Do you want to learn how to tell a story? Check out Cindy’s workshops and coaching or Contact Cindy

Cindy’s award-winning renditions of tales from the folk tradition, along with her personal stories, convey a sense of wonder, humor and poignancy. She crafts and performs with a deep respect for the process of story transmission, co-creating the story in the moment with her listeners. Her highly expressive face, gestures and voice bring the stories to life.

Jewish Folktales
Multicultural Folktales
Personal Stories

Jewish Folktales

”Each tale is rich with Jewish history and tradition.”
—School Library Journal

“Cindy Rivka Marshall must be reckoned as one of the finest storytellers around.”
—Howard Schwartz, author, folklorist

By the River

These moving and varied stories from traditional Jewish sources have been crafted anew, and told from a woman or girl’s perspective. Includes an original midrash about Miriam and Serah bat Asher, a version of the Talmudic story “Joseph Who Loved the Sabbath” – told from Joseph’s daughter’s perspective, a new telling of a Hasidic story, “A Garment for the Moon,” that highlights Rosh Hodesh rituals, plus lighthearted and satisfying Jewish folktales.

Ideal for women’s groups and Bat Mitzvah groups, this program includes stories from the CD, By the River: Women’s Voices in Jewish Stories plus more. (Ages 10 through adult, Ideal for women’s groups and Bat Mitzvah groups)

Entering the World of Torah

Imagine entering a Torah scroll. Stories about the alphabet, in which the letters of the Hebrew alphabet come alive, dance about, and talk like full blown characters. Why do some of the letters in the Torah scroll wear crowns on their heads? When Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai, what did the people promise? Amusing animal tales illustrate the importance of studying and learning Torah. Based on classical midrashim and folklore and laced with imagination, these stories are perfect for programs on Shavuot, or to engage children in Jewish learning and an appreciation of the “Tree of Life,” the Five Books of Moses, the Torah of the Jewish People. (Grades 3-6)

Who is Truly Wise?
Stories of Wisdom and Foolishness

From King Solomon to the fools of Chelm, Jewish folktales often present tests of wisdom and puzzles to solve, and in the process, impart lessons about Jewish values. Entertaining renditions of humorous and tender, traditional tales. (Grades 3-7)

The Taste of Shabbat

Stories about the joy of observing the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. (Pre-K through grade 5, family audience)

The Tree of Life

Trees symbolize life and the interconnectedness of all living things. In Judaism we call the Torah the Etz Hayim, the Tree of Life. These stories embody the joy and wisdom of celebrating the beauty of the natural world. For Tu B’Shevat, or environmental programs. (Pre-K through grade 5, family audience)

Visits from Elijah

One of the most popular folk heroes in Jewish lore, Elijah the Prophet appears in Passover stories and other tales, to test a person’s faith or generosity. Disguised as a beggar, a merchant or a nobleman, Elijah can change one’s fate, for better or for worse. Keep an eye out for Elijah! (Grades 3–7, family audience)

Miracle of Light

These Jewish folktales for Hanukkah, abound with miracles and themes of generosity, faith in the face of adversity, religious freedom, and finding the light in times of darkness. This program includes stories from the CD Challah and Latkes: Stories of Shabbat and Hanukkah (Pre-K through grade 5, family audience)

“Many thanks for adding another bright light to our congregation’s Hanukkah party!” 

The Reflecting Gaze

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur stories for the New Year, with themes of self-reflection, justice and communal responsibility. (Grade 4 through adult)

The Whole Megillah

To celebrate Purim, listen and participate in this fun and engaging retelling of the Book of Esther story with songs, refrains, and gestures that involve the audience. Entertaining and well researched, true to the original text, but appropriate for elementary school age audiences as well as older children and adults. For a digital download of The Whole Megillah, contact Cindy.  (Family audience, Kindergarten through grade 7)

“Thank you for your fabulous work on the Purim spiel. I heard nothing but positive feedback.” —Rabbi Rachel Silverman, Congregation Kehillath Israel, Brookline, MA

A Cup for Elijah and for Miriam

Stories with Passover themes, including original, midrashic stories based on the Book of Exodus, highlighting Miriam’s role, and humorously looking at the experience of leaving Egypt from the point of view of the animals and the children. Also including folktales of Elijah the Prophet, and how he teaches values of generosity and kindness. (Grade 3 through adult)

“Cindy’s dramatic Passover performance with guitar and song was most effective. Cindy has a beautiful voice which left the audience asking for more.”

Multicultural Folktales

“I thought your presentation was amazing! Your voice, gestures, and facial expressions made the stories seem real.”—Plymouth South Middle School Student

Animal Tales

An entertaining program of animal stories from many cultures, with songs and gestures for the audience to join in. The animal characters in these stories from Africa, Europe and Asia have human qualities that everyone can relate to. This program includes stories from the CD, Bear’s Tail and other Animal Tales. (Pre–K through grade 3)

 

WATCH A VIDEO

of Cindy performing a story about how the hoopoe bird got its crest!

 

 

 

Puzzle Stories

Children have a strong sense of fairness and justice. These multicultural stories present characters in predicaments that help children explore themes of respect and inclusion. Listeners will be invited to ponder the choices of the characters, discuss what they would do in various situations, and develop a sense of social awareness.

Clever Folks

The person who holds the wisdom is often the unlikely one in these folktales from China, Vietnam, Eastern Europe and Mexico. The champions of justice in these stories encourage a sense of acting on one’s inner convictions, and their clever routes out of predicaments will not fail to entertain. (Grades 4-7)

Personal Stories

 

Memories in Motion

Cindy’s memories of her Dad, both the connections and the alienation, and arriving at new perspectives and appreciation as the years pass. (Teens and adults)

Making Borscht

Based on family oral history, the story of Cindy Rivka Marshall’s grandparents’ lives in Poland and their immigration to the United States, woven with her childhood reminiscences. (Teens and adults)

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree

A program of original stories about Cindy Rivka Marshall’s relationship with her American-born Jewish grandmother. Although they live very different lives, the bond that stretches across the generations carries them through to a profound understanding. (Teens and adults)