Whether she is performing, coaching storytellers, or writing children’s books, Cindy Rivka Marshall is guided by her value of respect for all.
Cindy’s goals are to enhance learning and cultural experiences, promote diversity awareness and build a sense of community. Cindy tells multicultural and Jewish stories with universal lessons that resonate with her sense of wonder. She teaches storytelling, communication, oral history interviewing and listening skills, and story-based approaches to teaching.
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Writer
Cindy is currently writing children’s picture books, applying all that she knows about crafting stories to this genre. Her work is not yet published but she is hopeful!
Award-winning Storyteller
Cindy has performed stories and presented workshops since 1989 throughout New England, nationally and in England, at festivals, conferences, schools, libraries, synagogues, churches and community groups. She studied acting, movement improvisation and storytelling with Julie Portman, Daena Giardella, Marsha Hiller, Elisa Pearmain, Peninnah Schram and others.
Her recordings include:
By the River: Women’s Voices in Jewish Stories
Parents’ Choice Recommended Award
Challah and Latkes: Stories for Shabbat and Hanukkah
Storytelling World Honor Award, National Parenting Publications Award
Bear’s Tail and other Animal Tales
Parents’ Choice Recommended Award, Storytelling World Honor Award
Facilitator
Cindy offers consultation and training in the use of story modalities to address the needs of congregations and schools. She facilitates groups to share stories across differences to promote diversity awareness.
Her clients include Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Exploration Summer Programs, Brandeis University Summer Programs, Gann Academy, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Brimmer and May School.
Cindy has performed and presented workshops at: National Storytelling Network Conference, Northlands Storytellling Conference, John F. Kennedy Library, Sharing the Fire: Northeast Storytelling Conference, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation National Convention, Riverway Storytelling Festival, Adoption Community of New England Conference, Limmud UK, NewCAJE, CAJE, LimmudBoston, Connecticut Storytelling Festival.
Cindy holds a Masters degree in Communications from Goddard College.
Teacher and Story Coach
Read article about Cindy in Creative Jewish Educators series
Cindy runs the Dancing Tree Story Workshop at the Gorse Mill Artists Studios in Needham, MA where she offers workshops and coaching in storytelling skills.
“The creative energy in the room inspired me to try something I hadn’t before.”
Video Producer
Cindy worked as a Video Producer, Director and Editor for 15 years, with many programs distributed nationally, internationally, on cable and public television. Throughout the 1980’s, Cindy worked as a video artist-in-residence in public schools all over eastern Massachusetts. Her award-winning films include:
A portrait of Yiddish folksinger Ruth Rubin.“Key Changes”A portrait of Lisa Thorson, a jazz singer who is physically disabled.