Peninnah's World

Caren Schnur Neile has taught storytelling studies at Florida Atlantic University for more than two decades. A performance storyteller, she co-hosts The Public Storyteller on South Florida public radio WLRN.

• Foreword “The Storyteller” by Peretz KaminskyAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Telling the Human Story TimelinePart I: In the Beginning… 1934–1952 Chapter 1: The PearlChapter 2: The Elijah Story Chapter 3: Piano Lessons Chapter 4: The Book of Leaves Chapter 5: The FarmChapter 6: OnstageChapter 7: The Only Jews Chapter 8: What Joe Wants Part II: A Woman in the World 1952-1967Chapter 9: Shooting StarChapter 10: Higher LearningChapter 11: Tallulah Bankhead and Other Fallen WomenChapter 12: Leaving HomeChapter 13: Paris, By Way of ManhattanChapter 14: Coming HomeChapter 15: Peklach of JoyChapter 16: Peklach of SorrowPart III: A Woman of Valor 1967-presentChapter 17: Those Who Can… Chapter 18: KaddishChapter 19: The StorytellerChapter 20: The Joy of TeachingChapter 21: The Station That Speaks Your LanguageChapter 22: In PrintChapter 23: Strengthen YourselfChapter 24: Here I AmChapter 25: Ever After“My Storyteller’s Prayer” by Peninnah SchramGlossary

Through her dedicated scholarship, compelling performances and irresistible charm, Peninnah Schram single-handedly revived the Jewish oral storytelling tradition in America. This touching, intimate biography offers an album of vivid anecdotes conjured from Schram’s recollections. Like Peninnah’s name, it is a precious string of pearls.