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.
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 Plays & Songs page!)
Let’s talk about Jewish ghosts!
Still from the play “Come Fly With Me” – see full details on the Plays & Songs page.
Soon to be a published volume with script, dramaturgy, and original translations!
In Gemara Ghosts (class recording) we explore a selection of stories from the Talmud about ghosts, living skeletons, and the World to Come.
Talmud Magic with Olivia Devorah 