Administration || Storahtellers || Collaborating Artists
Advisory Board || Board of Directors || Supporters & Partners

AMICHAI LAU-LAVIE (FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STORAHTELLING) is an Israeli-born teacher of Judaic Literature, described as 'one of the most interesting thinkers in the Jewish world' by the NY Jewish Week. Amichai studied at various yeshivot, including the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Elul Center in Jerusalem. Between 1992 and 1996 he directed the summer programs at Melitz: the Jewish Zionist Centers in Jerusalem, focusing on the integration of Jewish education via the arts. His theatrical experience as a writer and performer includes the Theatre Company Jerusalem, The Acco Theatre Group in Israel and the Avodah Dance Ensemble in the U.S. Between 1997-2000 he served as Artist-in-Residence at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in New York City.

Amichai was a Jerusalem Fellow at the Mandel Leadership Institute in Israel (2008-2009) and is a consultant to the Reboot Network, a member of the Synagogue 3000 Leadership Network, serves on the Advisory Council for the Six Points Fellowship, the Advisory Board for Faithhouse Manhattan, and the Board of Directors of Nehirim.


DR. CARYN AVIV is a sociologist by training and lecturer in the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver. She also co-founded and works as director of research for Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. Caryn has co-authored three books, and is currently writing a book entitled “Un-appointed Ambassadors: American Jews and Israeli-Palestinian Reconciliation.” She coordinates the Storahtelling Mile High Mavens cohort in Colorado.

SAM HIRSCH (Program Coordinator) is thrilled to be back at Storahtelling! Having completed her BA in Acting/Directing from Binghamton University, Sam is so excited to return to Storahtelling full time. Sam first worked with Storahtelling as an Educational Intern through the Collegiate Leadership Internship Program, a competitive, paid, summer internship experience for New York area college students. CLIP is organized through UJA with the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU. Sam returned to Storahtelling for a second summer to work on Maven training. With her undergraduate education complete, Sam is back in the NY metropolitan area, working with Storahtelling and the NY Fringe Festival.

NAOMI LESS (Director of Education , & Training, Musician), an accomplished performer and experiential educator. Based on her educational experience around girls' development issues, Naomi is using her musical talents to launch "Jewish Chicks Rock" - a music project to place more positive girls' empowerment and self-esteem messaging in Jewish rock music. (For music samples, visit Naomi at Naomiless or Jewish Chicks Rock)

Naomi is a founding company member who frequently performs for the organization. Before joining Storahtelling's professional team, Naomi developed over 10 years of training experience in Jewish camps through the Foundation for Jewish Camping and the National Ramah Commission. Her passions for helping educators to better nurture spiritual and social and emotional intelligence development, especially in adolescent girls, are a basis for her educational consulting work (Jewish Theological Seminary's "Addressing the Evaded Curriculum" project and the Florence Melton Communiteen High School program).

Naomi received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in vocal performance and choral conducting, and a Masters Degree in Jewish education from the Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She has completed two post-masters certificate programs: the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's educators' course and the Institute for Informal Jewish Education's Professional Leadership Seminar.