Past Events

Photo of Shoshana
Shoshana’s performance at Victoria’s UNO Festival in 2008
Storytelling in the Galleries at the Royal BC Museum featuring “Milk and Meat,” “Girl by the Bay” by Felis Kidye and “The Innkeeper’s Wise Daughter” on February 18, 2024.

Stories and Sound, featuring “Jerusalem Walk” by Shoshana with Anthony Tam on piano and Merrie Klazek on trumpet, fugelhorn and percussion, and storytellers, Alexander Taylor-McCallum (aka Pindian) and Raine Hermosa @ the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall @ UVic on Thursday November 2, 2023

Vancouver Island Jewish Film Festival Matinee Family Events at the Vic Theatre featuring “The Great Debate,” retold by Peninnah Schram in “Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another,” on Sunday October 22, 2023 & “The Noisy House,” by Syd Lieberman (z”l) & Margo Zemach, on Sunday November 6, 2022

PJ Library Rosh Hashanah Event, featuring “The Lion and The Fox,” adapted from the Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), @ Government House Gardens on Sunday September 10, 2023.

Covenanting Service: A Celebration of Ministry @ UVic Multifaith Centre, featuring “Micah’s Fig Tree” by Yitzhak Buxbaum (z”l), on Sunday April 22, 2023

Closing Invocation @ UVic Multifaith Centre AGM, featuring “Forget Your Perfect Offering,” a responsive song adapted from Leonard Cohen (z”l), April 19, 2023

Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival 2022/Festival du conte pour enfants 2022, featuring “Huff” and “Cats and Dogs” by Shoshana, November 21-26, 2022

PJ Library On-line Program, featuring “Huff” and “Cats and Dogs” by Shoshana, March 12, 2022

“Her Holy Names” Zoom Concert, featuring “Shiviti Shechina” song by Shoshana, Sunday November 15, 2020

PJ Library Rosh Hashanah Event, featuring “The Apple Trees Discovery,” by Peninnah Schram & Ruth Eckstein Davies with a song by Shoshana, @ Government House Gardens on Sunday September 17, 2022.

Peaceful Stories, featuring “Choose Peacefulness” by Shoshana, “Two Goats,” adapted from Margaret Read MacDonald, “The Great Debate,” retold by Peninnah Schram, “The Banza,” by Diane Wolkstein, “The Noisy House” by Sid Lieberman, “The Gunniwolf” adapted by Shoshana and “Pete the Cat, ” by Eric Litwin and James Dean, @ Cordova Bay Elementary on Thursday February 13 and 20, 2020

Sukkot Story and Commentary for Canadian Hadassah Wizo Victoria Annual Sukkah Tea, @ a private home on Thursday October 17, 2019.

Storytelling Café @ Cook Street Village Activity Centre (CSVAC) on Thursday September 26, 2019 with Moira Walker and Maria Hopkins. 60 minutes of lively stories followed by a traditional storytellers’ tea provided by CSVAC’s Tastebuds Café.

Musical Stories at “Love Your Neighbour Benefit Concert,” @ Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, Victoria on June 19, 2019. Featuring “Swords of Wood” (based on a story retold by Howard Swartz, and an interview with Jack Linklater, Jr with an original melody by Shoshana) & “Meat & Milk” (based on a parable by Martin Buber, z”l, and similar to a story by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, z”l) accompanied by Joe Hatherill on piano & Sue Hallatt on drums, with traditional tunes by The Klezbians, tasty treats, dancing, schmoozing (lively conversations) & fundraising for Avodah, the synagogue’s social action group.
 
Penninah Schram’s “The Princess and Her Beloved” at the Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada Annual Conference, “Weaving Baskets of Knowledge – Akonutomahtimok: Askomiw Latokonasuwol Kcicihtuwakonol,” in Fredericton, New Brunswick on June 8, 2019.

Musical Stories for The Kalmo Refugee Support Group @ Norway House, Victoria, featuring Nina Jaffe’s “The Never Ending Song” and Felis Kidye’s “The Girl by the Bay” performed with original tunes by Shoshana in between Klezmer music, dancing, good food and a silent auction on Wednesday March 20, 2019. 

Savory Stories: A Fundraiser for The Good Food Network @ the Vic Theatre, featuring Shoshana’s traditional tale, “Meat and Milk,” highlighted with fun songs, along with other engaging foodie tales by local storytellers, farmers & gardeners, yummy treats and a silent auction on Thursday November 22, 2018. 

Solo and group shows, workshops and school visits at the St John’s Storytelling Festival in St. John’s, Newfoundland,,October 9-14, 2018

Stories for Summer Reading School Students, featuring “Roar” by Robert Munsch and “The Dragons Pearl” adapted from Julie Lawson, Gary Chalk, and Miriam Well with an original melody by Shoshana, in Kyoquot, B.C. on August 2, 2018
 
Storytelling Workshop: Hone Your Most Precious Instrument – You! at the Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada Annual Conference, The Honour of One is the Honour of All, Peterborough, Ontario, July 6, 2018

Southern Ontario Storytelling Tour during TD Canadian Childrens Book Week for more than 980 students in 15 venues, May 5-12, 2018

Songs & Stories of Transformation at Starfields: A Festival of Hope with Buddhist Storyteller, Margo McLoughlin and The Lake Men, Sunday April 15, 2018 at UVic Multifaith Chapel 

“The Never Ending Song” by Nina Jaffe for the Peacebuilding and Human Security Program @ Royal Roads University in April 2018 and “Creating Our Future: Visioning a Sustainable, Compassionate World” during UN Interfaith Harmony Week in February 2018 @ the University of Victoria

“The Hanukah Bear” by Eric Kimmel & menorah lighting for the PJ Library Hanukah Party at the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria on December 17, 2017
 
Hanukah Programs at Torquay Elementary in Gordon Head, December 2017

Migration Stories at Glenlyon-Norfolk School in Oak Bay, November 2017

Feeding the Heart’s Fire: Stories to Warm Us at Canadian Storytelling Night with the Victoria Storytellers Guild, November 2017. Read all about it in the Victoria News 

Around the World with Stories at Oaklands Elementary School in Victoria, June 2017

“From Edmonton With Love” at TALES: Alberta Storytelling Festival @ McIntyre Park in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona District, May 2017

“Swords of Wood” at Multicultural Food Fair and Storytelling Event @ the Cook Street Activity Centre in Victoria, April 2017

“The Great Debate” by Peninnah Schram for World Interfaith Harmony Week at the University of Victoria, February 2017
 
“The Shammes Candle” by Doug Lipman for the PJ Library Hanukah Party at the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria on January 1, 2017
 
“Choose Heaven” at the Forest Storytelling Festival in Port Angeles, Washington, October 2016 

Stories From Around the World at Oak Bay Library, October 2015 

“Star Globe Map” by Shoshana @ The Flame at Cottage Bistro in Vancouver, April 1, 2015

Stories That Sing for the Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver at the Vancouver Jewish Community Centre, January 14, 2015

Storytelling Workshop & Performances at LimmudVan ’15 at the Vancouver Jewish Community Centre and Eric Hamber High School, January 31 and February 1, 2015

The Wishing Well at Juan de Fuca & Esquimalt Public Libraries celebrating World Storytelling Day on March 17 & 19, 2015

Hanukah Presentation for Seniors at Amica on Douglas, December 4, 2014

Storytelling Workshop for Early Childhood Education Students at Burnaby Community and Continuing Education, November 27, 2014.

Stories for Seniors at L’Chaim Day Program at the Vancouver Jewish Community Centre once a month in 2014.

Around the World With Stories at Greater Victoria Public Libraries Friday October 24 @ the Saanich Centennial Branch and November 21, 2014 @ the Central Branch

AGM Inspiration for the Victoria Society for Humanistic Judaism, June 22, 2014 at the Victoria Jewish Community Centre

World Storytelling Day 2014 with The Victoria Storytellers Guild, hosted by Shoshana, Monday March 17, 2014 at 1831 Fern Street.

Monsters and Dragons: World Storytelling Day 2014 at Esquimalt Library. Thursday March 20, 2014.

Stories of Love and Adventure at the Kootenay Storytelling Festival September 21 and 22, 2013 in Nelson, B.C. 

Interlaced: Living our Faith Through Stories, organized by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria September 2012 through June 2013. 

Stories for New Zealand Schools and Synagogues in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington, May 2013

Strong Start Storytimes at George Jay, Macaulay and James Bay Elementary Schools, 2012 and 2013 

Choose Heaven at Victoria Friends Meeting House, Celebrating 100 Years of Service, May 4, 2013
 
Stories at Fern Celebrates World Storytelling Day 2013 tales of Fate & Fortune with the Victoria Storytellers Guild hosted by Shoshana March 18, 2013
 
World Storytelling Day at Esquimalt Library, adventurous tales and a craft on March 20, 2012 & 2013

Comox Valley Compassion Seder with the Community Justice Centre in Courtenay, B.C. Stories, commentary, blessings, songs and a delicious meal on Thursday March 28, 2013
 
Family Tales for B.C. Family Day at Ship Point, February 11, 2013 with SuSu, Jennifer Ferris and Faye Mogensen
 
Transformational Stories Plenary Session and The Art of Storytelling Workshop, at Epiphany Explorations Conference, January 2013
 
Storytimes at Tall Tales Books featuring more than 150 lively sessions for children from September 2009 to January 2013
 
Tale Time Fun Birthday Parties with Par-T-Perfect. Fun stories, activities and crafts for children of all ages

Festival of Light: Chanukah Songs and Stories at Congregation Emanu-El with the Jewish Community Choir of Victoria, directed by Carol Sokoloff, and World Folk Duo, Kouskous (Gary Cohen and Amber Woods) Dec. 12, 2012

Hanukah Celebrations at Oaklands Elementary School, December 2012/2013 Solo and 2011/2010 with World Folk Duo, Kouskous (Gary Cohen and Amber Woods)
 
Haunting Songs and Stories for Halloween, at Discovery Coffee with Juniper Tree(Cat and Meghan Thom, Andrea Samuels (may her memory be for a blessing) and Catherine Sheehan October 2012

Stories of Peaceful Responses to Provocation from 5 Faiths, in honor of Ghandhi’s Birthday and the U.N. Day of Non-Violence, at First Metropolitan United Church. October 2012

2nd Annual Jewish Women’s Retreat at Sleeping Dog Farm and Retreat Centre. September 2012

12 Storytelling Events at 8 Montreal Venues during the TD Canadian Childrens Book Week English Language Tour May 7-10, 2012
 
The Role of the Storyteller and the History of Mussar, Centre for the Study of Religion and Society Coffee Hours, February and April 2012, University of Victoria (UVic) with CSRS Artist in Residence, Margo McLoughlin and UVic Chaplain, Rabbi Barak Cohen 

Storytelling Shabbaton and Workshops at Congregation Har El, 1305 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, Friday evening March 23 through Sunday afternoon March 25, 2012 

The Story of Hillel the Elder, at the Student Conference on Compassion, Vancouver School of Theology, UBC, Thursday March 29, 2012 

The Magic Tree: World Storytelling Day 2012 at Nellie McLung Library, and at Esquimalt Library on March 15 and 20, 2012

Trees Please!: Celebrate Trees in Story and Song at the World Storytelling Day Festival at First Metropolitan United Church, Sunday March 18, 2012. Sponsored by Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada

