Eight Amazing Storytellers Perform at the 3rd Annual Tales from the 'Dale and Beyond

There was complete silence …. interrupted by loud guffaws -- when eight talented local storytellers took the stage at Heathcote Auditorium on Thursday March 14 to share their tales. The Scarsdale Adult School’s third annual Tales from the ‘Dale and Beyond^tm drew an enthusiastic audience to listen to a diverse line-up of locals – including a rabbi, a teachers, a visiting student from Memphis, a Pakistani immigrant and the father of a soldier in the Israeli army. Produced by Leesa Chalk Suzman and hosted by Sandi Marx, the event was well orchestrated, well timed and well received.

Each storyteller took full command of the stage with stories that were in turn heartwarming, heartbreaking, amusing, embarrassing and revealing.

Former Scarsdale resident and storyteller extraordinaire Sandi Marx started out with her own story before introducing the evening’s talent, sharing what happened when she thought she won a quick $10,000 on a Christmas lotto scratch-off card. She had big plans for those winnings.

Rabbi Jonathan Blake wondered aloud how he could get this big a crowd to attend Shabbat services at Westchester Reform Temple and told the story of a chance encounter with a well-coiffed stranger at Shakespeare and Co. and the happy family reunion that ensued.

SHS English teacher Jennifer Rosenzweig had the room close to tears when she revealed how her own chance encounters with a crow and a butterfly turned out to be signs from nature that helped her through a serious health crisis.

Afghani immigrant and Connecticut College student Wali Harin gave a hilarious interpretation of “The Three Little Pigs,” as he understood it as an eight-year-old boy struggling to interpret the illustrations.

In an encore presentation, Scarsdale mom Victoria Assa looked back at her upbringing as the only child of ambitious Russian immigrants who gave new meaning to the term “helicopter parents” in the lengths they went to ensure her success in their adopted land.

Paul Warhit left us hanging on the edge of our seats after he explained what happened to his son when he joined the Israeli army and ended up in a violent confrontation with Hamas in Gaza. The experience caused traumatic psychological wounds and Warhit left us all in a dark place.

Visiting STEP student Frederick Smith said, “Football is a different game in Memphis,” and explained how people take bets on the high school games and exact revenge on the players when they lose money. Even though Fred became estranged from his father after his parents divorced, Fred found that he was not alone. After a football game, when Fred was threatened by one of the gamblers, his coach came to his defense and restored his faith that someone had his back.

Last, a Moth Grand Slam winner was brought in to tell the final tale. Micaela Blei shared an endearing tale from eighth grade, when she found herself friendless and isolated. Though she came from a conservative Jewish family, salvation came in offers of companionship from a group of students at a Christian Youth Group who invited her to learn German folk dancing. How to tell her folks….?

The stories were so engrossing and moving that the evening flew by.

This is one Scarsdale tradition that I hope will continue in years to come.

Congratulations to Sandi Marx, Leesa Suzman, the Scarsdale Adult School and all the storytellers for their brave and honest performances.

Commenting on the night, Scarsdale Adult School Director Jill Serling said, "Tales from the 'Dale ^tm was yet again a wonderful gathering of many from our Adult School community and newcomers to our program as well. The emotional and provocative stories highlighting family, faith and destiny were enjoyed by the 230+ in attendance. SAS Board Co-Chair Leesa Chalk Suzman selected a terrific line-up of storytellers. Moth Story SLAM winner Sandi Marx entertained and delighted us once again as the master of ceremonies. We are deeply grateful to all who volunteered their time to the show and to those who were able to join us at this special event."

Leesa Suzman added, "I couldn't be more proud and in awe of the eight amazing storytellers who bravely said yes when I asked them to tell a true story in front of hundreds of people without any notes. Their stories took the audience on a heartfelt transcontinental journey from Scarsdale and Queens, NY, to Memphis, TN, and then Israel, Russia and Afghanistan-all over the course of 90 minutes. I am particularly grateful to the evening's host, Sandi Marx, who always lends an especially comic and human touch to this event, and to Jill Serling, Executive Director of the Scarsdale Adult School, for unhesitatingly supporting the idea for Tales From the 'Dale and Beyond ^tm from the get-go three years ago."