Bonnie Greenberg Audiocassette for Sale

Bonnie Greenberg

Storyteller

AUDIOCASSETTE for SALE

From the Hearts of the People Vol. 1.
Read the review

Two compelling and masterful stories on one cassette:

"Zusha, the Youngest Partisan"

and

"If My Candlesticks Could Talk"

WINNER OF A 1996 PARENTS' CHOICE SILVER HONOR!

This cassette is the first in a collection of stories about ordinary people whose extraordinary heroic lives will inspire you to seek the special meaning in your lives.

1) Zusha, the Youngest Partisan: "Remember you're Jewish and remember to say Kaddish for your parents!" Those were the last words 9-year-old Zusha heard from his mother as he was taken into hiding during the Holocaust. How he prevailed and became the youngest Partisan (resistance fighter) is rendered in this captivating story as told by his cousin Bonnie. Their very first meeting in Israel would change her life forever.

2) If My Candlesticks Could Talk: An immigration story of universal appeal told and sung with warmth, humor, and a touch of Yiddish. Listen as the 115-year-old candlesticks reveal the spirited adventures of a unique and charismatic family.

Reviews of
From the Hearts of the People, Vol 1
written/recorded by Bonnie Greenberg
Second Story Review

There is a trick to writing and telling family stories for the general public. Well done, family stories speak to the universal feelings, needs, and understandings that we all share. Such is the case with these tales from the lives of Bonnie Greenbergs family. They are the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Side one is the tale of Bonnies cousin Zusha, who was sent into hiding during the Holocaust when he was nine years old. When he joined the Partisans he was too young to fight, but he cared for their horses and learned how to survive. This is a moving and compelling story, full of heartbreak, terror, desperation, and hope.

Side Two is based on the stories of the four generations who have owned Bonnies Sabbath candlesticks. It tells of how the candlesticks were brought to New York by Bonnies grandmother as a young woman, how Bonnies Zaide (grandfather) escaped from Cossack soldiers and made his way to New York, how he then found himself in West Virginia where he faced another type of persecution, but stayed to win the trust and respect of his neighbors.
Greenberg tells with sincerity and clarity, often accompanying herself on the guitar as she sings the song of the Partisans or Yiddish folksongs. Every family whose ancestors fled to North America to escape persecution will be able to identify with those stories. Those who immigrated under happier circumstances will identify with the triumph of the human spirit and with the love, humour, and courage which speak so clearly in these tales.

School Library Journal
Storyteller Bonnie Greenberg includes two stories from her familys history on this audiocassette. The first is about her cousin Zusha who was hidden from the Nazis by a Polish farmer. He spent the last years of World War II as a partisan and then emigrated to Israel. Greenbergs love and admiration come through in her telling. The second tale traces the lives of Greenbergs grandparents who came to the United States from Russia and eventually settled in West Virginia. this is an immigration story which captures turn of the century New York, and the experiences of those East European pioneers.
Greenbergs original focus is in the telling of the story through the eyes of a pair of candlesticks. The family saga covers four generations and highlights major events. Greenberg uses different voices and accents. listeners will be enthralled with both stories. Younger listeners will need explanation for the Yiddish and Hebrew words used, as well as some of the English works such as sweatshop. Teachers can use the stories to make history come alive or to encourage students to learn about their own families.

Comments on the Audiocassette:

Speaks to the universal feelings, needs, and understandings that we all share...this is a moving and compelling story, full of heartbreak, terror, desperation, and hope....Greenberg tells with sincerity and clarity, often accompanying herself on the guitar as she sings the song of the Partisans or Yiddish folksongs...love, humor, and courage speak so clearly in these tales. The Second Story Review, Canada

Greenberg speaks exceptionally well, creating a frightened boy and a grown man as well as candlesticks with Yiddish accents. Between episodes, she sings songs from Israel, Eastern Europe, and Appalachia...libraries searching for ethnic history sources will welcome these stories. Booklist, American Library Association

We truly enjoyed your tape. Our granddaughter, a CIT is bringing it to camp with her to play for her group! Lonnie Carton in the Learning Center

I was very moved by the power of your story and your telling. I felt very grateful for my children to have heard it. Theresa Whittiker, musician, storyteller

It is wonderful to find a storyteller who is brave, warmhearted, spirited, and willing to do the long hard work of developing and polishing a story...truly rare. Your story continues to glow in my memory. Barbara Reed, founder Connecticul Storytelling Center

Listeners will be enthralled with both stories on this cassette. Teachers can use the stories to make history come alive, or to encourage students to learn about their own families. School Library Journal

To Order the Audiocassette:

To order a copy of Bonnie's New Cassette for $10.00 + $2.00 S/H call:

(617) 969-1665

Or email BBonnieG@aol.com for ordering information.

WINNER OF A 1996 PARENTS' CHOICE SILVER HONOR!

Back to Main Page
Introduction Storyteller as Entertainer Storyteller as Educator Holocaust Commemoration Program
Selected Performances & Workshops Quotes & Recommendations A Selected Story
Audiocassette for SaleCD for Sale Contacting Bonnie Articles