Testimonials
Dear Sandy,
There really is no adequate thanks, gift or payment that can do justice to your gratitude for the understanding, guidance and good humor that you’ve shared with Chloe and with our family.
Prior to meeting you, the whole subject of how to give our children a sense of Jewish identity and culture without sacrificing other values, had been an unsolvable dilemma. Further, we’d never met a religious teacher or leader who didn’t seem too pedantic (if not proselytizing). Yet, you’ve managed to educate us and to share your sincere joy of Judaism in a most infectious and inclusive way. If Chloe takes nothing else from this experience (I’m confident she’ll take a lot!) then just having her work with you, providing the role model of you for her, would be more than enough to make the challenges of the occasion worth tackling! We wish you and your human & feline family a wonderful year (and life). We will miss you! So let’s not say good-bye – just thank you!
Much love,
The Frankels
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Dear Mrs. Freedman,
What a memorable ceremony! It was my first Bar Mitzvah and I was so happy it was my grandson’s. Obviously, it was a good reason! However, what I want to express to you is my heartfelt appreciation of what must have been your patient guidance for Eric, your careful and enlightened explanation of history and significant details, and what I perceived as a genuine love for what you are doing, all of this expressed in a firm but gentle voice to which I was very sensitive. I was touched very deeply and I am sure you went to people’s hearts. I was struck by the number of similarities between Judaism and Catholicism – and I am well aware of the unicity of the God of the Old Testament – down to the cutting of the bread …… And I was saying to myself how stupid and ridiculous religious hatred is …
Since I did not intend to write you an epistle and run the risk of boring you, again let me reiterate how impressed I was with the service you conducted in such an inspirational fashion.
Very sincerely yours,
Josette Smetana
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Sandy,
It’s difficult to put into words how much we appreciate your thoughtful guidance over the past 6 months. Rachel’s knowledge of and appreciation for Judaism has grown and grown. She seemed so confident on Saturday – due in large measure to your teaching and appreciation of her ability to lead the service. We received so many compliments on your role – the helpful way you explained everything and included everyone, the warm spiritual presence you created, and the wonderful caring you showed for Rachel. Thank you for everything.
Jennifer & Don
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Dear Sandy,
Words can’t express my heartfelt thanks to you for leading such an intimate, meaningful and professional service for Sophie, our family and friends. There wasn’t a single guest who didn’t comment on your style and grace. Thank you for creating that comfortable bond with Sophie – I don’t think she could have shined as bright without your guidance. We are truly grateful to have been able to work with you.
Love,
Sandy & Rick
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Dear Sandy,
Thank you so much for guiding me on my way to becoming a Bar Mitzvah. I was so lucky to have your services and learn from you. The sessions at your house were always enjoyable and we discussed many interesting topics. Sometimes writing my talk and reciting my Torah portion was hard, but you lead me through those tough times. The end result was spectacular, and a great milestone in my life. You lead the service well and I felt comfortable by your side. So, once again, thank you so much for your help and hopefully I’ll see you soon.
Love,
Jake Mattleman
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Dear Sandy,
I miss you on Wednesdays! I’m just writing to say thank you for tutoring me for my Bat Mitzvah. You were amazing and I learned so much from you! I wish I could turn back time and do the whole thing all over… the service was conducted beautifully and gracefully, despite the challenging time. My friends and relatives were raving about you! Thanks again and keep in touch…
Love,
Jesse
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Dear Sandy,
Thank you very much for your tutoring and support of me. I learned so much from you, and you helped me be extremely well prepared for my Bar Mitzvah. Most of all, you made our lessons fun, and I really enjoyed learning from you.
Sincerely,
Adam Rodriques
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Dear Sandy,
We are so grateful that you were the one to guide Sara through her Bat Mitzvah training and service. Sara always felt comfortable and knew that you would help her to juggle everything without feeling stressed.
Thank you so much for everything – especially your support through both my “Bat Mitzvahs”.
Love,
Sharon & Family
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Sandy,
You have been an inspiration to both Alex and myself. I can’t thank you enough for bringing us to this wonderful ceremony which I hope will provide Alex with purpose and commitment to Jewish life and tradition. My husband would have been so very proud!
With many thanks I send you and your family wishes for health and peace.
Connie Levine
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Dear Sandy,
Thank you so much for getting me to this moment in my life. I would think being with a private tutor is way better than going to Hebrew school.
