About David Kogut

David Kogut has been an active member of the Jewish community for decades and brings a wealth of experience to Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation. His goal is to make the learning process enjoyable, meaningful, and personalized, while ensuring that every student feels confident and fully prepared for their special day.

Education & Background

David grew up in Montreal, where he graduated from Hebrew Academy High School. He earned his DEC from Dawson College, a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Concordia University, and a Master's degree in Jewish Education through the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University. He also studied at Yeshivat Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem.

Community Leadership

Throughout his life, David has been deeply involved in synagogue life and Jewish communal leadership. He served as Youth Director at Beth Zion Congregation in Montreal and was a guest chazzan at Shaare Zedek and Shaare Zion Congregations. He later served as the chazzan of Minyan Ohr Chadash in Seattle for eight years, where he also led youth services and educational programming.

Since moving to Ottawa in 2021, David has directed youth programming at Machzikei Hadas and Beit Tikvah Congregation and has served as a guest chazzan at those synagogues, as well as at Ottawa Torah Centre, Chabad of Centrepointe, and Kehillat Beth Israel (KBI).

A Lifetime of Jewish Education

David has dedicated over 19 years to Jewish education, teaching students from Kindergarten through Grade 8 at Seattle Hebrew Academy, Torah Day School of Ottawa, and the Ottawa Jewish Community School. His background as both an educator and music teacher has given him extensive experience working with children of all learning styles and abilities.

For nearly 30 years, David has been preparing students for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. What began as teaching his younger brother while still a teenager quickly grew through word of mouth into a lifelong passion for helping families celebrate this important milestone.

The Learning Experience

David prepares students in all aspects of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, including Torah and Haftarah reading, leading the prayer service, speech preparation, and understanding the meaning and significance of the prayers and mitzvot. While each lesson focuses on mastering the material needed for the big day, David believes that learning should go far beyond memorization. He naturally takes opportunities throughout each lesson to teach the background, history, and meaning behind Jewish traditions, helping students develop a deeper understanding of Judaism in a way that is engaging, relevant, and relatable to their own lives.

David believes that successful learning begins with a strong relationship between teacher and student. He strives to create a warm, encouraging, and supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing with confidence. Lessons are engaging without being overwhelming, allowing students to develop the skills they need while building a genuine connection to Jewish life and synagogue participation that extends well beyond their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Every Student Can Succeed

Drawing on his many years as a classroom teacher, David is experienced in working with students who have a wide variety of learning profiles. He has successfully taught many students with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodivergent learners. Every student learns differently, and David adapts his teaching style, pacing, and strategies to meet each child's individual needs, ensuring that every student can experience success and feel proud of their accomplishments.

Committed to Excellence

While creating a positive learning experience is central to David's approach, he is equally committed to excellence. His meticulous attention to detail ensures that every student is thoroughly prepared for the Torah reading, prayers, and all aspects of the service. By the time the big day arrives, students know exactly what to expect and can participate with confidence and pride.

Partnering with Families

David also believes that open communication with families is essential. Parents receive regular updates on their child's progress, practice assignments, and recordings or study materials to support learning between lessons. This collaborative approach keeps everyone informed and helps make the entire process organized, productive, and as stress-free as possible.

Families who work with David appreciate his professionalism, patience, warmth, and dedication. His greatest satisfaction comes from seeing students walk into their Bar or Bat Mitzvah feeling prepared, confident, and excited — and helping them develop a lifelong connection to Judaism in the process.