Stories We Tell
Union for Reform Judaism
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Top 10 Stories We Tell Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Stories We Tell episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Stories We Tell for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Stories We Tell episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Brother And The Car
Stories We Tell
05/17/18 • 2 min
A man was very proud of his new car—it was sleek, new, and everything about it screamed luxury and comfort. One day, the man sees a young boy looking at the car, so he starts a conversation and tells the boy that it was a gift from his brother. The boy was shocked, but what the boy says next is a bigger surprise to the man. Listen to Cantor Ellen Dreskin retell the story, and for a written version, see A Brother Like That in Chicken Soup for the Soul: 20th Anniversary Edition.
Elijah and the Old Man
Stories We Tell
10/24/19 • 5 min
A blind old man lived in the country with his wife, and they enjoyed each other’s company and their lives together. One day, while the man was sitting by the river, Elijah saw him there and decided to give him one wish. Unsure of what to wish for, the man took some time to think about it. He asked his wife and his friends for advice, but wasn’t satisfied with their ideas. What did he finally decide? Jerry Kaye retells the story. You can find a written version of this story in Experiencing Spirituality: Finding Meaning Through Storytelling by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham.
The Scratch in the Ruby
Stories We Tell
09/19/19 • 11 min
This week we revisit a familiar story, The Scratch in the Ruby, previously told by Jerry Kaye, but with a lovely new ending added by Rabbi Leora Kaye. Every year, on the king’s birthday, he brings out his treasured and exceptionally perfect ruby and shows it to his kingdom. One fateful day, this joy is marred when a scratch appears. The king is heartbroken, as no one can fix his ruined ruby, until a young girl teaches the king two lessons – how to see the beauty in imperfections and the importance of taking great care when given charge of something so valuable to another person.
The Story of The Hungry Boy
Stories We Tell
05/23/19 • 5 min
A hungry boy going through a tough time looks for help from his community. Knowing they don’t have much to spare themselves, they hide their resources. Listen to this story by Jerry Kaye to find out what can happen when you make an unfair assumption.
Elijah and the Old Man
Stories We Tell
11/29/18 • 5 min
An old, blind man lived in the country with his wife, and they enjoyed each other’s company and their lives together. One day, while the man was sitting by the river, Elijah saw him there and decided to give him one wish. Unsure of what to wish for, the man took some time to think about it. He asked his wife and his friends for advice, but wasn’t satisfied with their ideas. What did he finally decide? Jerry Kaye retells the story. You can find a written version of this story in Experiencing Spirituality: Finding Meaning Through Storytelling by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham.
The Scratch in the Ruby
Stories We Tell
09/07/17 • 7 min
Every year for his birthday, the king invites the entire kingdom to get a glimpse of a beautiful ruby of magnificent color and splendor. For the rest of the year the ruby is tucked away in a box, making this tradition extra special and joyous. But one year, everybody’s joy turns to horror when they find a large scratch on the ruby! What will they do about it? Jerry Kaye, director emeritus of the URJ’s Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute camp tells this story, and reveals an important lesson about dealing with flaws. You can find a written version of this story in The Jewish Story Finder, 2nd edition, as story 569, The Blemish on the Diamond.
Five Minutes
Stories We Tell
12/13/18 • 4 min
One morning Lisa woke up extra hungry, and her mom told her that she would have breakfast ready in five minutes. While she waited, Lisa put on her clothes and got dressed, but the five minutes still hadn’t passed. Time was moving so slowly! Later that day, while she was playing at her friend David’s house, her mom called her home in the middle of the game they were playing to eat lunch. Time moved so quickly! Why did that happen? Jerry Kaye retells the story.
Yankele and the Shabbat Treasure
Stories We Tell
10/18/18 • 4 min
One night, Yankele has the most amazing dream about finding buried treasure in the corner of his yard. He doesn’t think it means anything until he has the dream again, and again, and again. Finally, one Shabbat Yankele goes to the corner of his yard and digs, and sure enough, he finds the most magnificent treasure—but it disappears after 24 hours! Listen to the story to find out what happened and why. Rabbi Josh Weinberg tells his original story.
Cottage of Candles
Stories We Tell
08/22/19 • 5 min
When a man traveling the world in pursuit of justice walks into a dark forest, he discovers a cottage filled with oil candles, and he’s shown his designated candle. Listen in as Rabbi Fred Reeves shares the magical story of testing one’s moral compass.
Don't Apologize to Me, Apologize to Him
Stories We Tell
10/19/17 • 6 min
Joseph, on his way to a new town, meets a beggar on the train. His beard is tangled, his clothing is tattered, and he appears to be dirty. When the beggar speaks to Joseph, Joseph responds that they probably shouldn’t speak to each other until they arrive at their destination. What happens next? Listen to this story, retold by Rabbi Marc Katz. For a written version of the story, read “Forgiveness” in Three Times Chai by Laney Katz Becker.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Stories We Tell have?
Stories We Tell currently has 167 episodes available.
What topics does Stories We Tell cover?
The podcast is about Stories, Kids & Family, Religion & Spirituality, Jewish, Podcasts and Judaism.
What is the most popular episode on Stories We Tell?
The episode title 'God's Miracle' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Stories We Tell?
The average episode length on Stories We Tell is 5 minutes.
How often are episodes of Stories We Tell released?
Episodes of Stories We Tell are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Stories We Tell?
The first episode of Stories We Tell was released on Apr 24, 2017.
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