Cantor

Temple Beth Tikvah is a 65+ year old congregation with a rich history and deep community roots. We are blessed with many multi-generation families that keep us grounded in our values and ideals. We were founded as a Reform synagogue with a traditional slant and continue to evolve over time. Our Cantor Emeritus Charles Romalis served Temple Beth Tikvah for over fifty years and remains involved when asked by current clergy. Cantor Romalis retired a few years ago and we have been served over the last few years by a student cantor and now by an interim limited service cantor. TBT has a rich musical history that is a fundamental part of who we are and we always strive to be a warm, welcoming, inclusive and engaging sacred community. Key Responsibilities: Partner with our rabbi to lead Erev Shabbat services, Saturday morning B’nai Mitzvah services, Tot Shabbat services (monthly), Holy Days/holiday worship services and lifecycle events, Work closely with the rabbi to prepare and lead High Holy Days services, Lead shivah minyanim as part of the team covering these services, Tot Shabbat services currently take place one Friday night per month, Familiarity and comfort with Reform liturgy and music is essential, Cantor is the primary B’nai Mitzvah tutor for Torah and Haftarah preparation, and partners with the Director of Education to ensure that students are fully prepared to lead the required Hebrew prayers, Weekly 30-minute B’nai Mitzvah lessons may be taught remotely via Zoom approximately 75% of the time. All students will have an in-person lesson at least once a month & Students with special needs may require additional in-person lessons. Cantor will participate weekly in the Ellen S. Goldin Religious School, which meets from 4-6 pm on Thursdays. Religious School meets only on Thursdays, leaving most Sundays without Temple obligations. If time permits in the cantor’s schedule, we would like to include the cantor in a limited role as part of our adult education offerings. We seek a dynamic and engaging cantor who will bring additional ruach and joy to our currently thriving religious school and the congregation as a whole. We continue to build a thriving Tot & Families program and would love for our cantor to enjoy working with this cohort and program. Temple Beth Tikvah is an extraordinarily active sacred community with programming and other offerings that far exceed many 200-family congregations. Our Cantor will be warmly welcomed at all programs and, from time to time, asked to participate as a teacher, speaker, leader, etc. We will work with the Cantor to prioritize the congregation’s needs out of respect for this being a half-time position. While we envision this as a half-time position with the understanding that some weeks will involve more time than others (e.g. High Holy Days and other holidays). The co-presidents and/or rabbi will meet with the Cantor quarterly to review workload and adjust responsibilities to meet this expectation and ensure that the Cantor’s and congregation’s needs and wants are being met to the best of our ability within the spirit of our agreement. We seek a warm, friendly, approachable, engaging and collaborative professional and team player who works well with people of all ages and backgrounds. We are a singing congregation that values a blend of Reform and traditional melodies and hope our Cantor will invite the congregation to join together in prayer and song. We would be proud to have a Cantor who enjoys effectively teaching students of all ages and will help us increase our congregation’s repertoire. The bottom line: We yearn for a Cantor who will love being part of our sacred community and who we will love being with us. We want to draw meaning and have fun while living an active Jewish life. We look forward to welcoming you (and your family)! Start date: July 1, 2025. Chair of Search Committee: Diana Krefting (973) 865-4668, E-mail: [email protected]. www.templebethtikvahnj.org. 

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