s recordings have won awards from Parent’s Choice, Storytelling World and National Parenting Publications.
Learn more about Cindy: cindymarshall.com

Imagine dolphins greeting the Hebrews at the Red Sea and helping other animals to cross!
THEMES: Helping others
Source: Story by Marc Gelman

Cindy Rivka Marshall is a professional Jewish storyteller and story coach. She offers storytelling skills workshops and facilitates story sharing to build community across differences. Cindy’s recordings have won awards from Parent’s Choice, Storytelling World and National Parenting Publications.
Learn more about Cindy: cindymarshall.com

This is the true story of Jason’s dad’s old kiddush cup, and how Jason thought replacing it was the only option.
THEMES: Tradition, Memories
Source: Jason Mesches

Jason Mesches is a touring children’s musician from Los Angeles. Born in New Jersey and raised at URJ Camp Harlam, he has drawn on his own experiences as a child to bring a new sound to accessible family music.
Learn more about Jason: jasonmeschesmusic.com

This is the TRUE story of Jason’s family eating chicken EVERY single Friday night from the day he was born.
THEMES: Tradition, Shabbat
Source: Jason Mesches

Jason Mesches is a touring children’s musician from Los Angeles. Born in New Jersey and raised at URJ Camp Harlam, he has drawn on his own experiences as a child to bring a new sound to accessible family music.
Learn more about Jason: jasonmeschesmusic.com

It was the first night of Chanukah and Bubbe & Zadie were excited because their children and grandchildren were coming so they could all light the first candle together. As their children rode through the woods in their wagon, suddenly, they found themselves in the middle of a terrible snow storm with their horses stopping and refusing to go any further. What happened next is what you might call a Chanukah miracle!
THEMES: Love, Family, Hope
Source: Fran Uditsky Moss, inspired by a Chasidic sichot

Fran is a cantorial soloist and Emmy Award winning actress, storyteller and puppeteer. She has given hundreds of workshops as a Ready to Learn Educator with PBS-TV. Fran loves to share music and stories to inspire creativity and teach how the arts can be a springboard for literacy and learning.
Learn more about Fran: chainote.com

The library is a special place where everyone is welcome and can learn all sorts of wonderful things. One day, in walks a chicken – yes, a chicken, who seems to be a ravenous reader. The rabbi, who wonders how anyone could possibly read so many books so quickly, follows her visitor and is surprised to see exactly what the chicken is doing.
THEMES: Learning, Welcoming, Helpfulness

Fran is a cantorial soloist and Emmy Award winning actress, storyteller and puppeteer. She has given hundreds of workshops as a Ready to Learn Educator with PBS-TV. Fran loves to share music and stories to inspire creativity and teach how the arts can be a springboard for literacy and learning.
Learn more about Fran: chainote.com

In this story, we are reminded that even when everything seems to go wrong, when the plans aren’t correct, or someone else messes up something for us, we should try to remember that sometimes the bigger picture of what we’re doing really matters!
THEMES: Remembering what matters, working through hard things, building something important
Source: Folk Story

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

Imagine if thing we think of as “miracles” — the parting of the Red Sea, food coming from “heaven” to feed people — were average things, and totally regular happenings. Then what might a miracle look like? A tiny seed growing into a large tree, that’s what!
THEMES: Gratitude, miracles, environment, Earth
Source: Folk Story

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

How much money would you need to fill ALL the space in a big barn? In this story, a family learns that you don’t need much at all!
THEMES: Bringing light to break the dark
Source: Folk Story

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

When things are hard it’s so easy to get lost in the mud, to only see the yuck – and get stuck complaining and wondering why things are so crummy. But, when we keep our eyes down in the muck – we miss so many miracles around us! If only we’d lift up our eyes …
THEMES: Gratitude, miracles, hope
Source: Folk Story

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

If God is everything, and everywhere, and all there is, why can’t God become visible if God wanted to? Maybe God IS visible …
THEMES: God, human kindness, b’tzelem elohim, sacredness in everyone
Source: Folk Story

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

We all have bad days! But maybe we can drop off our worries on our “Worry Tree” so that we don’t bring them home to the people we care about!
THEMES: Family, kindness, letting go
Source: Unknown

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

Two friends are walking down a busy, noisy city street. One friend can hear a remarkable sound, but the other can’t hear it over all the noise! How do we notice the miraculous things around us in our busy, noisy world?
THEMES: Listening, Taking a Break, Nature

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

There was a time when people needed to carry water to those who needed it. One water carrier used the exact same two buckets each day, even though one of them had a leak! It’s an important lesson that even when things seem broken, we can still find blessings.
THEMES: Blessings, Celebrating Imperfection

Rosalie is a worship consultant, prayer leader, songleader, and coach. She is the author of Songleading: A Work of Art and is the Founder and Executive Director of Sing Unto God, a nonprofit that seeks to elevate the impact of communal singing and dynamic worship on the Jewish landscape.
Learn more about Rosalie: rosaliewill.com

Esti cannot wait to dress up as brave Queen Esther for the upcoming Purim parade at her synagogue. She is excited to wave to everyone from the bima as she holds her mommy’s hand. Then Esti discovers that only children can participate in the parade. Will Esti have the courage to join the parade without her mommy beside her?
THEMES: Bravery, Friendship, Family
Source: Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff (This story was originally commissioned by the Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Center for Jewish Education in Baltimore, Maryland.)

Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff is a Jewish storyteller, educator, facilitator, and coach based in Baltimore, MD. She is the director of The Golden Door: Storytelling for Social Justice. Her CD, The Growing Season, contains her original tales, based on ancient stories about Tu B’Shvat, Purim, and Passover.
Learn more about Jennifer: jenniferstories.com

In this story, a thirsty little lamb looks for water, wandering away from the other sheep. Mr. Moses searches for the lamb and brings him back to the flock. This story is told from the perspective of the lamb.
THEMES: Kindness, Leadership, Appreciation
Source: Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff (This story was originally commissioned by the Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Center for Jewish Education in Baltimore, Maryland.)

Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff is a Jewish storyteller, educator, facilitator, and coach based in Baltimore, MD. She is the director of The Golden Door: Storytelling for Social Justice. Her CD, The Growing Season, contains her original tales, based on ancient stories about Tu B’Shvat, Purim, and Passover.
Learn more about Jennifer: jenniferstories.com