Part-time 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 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.