Cantor Erin Frankel has been named the American Conference of Cantors’ Director of Member Services

After a thorough search process, Cantor Erin Frankel has been named the American Conference of Cantors’ newest staff member. She will serve as the Director of Member Services, succeeding Cantor Gail Hirschenfang, who will retire this summer.

In early 2021, ACC President Claire Franco announced the creation of the Member Support Task Force to evaluate the current and future needs of ACC members. Headed by Seth Warner, Vice President of Administration and Internal Policy, and comprised of Cantors Evan Kent, Danielle Rodnizki, Janice Roger, and Kerith Spencer-Shapiro, the task force established a strong footing on which to base the search the for the new Director of Member Services. The search committee for the position was made up of Cantors Josh Breitzer, Deborrah Cannizzaro, Penny Kessler, Danielle Rodnizki, Janice Roger and Seth Warner.

Cantor Frankel exceeded the search committee’s expectations in her presentation as an active listener and in her ability to reflect honestly and selflessly. She exhibits strong leadership with empathy and compassion that will serve our members well as they rely on her guidance during times of transition or difficulty in their careers. She is a forward thinker with in-depth knowledge of the cantorate, the cantor and the workings of the ACC.

Erin is a native of Newton, Massachusetts and a graduate of Columbia University. She is a 2003 graduate and ordainee of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. She has served Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois and Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She most recently served on the Officer Team of the ACC. Erin lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

Erin will vacate her ACC Vice President seat and begin working alongside Cantor Hirschenfang beginning this May so that a seamless transition can take place. We will honor Cantor Hirschenfang for her service and dedication to this position and welcome Cantor Frankel in person at our ACC Convention June 7-8, 2022.