The Sacred Shmuck: Uncovering Your Inner Jewish Fool
Danielle Levsky
3 weeks
Thursdays: 5-6:30 pm PT / 8-9:30 pm ET
May 2 · May 9 · May 16
Embrace your inner shmuck and discover the wisdom of the fool in Jewish tradition - through embodied play! In this lively 3-week online course, we'll explore classic Jewish archetypes and bring them to life using clown games and exercises.
Each week we'll meet a different kind of Jewish fool - from the schlemiel and schlimazel of Yiddish folklore, to the wise men of Chelm. Through chevruta-style study and physical embodiment of Jewish stories and jokes, we'll examine what makes these characters tick and what hidden wisdom lies beneath their wacky antics. But this is no ordinary Jewish literature class! Get ready to embody the fool's spirit yourself through guided clowning exercises and techniques. We'll try on Jewish comedic personas and devise our own modern-day Jewish fool characters. Combining physical theater games with traditional Jewish learning, each session will invite you to not just study fools, but experience the liberating power of sacred silliness for yourself.
No prior experience with clowning or Jewish texts is necessary - just an open mind, playful spirit, and willingness to embrace your inner shmuck! We'll build a supportive environment to explore where ancient Jewish wisdom meets modern clown. Whether you have a regular Jewish practice or are totally new to Jewish learning, this class will give you a fresh perspective on our tradition's connection with comedy and foolishness.
Get ready to laugh, learn, and uncover the profound truths that only a sacred shmuck can reveal! Join clown and Jewish educator Danielle Levsky to rediscover Judaism through the eyes of the wise fool within.
Sliding Scale
This course is available at a sliding scale cost of $126 (the true cost), $99 or $72.
If you can afford the full price, we hope you will choose that option, which allows us to continue to offer lower rates and scholarships to those who otherwise would not be able to access this learning because of financial barriers.
Financial Aid
If you need financial aid beyond the sliding scale, please fill out this simple form, and we will get right back to you.
**Please register each student separately. Your registrations will appear in your shopping cart and you may pay for multiple students together at checkout**
Danielle Levsky (she/they) is a multidisciplinary theater artist whose creative practice focuses on clown and physical theatre, poetry, and movement education. Originally from Chicago, she is currently based between Philadelphia and NYC. As the child of Soviet Jewish refugees, issues of diaspora, tradition, resilience, and humor have deeply shaped Danielle's work. Onstage, Danielle has written, performed, and produces a series of solo performances, as well as devised ensemble work. For instance, their original creation, War and Play, a nonverbal clown show where three clowns react to and live through Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was developed as a commission for the National Queer Theater at the Lincoln Center, and The Crone Chronicles, a physical theatre devised play investigating and taking apart the story of the Slavic crone figure Baba Yaga through audience interaction, was conceived independently with a group of Chicago physical theater artists. They’ve also performed original productions with institutions like Diversionary Theater, The Conspirators, Silent Theatre Company, Prop Thtr, and more. In the classroom, they specialize in facilitating workshops on fundamental clown techniques and their original embodied class that combines yoga practice with clown training, The Fool's Yoga. Danielle received her clown teaching certification through The Clown School in Los Angeles and received her 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification through a Vinyasa Flow program conducted through the Lab Yoga Studio in Chicago. They have additional clown training from teachers from Cirque de Soleil and Theater Unspeakable, as well as individuals like Avner Eisenberg, Aretha Sills, Antonio Fava, Eric Davis, and more. With a background in both clown pedagogy and yoga instruction, Danielle aims to create a playspace that encourages mindfulness, self-expression, and connecting with one's inner fool.
