Volunteer of the Month: Cantor Ross Wolman
Cantor Ross Wolman has been the cantor of Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette, IL. Soon he will be moving to Deerfield, IL to become Assistant Cantor at B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim. He is delighted to serve along side our colleage Cantor Jennifer Frost.
Describe the most important/ most enjoyable part of being a cantor.
The most enjoyable part is working with families and being part of their sacred journey. It’s beautiful when music is a part of their journey but it doesn’t have to be. It is an honor and a privilege to help bring meaning and purpose to the lives of our members.
How have you influenced others in your work as a cantor? As an ACC volunteer?
Using the position of cantor for community involvement has been meaningful in working with all different communities within the congregation -whether it is youth or seniors or anyone else. It could happen during a casual conversation with in a hallway, with kids at camp, or in the classroom.
Tell us about the volunteer work that you are doing in the ACC. What about it is rewarding for you?
The Reform Cantors of Chicago (RCC) is at the end of its 2nd year and we have had great successes despite our infancy. The group meets weekly with around 10-12 ACC cantors attending each meeting (out of our 18-cantor membership). The RCC has made a name for itself in the community through many avenues. Cantor Michael Davis spearheaded the Hyatt workers rights campaign, which has also gained national media attention. In 2009, I co-chaired our Campership concert with Cantor Jennifer Frost. The RCC raised nearly $18,000 with great support from the OSRUI community. OSRUI greatly values the cantor's role at camp and we were grateful to partner with Jerry Kaye and the rest of the Camp community to ensure a great summer for our children. We have also taken the lead on the annual Holocaust memorial at the Skokie Holocaust Museum in thanks to Cantors Michael Davis and Pavel Roytman.
The most rewarding part of our group, however, has been the camaraderie of getting to know our colleagues. We have shared each other's joys and sorrows both in and out of the workplace. The group is growing and looking to continue its success in the coming years. I am at the end of my 1-year term as president and Amy Zussman is taking over next year. As current president of the Reform Cantors of Chicago, a group comprised of ACC members serving in the greater Chicagoland area, it has meant a great deal to further the mission of the ACC on a local level.
What do you look forward to most at ACC conventions?
Reconnecting with friends and finding new ways to grow.
Tell us one thing about yourself that we might not know that you would want us to learn about you.
I have participated four times in the Riding4Reform bike ride in Israel. (riding4reform.org) It is a five day bike ride-fundraiser for the Progressive Movement in Israel.
I’m hoping to ride again next year.
Tell us about your cantorial mentor; who or what influenced you to become a cantor.
Growing up learned from my guitar-playing rabbi and I did not truly understand the role of the cantor until college, when I met Erik Contzius. As his Sunday School music teacher, Erik served as a mentor for me and guided me towards admission to HUC. I was already heading in the direction of becoming a cantor and he cemented the foundation. I am grateful for the strong presence Erik continues to play in my life.
I am grateful to be a part of the ACC and I am dedicated to its success.