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ACC Launches Cantor-in-Residence Program for Small URJ Congregations

Have you ever thought that you could make a difference in the spiritual lives of several small congregations on a limited basis?   Have you wanted to visit other areas of the country, bringing your music and prayer skills, but without moving your household?  Does it seem unlikely that you will find the one, perfect full-time pulpit in this economic climate? 

Well, thanks to the pioneering efforts of a few diligent ACC cantors, the ACC may have an opportunity for you to serve and find fulfillment even in these tough times.


The ACC cantors who will be eligible for the pilot Cantor-in-Residence (C-I-R) Program are those serving half-time or less.


The C-I-R Program is a pilot, one-year plan designed to serve congregations of fewer than 250 member units. 


The C-I-R program might be for a synagogue if it fits into one of these categories:

  • Congregations wishing to benefit from the knowledge and experience of an ACC cantor, but unable to afford the cost of a full or part-time cantor
  • Congregations that haven’t engaged a cantor in the past but are considering engaging a cantor in the future
  • Congregations that have had a cantor in the past and would like to maintain a cantorial presence as a decision is made about how to proceed

The ACC’s objectives are:

  • To provide small congregations with the rich array of liturgical, musical, educational and pastoral benefits that an ACC cantor can provide even on a limited basis
  • To introduce congregations to all that the Reform cantorate can provide
  • To establish more relationships between URJ congregations and  the ACC
  • To create congregational desire for a cantor through exposure, education and relationship
  • To, where possible, steer the congregation toward the establishment of a full-time or part-time cantorial position 

We envision this as a program in which a cantor would visit a congregation between two and eleven times during a year.  These visits would generally be for a Friday to Sunday weekend.


So you ask, what would the C-I-R do for the congregation during a 2 ½ day (Friday –Sunday) weekend?  There is an array of choices.  NOT EVERYTHING listed would be a weekly occurrence!


Worship* Possibilities

  • Erev Shabbat
  • Shabbat Minyan
  • B’nei Mitzvah
  • Havdalah
  • Festivals 
  • High Holiday services (extra fee)    
    * Which may include preaching or teaching

Teaching Possibilities

  • Sundays (Religious School, etc)
  • B’nei Mitzvah tutoring
  • Family Education
  • Adult Classes

Programming Possibilities

  • Concerts (extra fee)
  • Special Liturgical/Musical Presentations
  • Rehearsals with Adult Choirs, Children’s Choirs or Bands

Pastoral Care Options

  • Weekend hospital or home visits
  • Shiva Minyanim, when possible

As this is a pilot program, we anticipate that many questions will arise as we go through the season.  Consequently we plan on consulting closely as we proceed through what promises to be an uplifting and forward-looking program for cantors and congregations alike.  (Compensation facts are available for download on the "Support for Cantors" member's only page.) For more information about this exciting new program, please call Barbara Ostfeld at 716-568-1125 or email her at bjostfeld@accantors.org.


L’shalom,


Barbara Ostfeld, ACC Director of Placement
Barbara Margulis, Chair, Joint Cantorial Placement Commission
Jodi Schechtman, ACC Director of Organizational Partnerships
Mark Goldman, ACC Vice President of Development, External Policy and Placement