Volunteer of the Month and for the Year 2011: Cantor Linda Ecker
Describe the most important/ most enjoyable part of being a cantor.
Being a cantor gives you that amazing opportunity to be part of other people’s lives and to be part of their ongoing life cycles. It is a good feeling to be able to help guide people through this wonderful world--participating in their life cycles--good and sad--to show them Israel, watching them take ownership of their Zionism; to teach adults cantillation and/or Hebrew. I’m sure you agree that the list goes on and on.
How have you influenced others in your work as a cantor? As an ACC volunteer?
When I was a young girl, it was not possible for a female to be a cantor. Having become the first female cantor in Orange County, I was very aware of the fact that what I did--or did not do would influence other women looking into becoming cantors. Nowadays it is accepted that of course women can become clergy but at the time it was very apparent that my behavior off and on the bimah had a tremendous effect on how the women in clergy would be perceived. So I have tried to be a positive role model. As an ACC volunteer I have been able to meet so many of my colleagues. It is truly a
benefit of volunteering that you get the opportunity to know each other better. I hope I have influenced other ACC members to become more involved as well.
Tell us about the volunteer work that you are doing in the ACC. What about it is rewarding for you?
When I first became an ACC member there was an article in Koleinu by David Goldstein in which the topic was the importance of volunteering. The ACC is only as strong as its members and I am grateful to be one of those members. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to thank the organization for the privilege of membership. I first was appointed ACC representative to the URJ Outreach Commission. I was then appointed ACC co-chair along with Sam Radwine and Evan Kent for the 2000 National Convention in Los Angeles. I became a member of the Executive Board and after two years became an Officer of the Conference serving as Treasurer. During that time I served on the Task Force for Strategic Planning. In addition I took over the responsibility of overseeing the Certification program culminating in its completion in 2010. Currently, I am serving as co-chair along with Lori Frank for the 2012 National Convention to be held in Portland and hope to see all of you there. You won’t want to miss it! I have felt blessed to be part of the ACC and feel very honored to be given the privilege of giving back to this organization.
What do you look forward to most at ACC conventions?
I look forward each year to reuniting with friends and making new friends. I actually look forward to plenaries so that I can hear what has transpired during the year on behalf of the ACC. But most of all, I love getting recharged by being with colleagues and feeling so lucky to be part of this conference.
Tell us one thing about yourself that we might not know that you would want us to learn about you.
I have been on a bowling team for eight years so don’t ever try to contact me on a Wednesday morning. My highest score, so far, is 222.
Tell us about your cantorial mentor; who or what influenced you to become a cantor.
I grew up across the street from my cantor. I would walk with him from services on Saturday and I sang in his choir. He also drove me to religious school, picking me up in front of the junior high school.
As an adult wanting to become a cantor, noticing that women were being allowed on the pulpit, I must credit Sam Radwine for helping me achieve my goal. He always made himself available and his caring spirit has become my model as well. Thank you ACC for giving me this wonderful tribute - to be named volunteer of the year. It is truly a dream come true.