The Secret to Living Is Giving: What a Boy in a Suit, $25, and a Bar Mitzvah Student Taught Me About Life

Hi, I’m Cantor Ben — and let me tell you a story that’s stayed with me ever since I first heard it.

Tony Robbins — one of the most well-known motivational speakers in the world — once told a story about a time when he had just $25 to his name. He had lent a friend $1,200, and that friend disappeared. Tony was broke, discouraged, and sitting in a buffet restaurant, loading up on food to “last him for the week.”

That’s when he saw something extraordinary: a little boy, no older than eight, in a suit, opening the door for his mother and pulling out her chair like a perfect gentleman.

Tony was blown away. The boy’s kindness, respect, and presence — even in such a small act — moved him deeply. He got up, walked over, and said to the boy, “You’re a true gentleman.”

And then — without thinking — Tony pulled out every dollar he had left in the world and put it on the table. “Lunch is on you today,” he told the boy, looking him in the eye.

Tony walked out of that restaurant with nothing in his wallet.

That night? A letter arrived from the very friend who ghosted him, with a note of apology and a check for $1,300 — enough to keep him going for months.

His lesson: “The secret to living is giving. Do it even when you think you can’t. Scarcity disappears when you give anyway.”

At CoolCantor Hebrew School, I See This Truth Come to Life Every Day

I don’t just teach Bar Mitzvah lessons and Bat Mitzvah preparation. I coach my students in resilience, confidence, and generosity — life lessons rooted in Jewish values and powered by the weekly Torah portion.

Take Alyssa from Kansas City.

When she joined CoolCantor Hebrew School, she was shy, quiet, and carried a deep fear of being seen or heard. She worried about failing, about people laughing, about not being “good enough” to chant Torah or share a D’var.

But Alyssa also had a spark. And every week — through our online Bat Mitzvah lessons, personal coaching, and Torah-based discussions — I helped her fan that spark into a flame.

We talked about courage, empathy, and yes — generosity. Not just giving money, but giving kindness, giving encouragement, giving energy — even when it’s hard.

One week, inspired by the Torah portion, I challenged her: “Who can you lift up this week, even if you don’t feel strong?”

She smiled and said, “My little brother. He’s struggling at school, and I think I’ve been too hard on him.”

By the next lesson, she had written him a letter of encouragement, helped him with homework, and even told him he mattered.

That’s leadership. That’s spiritual confidence. That’s what we build at CoolCantor.

The Power of Giving — Especially When It’s Hard

In my Judaism classes online, we talk often about how the Torah isn’t just a book — it’s a blueprint for a meaningful life.

The Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah journey isn’t just about reading Hebrew fluently or memorizing blessings — though yes, we do that too. Whether you’re in Virtual Bar Mitzvah Lessons, Online Bat Mitzvah Training, or preparing for an Adult Bar Mitzvah, what we’re truly cultivating is:

Self-respect
Empathy
Spiritual courage
And a growth mindset

In a world where many students are taught to take, I teach them to give.

Alyssa’s journey wasn’t just about becoming a Bat Mitzvah. It was about becoming a mensch — a person of depth, values, and strength.

How We Teach Generosity at CoolCantor
Here’s how I build these values into every lesson:

Start with the Weekly Torah Portion
Each week, we study the Weekly Torah Portion and apply it to life. What does Moses teach us about leadership? What does Joseph teach us about perseverance? These become the foundations for ethical growth.

Use Personalized Coaching

As a life coach, I tailor every interaction to my student’s needs. Through online Jewish education, we build confidence step by step — even with students who previously felt disengaged from Hebrew school.
Create a Culture of Giving
Every week, my students are encouraged to find one person to lift up. This may be a sibling, a parent, or a classmate. Through consistent practice, giving becomes second nature.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
In a world flooded with selfies, comparison, and screen addiction, our kids are being shaped by algorithms — not by values.

That’s why I created CoolCantor: a place where Jewish Studies Online meets emotional intelligence, and where Bar Mitzvah training becomes a doorway to lifelong leadership.

Whether you’re looking for the Best Hebrew Course, want to learn Hebrew language through Hebrew education online, or are preparing for a Bar Mitzvah for adults, this journey isn’t just about what you know — it’s about who you become.

Real Change Starts with a Single Decision

Tony Robbins gave away his last dollar. Not because it made financial sense — but because it made spiritual sense.

Alyssa gave her brother love and encouragement. Not because she had to — but because she chose to lead.

You have the same opportunity.

If you want your child to learn more than just the Hebrew language, if you want them to grow in courage, compassion, and clarity… CoolCantor.com is the place.

Together, we’ll use Torah portion lessons online, Hebrew language classes, and real-life conversations to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Because when kids learn to give with joy — no matter their age or ability — they become the kind of people who light up the world.

Ready to Begin?

Visit CoolCantor.com to explore the full Online Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training, including Online Hebrew Schooling, Online Jewish Classes, and the best in Bar Mitzvah Preparation Classes.

Let’s raise strong Jewish leaders. Let’s raise givers. Let’s start now.