Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm
The mythical village of Chelm is where, in the mid- to late-1800s, the Wise Fools lived. Where everyone was a fool, no one was aware of being foolish. These are their stories--unlike other stories in the Chelm genre, very short-form tales as read aloud in synagogue over many years. (But you don't have to be Jewish! All are welcome.) (From the book of the same name, available on Amazon.com)
Episodes
The annual Chelm Comedy Convention is exactly what to expect of the Wise Fools.
Special appearance by Nancy Sullivan.
This is the final episode of the podcast, and also the final story in the book. Thank you for taking this journey with us. May all your foolishness be wise.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Here's a special bonus episode, with the final tale dropping next week.
From October 2024, recorded live at Bayit Shelanu Rosh Hashanah services in Santa Monica, California (imperfect audio, recorded from the video livestream)...it's a five-minute medley based on Chelm--and not really a story. Nobody's perfect.
(We assume you remember that "tsuris" means "trouble." That will matter...once.)
Also featuring Rabbi Jan Goldstein, Rena...
Mendel the Messenger finally got married. What took him so long?
(Special appearance by Nancy Sullivan.)
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Boris the Balagoola--a Wise Fool who is smarter than you think.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Little Shaindel is smart as a whip, but has never said a word--not even to complain! That is very strange among the Wise Fools.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
The most charitable Wise Fool of Chelm is the shoemaker, but it's never easy.
With the amazing Nancy Sullivan!
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Who does a Wise Fool turn to when the flood waters are rising?
Special appearance by the one and only Nancy Sullivan.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Cossacks have much to learn from the Wise Fools.
(This tale was inspired by a story in Chaim Topol's "To Life!")
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
You got problems? The Wise Fools have a solution.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
How does a Wise Fool get directions on a visit to Holy Land?
Special appearance by Rabbi Jan Goldstein!
(Check out his podcast, "All That Matters.")
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
What happens when Boris the Balagoola encounters a talking machine? Probably just what you'd expect of a Wise Fool.
[Note: the version of this story has been altered slightly from what appears in the book, to streamline the audio experience.]
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
A milkman, a rabbi, a white horse, and a Tsar walk into a bar. Well, not quite...but among the Wise Fools almost anything is possible.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Need an actor for a small but important part? Hire a Wise Fool.
Special appearance by Nancy Sullivan!
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
There are few more dangerous statements than "We formed a committee." Appointing Wise Fools to that committee would likely do the trick.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
It's not always easy eliciting clear testimony in the court of Wise Fools.
Special appearance by Nancy Sullivan.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
If you were from another planet, you would want to meet the Wise Fools, too.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Always be kind to those who helped you.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
This is the story of Selma the Seamstress and Louise the Lip, and perhaps even the accidental invention of the filibuster.
Special appearance by Nancy Sullivan.
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Which child of the village is the Wisest of the future Wise Fools?
From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Everyone's welcome, but you have to have a ticket!
(Performance version of the prose story presented as Episode 23.)
Featuring the wonderful Rena Strober, with a special appearance by Rabbi Jan Goldstein; recorded live on September 25, 2023.
www.bayitshelanu.org
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