[HANASHIR:1851] RE: "cantor"

[elliotdp <elliotdp...>]

QuelliPG (at) aol(dot)com wrote:
> 
> Brian, I can't speak for the Reform movement, but the Conservative movement
> certainly DOES use the term chazzan for ORDAINED cantors of both genders.  And
> I would say that the same principles apply for use of that title... if you are
> not a trained cantor but are leading services, the correct term is shaliach
> tzibur, not chazzan.
> 
> Raquel

The reasons I prefer "shaliach tzibur" and "ba'al t'filah" over "cantor"
and "cantorial soloist" are:

1)  I prefer using Hebrew terms whenever possible.

2)  The Hebrew terms keep us focused on the function of that person in
the service, while the English terms tend to focus us on qualifications
and credentials.

Elliot