Cantor

The Cantor will be an integral part of sustaining and growing our synagogue community and the Congregation’s Jewish identity.  The Cantor will be the Shaliach Tzibbur (Prayer Representative of the Community) who is personally moved by sacred melodies and can help others sense the joy, awe, and meaning of our prayers, songs, and chants.  The Cantor is part of our clergy team, tending to the spiritual life of the Congregation through music, song, teaching and pastoral outreach. As a teacher of liturgy, the Cantor will imbue in all ages the love of the text and music of Jewish prayer and chant.  The Cantor will expand knowledge of, and ability to impart, a range of Ashkenazi, Mizrachi and Sephardi traditions. The Cantor should be collaborative, innovative, and creative while showing a true understanding of, and respect for, Conservative egalitarian Judaism. To this end, our Cantor’s job description, while flexible to reflect the Cantor’s unique talents and the Congregation’s diverse needs, would include the following:

Clergy Responsibilities

• Collaborate with clergy in creating and leading engaging services that are rooted in tradition.
• Lead our community in participatory prayer and song.
• Collaborate with clergy staff to lead and coordinate all Shabbat (kabbalat Shabbat, maariv, shacharit/musaf, and mincha/maariv) and holiday services.
• Chant and/or schedule others to chant weekly haftarot.
• Be sensitive to and help preserve the beloved traditions of our congregation.
• Represent our community on appropriate civic and religious occasions (9/11 observance, MLK Day events, programs in the parks, etc.).
• Participate in Life Cycle events of congregants including brit milah, B’nai Mitzvah, weddings, funerals, and unveilings as needed.
• Share pastoral duties including bikkur cholim visits, shiva calls, and attending shiva minyanim.
• Coordinate with other clergy to lead daily minyan.
• Read and/or facilitate the reading of all megillot.
• Facilitate opportunities to enhance adult worship as well as family worship.
• Torah reading and/or supervision.
• Encourage members of all ages to participate in ritual life of the synagogue and to offer training as needed.
• Teach adults, in groups and as individuals, to chant Torah, haftarah and megillah, and to lead parts of the service.
• Teach adult education classes consistent with the interests of the congregation and the hazzan.

 B’nai Mitzvah Program

• Assume full oversight of B’nai Mitzvah preparation, including direct tutoring and overseeing of tutoring, all with the goal of encouraging students to reach their full potential and to have a positive attitude toward the synagogue and Jewish tradition.
• Willingness to expand knowledge of Ashkenazi and Mizrachi tropes in order to meet the needs of our diverse congregation.
• Encourage B’nai Mitzvah to lead tefilot on the Shabbat and beyond commensurate with their interest and ability.
• Do a final run-through with B’nai Mitzvah families.

Musical Direction

• In consultation with clergy and appropriate lay leadership, planning and implementing a diverse array of musical programs including concerts and artists in residence to enrich the congregation.
• Encourage musical participation by members of the congregation, specifics to be determined.

Ritual Responsibilities

• Be able to embrace and work within Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Ashkenazi traditions.
• Be comfortable including the “imahot” in the amidah.
• Manage services including training, organizing and coordination of lay participants.
• Share daily minyan leadership and attendance with the other clergy.

Education and Religious School Responsibilities

• Teaching a variety of ages and interest groups, including children from preschool to teen and adults. Specific responsibilities to be determined collaboratively between the hazzan, senior rabbi and educators.

Synagogue Leadership, Administration, and Community Responsibilities

• Work within an established budget.
• Attend and participate in weekly professional staff meetings.
• Attend and participate on Ritual Committee.
• Participate in various community events including 9/11 commemoration, Israel advocacy programs, and interfaith programs.
• Attend professional conventions.

Additional Information

Applicants should include a cover letter, resume, and links to any vocal materials they would like to be considered.