From,
Jacob
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Dear Sandy,
I want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for helping and putting this Bar-Mitzvah to life. Thank you so much also for teaching everything I needed to learn. I can’t even say how happy I am to have gone through with this incredible experience, but I just wanted to thank you for everything you did. I hope to see you around.
Love,
Noah
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Dear Sandy,
Thank you! Thank you!
I am so appreciative of the way you brought Rebecca along and the way you conducted her Bat Mitzvah service.
As a person who is very sensitive to how Judaism is presented to people, I was overjoyed by the scope of the service. So many of our friends and family members took the time to express their appreciation for the warmth, for the discussion and for the music.
The memory of May 17 will remain with us as a significantly beautiful, positive, and meaningful day in our lives.
Best wishes,
May C. Long
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Dear Sandy,
Thank you so much for all you have done for me! I know I will never forget you (and hopefully I won’t forget my torah portion either). I always looked forward to talking with you and hearing new stories that always made me laugh. I will miss all the days practicing and all the Wednesdays when I got to see you. You taught me so many different things that I know I will teach my children who will teach their children. You were always so nice to me and always willing to help me with whatever was the matter. I know that everything I learned over the past year will be with me forever. I will miss you very much.
Love,
Andrea
PS: Good luck with future students
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Dear Sandy,
We would like to thank you once again for all you’ve done for Julia and the Frieze family. Your guidance of Julia (and us) through the Bat Mitzvah process has been a monumental event in our lives and one we will never forget. The service had more meaning and emotional power than any of us were prepared for. So many who attended commented that they had never been to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah that was so significant.
We’ve been kvelling since Saturday. Julia was so well prepared and you were very kind and accommodating in designing the service to make it a very intimate, personal event for our family.
Thank you again; I hope we see you soon (Eli’s service on Rosh Hashanah?).
You are a gift to us all!
Love,
Jonathan & Christine
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Dear Sandy,
I cannot believe my Bat Mitzvah is over! I will miss coming to your house every week! Don’t worry, we will definitely go shopping and out for coffee! Thank you for being very inspiring and thank you so much for leading an absolutely beautiful ceremony!
Love always,
Juliana
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Dear Sandy,
You have been so, so wonderful in helping me with my bat-mitzvah. You tutored and prepared me very well and not only that, but you were such an interesting person to talk to and have always been so nice. You may have been a teacher, yet soon you became a friend. You have guided me through such an important part of my life. I know you’ve done many bat and bar mitzvahs and I also know that they are each very special, but I don’t think any of the kids you have taught have appreciated what you’ve done as much as I. I will miss seeing you on Wednesday, but hopefully I will see you soon anyway. I’ve learned much from you. Thank you again. I will never forget you.
Love,
Julia
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Dear Sandy,
It’s hard to believe we have taken this journey with you starting eight years ago.
We will always treasure the gift of Jewish knowledge you gave our boys.
With the conclusion of our 3rd son’s Bar Mitzvah, our wish is to continue our lives as friends! You and Alex are such special people with such kindness in your hearts.
Thank you for always making me, the non-Jewish partner, feel always a part of the journey.
Please welcome this bronze Buddhah into your home as a symbol of our fondness towards you. Jeffrey brought this buddhah back from Burma.
Love from all of us,
Vivi, Jeff, Jared, Simon & our Sweet Austin
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Dear Sandy,
Thank you again for another wonderful Bar Mitzvah. You have provided Alex and Jonathan with a lasting and meaningful connection to Judaism. Both boys now have very special memories of their Bar Mitzvah education and ceremony. We appreciate your contribution to their very positive beginnings of their adult Jewish lives.
Hope that we can keep in touch and that you continue to stay well!
Sandy, Bennett, Alex and Jonathan
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Dear Sandy,
Many thanks for a Bar Mitzvah ceremony that was more warm, personal, and meaningful than I could have ever hoped for. Noah was thrilled – and so was I. It was a wonderful day. And it was wonderful having you as Noah’s tutor. I look forward to working with you again with Emily.
Ken
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Dear Sandy,
You have a special place in our hearts. Jamie was always so happy when she left you (I sometimes thought… this is better than a therapeutic relationship). She felt close to you and able to share stories. And, I so appreciate all that you gve her.
I can think of no better way to be initiated into the rites of passage of our heritage. Jamie has told us – she now WANTS to be Jewish.
“Thank you” doesn’t really express how we feel. See you in 2 years!
Love,
Sharon & Jeff