[HANASHIR:15066] Re: cantorial certification

[Rob Menes <rmenes...>]

I rarely join in the discussion, but this is too interesting to ignore. 

I am a cantorial student at JTS. I am also the cantor (and acting rabbi) for a 
Conservative synagogue on Long Island. I am in my mid-forties and have led 
services for some years, but I wanted to have the foundation underneath my 
davening. 

Clearly, one does not have to go to cantorial school to lead services, nor does 
one have to apprentice with a cantor. However, knowing the theory, the history, 
the meaning of the words, the origin of the prayers, and the techniques of 
leadership enables one to be a better prayer leader. I taught physics in Africa 
while in the Peace Corps, and knowing quantum mechanics helped me to teach 
seventh graders about ice and stars and rocks. The foundation contributes to 
the leader, and works its way out in mysterious ways. 

Many congregations do not know why a cantor needs to know what he/she knows. Or 
even why they need a cantor. Or why the Jewish musical tradition needs to be 
preserved - and used - at all. They would gladly pay someone much less to do 
what on the surface seems to be the same job. Thus, a "certification" program 
would give them some comfort that they are hiring someone with some knowledge. 
Unfortunately, it would contribute to the misconception that a cantor is not 
vital to a congregation. I know that each person on this listserver appreciates 
the value of music in worship, but the cantor, rather than the rabbi, is the 
one most connected to, and responsible for, the liturgy and the prayer. And, 
therefore, the education towards Bar/Bat Mitzvah. And, as all Torah must be 
chanted, the cantor is ultimately responsible for the Torah and megilot 
reading. And on and on... In the context of the formal service, the cantor is 
the one responsible for setting the conditions for each congregant to
 approach God, who is willing to sing the Hineni on Rosh HaShanah.

My experience at JTS is that a) there is not one single person in the program 
who does not have a pleasing, let alone extraordinary, voice (a number of us 
have sung professionally in many venues, including the Metropolitan Opera), b) 
each person aspires to be more than a performer, and c) each person has made 
significant sacrifices to go through the five year program. Each person comes 
with a different level of observance, knowledge of Hebrew, and background in 
music, but all (ok, most) are brought up to a level in every area to enable 
them to be a leader in the congregation. I would hope that a certification 
program would not devalue this kind of training and would not be used as a poor 
substitute for skilled leadership.

Rob Menes

 


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