Interim Cantorial Soloist

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 [email protected].

• 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/.