Jackie Hoffman Stars In Storah13 Comedy Gala May 16

Storahtelling, recognized nationally as a leader in transforming the contemporary Jewish experience, is celebrating it's 13th year with a B Mitzvah gala honoring Marina Pinto Kaufman and featuring comic icon Jackie Hoffman - who will celebrated her B Mitzvah on that night, only a few decades late.

Jackie Hoffman, currently playing Grandma in Broadway's The Addams Family and presenting her solo show Jackie Five-Oh! at Joe's Pub, has had an outstanding acting and stand-up career - often as a yenta - but she never had a Bat Mitzvah. On May 16, 2011 at Tribeca's City Winery, Jackie will finally come of age, bringing a surprising twist to 5,000 years of sacred ritual and Jewish storytelling by chanting and reinterpreting the Bat Mitzvah portion she never got to read as an Orthodox Bat Mitzvah girl.

Using Storahtelling's Maven Method, Jackie, no stranger to making hilariously public lemonade out of life's lemons, will bring new life to the troubling ancient tale of Dinah, daughter of Jacob. Jackie, never a downer, commented "Who would think that I would finally get bas mitzvahed at fifty? Maybe when I'm 75 I can have my sweet 16. Thanks, Storahtelling!"

Jackie has been trained through RAISING THE BAR, an innovative and transformational approach to reclaiming the B'nai Mitzvah experience. Storahtelling's fastest growing program, RAISING THE BAR is currently a finalist in the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles' search for the Next Big Jewish Idea and is changing the conversation around this key rite of passage for Jews worldwide..

Hoffman has appeared on the New York stage in Xanadu, Hairspray, Regrets Only, Pride & Joy, Book of Liz, Straightjacket, Incident at Cobbler's Knob and One Woman Shoe. Her film and television credits include "Extra Man," "Dirty Shame," "Garden State," "Legally Blonde II," "Kissing Jessica Stein," "Mo' Money," "30 Rock," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Strangers With Candy" and "Cosby."

The Storah-13 gala, which already raised over $150,000, also features a silent auction, an interactive art project in which all guests will create a collage version of a Torah Scroll, a live band, gourmet cuisine, and an exclusive backstage tour of the winery.

Founded by Amichai Lau-Lavie in 1999, Storahtelling has grown into an international network of educators and artists, invigorating Jewish identity through teacher training, dynamic educational programs and performances for multigenerational audiences worldwide. Storahtelling makes ancient stories and traditions accessible to new generations by advancing Judaic literacy and restoring its relevance to a contemporary audience.

Honoring: Marina Pinto Kaufman, Founding Chair, Storahtelling Board of Directors

Details: Monday, May 16th, 2011
6:30pm Cocktails, 7:30pm Dinner and B Mitzvah celebration,
9:30pm Frights of Passage: Backstage B Mitzvah Tales - The Storah Comedy Show

Location: City Winery, 155 Varick Street, New York, NY
Ticket reservation: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=0ea789

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