Intro

An overview of the multitude of traditions that will be encountered in this program. The principles of multi-faith study and dialogue will be explained and experienced.

Midrash is the traditional method of interpreting scripture through the use of narrative. The structure and format for a common form of Midrash - used by Jesus on many occasions - will be explored. The application of Midrash to other traditions will be discussed.

Stories arising from the period of the Ba'al Shem Tov and his disciples are presented, discussed, and explored.

A storyteller doesn't read stories, nor recite from memory, but adapts the telling to each audience. The first techniques of truly telling stories are learned here.

The Talmud is more than just the expanded set of laws and procedures developed to maintain post-Temple Judaism: it is rich with aggadot - lessons in story form. We will explore the most famous of these.

When told properly, spiritual stories challenge our accepted secular experiences. We will look at the ways that spiritual storytelling operates, and its effect on the listener, the teller, and the story.

A session on the practicalities of storytelling. Students tell and critique their stories...