Training for Organizations
“Do you want your parent ambassadors, board members and student ambassadors to be inspiring and effective storytellers telling the stories of your school? I hired professional storyteller Cindy Rivka Marshall to inspire, model and teach our school’s parent ambassadors. It was a huge success. Not only did each participant walk away buoyed with several of their own stories to share, but they also benefited from hearing the stories of other participants to add to their repertoire. I highly recommend Cindy’s warm and participatory approach. Her methodology elicited and reinforced those aspects of the school that were so highly valued and cherished by the participants, so be sure to have your admissions and marketing teams present to capture these treasures.” – Renee Rudnick, former Director of Admissions, Cohen Hillel Academy
“I heard very good things about your workshop!”
-Kat McMahon, Senior Marketing Producer, Arnold NYC, about program for Genzyme Corporation
“I was more than thrilled with your work and am already reaping the benefits of such a professional and creative training for me and my team. Thank you so much! Your input and feedback to our team development has been so valuable!”
– Rebecca Shimshak, Director of Jewish and Student Life, Gann Academy-The New Jewish High School of Greater Boston
“It was delightful to work with Cindy from day one. During our planning meetings with her, Cindy listened to what we were hoping to achieve, asked good questions, and helped us think through various ways of accomplishing our goals. Then she took the ideas generated and transformed them into a custom program for us that was absolutely perfect. I would highly recommend Cindy to any educational organization or group that is looking to use the power of stories and storytelling to build community, develop their staff, or just have fun.”
– Rachel Happel, Director, BIMA and Genesis at Brandeis University
“We were able to share our stories authentically with each other, and I know, at least for me, that it was one of the most meaningful parts of the summer.”
– Teen participant of Brandeis high school summer program
“You gave a gift to the school. This work is transformational. You gave us a new modality that will be useful in many contexts.”
– Faculty feedback, Gann Academy, Waltham, MA
“Wednesday’s faculty meeting was among the most favorable and meaningful of any I’ve attended (maybe ever)….[with] faculty members learning experientially to communicate with each other …every attendee was fully and authentically engaged – and the exercise therefore touched on a deeply felt need among all of us.”
– Faculty member, Gann Academy, Waltham, MA
Professional Development Trainings
“Your workshop, Using Stories to Explicitly Teach Empathy, was a wonderful experience. It deepened my sense that creativity and empathy inform each other.” – Eileen DeLorenzo, storyteller/educator
“Our team has not stopped raving about our time with you. Thank you so much for such a wonderful workshop and for the inspiration you gave them!” – Rabbi Jordana Schuster Battis, Director of Teen Learning and Pedagogic Coach,Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA
“I learned a lot about Appreciative Inquiry during the session and I could tell from how engaged the educators were that they learned a lot too.”
–Julie Vanek, Director, Jewish Learning Connections, Combined Jewish Philanthropies
“I loved learning about various ways to tell stories in my classroom. I love the idea of using my body and especially feeling the emotions of the characters. Your ideas and strategies will make the story telling more meaningful and fun.” – Jewish educator, Newton, MA
“I can envision using these story structures to teach, to learn, to inspire and to create a special community.” – Jewish educator, Needham, MA
Team Building Workshops
“HUGELY valuable for laying a solid, trusting foundation for our working team.” – Participant
“The creative energy in the room inspired me to push the envelope of how to articulate, and to try something I haven’t before.” – Participant
Storytelling Skills Workshops
“I especially enjoyed your abilities to communicate by example how storytelling is constructed and delivered. I found your classes just so much fun and helpful, particularly in how to craft a story and the important elements that might “hook in” the listener.” – Workshop participant
“The most important feedback for me was how to use words to create a picture that people could visualize.” – Participant
“Your guidance to offer supportive feedback to each other made it a bonding experience for the group.” – Participant
“My grandkids are enjoying my enhanced storytelling as a result of the sessions I attended.” – Participant
“Everyone enjoyed both your workshops and your performance and it was a pleasure to see how you enhanced the quality of our learning. I look forward to other opportunities of working with you. – Cantor Pamela Siskin, Director of Learning for Life program, Congregation Beth Israel, W. Hartford, CT
“What a delightful and well crafted workshop it was!”
