Miami, Florida (February 5, 200) - For the first time, North American children and adults alike will be able to enjoy children's Jewish fables that have previously been available only in Yiddish. The lyrical fables of Itzik Kipnis, the internationally acclaimed Yiddish writer, have recently been translated from the original Yiddish and will be read by storyteller, Rachel Kohrman, at Books & Books on February 27 during Farmer's Market.

This event, sponsored by the Dora Teitelboim Foundation, will combine art, drama, movement and storytelling to take participants on a journey into the world of children's fables. Rachel Kohrman, the storyteller for the event, is a first-grade teacher at Eneida M. Hartner Elementary School near downtown Miami and founder of Leaping Literacy, a program designed to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.

" The idea is to get a book to come alive in what4ever way is best for the child, " she said. " I'm giving them the methods and ideas to bring out what is already in their heads, so that children know they have it in themselves when they're reading a book on their own."

In an effort to make a difference in the reading progress of children throughout the community, Kohrman has also taken the Leaping Literacy program to local libraries, bookstores, and community centers. " I hope to expand this program so that not only can a child take part in the program at a local community event, but their parents and teachers can also learn these techniques and implement them at home and in school."

Kohrman combined her undergraduate and graduate studies and experience in sociology, psychology, theatre, and elementary education to create the innovative learning techniques utilized in the Leaping Literacy program. Kohrman said that her technique closely mirrors the concept of multiple intelligences developed by Howard Gardner, a professor and researcher at Harvard University.

Multiple intelligences research suggests that children are inherently different and can therefore be intelligent in different ways. " Children take in information in different ways," she explained. " It's our responsibility to figure that out and help them learn."

Kohrman has touched the lives of children and parents alike. It is not unusual to find families anxiously awaiting her arrival at a Leaping Literacy event and to see children's faces light up when they see her approach the stage. " Our whole family come to Barnes & Noble every Friday evening just to hear her read stories and participate in the activities she has planned. And I've never seen my children listen so closely to anyone and get so excited about reading before!" exclaimed Anna Kormienko, a parent of two school-aged children.

Kohrman attributes the success of the Leaping Literacy program to her motto about the teaching profession. "One of the most important aspects of teaching is to build a child's self-esteem, " she said. " Then, no matter where they go in life, they will always benefit."

To find out where local Leaping Literacy events are taking place, call (305) 308-2954 or visit the web site: www.leapingliteracy.org

Jewish Fables for Children
Date: February 27, 2000
Time: 7-8p.m.
Location: Books & Books
For more information about this event, please call Dora Teitelboim Foundation at (305) 774-9244.