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Have I Got a Story For You is a new podcast from PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. In 2025, PJ Library relaunched Have I Got a Story For You! with eight beautifully told, calming, stories from the Torah and other Jewish texts. Sleepytime visuals accompanying each episode can be found on YouTube as well.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Purim is a holiday marked by joyous activities. We dress up in our favorite costumes, share gifts of food with friends, give charity to those in need, have a festive meal with family and friends, and read a story (PJ Library’s favorite activity) – specifically, the story of Queen Esther – together.
The story behind Purim isn’t exactly family-friendly though – so Rita Toomey and Al the audio engineer find a way to tell a version of the Purim story that works for all ages and audiences. Visit pjlibrary.org/Purim for more.
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Alli Thresher
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Al: Rich Wentworth
King Ahashverosh: Pat Bordenave
Queen Vashti: Deirdre Wade
Mordechai: Tau Zaman of the Whisper Forge
Queen Esther: Cassandre Charles
Haman: Rich Wentworth
Special thanks to Lisa Loeb. Listen to her new album A Simple Trick to Happiness, out now.
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
In the final episode of Season 1, Rita Toomey shares the story of Hanukkah with Al, the sound engineer. Listen in for a humorous, and kid-friendly, version of the miracle of Hanukkah and the triumph of the Maccabees. As a bonus, your family will also find a quick guide on how to say the Hanukkah blessings, in Hebrew and English, at the end of the episode.
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Hanukkah story adaptation: PJ Library staff
This episode was written by Alli Thresher
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Al: Rich Wentworth
Judah Maccabee: Peter Moore
King Antiochus: Peter Moore
Hanukkah blessings: Lori Hoch Stiefel
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Surprise! It's a bonus episode of Have I Got a Story For You! Today Rita Toomey catches up with Isaac and Chef from episode 9, "The Missing Ingredient." Are they still cooking together? Or has Isaac returned to his old grumpy, lonely self? We'll find out all of this plus hear voicemails from listeners!
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Alli Thresher
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Chef & Isaac: Rich Wentworth
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Isaac has everything - a sprawling mansion, a private chef, a sweet car... but he can't figure out how his friend Ruthie, who lives in a small studio, makes the best food he's ever eaten. Will Isaac learn Ruthie's secret? What IS the missing ingredient?
This is the last full-length episode of Season 1 of Have I Got a Story For You! And this December, PJ Library subscribers will receive a special apron and booklet of this story, so you can cook along at home, just like Isaac and Ruthie!
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Story editor: Alli Thresher
This episode was written by Naomi Shulman
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Isaac: Rich Wentworth
Ruthie: Deirdre Wade
Chef: Rich Wentworth
Special thanks to Pat Bordenave and Johnny Blazes
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
David King is a nine year-old special agent in the midst of a quest for... something. Who is he running from? Why? And what happened to cousin Jen, the previous game champion? And why are big brothers so sneaky?
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Assistant Director: Henry Wentworth
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Jason Allen
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Al, the engineer: Rich Wentworth
David King: Nate Dziura
Florencia: Audrey Wentworth
Logan: Bear Hartley
Adam: Payton James
Darcie: Gwen D’Angelo
Aunt Nancy: Alli Thresher
Uncle Ira: Rich Wentworth
Cousin Shelly: Karen Fine
Extra cousins: Karen Fine, Henry Wentworth, Peter Moore
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
Harry and Betty don't have much, but they have each other and their community. The couple don't want anyone worrying about their lack of challah on Friday nights, so they design a very creative ruse -- but one day, something positively magical happens and transforms Harry and Betty's Shabbat dinners, and their neighborhood. This episode is based on a Hanina Ben Dosa legend, Bread from Twigs. Learn more at gotastorypodcast.com.
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Naomi Shulman
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Harry: Rich Wentworth
Betty: Deirdre Wade
Lizzy: Alli Thresher
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Jake and Misha are best friends eating at their favorite restaurant when Rena, the coolest food vlogger on SuperTube enters. When the restaurant owner is cruel to a poor man, Craig, Rena intervenes to teach everyone what it really means to be a mensch. Enjoy this mouth-watering update on a classic Joha folk story. Visit gotastorypodcast.com for your own bagel burger recipe and to learn more about the trickster figure, Joha, that appears in so many stories from all over the world.
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Jason Allen
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Rena: Rachel F. Hirsch
Hamu Robbie: Rich Wentworth
Craig: Tau Zaman of the Whisper Forge
Misha: Gwen D’Angelo
Jake: Payton James
Dina: Alli Thresher
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Sarah gets a lot of work done with the help of her trusty tractor, Yitzi. And every Friday night they rest in the fields together to enjoy Shabbat. When times get tough, Sarah has to sell Yitzi. Luckily her best friend, Farmer Madge, buys him -- but what happens when Yitzi wants to power down for Shabbat and Madge wants to keep working?
This week's story is an updated take on an old folktale about a cow who observed Shabbat. Learn more and find book suggestions at gotastorypodcast.com.
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Directed by: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering by: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by: Naomi Shulman with Alli Thresher
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Sarah: Deirdre Wade
Madge: Rachel F. Hirsch
Special thanks to Johnny Blazes
Tuesday Oct 22, 2019
Tuesday Oct 22, 2019
Mara and Malka are sisters with a lot in common, including a tendency to lose their tempers. To help the girls get along, Mama Mouse sends them on an epic quest. Will the sisters find shalom bayit, peace in the home? Will they steal a whisker from a cat? Will Mama ever buy them that new smoothie maker? Find out in this episode.
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Naomi Shulman and Alli Thresher
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Mama Mouse: Deirdre Wade
Mara: Nina Groskin Sly
Malka: Lyra Ericson
The Cat: Rich Wentworth
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
It's 70 years in the future and Judi and Daniel are tasked with helping NASA's most brilliant, but curmeoudgenly, scientist, Doctor Michael J. Epstein as he manages Moon Station One. Dr. Epstein thinks Moon Station One is too crowded with eight other people living there and talking while they do work. And his room doesn't feel spacious enough. Judi and Daniel enact something called "Epsilon Protocol" to help Dr. Epstein feel more "at home" and hilarity ensues. Come along as we follow these futuristic adventures and learn all about the Jewish value of hakarat hatov, recognizing the good, in the process.