Drawing upon their rich religious and cultural heritage--a heritage that stretches back to Biblical times and passes through many varied epochs and environments--Jewish sages, artists, writers, and storytellers have continually created imaginative and evocative formulations of Jewish philosophy, literature, art, law, liturgy, ritual, and especially new forms of folklore. Miriam's Tambourine presents fifty classic Jewish folktales that come from virtually every corner of the globe and every historical period. Readers of all ages will delight in the Jewish versions of the Snow White, Rapunsel, and Sinbad stories, which in some cases were the original sources of these popular folktales. Howard Schwartz has also selected and retold those tales which have retained their uniquely Jewish character and have become part of the heritage of the Jewish people, including the Golem, the tales of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav and of the Ba'al Shem Tov, tales of Elijah the Prophet, Miriam and her mystical well, Rabbi Adam, and even of the Sambotyon, the legendary river that raged six days of the week and rested on the Sabbath. Recast in a form accessible to readers both young and old, yet true to their provenances, these tales continue to enthrall and capture the imagination as they illustrate the power of man to overcome evil; the longing of the Jewish people to return to their homeland; and the universal prayer for a world at peace. Providing careful annotation of sources and a brilliant analysis of meanings and symbolisms, Miriam's Tambourine represents a landmark in Jewish folk literature and in American-Jewish culture. "This extraordinary book brings together tales almost lost in our Jewish oral and written traditions....Storytellers--and that includes everyone--will find a gold mine here of tales for telling and for continuing the rich creative Jewish oral tradition."--Peninnah Schram, Yeshiva University"This extraordinary book brings together tales almost lost in our Jewish oral and written traditions."*"If you have never been to a palace at the bottom of the sea, or seen the sword of Moses or the staff of Elijah, or heard of a princess who became a morning star or the wise old woman of the forest--what wonderful treats await you in this book."--Hadassah Magazine"Each story is like a poem...harmonious and metaphorical."--Jerusalem Post"An artistic and scholarly triumph....Schwartz retells these stories artfully and eloquently, often weaving the strands of several separate tales into one smooth seamless creation."--Judaica Book News"An engaging and attractive re-telling of Jewish folk-tales. Schwartz' work in this area maintains high literary standards, framing the tales with lucid charm and subtle artistry."--David Meltzer, New College of California"Schwartz has recast these tales in a form accessible to readers of all ages, without compromising their authenticity or their power."--Jewish Press Book Review"With this provocative book, Howard Schwartz continues his highly successful efforts to bring the beauty and wisdom of traditional Jewish folklore to contemporary consciousness."--Four Worlds Journal"Schwartz has recast these tales in a form that captures the mood of the storyteller, weaving his web in the spontaneous and extemporaneous style that is his hallmark....We--reader and researcher alike--owe him a debt of gratitude."--Dov Noy, Director of the Hebrew University Folktale Research Center (from the Foreword)"Howard Schwartz is emerging as the leading American Jewish folklorist and creative writer in a new generation that it proud of and versed in its Jewish tradition."--Isaac Mozeson, Jewish Press"Schwartz, a modern restorer of the scattered sparks, has traveled widely in the realms of fantasy and folklore. He has brought together scattered gems of Jewish stories and tales, and made them available to us."--Bernard Baskin, Canadian Jewish NewsSee GABRIEL'S PALACE or ELIJAH'S VIOLIN for The Sagarin Review quote "A gold mine...of tales for telling and for continuing the rich creative Jewish oral tradition."--Peninnah Schram, Yeshiva University Howard Schwartz is a Jewish folklorist and anthologist. He is author of Elijah's Violin and Other Jewish Fairytales and The Captive Soul of the Messiah: New Tales of Rabbi Nachman and editor of several celebrated anthologies of Jewish poetry and literature.