Temple Emanu-El Toronto is Seeking a Cantor/Cantorial Soloist
Temple Emanu-El in Toronto is a vibrant and creative congregation of approximately 325 families, with a rich tradition of music in our prayer life and educational activities. We are seeking the right individual(s) to create deeply meaningful spiritual experiences for our members.
The role of Cantor/Cantorial Soloist encompasses a variety of responsibilities, and we recognize that not all candidates may possess every skill listed. We are open to structuring the position in a way that leverages individual strengths, which may involve hiring more than one person. If you possess some or all of the listed qualifications, we encourage you to apply—your unique skills and experience may be exactly what we need to build the best team possible.
Start Date
This position becomes available on July 1, 2025, but we are prepared to wait for the right candidate.
About You
You are personable and engaging. You love your work, and your enthusiasm is infectious. Your deep love for music shines through in every service, serving as a powerful tool to connect with others. With a strong background in Jewish life, you have the dynamic ability to engage congregants of all ages. You bring fresh ideas and foster a warm, collaborative environment for congregants, lay leaders, volunteers, staff, potential members, and visitors. You are available to work weekends and some evenings on a regular basis.
Responsibilities of the Role
1. Cantor/Cantorial Soloist
- Officiate at Shabbat and holiday services, as well as life cycle events.
- Select music for services in consultation with the Rabbi.
- Coordinate and hire additional musicians as needed for services and special occasions.
- Organize musical events, including monthly Summer Havdalah on the Porch concerts, hiring musicians and coordinating with the choir and staff.
- Represent the congregation at community events, such as cantorial concerts.
2. B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator
- Oversee B'nei Mitzvah preparation, including instructing students in trope (cantillation) and ensuring they are fully prepared to chant Torah and Haftarah with confidence and accuracy.
- Work with the Director of Education to support the music program in our religious school.
3. Choir Director
- Conduct the volunteer choir at weekly rehearsals and during holiday and Shabbat services (approximately once per month).
- Select music for services and concerts in consultation with the Rabbi and Cantor/Soloist.
- Seek opportunities for community outreach, such as concerts and hospital performances.
Salary & Benefits
- These responsibilities together constitute a full-time, in-person position.
- Salary is dependent on professional qualifications, years of experience, and whether the candidate can fulfill all or some of the listed responsibilities.
- Temple employees may be eligible for extended health and dental benefits, as well as generous paid time off.
- Employees who serve at least one week as Camp George faculty each summer are eligible for family discounts on camper fees.
Diversity Statement
Temple Emanu-El is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its leadership and staff. We welcome qualified applicants with diverse backgrounds, identities, and skills, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religious denominations, gender, sexuality, ability, and neurodiversity. Candidates for Cantor should be open to leading others with these values in mind.
Application Process
If you believe you are the right candidate for any or all aspects of musical leadership within our congregation, we encourage you to apply. Please email a cover letter, resume, and three to five musical recordings to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We appreciate every application; however, only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
For more information, please visit our website: www.templeemanuel.ca.