Mark Binder has been writing and telling stories from the village of Chelm for decades. You’ll meet the tailor and the baker and the merchant and of course the famous Rabbi Kibbitz and his wife Channah Chaipul (she kept her name, which is a story in itself…). His work is tailored to suit the age and needs of a variety of audiences — from seniors to families to young adults to elementary and preschoolers. He shares his work in large and small groups.
Mark has had the privilege of sharing his stories with everyone from Reform to Conservative to Orthodox to Reconstructionist to Chabad, to independent to the unaffiliated. He also tells these (and other) stories to secular audiences.
Two Video Recommendations…
Mark recently shared his work with two diverse groups — Seniors at the Misler Center in Washington Area, and Elementary school students at the Jewish Community Day School in Providence.
| “Mark Binder is a real person who tells real stories from the heart! He touches all ages with universal tales of life’s ups and downs…with a performance containing many more ups than downs. He is a consummate professional, who entertains with ease and joy. Every time he has performed here at the Yiddish Book Center he has surprised and delighted our audiences.” –Program Director, National Yiddish Book Center |
Listen?Click here to hear Mark Binder's Essay about Challah on NPR's This I believe... The Little Boy Who Loved Hamentashen A Passover Question - from THE BROTHERS SCHLEMIEL
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Read?An excerpt from A HANUKKAH PRESENT Click here for a printable PDF of Mark’s “Chinese Menu” of Jewish Programming. |
Chiri Bim - the origin of the song…. from the book “Stories for Peace”
This was recorded on an iphone at the Peace Flag Project’s Voices for Peace Concert at the Roots Cafe in Providence, RI
Mark’s Menu of Delicious Events and Workshops
Wisdom, Food and Foolishness (Tales of Chelm) – multigenerational – all ages (3-103)
A hearty serving of warm and fun stories from the village of fools. Wise Rabbi Kibbitz, Mrs. Chaipul (the caterer), Muddle (the baker’s apprentice) and many more.
Holidays and Simchas — multigenerational – all ages (3-103)
Programs for Tu B’Shevat • Purim • Passover • Rosh Hashanah • Sukkos • Sukkoth
Chanukah • Hanukkah • Shabbat • Bar and Bat Mitzvah • Weddings • Anniversaries…
Readings and Signings from Matzah Mishugas, A Hanukkah Present, and The Brothers Schlemiel — author events from the stories and novels. Discussion of sources and development.
Preview and download the Teacher’s Guide to The Brothers Schlemiel [PDF]
Silly Stories – for the youngsters (Ages 3-7)
Chiri Bim, Goldilox & The Three Bubbes, The Little Boy Who Hated
Fried Matzah, The Lethal Latkes, songs and and more…
Stories for Peace – multigenerational (Grades 3 to Adult or multigenerational with families)
A powerful and moving presentation of stories.
A Holiday Present – multigenerational (K-6 and multigenerational with families)
End of year seasonal tales from Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan Diwali, Solstice and the New Years. Perfect for day schools and multicultural experiences.
What’s Your Story? — multigenerational (Grades 6 to Adult)
A workshop on exploring your Jewish identity through the stories you (and others) tell.
Crumbs Don’t Count (the rationalization diet) – comedy for adults
If you eat it off of someone else’s plate, they get the calories
Low-sodium and fat-free humor.
Workshops
Your Jewish Family Stories – Seniors, adults and older students
Learn to tell the stories that need to be passed on from generation to generation.
The World’s Best Challah — multigenerational
Hands-on baking workshop (with stories)
Telling and Reading Stories with Children — parents and teachers
Tips for beginners, techniques and methods for experts
Books and eBooks
Matzah Mishugas (January, 2010)
The Council of Wise Women (Serialized in 2009.)
The Brothers Schlemiel (April 2008)
It Ate My Sister (September 2009)
The Bedtime Story Book (September 2008)
A Hanukkah Present (*Finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature* 2007)
The Everything Bedtime Story Book (2001)
Crumbs Don’t Count — The Rationalization Diet (1994)
Audio
Halloween: Live at Horrible Man
Classic Stories for Boys and Girls (*Children’s Music Web and iParenting Media Awards)
Tall Tales, Whoppers and Lies
The Brothers Schlemiel from Birth to Bar Mitzvah (*Storytelling World Honor)
A Hanukkah Present
Dead at Knotty Oak
More than 200 stories published in magazines including Cricket, The Forward, The Family, Bostonia, Conjure, and Pizza Today .
Awards and Grants
Finalist/Runner-Up National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature
Storytelling World Honor Award
Children’s Music Web Award
iParenting Media Award
US Department of Education Grant to Train School Librarians
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Literature
RI Department of Education Innovative Project Grant