Dr. Vered Hankin

Vered Hankin, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and internationally acclaimed storyteller. As both psychologist and storyteller, Vered lectures and performs nationally and internationally in venues as diverse as academic conferences, theaters, charitable organizations, and radio and television. She has been named “the leading storyteller of her generation” (Howard Schwartz, The Jewish Week). Her publications include stories and essays in On the Fringes: An Anthology of Young Jewish Women's Writings (SUNY Press, 2003), The Complete Guide to Storytelling for Parents (Norton Press, 2000), and interviews in such publications as Response and New Voices. Vered's CD recording, The Day the Rabbi Disappeared: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic, based on Howard Schwartz's National Jewish Book Award–winning collection, was produced by Broadway producer Shari Upbin. The CD received the prestigious Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board, as well as The Gold Award from NAPPA (National Association of Parenting Publication Awards). In addition, Vered joined celebrities Jerry Stiller, Leonard Nimoy, and Henry Winkler in an internationally aired radio show and audio CD of children's folktales, One People: Many Stories. In addition to her storytelling escapades, Vered is a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University. She is also founder and director of MBSR Chicago, an organization devoted to mindfulness interventions for chronic illness. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Jeremy Kaufman, and their two children, Jonah and Coral.