Stories We Tell
164 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 96 ratingsJudaism has a deep and rich tradition of storytelling, of passing down stories from one generation to the next. To carry on that tradition, Stories We Tell, from ReformJudaism.org, will share a new story with you every Thursday. Whether you listen while driving to work, preparing Shabbat dinner, or taking your kids to school, each episode will give you a new story to reflect on and discuss with the people in your life.
Stories We Tell is a project of the Union for Reform Judaism, a leading voice in the discussion of modern Jewish life.
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Episodes
Yussele the Holy Miser
July 27, 2017 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.5 MBRabbi Marc Katz retells the story of Yussele, a rich man in Krakow who has passed away. Yussele has a negative reputation in his community for turning people away in times of need, and the townspeople look forward to getting their revenge. But when they do, they learn a valuable lesson about passing judgment, and what generosity really means. Another version of this story appears in The Jewish Story Finder as story 552, “A Secret Gift.”
Something from Nothing
July 20, 2017 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.7 MBJoseph, a tailor, had a beautiful coat of many colors just like the Joseph in the Torah. When his coat rips, he’s unsure of what to do next. Should he try to preserve it, or start fresh? In this beloved story retold by Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Joseph learns an important lesson about moving forward. For another version of this story, read Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman.
The Story of Ben Yachid
July 13, 2017 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.55 MBA journalist visits a renowned school looking for the secret to its students’ success, in this story retold by Jerry Kaye, director of the URJ’s Olin-Sang-Ruby Institute. When the journalist finds the answer to his question, he’s surprised by its simplicity and its universality.
The Thief who Ran Away
July 06, 2017 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.98 MBWhen a student of the Hafetz Hayim, a famous nineteenth century rabbi, is arrested on a false accusation, his lawyer asks the judge if the Hafetz Hayim can testify on his behalf. The judge is unsure, until the lawyer tells him a story about the Hafetz Hayim that makes his answer easy. Listen to Rabbi Leora Kaye, URJ Director of Program, retell this story.
The Disappearing King
June 29, 2017 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.77 MBA poor child is designated king, and he grows up to be the best king his kingdom has ever seen. So, what’s his secret? Find out in this story retold by Rabbi Marc Katz. You can also read another version of this story, retold by Rabbi Amy Scheinerman.
Taking Care of the Wheat
June 22, 2017 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.35 MBWhen a farmer goes away, she offers an opportunity to her children: the one who best takes care of the crops will inherit the farm when she retires. Each child has a different approach that leads to varying results, none of them exactly sure of what the farmer had in mind. But the farmer’s ultimate choice teaches an important lesson about sharing our potential.
The M'lamed and The Balagalah
June 15, 2017 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.64 MBAfter years of listening in on the m’lamed’s (teacher) lessons, the Balagalah (driver) gives the M’lamed an interesting proposition. What comes next is a beautiful story about how much we can learn from those around us, and what we can offer to teach. This story is retold by Jerry Kaye, director of URJ Olin Sang Ruby Institute (OSRUI), and a version can be found as story 155 in The Jewish Story Finder, second edition, edited by Sharon Barcan Elswit.
A Perfect Heart
June 08, 2017 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.38 MBA man stands in the town square and proclaims to his community that he has the best and most beautiful heart. Everybody agrees with him, except for Rabbi Akiva who thinks he has the best and most beautiful heart - though it may not look like it is. So, which person does? Find out in this story retold by Rabbi Leora Kaye, URJ Director of Program.
The Prince Who Thought he was a Rooster
June 01, 2017 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.38 MBWhen a prince wakes up one morning and decides that he is actually a rooster, his father, the king, does not know what to do. Nothing that the king does can make the prince stop behaving like a rooster, until he seeks out the rabbi who has an interesting solution. This story, retold by Rabbi Marc Katz, explores themes of empathy, and what it means to meet people where they are.
The Grandfather, the Granddaughter and the Donkey
May 25, 2017 07:00 - 4 minutes - 4.18 MBAn old grandfather and his young granddaughter go for a walk, leading a donkey by its reins. All is well, until they meet a stranger who wonders why they walk in the manner that they do. What happens next, in this story retold by Cantor Ellen Dreskin, teaches the grandfather and granddaughter a valuable lesson about what it means to take advice and please the people around them.
Are You A Player or a Fan?
May 18, 2017 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.91 MBJerry Kaye, director of URJ Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), tells the story of a man and his son who is about to become a bar mitzvah. At a meeting with their rabbi, they expect to be given a blessing and to learn more about the bar mitzvah process. But when the rabbi asks the son a seemingly unrelated question, the son, and his father, end up learning much more.
Look the Other Way
May 11, 2017 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.88 MBRabbi Leora Kaye tells the story of a young girl who visits her grandmother in the country. It’s the girl and her grandmother’s tradition to take a train ride together, but one day, there’s an unexpected hiccup in their plans. Listen to this episode of Stories We Tell to find out what do they do when things don’t go as usual, and what we can learn from it. This episode was adapted from a story found in the “Beauty” section of A Complete Treasury of Stories for Public Speakers, compiled and...
Feeding Your Clothes
May 04, 2017 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.37 MBRabbi Marc Katz tells the story of a fabulous party hosted by a man who was eager to show his beautiful home to his friends and neighbors. On the night of the party he stands at the door, greeting his guests one by one. But what happens when a beggar appears at the door? Listen to this episode of Stories We Tell to find out what the party host learns the hard way about greeting the stranger.
The Rabbi and the Monastery
April 24, 2017 17:27 - 7 minutes - 6.69 MBCantor Ellen Dreskin tells the story of a monastery in the woods that has fallen on hard times, and the Rabbi who retreats in the cottage nearby. When the head monk seeks guidance from the Rabbi about how to preserve the monastery, he receives a piece of curious advice that will forever change the monks, the monastery, and the spirit of all who visit the woods.