Cantor Lizzie Weiss and David Shukiar singing together in Chicago

ACC-AJRCA Pilot Program for Accelerated ACC Associate Membership

The ACC, through its support for and cultivation of excellence among cantors, strengthens Reform Jewish life in North America. ACC cantors are equipped to be attentive to the joys and challenges that members within a congregation face over the course of their lives, using both their unique calling to music and prayer and their shared responsibilities for offering spiritual leadership to congregations. ACC members also can help lead their congregations and by extension, the Reform Jewish movement in North America, to a bright future.

The ACC maintains rigorous standards for ordination/certification, offers deep support for the professional needs of cantors, advocates with passion for the evolving role of the cantorial vocation, and cultivates ever-increasing professional excellence among its members.

Committed. Sacred. Strong. Beautiful. Forward-Facing.

The ACC and AJRCA present the following requirements for application to the Accelerated ACC Associate Membership Program:

In 2025, the deadline for application to the ACC-AJRCA Accelerated Associate Membership Program is November 1. Testing will take place in early December and will coincide with the regular ACC membership exam testing schedule. 1. Any candidates wishing to test for the 2025-26 membership and placement year must have their application completed no later than November 1.

AJRCA cantorial students who wish to become members of the American Conference of Cantors may choose to apply for membership through the following accelerated process:

  • Fill out the ACC-AJRCA Pilot Associate Membership Application on the ACC website.
  • Upload to the form or email to the ACC office the following documents:
    1. A current copy of your resume.
    2. Proof of the candidate’s Baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent).

    3. Proof of the candidate’s Master’s degree (if other than the anticipated MA from AJRCA). 

      Either a photo or copy of the diploma or transcripts from the institution will suffice.

    4. Letters of recommendation:
      1. A letter of recommendation from a current member in good standing of the ACC who is familiar with the candidate’s personal qualities and professional work. This is in addition to the required recommendation of the Dean of the program who is an ACC member.
      2. Two letters of recommendation from individuals with whom the candidate has worked in a professional capacity.
      3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals with whom the candidate has a personal relationship.
    5. A personal essay, no longer than eight double-spaced pages in length, describing your vision of the Reform cantorate and how you view your personal cantorate in the context of Reform Jewish life. This essay should include your perception of and commitment to the Reform Movement, including various experiences and an articulated understanding of the tenets and practices of Reform Judaism. In addition, the essay should explore your full understanding of Reform Judaism and Jewish music through your personal relationship to Reform Judaism as manifest through spiritual, intellectual, and ritual expressions.
    6. Attendance of the preparation course as taught by a member of the ACC for the written and oral evaluation by the adjudication committee. The course will be offered via Zoom at a time to be scheduled with the ACC and AJRCA administration. Any applicants who wish to take the annual exam must have their application started in order to be eligible for the preparatory class.
    7. Payment of the $500 application fee and $150 testing fee which covers the cost of administering the preparation course and the exam. If payments were not made with the original application, fees can be paid through this form. 

Candidates will be assessed according to existing ACC External Membership policy: through a combination of written essays, a short musical program, and an interview with a panel of adjudicators composed of AJRCA administration/alumni and ACC leadership. All adjudicators are ACC members in good standing. The test will be schedule in both Southern California and the New York Metro area in early December. 

Successful candidates are recommended for ACC Associate Membership by the ACC External Testing Committee, to be voted upon by the ACC Executive Board in accordance with existing ACC External Membership policy.

Timeline

  • Each spring, the test date will be set by the ACC External Membership and Testing Committee.
  • Summer: Applications are open and the material review course date will be set and sign ups available to candidates.
  • No later than November 1: Applications for accelerated program are due to the ACC office.
  • December: Exam takes place. ACC Placement preparation work may begin for any candidates going into placement.
  • January: ACC executive board votes recommended candidates into associate membership. Hadracha mentors are assigned. Retirement and insurance plan eligibility begins.
  • February/March: Successful candidates eligible to enter ACC placement as associate members as per JCPC Placement Procedures.
  • August: ACC Associate Membership Dues are payable. 

FAQs

  • Successful candidates for ACC Associate Membership through the pilot program are assigned mentors and go through the two-year ACC Hadracha (mentoring) program.
  • Unsuccessful candidates may still test into ACC Associate Membership the following year, up to two more times, in accordance with ACC External Membership policy. Candidates may test up to three times for membership in the ACC.
  • This pilot program would run for placement years 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27. The ACC Executive Board would re-evaluate the program no later than June 2027.
  • The ACC Code of Ethics and Joint Cantorial Placement Commission Procedures (JCPC) and be found on the ACC Governing Documents page of our website.