Folks I Work With

Families With Very Little Jewish Background

If your family has never had much connection to Judaism — maybe you celebrate a few holidays, but your child has never had Jewish education — you're not alone. This is actually the majority of families I work with.

And here's the beautiful part: it doesn't matter. Your child doesn't need prior knowledge. They don't need a synagogue membership. Together, we'll give your child a genuine Jewish education and a bar mitzvah that's meaningful and real.

Interfaith Families

I work with many interfaith families who want to give their child a meaningful connection to Judaism and help them embrace their Jewish identity. Your child can explore and celebrate what it means to be part of the Jewish people.

Together, we'll create a bar mitzvah that honors and includes your family and helps your child feel genuinely connected to Judaism and the Jewish community.

Special Needs Kids

If your child is autistic, has ADHD, dyslexia, learning differences, or other special needs — if they struggle to connect with most people — you've come to the right place.

I have deep experience and genuine patience working with these kids. I understand their challenges and know how to meet them where they are. I've seen countless kids light up and build real confidence. I connect with your child on a level that works for them.

And by the time their bar mitzvah arrives, they're proud of what they've accomplished, and I'm amazed at what they've been able to achieve.

Families Connected To Synagogues

Maybe your family is part of a temple or Chabad community. Your child might even be in their Hebrew school program.

But you want something more — more individualized attention, more depth, more connection.

Some synagogues refer families to me because their child's schedule doesn't match their available lesson times, or because their child needs one-on-one coaching.

I partner with synagogues and temples to give your child the specialized attention they need. Whether your bar mitzvah happens at the synagogue or we do our own service, I'm here to prepare your child to be fully confident and connected.

Families Seeking Hebrew School Alternatives

You're not looking for a bar mitzvah right now — you want your child to have a genuine Jewish education.

Maybe you're not synagogue members, or traditional Hebrew school doesn't work for your family.

I work with kids as young as six, offering one-on-one Jewish education tailored to your child, customized to their level and interests.

Your child will learn to read Hebrew, build vocabulary, and learn about Torah, holidays, Jewish history, and what it means to be part of the Jewish people. And many families continue working with me even after their child's bar mitzvah, deepening their Jewish knowledge and connection.

Adult Students

I also work with adults who are discovering Judaism or deepening their connection later in life.

Whether you're converting to Judaism, celebrating a bar or bat mitzvah at any age, or seeking Jewish education as an adult, I'm here to guide you.

Age is just a number — what matters is your genuine desire to connect with Judaism and the Jewish people.

  • "Michael's devotion to my son's special needs (he is on the autism spectrum) is unprecedented. As a parent, Michael makes you feel that your child is the most special and dynamic student he is working with."

    —Michael Margules, father of Noah: 

  • "I would not be living the Jewish life I'm living today had it not been for the love of Judaism that Mike instilled in me as he was preparing me for my Bat Mitzvah over 20 years ago."

    —Melissa Ayres (her own Bat Mitzvah)

  • "The customized prayer book that you created and designed especially for our service was PERFECT. Leading the services, you got our guests involved and engaged. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!"

    -Nicole Netzah, mother of Eli:

  • "Michael has a wonderful teaching style that strikes the perfect balance between reviewing previously learned material and introducing new concepts. His lessons feel more like meaningful conversations than traditional classes. In just a short time, Michael has taught our son how to read Hebrew and has him chanting prayers with confidence. Even more importantly, he has inspired a genuine appreciation for Jewish history and tradition."

    -Rebecca C., mother of Oliver: