"Hilda Stern Cohen composed poetry in the Lodz Ghetto and in Auschwitz and wrote it down in the DP camps. She married and raised children, living a deeply Jewish life in America, sharing her memories and stories with all who would listen. But Hilda never showed her poems to anyone, not even her husband of 50 years. This story concert blends extraordinary mystical poetry with Hilda's prayers, her experience in Nazi Germany and her insights on the human condition."

--Gail Rosen

Gail is a professional storyteller, certified bereavement facilitator, hospice volunteer and workshop leader for women's groups, bereavement groups, schools and special populations. She tells stories to audiences in synagogues, churches, schools, hospice and hospital organizations, camps and conferences. She has been drawn to tell stories which address the "big questions," about life and death, purpose and despair, grieving and comfort. Her intention is to offer audiences a way to find, define and understand their own sense of meaning, and to see and feel connections in their own community and with those of other cultures and faiths. Gail believes that stories are a tool for seeing how life's changes and losses offer opportunity for understanding and growth. She chooses stories to touch the heart and soul, mind and spirit.

"Beautiful, well done, effective, hidden messages of truth and love.  Gail's stories and ideas both relaxed and re-energized me.  The stories were perfect and very thoughtful.
She held our attention all the way and allowed room for self discovery and sharing."  -- Workshop Participants, Pennsylvania Hospice Network 1999 Conference

"Thank you so much for your very valuable presentation at our January [2000] 'I Dream a World' conference. A majority of participants rated 'Grieving and Growing Through Stories' as excellent. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with family and child welfare professionals and students. You have a lot to offer the social work profession." -- Laurie Richardson, Acting Administrator, University of Maryland School of Social Work

Thank you for the wonderful program you facilitated at our Women's Department Leadership Retreat. Our goals for the program were to inspire our women's department leaders to feel spiritually enriched and to connect to one another as leaders in the Jewish community. Your storytelling talents set the tone for a very spiritual and meaningful retreat that will long be remembered. Each one of us was captivated by your gift and came away with a renewed connection to our inner selves. You successfully engaged the participants in ways only you could do!  -- Debbie Weinberg and Karen Wilkowsky, Co-Chairs, The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore Women's Department