HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT
The majority of D’var Torahs put your audience to sleep and no one is really listening.
“And Moshe Rabbenu, came down from Mt Sinai, and he said unto the people…”
Ok, that was just a little bit of light-hearted humour, I hope that you don’t take offense but traditionally, this is the reality of the D’var Torah’s we hear in shul, or at Bat Mitzvah parties. Whilst a lot of effort is put into these speeches, few are listened too and even fewer are remembered.
Ten years ago, my childhood friend was approaching her first childs’ Bat Mitzvah. She enrolled her in the local synagogue Bat Mitzvah classes. Her daughter was bored, frustrated and moving further away from Judaism. She was already attending a Jewish Day School where she had to attend Jewish Studies lessons. Her entire experience of learning about the Torah isolated her. She didn’t relate to any of the patriarchs or matriarchs. She found Judaism to be antiquated and irrelevant.
In my defence of Torah wisdom, which I love, I asked her to remove her daughter from the Bat Mitzvah program at the local shul. I firmly believed it was putting her off Judaism and therefore didn’t see the point in further studies. It seemed to be defeating its own goal. The goal of Jewish Studies is to inspire, not to repel.
My friend lamented that she would gladly pull her daughter out, but she needed a D’var Torah for the Bat Mitzvah itself and this was the only way she was going to get one. She and her husband were secular Jews who loved being Jewish, were proud of their heritage but simply couldn’t write a D’var Torah without assistance.
I had been teaching Torah for many years, to disgruntled secular Jews and I knew I had a knack of making Torah information relevant, digestible and inspiring. I urged her to remove her daughter from an antiquated Bat Mitzvah program, so that I may try to win her Jewish heart back. I also offered to write the D’var Torah
Click on the video links to listen to a short clip of the Dvar Torah’s prepared for students.
Here’s what she has to say:
“Claire is incredible at what she does! My daughter, Maisie, LOVED her D’var Torah sessions and looked forward to them every week. My husband and I were suitably impressed. Claire is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about Judaism but is keenly aware that in order for Bat Mitzvah age girls to engage, she needs to make it relevant to them. She has a talent in putting a modern spin on stories from the Torah and the teachings we can glean from them.
Despite attending Jewish primary and secondary schools, as a secular Jew, Maisie had little interest in learning about the religion any further. She had had enough. However, once meeting Claire, her views changed. She loved learning the unusual but highly applicable wisdom that Claire provided. She constantly came home telling me what she had learnt and asked me many questions on life. Claire had peaked her interest. I was delighted and she was so engaged in the material.
Maisie’s D’var Torah focused on the festival of Purim and the role of strong women in Judaism. As a feisty, strong willed teenager, this instantly appealed to my daughter. But the best part, there was pin drop silence in the shul as she read her D’var Torah. Even the Rabbi approached us after and asked, “Who wrote that D’var Torah? I have never seen my congregation to be so silent and absorbed.” The D’var Torah was a hit! People left the shul talking about it. Thank you Claire, from all of us.
I would recommend Claire unreservedly. She is not only a fabulous teacher but a wonderful person too – your daughter will fall in love with her.”
$449
This package includes one online session with mother & daughter. During this informal meet, we will discuss your D’var Torah expectations.
Claire will spend time getting to know you and your daughter, so that your D’var Torah is personalized and meaningful. Get ready to impress!
