In addition to being an author and renown storyteller, Rachmiel Tobesman is also an accomplished presenter and educator. He has been presenting workshops and trainings for more than twenty years. He has conducted workshops for as few as three to as many as five hundred people.

He has given numerous workshops on a variety of topics. Below are a few of his more popular workshops. If you don't see one that fits your particular venue, let him know. Rachmiel Tobesmanwill gladly tailor a workshop to meet your needs.

Storytelling

STORYTELLING 101. An introduction to storytelling for participants of all ages. Learn how to find stories, prepare stories for telling and how to share stories.

ONCE UPON A TIME: THE HEALING TALES OF THE STORYTELLER. Storytelling is one of the oldest arts in the world, the first conscious form of literary communication. In many cultures it still survives, and it is not an uncommon thing to see a crowd held by the simple narration of a story. There are signs of a growing interest in this ancient art, and we may yet live to see the renaissance of the storyteller and the troubadour. One of the surest signs of a belief in the educational and healing powers of the story is its introduction into the therapy methods available to mental health practitioners, social workers and educators. It is just at the time when the imagination is most keen, the mind being unhampered by accumulation of facts, that stories appeal most vividly and are retained for all time.

ORAL HISTORY: THE TELLING OF OUR PAST. People have traveled to the ends of the earth and have lived in every region of the world. As each community grew they developed their own customs and traditions. A great interest in genealogy has encouraged many to explore their families' past. Oral history is not a genealogy, but is an exciting road people travel back in time to learn of the past.

ORAL HISTORY FOR THE CLASSROOM Oral history is a valuable aspect of family life. It defines beliefs, history, heritage and culture. A parent must realize that oral history can take many forms. Many times children become involved in the exploration of a social world seen rather than just spoken about, close and heartfelt rather than cold textbook and impersonal views of unconcerned teachers. There are three aspects of oral history that are very relevant to the development of our chuldren and families.. By understanding the scope and focus of each aspect the biliefs, culture, heritage, traditions and family identity become more meaningful to the children.

SPIRITUAL STORYTELLING. Spiritual storytelling is the traditional mode of transmitting the the ideas, lessons and beliefs one seeks while on the journey seeking spiritual knowledge. Come, learn basic skills in spiritual storytelling: how to tell a story to reveal its divine light, how to hear its divine hints, how to meditate on a tale to extract its practical religious lessons, how stories can be used as prayers, and, even, how they can save. Much of this workshop will be about storytelling, but there will also be storytelling. We will hear, tell, study, analyze, discuss and enjoy stories, and discover how storytelling can enliven our religious sensibilities. Participants will be introduced to a new type of Jewish religious activity-- spiritual storytelling.

Jewish Programs

BRESLOV?... BERDITCHEV? ... WHAT ARE THEY? In the chain of Chasidic Masters, which spans more than 200 years through hundreds of communities in Eastern Europe, there is none except the Baal Shem Tov himself about whose lives are so many magnificent tales have been woven as that of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev. Handouts will be given.

BRESLOV: WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE? The magnificent stories of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, not Bratzlav, have been retold hundreds of times. The beauty of the stories reflect the heart of the Breslov way of life?full of life, hope, and happiness. Handouts will be given.

INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH PRAYER. Pray not to gain a reward neither in this world or the world to come; pray only out of love for the Almighty (Kedushas Levi). Prayer is a voyage of the soul upon uncharted seas. To embark on such a voyage we need to prepare. Come let us learn how to share such a voyage.

IS THERE A MEZZUZAH ON THE CASTLE?: MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY. No other era of history has captured the imaginations of students more than the Middle Ages. The heroes, castles, knights and mythical animals of this era are conspicuously absent from the Jewish history lesson. Come to a session and travel to that forgotten time as you develop your own coats of arms, illuminated manuscripts, glance at Sepher haTabelah haAgulah Shel Melech Artus, and learn about Jewish Medieval History.

JEWISH GEOGRAPHY: SPAIN THROUGH JEWISH EYES. Travel throughout Spain. Visit cities rich in Jewish history and culture. This unit brings this journey into your classroom with the help of atlases, almanacs, and some travel research.

JEWISH ORAL HISTORY: THE TELLING OF OUR PAST. Jewish people have traveled to the ends of the earth and have lived in every region of the world. As each community grew they developed their own customs and traditions (minhagim). A great interest in genealogy has encouraged many to explore their families' past. Oral history is one of the first roads people travel back in time to learn their past.

THE JEWISH ORIENT EXPRESS. Travel on a train across Europe and Asia. Visit cities rich in Jewish history and culture. This unit brings this journey into your classroom with the help of atlases, almanacs, and some travel research. Handouts will be given.

TORAH FLORA AND FAUNA HIKE. Jewish environmental education is a natural extension of any scout, religious school, youth group or adult outdoor activity. Many basic concepts of ecology cand be found in the T'NaCh and other Jewish religious writings. The use of Jewish texts and stories adds a new dimention to the generic hike

WHEN THE MAGGID COMES. The old cheder, learning Torah, and the teacher who took the old traditional D'rasha and clothed its thoughts, ideas, and insights in stories met its master in the person called, "the Maggid." Handouts will be given.

WILL THE REAL JESUS PLEASE STAND UP. Missionaries constantly try to sell Jesus to the Jewish people as a perfect answer to all problems, yet they don't know what Jewish texts say. The early accounts of Jesus in Jewish texts have eluded many teachers searching for a place in Jewish history for this enigmatic person around whom legend, mythology, and a new religion grew. Answers are found in the Mishnah, the Gamorah, and Jewish writings of the first thirteen centuries of the common era.

  Social Studies and Law Related Education

FAMILY LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION. Family law receives little attention in most Law Related Education (LRE) programs. Many students have first hand experience with family law as the rate of separation and divorce rises yearly. The materials presented in this session will expand the students awareness of family law and empower them to make valuable decisions to affect their daily lives.

HANDS ON EDUCATION AND THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. The children's museum fuels the fire .of a child's curiosity by placing children in charge. These museums invite the child to learn by doing right away, not "look but don't touch" of conventional museums. Children's museums do not save and exhibit artifacts and do not place a high requirement on reading skills. Instead, the administrator/teacher of children's' museums is more interested in preserving something much more precious than any artifact, that is, the confident child who wants to learn independently

NUREMBERG: THE TRIAL. A classroom simulation of the international military Tribunal in which students have the opportunity not only to review Allied reactions toward the persons responsible for the atrocities of World War II, but also to examine the unanswered questions raised by the international military Tribunal

PARENT TRAINING TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM TRAUMA OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION. Children are often thrust into the divorce and separation process. They suffer emotional abuse as parents vie for a powerful position. In extreme situations the anger, frustration and bitterness gives way to physical abuse.

KRISTALLNACHT: WHO KNEW? Many questions have been raised by students and adults concerning how much was known about the Nazi excesses against the Jewish people of Europe. Explore the period of time and events surrounding "Das Kristallnacht" and the responses to the Nazi barbarity.

Fees are extremely reasonable, based on what, where and how long the presentation will be. If you are interested in a guest speaker, workshop, seminar or program please send your inquiries about programs to Project Shalom and include in your email: