Tales of the Wise Fools of Chelm

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.)

Funny Business -- A Final Tale 03/23/2025

Funny Business -- A Final Tale 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/35475110

BONUS EPISODE / Chelm: The Musical 03/16/2025

BONUS EPISODE / Chelm: The Musical 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. /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/35590425

The Marriage of Mendel 03/09/2025

The Marriage of Mendel 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/33649697

The Melamed 03/02/2025

The Melamed 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/32426417

A Talk On The Child Side 02/23/2025

A Talk On The Child Side 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31475157

The Sole of Charity 02/16/2025

The Sole of Charity 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31231877

A Helping Hand 02/09/2025

A Helping Hand 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31238642

Brain Food 02/02/2025

Brain Food 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/30006483

What, Me Worry? 01/26/2025

What, Me Worry? 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29926263

From Chelm to Jerusalem 01/19/2025

From Chelm to Jerusalem 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31329762

A Kopeck For Your Thoughts 01/12/2025

A Kopeck For Your Thoughts 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29815933

The Horse's Tale 01/05/2025

The Horse's Tale 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29786103

Right On Cue 12/29/2024

Right On Cue 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31429052

Natural Selection 12/22/2024

Natural Selection 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29722413

The Witness 12/15/2024

The Witness 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31290307

The Day Chelm Stood Still 12/08/2024

The Day Chelm Stood Still 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31475087

Let It Ride 12/01/2024

Let It Ride 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29724113

Still Going 11/24/2024

Still Going 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31290427

The Wise Children of Chelm 11/17/2024

The Wise Children of Chelm 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29669998

Ticket, Please (script version) 11/10/2024

Ticket, Please (script version) 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.bayitshelanu.org /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/28490555

Right On Time 11/03/2024

Right On Time 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/29142623

No Starch 10/27/2024

No Starch 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/31367617

Pushy, Pushy 10/20/2024

Pushy, Pushy 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/28388177

A New Kiddush Cup 10/13/2024

A New Kiddush Cup 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/28625628

Complete Yom Kippur Chaos 10/06/2024

Complete Yom Kippur Chaos 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/32538162

The V.I.P. 09/29/2024

The V.I.P. 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/28389554

Putt Seriously, Folks 09/22/2024

Putt Seriously, Folks 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/26902128

Luck Be A Latke Tonight 09/15/2024

Luck Be A Latke Tonight 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/28259300

Who Brought The Pickles? 09/08/2024

Who Brought The Pickles? 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/28322336

Chelm: The Horseradish Capital Of The World 09/01/2024

Chelm: The Horseradish Capital Of The World 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 /episode/index/show/27d62b9b-c6a7-41be-acfc-a396cc492c14/id/27925491

Tales of the Wise Fools of Chelm

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