From a Parent
I loved being part of the learning process with my daughter Anna. I loved sitting at Melissa's dining room table, surrounded by beautiful objects, studying Hebrew, Torah and Jewish traditions. Studying Anna's Torah portion together as a family was a gift we will never forget. As for me, I now feel more deeply connected to my daughter and to my Jewish identity.
Paula D

About the ceremony
We were all mentally prepared for a long, rather boring service where we didn't understand much about what was going on. Boy were we wrong. I was quite moved by the service and really enjoyed the inclusiveness feeling the way Melissa explained everything. We loved the singing and the joyfulness of the event.
Guest of the family

My Philosophy of B'nei Mitzvah
We, as Jews, are so fortunate to have created a coming-of age-initiation process that roots itself in our tradition. Unfortunately, we have too often have lost touch with the meaning of Bar/Bat Mitzvah and impose a rigid structure of learning on our children.

I believe that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation and event should be meaningful, fun and spiritually uplifting for both the child and his or her family. It is a time to move from memorization and party planning to reclaiming Bar/Bat-Mitzvah as a joyful season of preparation for this powerful rite of initiation.


Working with me includes:
• One on one mentor relationship at a critical threshold of a young adult's life
• The creation of a service (at a synagogue or at a private location) that reflects the personality and talents of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah
• Involvement with family's congregation and/or other Jewish learning experiences, when appropriate.
• Family involvement in Torah study and Jewish learning
• Jewish life skills and hebrew tutoring
• Torah chanting- the learning of trope (musical notation of the chanting of Torah)

For more information email me at: melisjoel@mac.com