Experiencing Religion through Story

Stories express religious experience in a way that is more immediate than ritual, liturgy or theology, Rabbi Sandy Sasso says. That doesn’t mean stories -- even stories for children -- are superficial or simplistic. Indeed, she said, writing children’s books about faith requires deep study and reflection.

“I think children struggle with the large questions of life, and we don’t often give them credit for that,” she said. “We assume that they’re not capable of engaging in conversations that we assume are more philosophical and abstract. I don’t think that’s the case.”

Sasso spoke to Faith & Leadership about her work as a rabbi, leader and writer. The following is an edited transcript.