The Human Moment That Changed My Day — and What It Taught Me About Compassion, Connection, and the Power of Presence

Earlier this week, outside a grocery store in midtown Toronto, I had one of those rare, quiet moments that shakes you awake in the best possible way.

A woman and man were playing music together—she strummed a small guitar, he tapped along on a cardboard box. A handwritten sign sat at their feet: “Please help us feed our kids.”

Some people walked past. Some probably thought, “Why aren’t they working?”

But I stopped.

Because maybe… they couldn’t work.

Maybe trauma, mental health, injury, or a life that unraveled had stolen that option.

Maybe they had tried everything and were still holding on—with a song, a sign, and hope.

I reached into my pocket, gave them what I could.

The woman locked eyes with me, smiled, blew me a kiss, and whispered, “God bless you.”

In that moment, nothing else mattered.

Not the doubts. Not the judgments.

Just one human helping another.

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What This Has to Do With Jewish Weddings, Torah… and Your Child’s Future

People often think I’m just a Jewish Wedding Cantor—someone who officiates ceremonies and teaches kids to chant their Bar or Bat Mitzvah portions. And yes, I do those things with deep joy and care. I’ve had the privilege of officiating at many Jewish Wedding Ceremonies in Toronto, including the beautiful Jewish Wedding of Amy and Brad.

Amy and Brad are a Jewish couple from Toronto who I had the pleasure of meeting through mutual friends. They had been to other weddings and knew what they didn’t want: a cookie-cutter service. What they wanted was heart. Meaning. Story. Jewish Wedding Traditions that reflected their values—not just their heritage.

During our wedding planning, we talked about Jewish Wedding Customs like the Ketubah, the Chuppah, and of course, the Jewish Wedding Hora that would raise them high into the air—physically and spiritually.

But more than anything, they wanted to build a home rooted in kindness. A home that would celebrate Jewish Wedding Rituals not as performances, but as real expressions of who they were.

And they wanted to pass that spirit on to the next generation.

After officiating their Jewish Wedding Ceremony (in a stunning Jewish Wedding Venue near the waterfront, complete with live Jewish Wedding Music, joyful Jewish Wedding Dance, and meaningful Jewish Wedding Vows), I stayed in touch.

Not long after, I had the honor of leading their Baby Naming Ceremony—a sacred tradition among Jewish newborn ceremonies.

As a Jewish Baby Naming Officiant, I see firsthand how these traditions are more than ritual—they’re connection. They’re reminders that our heritage calls us to show up for others, especially when it’s hard.

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Why I Do What I Do

At CoolCantor Hebrew School, I don’t just teach prayers—I teach presence.

I teach kids that what we do off the bimah matters as much as what we chant on it. That Torah Portion Lessons Online aren’t just about ancient words—they’re about modern hearts.

I want your child to understand that being Jewish means more than lighting candles or reading from a scroll. It means stopping to notice someone who’s struggling. It means learning that we all need help sometimes—and that it’s okay to be the one who gives, and the one who receives.

As a Life Coach and Jewish Studies Online teacher, I help kids build the kind of confidence that doesn’t come from grades or popularity—but from knowing who they are. And part of that journey means learning to live with compassion.

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From Grocery Store to Wedding to Real Life

That moment outside the grocery store reminded me of the wedding of Amy and Brad. They asked me during planning:

“Can you speak about kindness in the ceremony?”

Yes. I always do.

Because weddings aren’t just about Jewish Wedding Attire, Jewish Wedding Decorations, or even Jewish Wedding Invitations. They’re about character. About the home you’ll build, the values you’ll teach your children, and the legacy of goodness you’ll leave behind.

Whether it’s a Traditional Jewish Wedding or a Modern Jewish Wedding, the purpose is the same:

To create a partnership rooted in love, ethics, and care for the world.

That’s what I bring to every ceremony. That’s what my mentor—a great Jewish Wedding Rabbi—taught me. And it’s what I carry forward, now as a Jewish Wedding Officiant and Cantor.

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Action Steps: Teaching Our Kids to Be Kind Leaders

1. Notice Who Needs Help.

Encourage your child to look around this week and notice. Is there someone at school sitting alone? A neighbor who might need help? Noticing is the first act of compassion.

2. Practice the “Pause and Ask” Rule.

Before your child judges someone’s choices, teach them to pause and ask: “What might I not know about their story?” That shift changes everything.

3. Create a Weekly Kindness Ritual.

Every Friday, ask your child to name one kind thing they did that week—and one they plan to do next week. Make kindness a habit, not a headline.

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Final Thought

Judaism is more than ancient laws—it’s a living tradition.

And the soul of that tradition is empathy. Presence. Human-to-human love.

Whether I’m guiding someone through Online Jewish Classes, preparing a student for their Bar Mitzvah Training, or officiating a Jewish Baby Naming Celebration, I keep coming back to this truth:

We don’t have to be perfect.

We just have to be human.

And show up with our hearts.

If you want your child to grow up not only with knowledge but wisdom… not only with confidence but compassion… CoolCantor is here for you.

Let’s raise the kindest leaders the world has ever seen.

Thanks for reading,

Ben