by Melanie Gruenwald
We are all storytellers.
Once upon a time, I was born. From there, my journey has been shaped by growth, family, study, friendships, love, travel, career, children, loss, and more growth. There’s no “The End” yet—someday there will be. Until then, the narrative continues.
We all live within stories, shaped by metaphors and narratives. Sometimes these metaphors serve us well, guiding us toward wisdom and connection. Other times, they hold us back, like a thistle caught in our shoe. How often do we pause to examine these stories? How might we shift our personal and communal narratives to create new, more meaningful ones?
Recently, David created a course titled New Jewish Story / New Story for Human Consciousness, which attracted nearly 40 participants. Now, we are expanding this vision with the New Jewish Story Fellowship, training educators across North America to explore the myths at the root of our narratives. The goal? To shift these foundational stories and create a more just and equitable world.
Stories in Action: A New Political Narrative
This past week, Senator Cory Booker stood on the Senate floor for twenty-five hours and five minutes. His marathon speech was more than a filibuster; it was a narrative shift. He used this extended address to voice strong opposition to proposed cuts to public education, Social Security, and Medicaid. He emphasized the role these programs play in maintaining the nation’s social fabric.
Beyond the content of his speech, the act itself was historic—breaking the previous record held by Senator Strom Thurmond, who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes. Booker’s stand was a statement: the story of America must evolve.
Storytelling in Everyday Life
Right now, my professional and personal life revolves around storytelling:
- Writing a pitch for funders? Storytelling.
- Taking a stand-up comedy class at the JCC? Storytelling.
- Creating social media and marketing for Kabbalah Experience? Storytelling.
- Teaching classes? Storytelling.
- Guiding my daughter as she prepares for a youth group election? Storytelling.
Every fiber of our beings is dedicated to storytelling. And with that, we have an imperative: to get it right. To share the facts. To emphasize what matters. To cut out distractions and find clarity.
Reading Between the Lines
Kabbalah teaches us about white fire on black fire—the idea that the black ink of the Torah is only part of the story. The white spaces between the letters are just as important. If handwritten letters in a Torah scroll touch, the text is no longer kosher. We need space and spaciousness to see what lies in the white fire. This is where midrash comes in—the reading between the lines, the filling in of the gaps.
How do we read the texts of our lives? How do we fill in the space between the letters? How do we recreate our stories in order to re-create ourselves?
Do we get stuck in old narratives, and what happens when we do?
And what happens when we have the awareness and empowerment to create new narratives?
Why Now? The Urgency of Shaping Our Stories
We are living in a moment of immense change. The world is shifting—politically, socially, technologically. Old narratives that no longer serve us are being challenged, and new ones are taking shape. The question is: will we be passive recipients of these new stories, or will we be active participants in shaping them?
This is why storytelling matters now more than ever. We must take ownership of our personal and collective narratives, ensuring that they reflect our values, our hopes, and our vision for the future. Whether through political action, education, personal growth, or community engagement, we have the power to redefine what comes next.
Your Story Matters
The stories we tell ourselves shape the world we live in. They determine our actions, our relationships, and our future. What’s your story, and how will you tell it? More importantly, how will you rewrite it to create the life and community you want to see?
We are all storytellers. It’s time to own our stories—and to write the next chapter with intention, courage, and purpose.
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