Music Director

Job Description

Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta, Georgia seeks a full-time or part-time Music Director to work closely with our Chorus Director and Rabbi to continue the tradition of our dynamic and innovative musical life. This description is for a full-time position; responsibilities would be scaled for part-time. As a start date, we are aiming for summer 2023.

Congregation Bet Haverim (CBH, www.congregationbethaverim.org) is a vibrant Reconstructionist community of 350 households founded by the LGBTQ community in 1984 and now open to all Jews and their loved ones. Inspired by the chutzpah of our founders, CBH’s mission is to promote a bold and expansive Jewish identity and culture emphasizing inclusivity, creativity, spirituality, and social justice. The Music Director should either come from a Reconstructionist background or embrace the values of the movement and community.

Our music program is central to the identity of our synagogue, curating music from broad origins to create our own Jewish aesthetic. Over the years, it has served to grow our congregation in attracting members and donors alike. Please view our discography (www.congregationbethaverim.org/downloads) to understand the wide musical net we cast in terms of vibe, source, and genre. Our all-volunteer chorus has been featured at nationally prominent events including the Reconstructionist Convention and Piccolo Spoleto. It has also joined in marches and vigils, opened for a Paul Simon lecture, released a pandemic-era video, and built bridges to other communities.

The Music Director will collaborate with the Rabbi, Chorus Director, lay leadership, and other CBH staff to curate and integrate music into the ritual, educational, and social life of the community by:

1. Guiding the musical direction of the synagogue

– Find gems in the musical world that can fit our aesthetic and sensibilities, as in our discography. (A composer who would like to see their own pieces arranged and performed would also be welcome.) It is the careful curation that is central to the Music Director’s role.
– Work with CBH’s experienced arrangers for both vocal and instrumental ensembles.
Cultivate, create, and support communities of musicians throughout CBH (e.g. chorus, chant, instrumental groups, youth opportunities).
– Manage our music program: engage with service leaders and families about musical offerings; coordinate with staff and volunteers; write communications.
– Serve as project manager for special projects such as album recordings, music-based fundraisers, and special collaborations.

2. Leading or co-leading welcoming and connected prayer experiences

– Serve in a cantorial role as best befits our congregation: work with lay cantors and other lay leaders for services. Formal ordination as a cantor is not required for this position.
– Co-create with Rabbi spiritual leadership on the bimah for Shabbat and holidays.
– Co-create with Rabbi lifecycle events (e.g. baby namings, britot mitzvah, shiva minyanim).
​​​​​​​- Contribute to the musical life of our children’s education program (e.g. Sunday school family minyans).

Our ideal candidate:

– Can create spiritual and emotional journeys through music.
​​​​​​​- Is a dreamer who will explore “the art of the possible” for our music program in partnership with the Chorus Director and Rabbi.
– Is well-versed in Jewish liturgy and language.
​​​​​​​- Loves people, knows music can stir up every human vulnerability, and can skillfully create a welcoming artistic environment.
– Has a pleasant singing voice, trained or not, and could perform with us if desired, but this is not a soloist position and virtuosity is not our interest.
​​​​​​​- Has the sensitivity and skill to serve as a confidential and safe presence for congregants.
– Is interested in mindfulness practices as they relate to voice and music (e.g. yoga, chant, meditation).
​​​​​​​- Has experience working with a wide range of ages and personalities. Experience with LGBTQ communities is especially desirable.
– Can cultivate connections to and collaborate with other congregations and interfaith communities.

Compensation and Start Date: This is a full-time or part-time, exempt position that will require regular weekend and evening hours and work on Jewish holidays. The start date is flexible, aiming for summer 2023.

Salary range: $80,000–90,000 for full time, ​​​​​​​$40,000-45,000 for part time. Additional benefits may be included such as health benefits, p​​​​aid time off, and paid vacation.
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How to Apply and Submission Deadline: Please submit a cover letter and resume. In addition, as an artistic portfolio, please submit up to three recordings or videos (or links). At least one of them should be a live service or performance video lasting two minutes or longer. Please email all application materials to musicdirectorsearch@cbhatlanta.org by February 28, 2023. If attaching large files that might have trouble going through, kindly send a second email indicating you have submitted an application to ensure we don’t miss it.