Scripture Windows: Toward a Practice of Bibliodrama

Scripture Windows provides step-by-step exercises that introduce educators, lay people, and men and women of the pulpit to a revolutionary way of involving individuals in the study of sacred stories. In this carefully designed guide to the practice of Bibliodrama, students of all faiths learn how to step into the Biblical text and create midrash as a process of improvisation.

Scripture Windows represents a distillation of a process of biblical study and is the official "how to" manual used at the Institute for Contemporary Midrash training seminars.

Scripture Windows will appeal to those interested in the application of dramatic methods to the teaching of Bible-as well as anyone seeking fresh approaches to the teaching of Bible to students young and old.

“Like that portal in Noah's ark, Scripture Windows offers a riveting and radical set of tools for peeking beyond the literal and into the timeless telling of our enduring myths of meaning.

“Peter and Susan Pitzele’s Bibliodrama transforms the way we read our Scriptures; it respects the multi-vocal layers of each narrative, and it navigates our souls’ responses to the very act of living lives of sacred intention.

“This is a book that breathes the Bible into our bones and opens our hearts with compassion and courage to the role of storytelling.

“It wakes us up on this human quest for intimate encounter with the sacred within and beyond, one story at a time.”

—Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, the founding spiritual leader of Lab/Shul NYC and the creator of Storahtelling, Inc. An Israeli-born Jewish educator, writer, and performance artist, he received his rabbinical ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2016.

“In Scripture Windows, Peter Pitzele opens the world of Bibliodrama in a way that not only educates the reader about how this creative form of modern midrash works, but also demonstrates its power to teach us who we are and who we can become. Bibliodrama transforms the Bible into a mirror through which participants confront the most important aspects of their lives as they immerse themselves in its stories.”

—Rabbi Norman J. Cohen, Provost of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and Professor of Midrash. Author of Self, Struggle and Change (Jewish Lights, 1995), and Voices from Genesis (Jewish Lights, Fall 1998)

“Bibliodrama is an exciting 'Values Clarification' exercise. The students love expressing themselves through the 'guise' of dramatic characters, and end up with a rich experience of the multiplicity and range of self-identity. I have even had success using this tool to teach rabbinic texts!”

—Rabbi Steve Golden 

“Peter Pitzele has developed a lively method of Bible instruction which engages students of all ages by putting their imaginations and voices at the center of every learning session. Scripture Windows provides a fine manual for the new practitioner of this technique.”

—Cheryl R. Finkel, Head of School, The Epstein School, Solomon Schechter School of Atlanta