How much have you paid a kallah teacher?

5*Mom

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 7:13 am

At first I was horrified by the amount of money people are quoting here, but then I thought that for the number of hours spent in one-on-one teaching, $600 or $800 sounds comparable to private tutoring, so why is it okay for specialized tutors - which kallah teaching is - to command $60 or $80 per hour but not okay for kallah teachers? They've invested their time in training to teach and many hours spent teaching and answering follow-up questions in person, by phone and text. Why are kallah teachers not entitled to remuneration for their time and expertise the same way any other specialist in any other field would be?

ahuva06

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 7:19 am

5*Mom wrote:

Agree. It's a lot of money but they give up a lot of their time...

amother

Violet

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 7:38 am

5*Mom wrote:

Kallah classes need to be available to every kallah. When I was a kallah (abt 25 yrs ago), many teachers did not charge, and you were expected to give a gift. Now, it became a business. That's a sad reality.

amother

Mauve

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 7:46 am

No it is not sad that they charge. They are giving hours of undivided attention.
Nobody is complaining that a young hairstylist w/o real training can charge $350 dollars to do the kallaks hair or a rental place Charges 1000-1500 to rent a gown or that the makeup lady can charge a fortune. A chasuna is expensive and I feel the kallah teacher is the most important place to spend my money.
For those who can t afforded there are teachers who do it as a chesed

amother

Cobalt

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 8:27 am

5*Mom wrote:

It is probably overcharging because of the abysmal job most of these kallah teachers do. Ninety percent of the classes are made up fluff with people's personal stories quoted in order to instill specific anxieties based on the kallah teachers agenda. A little but of halacha, which anyone can get from a book or a twenty minute discussion with anyone experienced in the practice if taharas hamishpacha. And then some variable s.x education, the quality of which is typically extremely poor and again, designed around the kallah teachers personal hangups. A complete waste of time and money for all.

5*Mom

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 9:12 am

amother wrote:

Personally, I agree with the general assessment of the quality of the majority of Kallah teachers and the value of the classes, and I intend to teach my daughters myself (we've already discussed it Smile

) but for those who know what the classes entail and buy into the system, the fee seems reasonable for what is expected of them.

amother

Honeydew

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 10:52 am

amother wrote:

This was not my experience at all! Why do you make this assumption? Have you sat in on classes with every Kallah teacher?

Ruchel

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 11:21 am

Horrible.
BH in France (maybe also neighbour countries) they are not allowed to take.
As for a private teacher, I'm expensive and I take 20 euro per hour but it comes with a MA degree. Some do 13,12, 10 euro even.
Mine was chassidish
Litvish for dh

amother

Babypink

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 11:40 am

MO, six session group class at Lincoln Square Synagogue in NYC, 20 years ago. I don't remember the exact amount, but probably around $100 (be sure to account for inflation if you are comparing).

amother

Sapphire

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 2:03 pm

Chicago. It was free officially but she said that she recommends that we donate to Daughters of Israel.

It was 4 classes 1 1/2 - 3 hours each. I felt vastly unprepared. I read books and then a tzadekes from the neighborhood (she was also a kallah teacher) called me a week before the wedding and asked me if I felt prepared. I told her I wasn't so she told me to come over for a couple hours and she reviewed it with me and gave me a test. Also for free.

amother

Aqua

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 2:51 pm

Following this thread with interest. I've thought about becoming a kallah teacher quite a few times, and a number of people have asked me if I do classes, but the place where I live is very centralized and I would need to become an official teacher certified via jme and I would not be allowed to charge for my classes.

At this stage in my life with Bh a growing family and financial a bit tight, it makes no sense at all for me to invest literally hours and hours of my time. Sit with someone for 8--13 sessions each one between 1-3 hours completely for free. I am definitely looking for side income and I do a bit of tutoring and learning one on one with people. But it literally boogles my mind that people here are easily dropping 50-150 thousand dollars on a wedding that lasts one day, don't think they should pay someone who gives them 20+ hours of their time a measly $500-1000. I know these numbers are not what everyone pays for weddings but in my community its very standard.

amother

Lavender

Mon, Feb 08 2016, 3:26 pm

Chayalle wrote:

Sent my sis to someone in Lakewood this past summer, $600. She tells me all the time how happy she was with her. I plan to send my girls to her I"YH in the right time.....

Sounds amazing! Would love to know who.