Meet Mr. Phil
Hi! I am Phil Goldfeder and I love teaching students as they prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. I have tutored over 40 students since1995. I am retired from the energy industry and live in Conroe, TX. When I am not traveling, I teach Hebrew classes to 4th-7th grade students and prepare students for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

While growing up in a small Jewish community in Central Pennsylvania, I learned to chant Torah and Haftorah for my Bar Mitzvah. In my teenage years, I would often read Torah, filling in for the rabbi while on vacation. As an adult, I continued to enjoy the challenge to study and chant Torah. Over my working career, my wife Laurie and I have moved to different locations and joined Conservative and Reform Congregations. I have read Torah in Fairfax, VA, Arlington, TX, Royal Palm Beach, FL, Baton Rouge, LA, and The Woodlands, TX.

In 2009, I enjoyed the opportunity to prepare a student for his Bar Mitzvah conducted in The Woodlands, TX. The challenge was that he and his family were temporarily located in Thailand. Beside the time zone challenges, I quickly grasped the potential to tutor students online as the technology enabled this worldwide communication. In 2019, I was living in Tokyo and prepared a student living in The Woodlands, TX for his Bar Mitzvah. This capability was valuable during the pandemic and now has become a great tool to conduct the tutoring.


My Philosophy
My philosophy is to help manage the stress of studying and preparing the student on becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, while also having fun along the way. Secondarily, I believe in using web technology to track student progress and having a “one-stop” location to store and organize all learning materials.

I am able to provide your child (and family) one-on-one attention through the process. I encourage the student to share their thoughts along the way and to be open about their concerns, address them and keep it positive as they approach their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.

It is the 6-12 month journey that I enjoy with each student as his/her confidence grows while reading and understanding Jewish prayers, Torah and Haftorah deepens. Typically, we have weekly sessions for 30-40 minutes. In preparation for each session, I provide an assignment for the student to learn. I expect the student to make best efforts to study between sessions. I create audio clips to help them learn which will be posted on the website. It is beautiful to see my students realize what can be accomplished through small weekly steps that enable them to become confident and excited for becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

What I can't do... I cannot study for the student. He/she needs to keep the commitment to regularly study and practice. I will alert the parents if the student is not achieving per plan and develop solution options.

Another thing I can't do... It is natural for the student to be nervous, especially on their big day. I personally enjoy reading Torah for the congregation through the year and even though I have read many Torah portions over the years, I still get nervous. So, I understand being nervous and do my best to encourage my students how to manage that feeling.

One promise I do make... after the student's Bar/Bat Mitzvah, I am always available to help prepare the student if they get the opportunity to read Torah or chant Haftorah for holidays, celebrations or just because they want to participate in the service.