Cantor/Cantor Intern/Soloist

Who We Are

Temple Beth Tikvah is a 65+ year old congregation with a rich history and deep community roots. We are blessed with many multi-generation families that keep us grounded in our values and ideals. We were founded as a Reform synagogue with a traditional slant and continue to evolve over time. As a 65+ year old congregation, we welcomed Rabbi Brian Beal in July of 2022, who serves as only our fifth rabbi. Our Cantor Emeritus Charles Romalis served Temple Beth Tikvah for over fifty years and remains involved when asked by current clergy. Cantor Romalis retired a few years ago and we have been served over the last few years by a student cantor and now by an interim limited service cantor. TBT has a rich musical history that is a fundamental part of who we are and we always strive to be a warm, welcoming, inclusive and engaging sacred community. 

 Key Responsibilities

• Partner with our rabbi to lead Erev Shabbat services, Saturday morning B'nai Mitzvah services, Tot Shabbat services (monthly), Holy Days/holiday worship services and lifecycle events.

          -  Work closely with the rabbi to prepare and lead High Holy Days services

          -  Lead shivah minyanim as part of the team covering these services

          -  Tot Shabbat services currently take place one Friday night per month

          -  Familiarity and comfort with Reform liturgy and music is essential.

• Cantor is the primary B'nai Mitzvah tutor for Torah and Haftarah preparation, and partners with the Director of Education to ensure that students are fully prepared to lead the required Hebrew prayers.

          -  Weekly 30-minute B'nai Mitzvah lessons may be taught remotely via Zoom approximately 75% of the time. All students will have an in-person lesson at least once a month. Students with special needs may require additional in-person lessons.

          -  We provide approximately 9 months of preparation for each student. Current 2025-26 schedule includes 8 students, 6 B'nai Mitzvah dates (1 set twins/1 set siblings). 

• Cantor will participate weekly in the Ellen S. Goldin Religious School, which meets from 4-6 pm on Thursdays. Approximately 3-4 Shabbatonim take place on Shabbat mornings in which the cantor will participate.

          -  Cantor will be responsible for developing and executing a music curriculum in partnership with the Director of Education and will assist the Director of Education with teaching Hebrew as needed.

• Cantor will participate in weekly Sr. staff meetings and meet weekly with the rabbi.
• Cantor will select and direct the annual Purim Musical Shpiel.
• If time permits in the cantor's schedule, we would like to include the cantor in a limited role as part of our adult education offerings.

Other Details and Expectations

• Salary commensurate with training and experience.
• On a weekly basis, we anticipate the Cantor will be in the building for most of the day on Thursdays, Friday evenings for Shabbat dinners (approximately one per month), and all Erev Shabbat Services. NOTE: Religious School meets only on Thursdays, leaving most Sundays without Temple obligations.
• The Cantor will be the clergy partner with the rabbi in preparation and leading of all High Holy Days and Holiday services. NOTE: Cantor Emeritus Charles Romalis will participate in a limited, to be determined role. Whether we will continue the tradition of hiring a few members of a paid choir and/or invite Naomi Adler, who has served as a volunteer soloist over the past year, will be determined in consultation with the Cantor and in accordance with any budget limitations.
• We seek a dynamic and engaging cantor who will bring additional ruach and joy to our currently thriving religious school and the congregation as a whole. We continue to build a thriving Tot & Families program and would love for our cantor to enjoy working with this cohort and program.
• Temple Beth Tikvah is an extraordinarily active sacred community with programming and other offerings that far exceed many 200-family congregations. Our Cantor will be warmly welcomed at all programs and, from time to time, asked to participate as a teacher, speaker, leader, etc. We will work with the Cantor to prioritize the congregation's needs out of respect for this being a half-time position.