High Holidays Service Leaders (Reform & Conservative)

Tufts Hillel in Medford, MA, is a vibrant and growing Jewish community at Tufts University, seeking High Holiday leaders for our Conservative and Reform Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services (one leader for each community minyan). We are seeking energetic song-leaders who are familiar with Reform and Conservative liturgy, who will work with students during the summer to plan the service and lead the majority of the services. 

The service leader will be responsible for the following: 

Reform Service Leader: Leading Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah morning (1st day), Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur Morning, and a combined Yom Kippur Mincha/Neilah/Yizkor service. Student leaders may participate in leading some of the prayers/service framings, but service leader should be prepared to fill in all parts of the service. Working with student leaders throughout the summer to build and frame the service. The service is Reform style, using a Reform machzor (prayer book) from our community. We are particularly looking for a song-leader who is comfortable teaching and leading melodies that encourage participation, playing guitar throughout all services, to lead an engaging and song-filled service. Rabbinic ordination is not required. Shared responsibility with student leaders for English readings and prayer introductions. Primary chanter for Torah and Haftarah, but parts can be shared with staff and students. Blowing Shofar during the appropriate services (Tufts Hillel can provide a Shofar if needed) No sermon or other teaching is required, but if you are interested we can discuss opportunities. 

Conservative Service Leader: Leading Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah morning (1st day), Rosh Hashanah evening (2nd night), Rosh Hashanah morning (2nd day) Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur Morning, Yom Kippur Mincha, and Yom Kippur Neilah services. Student leaders may participate in leading some of the prayers/service framings, but service leader should be prepared to fill in all parts of the service. Working with student leaders throughout the summer to build and frame the service. The service is Conservative style and egalitarian, using a traditional Lev Shalem machzor. We are looking for a complete and halachic service that is often attended by our Conservative and Orthodox identifying students. We are particularly looking for a song-leader who is comfortable teaching and leading melodies that encourage participation, to lead an engaging, song-filled, halachically traditional egalitarian and complete service. Rabbinic ordination is not required. Shared responsibility with student leaders for English readings and prayer introductions. Primary chanter for Torah and Haftarah, but parts may be shared with staff and students. Blow Shofar during the appropriate services, when not filled by student or additional Hillel staff member (Tufts Hillel can provide a Shofar if needed). No sermon or other teaching is required, but if you are interested we can discuss opportunities.

Compensation is $3,000 – $5,000 plus travel, lodging, and meals. If interested, please contact Katie Hamelburg, Senior Jewish Educator at Tufts Hillel, at [email protected]. www.tufts.edu. 

(updated 5/6/26)