Bet Mishpachah, the LGBTQIA+ synagogue of Washington, DC, seeks a Jewish musical professional or cantorial soloist to join us in leading our congregation in prayer and song during our 2026/5787 High Holy Days observance.
Bet Mishpachah recently celebrated our 50 th anniversary of serving LGTQIA+ Jews and their families, friends, and allies. We are an independent, egalitarian synagogue with a proud tradition of lay leadership of religious services.
We are in search of a Jewish musical professional or Cantorial Soloist who:
has a pleasant singing voice
is fluent in High Holy day nusach
can fluently lein from the Torah scroll in High Holy Day trope
is warm, authentic, and collaborative; and
has a demonstrated commitment to LGBTQ+ community
We have published our own machzor, Chadeish Yameinu, which combines traditional and contemporary liturgy and offers multiple paths into the High Holy Days. We use a combination of traditional High Holiday melodies, contemporary choices, and some Shabbat melodies. Ourservices are presented both in person and on Zoom.
Time required for the following High Holy Days services:
Saturday, September 5: S’lichot, at 8 pm (service length approx. 1.25 hrs)
Friday, September 11: Erev Rosh ha-Shana, at 8 pm (service length approx.1.5 hours) lein passage from machzor
Saturday, September 12: Rosh ha-Shana: Morning service, at 10 am (service length approx. 2.5 hours) lein from Torah scroll during Torah service
Sunday, September 13: Rosh ha-Shana Morning service, at 10 am (service length approx.2.5 hours) lein from Torah scroll during Torah service
Sunday, September 20: Kol Nidre, at 7 pm (service length approx. 2.0 hours)
Monday, September 21:
o Yom Kippur morning, at 10 am (service length approx. 3.0 hours) lein from Torah scroll during Torah service
o Martyrology and Yizkor, immediately following the morning service (service length approx. 1.0 hour)
o Mincha, N’ila, and Havdala starting at 5 pm (total length 2.0+ hours) lein from Torah scroll during Mincha Torah service
In addition, the successful candidate will participate in a live (in-person or on Zoom) service planning meeting with each service-leading team (normally comprised of our Rabbi and/or one or more lay leaders) at least once over the summer, and further collaborate via email as necessary, for a total of approximately 1.5 hours for each team.
Compensation is $11,000. Parking at the EDC JCC and entry to the Break-the-Fast meal will be provided. The successful candidate will be responsible for any travel and lodging expenses. Please submit a resume and letter describing your experience and/or training. Please include mp3 files and/or links to recorded samples of your work. Address your submission to [email protected].