Growing up, I was taught that Jews didn’t believe in an afterlife, but the more Talmud and folklore I learn, the more I realize how far from the truth that is! Jewish lore is full of life beyond the grave, resurrection, and even reincarnation. In Gemara Ghosts (class recording) we explore a selection of stories from the Talmud about ghosts, living skeletons, and the World to Come.
I’ve turned my favourite Talmud ghost story into a play! “Come Fly With Me: A Gay Jewish Ghost Story” is based on Berakhot 18b, which tells the story of two ghost girlfriends who accidentally save a poor couple, when one takes a trip to heaven for the hot gossip on which calamities will befall the living the next year. As a program, we dig into the source material, and brave volunteers can do a live reading of the script as we discuss Jewish understanding of life (and love) after death. (Watch the original production on the Videos page!)
Let’s talk about Jewish ghosts!
Still from the play “Come Fly With Me” – see full details on the Videos page.
Soon to be a published volume with script, dramaturgy, and original translations!
Talmud Magic with Olivia Devorah 