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.)
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 Strober, and musical accompanyists Bruce Garnitz and Steve Blum. We'll see you next week for the final episode.
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.renastrober.com www.bayitshelanu.org
The trains need to be prompt, because Shloime the Student can't be late for school again! This story was inspired by the 1992 Academy-Award-Winning Documentary Short Subject film "Omnibus." From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Even for a Wise Fool, a family heirloom prayer shawl needs tender care to be cleaned properly. (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
Even among the Wise Fools, it's important to wait your turn. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Fundraising requires focus. Among the Wise Fools, good luck with that idea. (The kiddush is the ceremonial blessing over the wine.) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
You won't believe what Kalman the Karpenter did on Yom Kippur. (This year, Yom Kippur arrives this coming Friday night, October 11 and Saturday, October 12.) Starring the great Bret Shefter, who originated his role years ago at Shofar Synagogue in Southern California. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
How do the Wise Fools rate...in the afterlife? From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
The wonderful Nancy Sullivan joins us for another tale, of Boris the Balagoola and his wife Becky--the perfect marriage of two Wise Fools. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
In Chelm, some days are unluckier than others. [A latke is a potato pancake, but has nothing to do with the tale; it's just a play on the song from "Guys and Dolls." Lucky for you!] From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Among the Wise Fools, easy things are not always easy. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
The Wise Fools have one hot export, but even that can't overcome what essentially collapses this week into a lot of Dad Jokes. In the story's defense, Charles M. Powell was, in fact, a dad. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
You think politics is crazy today? Try electing a Mayor for the Village of Wise Fools. We just experienced the convention of one of the major parties in the United States. Now try it in Chelm. [Note: this story contains a quick reference to the author's collegiate alma mater, Yale.] From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
What do you do about an infestation of mice in the synagogue? More to the point--what do the Wise Fools do? From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
An epic battle: Boris the Balagoola versus a strange, three-legged fowl! (You've heard the Thanksgiving version and you've heard the poetry version, but here's the Original Recipe.) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
This story just isn't kosher. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Nancy Sullivan is back as an 84-year-old brand-new mother. This could only happen among the Wise Fools. (The 84-year-old mother part. Happily, Nancy can happen anywhere.) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Schneider the Tailor needs some help with his business. Where else would a Wide Fool turn? [Note: this is a very New York joke, but we left it in as it was one of the late Charlie Powell's favorite stories.] Special appearance by the great and powerful Nancy Sullivan. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
In the afterlife--especially for a Wise Fool like Boris the Balagoola--there are different meal plans for "upstairs" and "downstairs," if you know what we mean.... From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Sometimes it's tough for the Wise Fools to get first-class treatment. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Too much of a good thing? Perhaps, if you're a Wise Fool. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Relya, Wise Fool of Chelm, world-traveler, widow, one ungrateful son, is ready for the perfect vacation: a journey to meet The Grand Guru high in the Hermalayas. Recorded live at Bayit Shelanu on September 16, 2023, with gratitude to Rabbi Jan Goldstein. (Early audio issue clears quickly.) Starring guest performer Rena Strober! https://www.renastrober.com/ Also featuring Bruce Garnitz! (Small sound glitch in the first ten seconds...stick with it!) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
The power of prayer has its own meaning...if you're a Wise Fool. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Has the jury of Wise Fools reached a verdict? From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
To impress your future father-in-law, you'd better have the chops. (From a story shared by the late Dr. Melvin H. Present, a long-time friend.) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
It isn't easy funding an education system, especially 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 great Nancy Sullivan returns, to help us understand how best to honor the perfect Wise Fool of a husband after his passing. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Not even a Wise Fool should waste talent on the wrong career. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Wise Fools are Wise Fools, day or knight. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
You had ONE job, no time for sentiment...unless you're a Wise Fool. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Property values...in and around the tiny village of Wise Fools. An amusing--but this time somewhat poignant--story. [This episode was scheduled many months ago for this date. Our real world is a tougher place these days but the timing of this story is not intentional.] From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
In praise of the ordinary, everyday...Matzah. Happy Passover! (We're still a week away from Passover, but this will help you start preparing.) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
Some things are very important to remember, especially if you are a Wise Fool, or even a Wise Fool Emeritus. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7y
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