top of page
Noa Naum - Storyteller

About Noa

Storytelling is the intersection of my work as a performance artist, author, and educator. I focus on the transformative power of storytelling both as performance art and an applicable tool to heal across differences and build bridges of understanding, compassion and peace.

 

My art form can be described as Performance Storytelling – borrowing from principles of traditional storytelling as well as using tools from theater through the mixing of narration and characterization to evoke a story in the audiences’ imagination. 


I love connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds through stories. I enjoy telling stories from cultures around the world as well as my Jewish heritage. I use stories to promote appreciation of differences, foster collaboration, and spark innovation. I love witnessing the shift in attitude and smiles as workshop participants experience the transformative power of story.

​

But most rewarding is when people come up after a presentation to share their story with me: “That reminded me of a story …”, then I know my work has reached the most important place - their heart. 

Noa's Bio

The Washington Post describes Noa Baum as someone who "Spreads cultural truths that eclipse geopolitical boundaries...". Born and raised in Jerusalem, the performing bug bit Noa at a very early age when her father improvised perfectly tailored music on the piano to match the stories she made up and danced with her younger siblings. 

​

Noa holds a BFA in theater from Tel Aviv University, was an actress with the Khan Repertory Theater of Jerusalem and studied with acclaimed acting teacher Uta Hagen in NY. She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Theater and Drama Therapy from New York University (NYU) and received a Graduate Fellowship working in inner city schools from C.A.T., (Creative Arts Team) the Theater in Education Company of NYU.


A sought-out performer, speaker, and trainer, Noa offers a unique approach to storytelling in communities and organizations. Since 1982, she has inspired and educated audiences of all ages with her performances, innovative keynotes, and transformative workshops.
Since 1990 Noa has lived in the U.S. and tours internationally. She has presented in Turkey, Sweden, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Israel, as well as hundreds of venues in the US including: The World Bank, The Mayo Clinic, The Kennedy Center, The US Defense Department, US Securities and Exchange Commission, AARP, GWU Law School, Brandeis and Stanford Universities.
​
Noa’s memoir “A Land Twice Promised – an Israeli Woman’s Quest for Peace” is a winner of the Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award, the LDS Publishing Professionals Association Award, and a Storytelling World Award. She is also the author of a picture book “How the Birds Became Friends” - winner of the Storytelling World Honors award - on the power of kindness to bring peace. Her audio recordings won Parents’ Choice and Storytelling World awards. 

​

Noa is a recipient of numerous awards from the National Storytelling Network, the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. 
​​
Noa lives in the Washington, DC area and was voted by The Washington Jewish Week as one of the 10 most interesting local Jews.
 

Noa's Press Kit

Photos, Bio, Brochure

Notable collaborations

Past Venues

Organizations and Conferences

  • The World Bank

  • US Department of Defense

  • Smithsonian Associates

  • Together For Humanity, Australia

  • Securities and Exchange Commission

  • AARP

  • The Mayo Clinic

  • Wachovia Bank

  • Northern Trust Bank

  • US FDA

  • Rabbis for Human Rights North America

  • Limmud International, UK and Turkey

  • Limmud Jewish Learning Conferences (NY, GA, PA, LA)

  • The Jewish Museum of New York City

  • Friends General Conference

  • American Folklore Society

  • Center for Interfaith Cooperation, Indianapolis, IN

  • Ogilvy Worldwide PR: National COPD Foundation

  • YWCA National Conference

  • Storytellers of Canada National Conference, Canada

  • Australia International Storytelling Conference, Australia

  • The National Storytelling Network

Universities and Colleges

  • Brown University, RI

  • Stanford University, CA

  • Brandeis University, MA

  • Carnegie Mellon University, PA

  • George Washington University Law School, DC

  • Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel

  • Clark University, MA

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, VA

  • University of Alabama Law School, AL

  • University of Louisville Law School, KY

  • Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

  • University of Maryland, MD

  • Johns Hopkins University, MD

  • University of Minnesota, MN

  • University of Richmond, VA

  • Eastern Mennonite University, VA

  • University of San Diego, Institute for Peace and Justice, CA

  • Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

  • Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL

  • University of Chicago, IL

  • UC Davis, CA

  • Trinity University, TX

  • Temple University, PA

Past Venues

Festivals and Theaters

  • The National Storytelling Festival, TN

  • The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

  • Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, Australia

  • Fabula International Storytelling Festival, Sweden

  • Ojai Storytelling Festival, CA

  • Cave Run Storytelling Festival, KY

  • St. Louis Storytelling Festival, MO

  • Lititz Storytelling Festival, PA

  • Mariposa Storytelling Festival, CA

  • In the Heart of the Beast Theater, Minneapolis, MN

  • The Neighborhood Playhouse, Decatur, GA

  • Bet Ariella Storytelling Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Jewish Congregations

  • Minneapolis Jewish Federation, MN

  • Jewish Community Foundation of North Shore, MA

  • Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, West Newton, MA

  • Congregation Emanu-El, Westchester, NY

  • Temple Brith Kodesh, Rochester, NY

  • Beth Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase, MD

  • Temple Sinai, Washington, DC

  • Beth Sholom, Philadelphia, PA

  • Congregation Beth El, La Jolla, CA

  • Rodef Shalom, Falls Church, VA

  • Congregation Shir Hadash, WI

  • Tri City Congregation, TN

  • Mosaic Law, Sacramento, CA

  • Temple Emanu-El, Honolulu, HI

  • Temple Beth-El, Birmingham, AL

Past Venues

Schools

  • Hundreds of public and private schools nationally and internationally Sacramento School

  • Jewish Theological Seminary, Ivri Prozdor, NYC

  • Head Start, San Juan & Districts, CA

  • River Oak Center for Children, Sacramento, CA

  • Abraham Joshua Heschel School, NYC

  • Broshim School (Special Education School), Tel Aviv, Israel

Libraries and Museums

  • The Breman Jewish Museum, Atlanta, GA

  • Montgomery County Public Libraries, MD

  • Enoch Pratt Free Libraries, Baltimore Public Libraries, MD

  • Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY

  • Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg, VA

  • California: counties of Sacramento, Auburn, Yolo, Roseville, Benicia

  • Honolulu Library, HI

  • The Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA

  • Children’s Hands On Museum, Tuscaloosa, AL

Congregations of Many Faiths

  • St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis, MN

  • Islamic Center of Rochester, NY

  • Hingham Religious Association, MA

  • Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY

  • Auburn Theological Seminary, Interfaith Youth Program, NY

  • United Methodist Federation for Social Action, Washington, DC

  • Unitarian Church of White Plains, NY

  • Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, NY

  • Washington Ethical Society, Washington, DC

  • National City Christian Church, Washington, DC

  • Rock Spring Congregational Church, Arlington, VA

  • Christ Congregation Church, Silver Spring, MD

  • Madison Square Presbyterian Church, TX

bottom of page