Cindy Rivka Marshall

About Cindy Rivka Marshall

I offer high quality storytelling, supportive story coaching and skillfully facilitated workshops. With the goal of highlighting a diversity of voices, I guide schools, organizations and congregations: I help speakers develop and craft their stories, and then facilitate appreciative listening.\"This work is transformative\" is what clients have said about the \"Hear Our Voices\" programs I design. The communication skills of telling and listening may seem simple, but when structured and framed with care, these interactions allow for profound experiences of sharing our common humanity. Bridges are built across differences; understanding and new insights can change lives. I use story telling, story eliciting and story sharing to facilitate learning, build community in congregations and schools, foster understanding across differences, and enhance professional development. I consult with organizations on educational innovation and diversity, train and coach educators in storytelling and story facilitation skills, and perform original and traditional stories. My first step as a story consultant and story coach is to listen. I ask questions to elicit your story and reflect back my observations to help you articulate, craft and deliver your message. I was a quiet kid, not what you might assume about someone who would go on to become a performer. But when I discovered the ability to command attention with my words, voice and gestures, it was exhilarating. For 30 years I have told stories to all ages, and it has given me a deep understanding of how to hold an audience, and what makes a story compelling. I travel widely to appear at synagogues, churches, schools and conferences, offering multicultural and Jewish stories and storytelling workshops for all ages. A recipient of a Parents’ Choice Recommended Award, Storytelling World Honor Award and National Parenting Publications Award, I use movement and song in a theatrical style that encourages audiences to participate and share in my sense of wonder and my respect for all.

Experience

1. Intergenerational Educator

   Temple Shir Tikvah

   Jul 2016 — Present · Winchester, MA

   Helped design an innovative model that uses story modalities to build relationships across all sectors in the congregation. Resident Storyteller for all ages. Currently offer family education programs for grades 1-6.

Education

• Goddard College

  Master's degree