Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm

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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.)

Mel Powell


    • Mar 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 2m AVG DURATION
    • 128 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm

    Funny Business -- A Final Tale

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 4:56


    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

    BONUS EPISODE / Chelm: The Musical

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 6:09


    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.

    The Marriage of Mendel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 3:02


    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

    The Melamed

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 3:51


    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

    A Talk On The Child Side

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 2:59


    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 Sole of Charity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 2:47


    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

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    A Helping Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 2:22


    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

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    Brain Food

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 2:13


    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

    What, Me Worry?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 2:32


    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

    From Chelm to Jerusalem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 2:11


    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

    A Kopeck For Your Thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 2:19


    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

    The Horse's Tale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 3:47


    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  

    Right On Cue

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 3:09


    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

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    Natural Selection

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 2:07


    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

    The Witness

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 2:37


    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

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    The Day Chelm Stood Still

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 4:00


    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

    Let It Ride

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 3:30


    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

    Still Going

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 5:10


    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

    The Wise Children of Chelm

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 4:18


    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

    Ticket, Please (script version)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 1:58


    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

    Right On Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 3:21


    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

    No Starch

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 3:52


    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

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    Pushy, Pushy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 2:40


    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

    A New Kiddush Cup

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 2:16


    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

    Complete Yom Kippur Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 1:37


    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

    The V.I.P.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 2:26


    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

    Putt Seriously, Folks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 2:22


    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

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    Luck Be A Latke Tonight

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 2:23


    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

    Who Brought The Pickles?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 2:11


    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

    Chelm: The Horseradish Capital Of The World

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 2:02


    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

    Un-Conventional Wisdom

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 2:54


    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

    The Rodent Less Traveled

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 3:35


    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

    White Meat or Dark?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 3:35


    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

    You Are What You Eat

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 2:44


    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

    The Miracle of Birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2024 2:57


    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

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    Taking In A Partner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 3:54


    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

    Heaven McChicken

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 3:06


    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

    Frequent Schlepper Miles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 3:29


    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

    Beadle-De-Dumb

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 2:02


    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  

    There's No Place Like Home (Live)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 3:39


    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

    Don't Cry For Me, Balagoola

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2024 1:58


    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

    "We Have, Your Honor"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 2:03


    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

    "Everybody's a Critic"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 3:06


    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

    The Cholera of Money

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 4:16


    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

    A Husband Like This Doesn't Grow On Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 2:02


    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

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    A Bright Future

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 3:24


    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

    Matzah-Matta-U?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 4:33


    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

    Dances With Dunces

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 2:27


    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

    Poetic Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 3:47


    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

    Bottoms Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 1:24


    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

    Marital Bliss

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2024 2:28


    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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