Joshua Venture Group

Storahtelling is a pioneer in Jewish education via the arts and new media. Through innovative leadership training programs and theatrical performances, Storahtelling makes ancient stories and traditions accessible for new generations, advancing Judaic literacy and raising social consciousness. Using an innovative fusion of scholarship, storytelling, performing arts, and new media, its programs reclaim the narratives and traditions that define Jewish life yet have failed to adapt to modern times. Storahtelling restores the Torah Service to its original stature through a revival of the lost craft of the Maven, the traditional storyteller who translated the Hebrew Torah into local language. Rooted in biblical text and ritual practice, Storahtelling uses dramatized interpretations, traditional chanting, orginal music, and live interaction to bring Bible off the page and onto the global stage.

Founded in 1999, Storahtelling has grown into an international network of educators and artists, invigorating Jewish identity through dynamic educational programs and performances for multigenerational audiences worldwide.

Bio
Amichai Lau-Lavie is the founder, executive and artistic director of Storahtelling.  An Israeli-born teacher of Judaic Literature and performance artist, he is described as “one of the most interesting thinkers in the Jewish world” by the New York Jewish Week, “iconoclastic mystic” by Time Out New York, and “a Judaic Pied Piper who spins gold out of the inherent drama of biblical legends and scripture” by the Denver Westword. Amichai studied at various yeshivot, including the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Elul Center in Jerusalem. Between 1992 and 1996, he directed the summer programs at Melitz: the Jewish Zionist Centers in Jerusalem, focusing on the integration of Jewish education via the arts. His theatrical experience as a writer and performer includes the Theatre Company Jerusalem, the Acco Theatre Group in Israel, and the Avodah Dance Ensemble in the United States.  Between 1997-2000, he served as Artist-in-Residence at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in New York City.  Amichai is a Jerusalem Fellow at the Mandel Leadership Institute in Israel (2008-2009), a consultant to the Reboot Network, a member of the Synagogue 3000 Leadership Network, and a 2002 recipient of the Joshua Venture Fellowship. He currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Six Points Fellowship, the advisory board for Faith House Manhattan, and the board of directors for Zeek Magazine.