The Playful Power of Story Workshop, Jewish Women’s Retreat, Sunday January 29, 2012, at Sleeping Dog Farm
 
Time Out for Women at Cadboro Bay United Church, January 2012 and April 2011 

Hanukah Stories at the Chocolate Menorah Party at the Jewish Education Centre, Sunday December 25, 2011

Hanukah Interview on On the Island, CBC December 20, 2011, 90.5 FM
 
The Evolution of Jewish Storytelling at the Vancouver Jewish Book Festival, Seniors Lunch and Learn Series, Monday November 28, 2011 at the Vancouver Jewish Community Centre

Inspirational Stories at The Mussar Institute’s Mussar Kallah, Friday Night Tish November 11 and Saturday night Malevah Malkah November 12, 2011, at the Illinois Beach Resort near Chicago 

Let There Be Light at Unity World Day of Prayer: Together We Shine with Baha’i, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish Faiths, Thursday September 8, 2011

Children’s Storytelling at Folkwest, at the Royal Athletic Park, Sunday August 21, 2011

Youth Arts and Cultural Festival at Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, B.C. Story Workshops, Mon. Aug. 8, 2011

A Plate Full of Stories at Theatre Skam Bike Ride, along the scenic Galloping Goose Trail, July 10 and 17, 2011

Roar! at Fern Fest in Fernwood Square on June 25, 2011 

The Art of Jewish Storytelling, Congregation Emanu-El Fundraiser, Sunday June 12, 2011
 
Stories at FernVictoria Storytellers Guild Third Mondays during the school year (second Mondays in June and December), 1831 Fern Street, 2008-2019
Fernwood Neighbourhood Potluck and Community Mapping Event, with Transition Victoria, April 3, 2011 

Water Water Everywhere: World Water and Storytelling Day at Oak Bay Library, March 22, 2011 with Andrea Brimmell, Cat Thom and Shoshana 

World Storytelling Day: Water Water Water @ Intrepid Theatre Club, Sunday March 20, 2011. Afternoon concert for children and families and a sold out evening concert for adults with Victoria Storytellers Guild
 
Water, Water Everywhere! World Storytelling Day at Saanich Centennial Library, Friday March 4, 2011 with Nejama Ferstman and Shoshana

Jewish Love Songs and Stories with World Folk Duo, Kouskous (Gary Cohen and Amber Wood). Thrilling melodies, miraculous love stories and delicious treats at the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria on February 11, 2011. Organized by the Victoria Society of Humanistic Judaism. 

Jewish and World Stories Victoria Children Literature Roundtable, Monday, January 24, 2011, at the Nellie McClung Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library
 
Religion: Resource for Peace or Reason for Conflict7th World Religions Conference, Sunday January 23, 2011, University of Victoria
 
Chanukah Celebrations with World Folk Duo, Kouskous (Gary Cohen and Amber Wood) at Oaklands Elementary School and Oak Bay Lodge, December 2010  
A Celebration of Chanukah in Story and Song with the Jewish Community Choir directed by Carol Sokoloff featuring Greg Davidson on piano and Joanne Davidson (Soprano) at Congregation Emanu-El in December 2010.

Synagogue Tours at Congregation Emanu-El for Margaret Jenkins Elementary, Victoria High School, St. Andrews and Pacific Christian School students, 2010 – 2019

The History of Jewish Storytelling for B’Nei Mitzvah Beyond Borders at the Hillel Architectural Studio on November 14, 2010.

Storytelling from Around the World at the First Metropolitan United Church Chapel, October 25, 2010 and October 23, 2011.

