Part time Interim Cantorial Soloist
Job Description
Kerem Shalom, a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming non-affiliated Jewish community of about 250 families in Concord, Massachusetts, is seeking an experienced part-time cantor or cantorial soloist to serve on an interim basis from July 2025 through June 2026.
Responsibilities:
– Collaborate with our Rabbi to plan the musical aspects of Shabbat, High Holy Days and festival services and celebrations
– Co-lead our prayer services, leading the congregation in liturgy and song
– 2-3 Shabbat evening services per month, including occasional “Mostly Music” services
– Approximately 7 Shabbat morning services with b’nai mitzvah over the course of the year, dates to be specified
– High Holy Days services, including evening and morning services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah followed by tashlich, and evening, morning and afternoon-to-early evening services on Yom Kippur
– Festivals and Holidays including Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim & Passover
– Teach music in our Hebrew School Reimagined one day per week, including prayer melodies and Jewish songs
Possible additional responsibilities, depending on skills and availability
– Collaborate with Kerem Shalom’s many skilled instrumental and vocal musicians to create expanded musical content for services, festivals and social events
– Organize and direct our Purimspiel
– Chant Torah and Haftarah when needed, at Shabbat, High Holy Days and festival
services
Skills
– Ability to build quality relationships with members of all ages. An appreciation of diversity, including knowledge and care for inclusive practices
– Passion for Jewish music and worship with demonstrable experience leading and developing prayer services based on liberal Jewish practice
– A natural singing voice, with a focus less on performance than on drawing the congregation into song
– Excellent knowledge of both traditional and contemporary liturgical and other Jewish repertoire
– Ability to play guitar and/or piano comfortably and fluently
– A skilled teacher who is excited to introduce new music is a plus.
– Demonstrated experience communicating and collaborating with professional and lay partners
– Comfort with technology and sound equipment, including the ability to utilize and navigate the many facets of Zoom and YouTube. The ability to work with our production/technology support to ensure all systems work as best they can both at home and in our Sanctuary.
– Ability to work collaboratively and comfortably with instrumentalists is a plus.
– Ability to chant Torah and Haftarah is a plus.
Compensation:
– Determined by role that is established based on responsibilities above, ranging from $40,000 – $55,000 and
commensurate with experience
– Generous Paid Time Off (holidays, personal days, sick days and vacation)
Hours:
– Average 10-20 hours per week, depending on responsibilities agreed upon and determined
How to apply:
– Please submit a cover letter, resume and musical portfolio, including video and/or audio
recordings, to hiring@keremshalom.org.
– Please note that serving as our one-year interim cantorial soloist will not disqualify you
from consideration for a subsequent long-term appointment.
About Kerem Shalom
Kerem Shalom—Vineyard of Peace—is a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming community that is the center of Jewish life in Concord and surrounding communities. We are unaffiliated, with a Reconstructionist orientation. More information about Kerem Shalom is online at www./keremshalom.org/.
