independent Bar Mitzvahs?

[Christina]

Has anyone heard of this trend of independent Bar Mitzvahs. We like the idea, but are not sure where we can locate a Rabbi. We are in North Carolina, making Rabbi location even more difficult.

[Debbi Ballard]

Christina,
I am a Cantor in South Florida, and travel throughout the U.S., and the world - working with unaffiliated families.  I perform private B'Nai Mitzvah services, custom designed for the family's needs.  I have several tutors on my staff who tutor via Skype, and I or my Rabbi partner perform the service in your location, if you cannot find someone in your local area.

I come to NC often, because you will definitely have a difficult time finding someone who is based there, because you have to have a fairly large unaffiliated Jewish/Interfaith population to sustain that practice, and you probably don't find that where you are.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information.
Cantor Debbi Ballard
www.mypersonalcantor.com
954-646-1326

[rabbi josh cantor]

I hope you have found someone. Private B'nei Mitzvot have become quite popular, and in many cases Rabbis/Cantors will even have tutors they work with who will train your son/daughter at a lower cost per session than the Cleric. In any event in the Northeast this is not a problem. I know IFF is working on this issue for people like you, however if you (or anyone) needs a name outside of the NY metro area, or inside, I will do my best to help (No guarantees, and I would ask IFF first!)
Good Luck, and nothing but Mazel to you and your family.
Josh Cantor
Senior Rabbi
Temple Shalom
Franklin, NJ