About Me
My name is Yaakov Fenton and I am excited to offer online Torah reading tutoring. Growing up in the modern Orthodox Jewish community in Berkeley, the son of a Conservative Rabbi, Torah reading has always been an important part of my life. After my Bar Mitzvah, I began to read Torah regularly at my local synagogue, and continue to read Torah today, where I'm the primary student Torah reader at the UC Santa Cruz Chabad.
I've worked as an educator at Jewish afterschool programs, Hebrew schools, and summer camps. And as a former high school-now college tutor, my passion for education has only grown.
I offer tutoring for all levels. I love working with beginners, introducing them to the ancient tradition of Torah reading (leyning). Similarly, advanced Torah readers appreciate my focus on inflection (mil el vs mil rah), comprehension, unique trop combinations, and cantillation as a storytelling technique.
I've worked as an educator at Jewish afterschool programs, Hebrew schools, and summer camps. And as a former high school-now college tutor, my passion for education has only grown.
I offer tutoring for all levels. I love working with beginners, introducing them to the ancient tradition of Torah reading (leyning). Similarly, advanced Torah readers appreciate my focus on inflection (mil el vs mil rah), comprehension, unique trop combinations, and cantillation as a storytelling technique.
Services
1 hr zoom sessions - $75
The first session is $30 as an introductory fee to see if we're a good match.
Santa Cruz is my home during the school year. In person tutoring is available for $100/50 minutes
Weekly students can expect to receive pdf documents, audio and video files, and virtual materials to support the sessions. Sessions will focus on learning and mastering new trop and cantillation techniques as well as explorations of the narrative and/or text.
My services as an instructor are not limited to students studying for their B'nai Mitzvahs, I'm thrilled to teach adults the art of Torah reading as well.
The first session is $30 as an introductory fee to see if we're a good match.
Santa Cruz is my home during the school year. In person tutoring is available for $100/50 minutes
Weekly students can expect to receive pdf documents, audio and video files, and virtual materials to support the sessions. Sessions will focus on learning and mastering new trop and cantillation techniques as well as explorations of the narrative and/or text.
My services as an instructor are not limited to students studying for their B'nai Mitzvahs, I'm thrilled to teach adults the art of Torah reading as well.
Testimonials
Yaakov is both a skilled leyner and lover of Torah, who takes his own personal preparation quite seriously. His sweet and caring manner, and his deep interest in the subject matter combined with a high degree of expertise make him well equipped to pass those skills on to younger learners!
- Judy Massarano
Yaakov Fenton is an incredibly precise and meticulous Torah leining instructor, known for his careful reading and attention to detail. His warm and respectful demeanor creates a supportive environment for B’nai Mitzvah children, while his responsibility and reliability ensure that each student receives the best possible guidance. With a deep love for Judaism, Yaakov embodies the values he teaches, serving as a wonderful role model for his students. His passion and dedication make him a standout mentor, inspiring young learners to appreciate and uphold the traditions of Torah reading.
- Rabbi Yonatan Cohen
I have known Yaakov as a student of Torah and a Torah reader. In class he was passionate about his learning and was very open to hearing multiple perspectives on text. Yaakov has also been a regular Torah reader in our synagogue and when he reads his precision in reading and his love of Torah are evident.
- Dr. Tamara Beliak