Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill
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Ellen taught English language arts and literature, drama, journalism, history, and related subjects in Los Angeles secondary schools for 14 years and now distills her zest for learning and grasp of subject matter in one-on-one tutoring and small classes. 

Bar and bat mitzvah tutoring 
Ellen has helped scores of children learn prayers, Torah chant, and haftarah verses in preparation for bar and bat mitzvah, both through synagogue religious school programs and as an independent tutor. She has worked with students who have ADHD and other learning issues, and she has the ability to make the bar/bat mitzvah experience meaningful even for reluctant participants, making her an excellent supplementary tutor for children whose needs are not met by temple-based personnel. For families unaffiliated with a synagogue, Ellen can not only train kids for bar/bat mitzvah but can arrange for a Torah scroll and officiate at the service in a location of the family’s choice. 
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from a bar mitzvah mom in Philadelphia:
“I am so grateful that we found you! You have made [our son’s] preparations go so smoothly — he always enjoys his sessions with you, and we cannot believe how much he has learned. ... You have engaged, challenged, and supported him throughout the process.”
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Alternative Jewish education for children 
Through her research and experience in Jewish supplementary education, Ellen is prepared to work with children grade 5 and up individually and in small groups to provide an alternative to synagogue-based religious school. She uses a sensory and experiential approach to learning about Jewish history, holidays, and language. 

Hebrew, cantillation, and Judaica for adults 
Ellen is available to work with adults (from the alef-bet level on up) on prayerbook and Biblical Hebrew; Torah, haftarah, and other Biblical chants; and topics in Jewish history, ritual, and philosophy. She’s a big fan of adult bar and bat mitzvah and can help adults prepare to lead prayers, chant Torah and haftarah, and create divrei Torah (speeches on the Torah portion) at their ceremonies. She can also work with prospective candidates for conversion to Judaism and with non-Jews who want to know more about Judaism. 

General studies 
As a veteran language arts teacher, Ellen is an ace at helping kids and adults improve their vocabularies, writing skills, and understanding of literature through one-on-one tutoring. She’s also a fine tutor for middle-school math (through Algebra I) and for many topics in the humanities and social sciences.