Director of Placement

Cantor Barbara Ostfeld is history's first woman cantor. She was invested by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music (HUC-JIR, SSM) in June of 1975. In September of 2002, Cantor Ostfeld was appointed Placement Director of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC). She served Temple Beth Am of Buffalo, NY from 1990 through 2002. From 1976 through 1988, she served Temple Beth-El of Great Neck as cantor. In March of 2000, as she marked 25 years of congregational service, she received an honorary doctorate in Sacred Music from HUC-JIR.

Cantor Ostfeld has served the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) as secretary, vice president and as a northeast regional representative. She has served several terms on its board of directors. From 1996 to 1998, she chaired the Joint Cantorial Placement Commission, which includes representatives of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the ACC. She has been a president of the HUC-JIR, SSM Student Organization (1974-75) and of the Cantorial Alumni Organization of the College-Institute. For two years, Cantor Ostfeld edited an early CAA newsletter called Shalshelet: The Chain. Cantor Ostfeld has an ongoing interest in Judeo-Spanish romanceros, and enjoys writing an occasional poem on a religious theme. Cantor Ostfeld is married to Todd M. Joseph and has two children, Jordana and Aleza Horowitz.

To email Barbara, click here.