B.C. Culture Days: Musical Stories with Lee Porteous at the Greater Victoria Public Library Courtyard, Downtown Branch on September 25, 2010  

World Day of Peace and Prayer: We are Living Expressions of Divine Light Flowing into the World with singers, Lucila Neremberg and Joanne Davidson accompanied by Greg Davidson on piano at the Alix Goolden Hall on September 11, 2010  

Stories and Songs for Seniors at Oak Bay Lodge in April, August and October 2010 

Theatre Skam Bike Ride, Stories along the Galloping Goose Trail, 2009 – 2011

Multifaith Panel, Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Conference, University of Victoria, May 2010

Time Will Tell Program for an English 12 Class at SJ Willis in May 2010 

Parents Night and Birthday Parties at Tall Tales Books in May and February 2010 

Community Chanukah Party at the Victoria Jewish Community Center, December 2009

Hanukah and Nature Tales at the Bruce Hutchison Library, Saanich, December and April 2009 

Family Gathering Stories at a Private Home in Victoria in September 2009

Stories for Seniors at Louis Brier Home and Hospital, Vancouver, B.C., September, 2009

Yarns of Wood, Wind and Water at the Cornerstone Cafe, Sundays, Sept. 2009 

Art as Story: Artful Stories, with Faye Mogensen and Sandra Taylor at the Saanich Municipal Hall, Sept. 2009

Secular Stories for the Victoria Society for Humanistic Judaism, Sept. 2009

Interfaith Celebration, Alix Goolden Hall, Sept. 2008 & 2009

Vining Street Party Stories in Victoria, Sept. 2008 and 2009

Beit Cafe Stories at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, August 2009

Fernwood Art Stroll Stories at our house in June 2008 and 2009

Fern Fest Stories, Fernwood Square, June 2007-2009 

Stories from the Tree of Life Workshop, Victoria, June 2009

Millstream Elementary Earth Day Celebration in Colwood, April 2009

Stories for Seniors at Highgate Lodge, Saanich, March 2009

Brock House Group Home Stories with Victoria Storytellers Guild, Langford, March 2009

Tu B’Shevat (New Year of the Trees) Stories at a private home in Saanich, February 2009 

Birthday Party Stories at a Private Home in Victoria, January 2009 

Jewish Education Centre, Victoria, 2007 – 2009

Stories for Kolot Mayim Religious School in Victoria, November 2008 and 2010

Hadassah Membership Tea Story @ a private home in Saanich, October 2008

Esquimalt Storytelling Festival, Esquimalt, October 2008

Stories for Cherry Tree Preschool, Chemainus, 2007 & 2008

Stories for Temple Beth Hatfiloh Day Camp and Services, Olympia, WA, July 2008

All Maggidic Conference, Berkeley, CA, July 2008

The Creation Project: Interpretations by Artists and Writers, Victoria, B.C., June, 2008 

Stories for Mothers at the Royal B.C. Museum, Victoria, May 24 2008

UNO Festival with the Victoria Storytellers Guild, Victoria, May 25 2008

Storytelling and Music Salon, at a private home in Jaffa, Israel on March 30 2008

World Stories at Caf Fairfield International Afternoon, Victoria, March 2008 

Seasonal Stories, Lochside Elementary School, Saanich, B.C., February 2008 

New Moon Story for the Jewish Womens’ Circle in a private home in Victoria, February 2008 

Stories for Jewish Storytellers Jamborees in Brooklyn, NY, Jan. & May 2007 & 2008 

Hanukah stories for schools and families, Vancouver Island, Dec. 2007 

Stories for Seniors, Temple Sholom 60+ Group, Vancouver, B.C., Nov. 2007 

Tree Appreciation Day Stories, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, Nov. 2007 

School Travel Stories and Workshop at the Walk 21 Conference in Toronto, ONT Oct. 2007 

Stories for Families at the Harris Green Community Picnic, Victoria, July 2007 

Performance and Workshop for the Women’s Spirituality Conference at UBC in Vancouver, Mar. 2006 

Stories for Montessori Preschools, Victoria, 2004 & 2006 

Ecological story for students at the Strawberry Vale Watershed Festival in Victoria, 1998
 
Storytelling Performance and workshop for the Women’s Spirituality Conference at UVic, 1997