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.) (From the book of the same name, available on Amazon.com)
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Bud Rosenthal story
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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.orgPar Mel Powell
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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…
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Bud Rosenthal story
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell (from a story by Danny Dayton)
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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…
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell (from a Jane Powell original)
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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…
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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 i…
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Bud Rosenthal story
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Jane Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Bud Rosenthal story
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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…
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell (from a story by Arthur Hamilton)
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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.renastro…
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell (inspired by a story from Myrtle Atlas)
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Bud Rosenthal story
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Charles M. Powell story
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Bud Rosenthal story
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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 an…
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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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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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/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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How does a Wise Fool improve his memory? From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell from a Lew Horn story
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Fortunately, they escaped the Cossacks...and we'll leave it at that. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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The Cossacks are mean. The Cossacks are dangerous. The Cossacks are...not smart, even when compared to the Wise Fools of Chelm. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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A Wise Fool knows how to find the best salesperson...for a pitch to the Pope. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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The tiny village of Chelm needs more money. The solution? Worthy of the Wise Fools. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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What happens when the Wise Fools ponder the deeper mysteries of life--such as how many seconds there are in a year? From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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Art is in the eye of the beholder, especially among the Wise Fools. (A note: it's not Passover time yet, that's in a couple of months and we'll have a Passover story ready.) From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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Wise Foolishness and gambling...not the best partnership. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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Jewish Holidays aren't all that confusing...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/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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Eat healthy, and live a very, very long life as a Wise Fool of Chelm. As only a Wise Fool can. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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Don't just slap the food onto the plate; even if you're among the Wise Fools, present it nicely. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Charles M. Powell
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Need a performer for your big fundraiser? Have we got an act for you! From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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Never, ever drive drunk. Even an ox-cart--you or the ox. But be as clever as a Wise Fool. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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Tony and Emmy winner Hal Linden returns to the Wise Fools for the fourth of our four stories with him. In this era, everyone needs a town woodcutter. (We do not condone the environmental result this story presents. We've only got one Earth.) [A little help: a mohel, pronounced "moil" rhymes with "toil," is the specialized rabbi who performs the rit…
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Marry well. Or...not. Or not, but still well. From "Tales of The Wise Fools of Chelm," available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3VpWj7yPar Mel Powell
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