Alexander Nemser

New York Times-published poet, storyteller and facilitator Alexander Nemser engages with timeless questions of Jewish spirituality through an irreverent, hilarious millennial lens.

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About

New York Times-published poet, storyteller and facilitator Alexander Nemser engages with timeless questions of Jewish spirituality through an irreverent, millennial lens. From his book "The Sacrifice of Abraham," named among the "Best Jewish Poetry of 2014" by The Forward, to his new one-man show "4 Golems," his work offers a delirious, hilarious encounter between the ancient and the edge of now.

Programs

The Sacrifice of Abraham: Wild Retellings of the Akedah

Join Alexander for a wild ride through one of our tradition's foundational stories. Through retelling after retelling, each more imaginative and thought-provoking than the last, the story reveals a deep resonance for today: the universal reverberations of history and family trauma, and our uncanny proximity to the sacred. The text leads naturally to a profound, fruitful dialog for the listeners.

Autobiography of a Ladder: Jacob and the Journey to Our Authentic Self

Using Jacob's mind-bending dream in the wilderness as a jumping off point, this program leads listeners through a unique encounter with their inner life. We'll make use of classic Hasidic teachings, contemporary poetry, humor, and conversation to explore the opportunity for insight offered by one of the world's great mystical visions, in an accessible language utterly suited to today.

iMaggid: Finding Your Jewish Story

How is it that stories as different as Jacob wrestling the angel, the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" may all be called Jewish stories? In this program, we dive deep into the richness of Jewish storytelling, exploring our own relationship to ancient tradition, family history, and personal identity, and emerging with the seed of a story to cultivate ourselves.

Make Me One With Everything: Judaism Encounters Buddhism

Is emptiness nothingness? If I let go of my neuroses, am I still Jewish? These and other tangled questions arise for the thousands of Jews who have found themselves drawn to Eastern spiritual practices. In this hands-on program, Alexander leads participants through an experience of Jewish mindfulness with depth and humor, offering a way in to explore this fascinating cross-pollination of cultures.

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Endorsements

Though framed in traditional Jewish rhetoric, Nemser’s tales are surreal, disturbing, funny, smart and anything but pious. The prominence of the transgressive element of Nemser’s writing is in perfect accord with his spiritual vision and concern for Judaism’s formative and perhaps most inexplicable myth.
— Jake Marmer, Poetry Critic, Tablet Magazine, Palo Alto, CA

Alexander was a great instructor. I felt that he was very knowledgeable about the creative storytelling process, and provided me with helpful feedback in a nonjudgemental way. I highly recommend him.
— David K., Participant, NuRoots Storytelling Workshop, Los Angeles, CA

It was a pleasure to attend another event hosted by Alexander Nemser. He brings a human, comedic and deeply empathic touch to contemporary Judaism. A gifted speaker and storyteller, he evokes Jewish history, tradition and trauma with wit and brings them into a contemporary context, giving voice--and new meaning--to some of the questions, doubts, and skepticisms we've been silently thinking.
— Betsy M., Participant, NuRoots Collective Escape Seder, NuRoots, Los Angeles, CA

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Interested in booking Alexander Nemser to speak at your next event? Contact Jewish Speakers Bureau (infREMOVEo@jewREMOVEishspeakerREMOVEsbureau.com), America's only speakers bureau for Jewish-interest speakers, authors, entertainers, and experts.