– Jeff Gere, Storyteller
“Many people listed yours as the workshop which most met their needs. Workshop was organized and clever. It was fascinating how you used videos as well as an oral story as your material.”
Connecticut Storytelling Festival workshop
“I enjoyed and got a lot from your workshop. I even told a story in our grandson’s 3rd grade classroom. It went so well thanks to the work I did with the story this weekend.”
– Storytelling workshop participant
Story Coaching
“I felt safe, heard and coached to be myself. I can’t say enough about how welcoming you are.”
“Thank you for being such a caring and responsive audience and excellent guide toward deeper aspects of the tale.”
“Just a big thank you for the great coaching session on Monday – it really helped recharge my storytelling fires!”
“Your feedback was so helpful.”
Performances
“The storyteller had the pre-schoolers enthralled,” she said. “They were really listening so intently.”
– Adrienne Frechter, Director of admissions and marketing, Rashi School (Boston Globe article)
“Thank you for your fabulous work on the Purim spiel. I heard nothing but positive feedback from folks who were there.”
– Rabbi Rachel Silverman, Congregation Kehillath Israel, Brookline, MA
“Great work! We were thrilled with the performance. The kids really enjoyed it.”
– Education Director, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough, MA
“The performance exceeded my expectations! Around 100 children remained rapt and attentive for nearly an hour during the afternoon. The stories were excellent and expertly told; the singing and drumming were an integral part of the story.”
– Children’s Librarian, Branford, CT
“Thank you for a very special Passover presentation. Cindy’s dramatic performance reached the residents and kept them involved in the story. The element of guitar and song was most effective and beautiful. Cindy has a beautiful voice which left the audience asking for more.
– Program Director, Heritage at Cleveland Circle
“Many thanks for adding another bright light to our congregation’s Hanukkah party!”
– Synagogue member
“Your theatrical performance was extremely entertaining and charismatic. The use of movement, as well as your ability to take on the role of different characters was so vivid. Thanks for a lovely performance!”
-Head of Member Services, Orchard Cove. Canton, MA
“The group thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There was a nice warm feeling and people did not rush away afterward because of it. The mix of music and storytelling held the audience and caught them up in the experience.”
– Director, Newton Senior Center
“The response from our residents was great. They said it was one of the better programs we have had.”
Activity Director, Norembega Point, Waltham, MA
“Cindy is a talented storyteller who kept a young audience’s attention for the total program. The addition of music was a real treat and very effective. Everyone is still talking about how wonderful your stories were – a whole week later!”
– Children’s Librarian, Guilford, CT
Thank you again for your performance at the Hadassah event. I must tell you that people gave rave reviews!
-Emily Gitelman, Acton-Concord Hadassah
“I wanted to thank you for captivating my son during the children’s [Rosh Hashana] service. I was so happy that he had a wonderful experience thanks to your great storytelling.”
– Parent of preschooler
“The girls had a wonderful time. We will definitely think of you again for this type of event. You were a pleasure to work with.”
Brownie Troop leader, Waban, MA
Praise for Recordings
“Keep on producing those wonderful and marvelous storytelling resources!”
– Flora Joy,Storytelling World Editor
“Thank you for this beautiful storytelling CD. I loved the music and the way it was used. I’m so impressed!”
—Peninnah Schram, storyteller, author and recording artist of CD, The Minstrel and the Storyteller
“It is a lovely collection filled with joy. Your voice is so rich and enchanting. I love how you weave the women’s voices — young and old — into a seamless whole!”
—Lynnie Mirvis, storyteller
“It’s a winner. I love what you did with “Onions and Garlic.” Congratulations!”
—Eric A. Kimmel, author of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
“You created many wonderfully rich and varied character voices. This is such important work, bringing these new perspectives to timeless stories for all to hear…Bravo.”
—Daena Giardella, actress, creativity coach, teacher
“This new CD is a landmark in women’s stories. I especially love her brilliant reworking of “A Garment for the Moon.” Cindy Rivka Marshall must be reckoned as one of the finest storytellers around.”
—Howard Schwartz, author of Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism
“It’s impossible to do anything but listen with your full attention. The music works seamlessly with the stories, drawing you in and keeping you engaged. And, months later, I’m still thinking about the stories! Great job!”
—Emily Sper, author of The Kids’ Fun Book of Jewish Time