Bar and Bat Mitzvah Mentoring 

Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is so much more than learning Hebrew, chanting Torah, or giving a speech. It’s an opportunity for a young person to discover their own connection to Judaism, step into a new stage of life, and stand proudly in front of their family and community.

I love guiding young people through this journey.

Whether your child is starting with no Hebrew experience at all, has been in Hebrew school for years, or is somewhere in between, I meet them exactly where they are and help take them from little to no experience to the bimah.

Together, we can work on Hebrew reading, prayers, Torah and Haftarah chanting, understanding the meaning behind the service, writing a meaningful D’var Torah, and—most importantly—helping your child feel confident, prepared, and connected to what they are doing.

Traditional or Completely Outside the Box

I’ve helped prepare and lead many Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in synagogues, working within traditional and contemporary services.

But a Bar or Bat Mitzvah doesn’t have to happen in a synagogue.

I’ve also helped families create meaningful, deeply Jewish celebrations in the woods, in backyards, on piers, in Tahoe, at retreat centers, and in all kinds of unexpected places.

If you can dream it up, we can talk about how to make it Jewish, personal, musical, spiritual, and authentic to your family.

There is no one-size-fits-all Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

My mission is to help your child—and your family—create a journey that feels meaningful while giving them the skills, understanding, and confidence to truly own the experience.

What We Can Work On

Depending on your child and the kind of celebration you’re envisioning, our work can include:

• Hebrew reading from the very beginning
• Prayer and service leadership
• Torah and/or Haftarah chanting
• Understanding the Torah portion and Jewish ideas behind the ritual
• Writing and delivering a personal D’var Torah
• Music and melodies
• Building confidence on the bimah
• Designing a creative or alternative Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience
• Preparing the entire family for what to expect

Whether you already have a synagogue and a date or you’re just beginning to imagine what this could look like, let’s connect.

Tell me about your child, where they are in their Jewish learning, and what you’re dreaming about for this milestone. We’ll figure out the path from there.

Scroll down to see photos and testimonials from some of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah journeys I’ve been privileged to be part of, along with testimonials from families and students.

Ready to begin? email me at saul@saulkaye.com

Here are just a few testimonials of recent B'nei Mitzvah

“We are deeply grateful for the amount of care, patience, and genuine investment you put into preparing Ellery. Becoming a bat mitzvah was incredibly important to her, and she truly committed herself to the process. Finding you as her teacher made the entire experience joyful for her. Many evenings, she actually looked forward to studying her bat mitzvah portion because she enjoyed her lessons with you so much. That says everything about the kind of teacher and person you are.

She felt encouraged, supported, and excited to learn, and we watched her confidence and connection to the jewish experience grow because of your guidance. We could not have asked for a better mentor for her during such an important chapter in her life.

And our whole family has so enjoyed getting to know you. One of the things that meant the most to Ethan and me was hearing from so many people after the ceremony about how warm, personal, and meaningful it felt. Multiple people told us it was one of the best bat mitzvah ceremonies they had ever attended. That warmth and spirit were such a reflection of the care and heart you brought to the entire process. Plus, it meant so much to have you there celebrating with us, and we especially loved seeing how much fun your kids had at the reception. 

Thank you for helping make this experience so memorable not just for Ellery, but for all of us. We will always be grateful for the role you played in such an important moment in her life.”

Elisa and Ethan Schrieber for their daughter Ellery May 2026

“Thank you so much for all your support over these past few months. Andrew went from not knowing if he even wanted a Bar Mitzvah to leading us in such a meaningful service! Your guidance and wisdom was exactly what he needed.

As you know, Andrew is such a deep, outside-the-box thinker, and you really understood how to connect with him in a way that felt authentic and genuine. You challenged him to think, reflect, and engage with the experience on his own terms, and I truly don’t think he would have gotten to this place without your patience, insight, and support!! 

And I agree, it was amazing you ended up doing the service with him.  I loved what you said when you spoke to him about creating his own path!  So true :) “

Danielle Simon for her son Andrew - April 2026

“Our son said he learned more about Judaism with Saul than he did in 2 years of Hebrew school. The one on one format was great for him and individualized the experience. On the day of our son’s bar mitzvah, Saul led the service expertly and helped our son shine. 

We would be delighted to serve as a reference if anyone wants.”

Anna Kogan for her son Abe Kogan April 2026