What the Graduates have to Say
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"Having completed the School for Shamashim program prior to entering my first year of Cantorial School gave me a distinct advantage over a student coming in with minimal knowledge of Jewish practice, liturgy, nusach and Torah/Haftorah/Megillah reading. Thanks to the program, in my current classes I am already familiar with halachic and liturgical terminology that is being introduced and am now already able to lead services. I now feel more confident about my knowledge of the structure and themes of weekday, sabbath, and holiday services. Overall, the program successfully provides students with a thorough understanding of both the theory and practice of Jewish worship."
--Sidney Ezer, Jerusalem
"Working at Beth El has been a wonderful experience and quite challenging. In addition to being a part of the ritual dept, laining, conducting shiva minyans, leading services, I also care for all of the ritual items. By the way I teach Daled/Hay classes on Tues. and Wed. to learn how to Daven, nusach etc.The last two years of my life have been very fulfilling to say the least.
"FYI I have alaready spoken to 2 prospective students."
--Jory Newman, Baltimore, Maryland |
"I just got back from two amazing weeks in Israel. I traveled with a group of educators, and we did lots of unusual things (eg. text study at a so-called "secular" yeshivah) as well as visiting a few of the standard tourist spots. As for work, my religious school is growing nicely, B'nai Mitzvah tutoring continues to be a joy, and I read Torah and lead services once or twice per month." --Janet Zucker, West Virginia
"I am still serving as cantor and education director, teaching bar/bat mitzvah students, preparing people to read megilla on Purim and Torah on the High Holidays. Also, I've been singing at more concerts since becoming an associate member of the CA through the CICA program. I will be one of about 23 cantors and soloists singing in honor of 18 years of the musical director at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, Dr. Alan Mason. I'm planning an interfaith concert at my Synagogue. I will also be singing in a concert in Broward county next month. I also wish that we were studying together again this summer." --Ronit C. Rubin, Cantor/Education Director, Temple Samu-El Or Olom, Miami, Florida
"Relationships with 4 different congregations continue with visits to lead and teach tefilah and the music of/for tefilah. Also preparing to teach at limmud upcoming and just received word of being accepted as Artist in Residence at the National Havurah Institute this summer. There I will be teaching an intensive on the music of praise. Tomorrow I begin with a new student, teaching and studying together Kabbalat Shabbat. She comes from a traditional background also so I am very excited to have a common base from which to begin. Definitely my path seems to be taking me deeper into Jewish Cultural life. Glad to have the rooting in Jewish Religious and spiritual practice." --Aviva Chernick, Toronto
"About two weeks ago I started up in a position at our Shul (Temple Beth El) as ritual director. Since our Rabbi retired last summer, I pretty much do everything: a twice weekly Dvar Torah, teaching a study group, reading Torah, and leading services. The Shul is still deciding whether to look for a full-time ordained Rabbi, so technically the job is for six months only. But in the meantime, they are keeping me awfully busy. In addition, I spend two days a week at the Albany Medical Center, one as an interfaith chaplain, and one for seeing to the needs of Jewish patients; the latter position under the supervision of the Capital District Board of Rabbis." --Mark Stein, Troy, New York
What the Students had to Say after the first Summer
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"I grew a lot. It was a lot of work but I enjoyed it. Just like the Peace Corps ads: 'The Hardest Job You'll Ever Love!'"
--Marcel Cohen, Toronto
"The Instructors were excellent in their field of expertise. They were prepared and informative. The placement should help me progress in the areas I need more practice in."
--Naomi Miller-Tureck |
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"I thought the classes were excellent. It has been an extreme pleasure to participate in the school. All of the Ravs were dedicated to the mission of teaching the skills that we will one day be performing. Lorne is world class. For all of your efforts, I thank each and every one of you."
--Jory Newman, Baltimore, Maryland
"In the 4 weeks of the course, I experienced personal growth through my learning."
--Elad Benari, Toronto |
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"The program did fulfill my expectations, though it of course remains to be seen how I will be able to apply what I have learned in the upcoming year. I enjoyed the design of the day, though must admit that I was fairly worn out by day’s end. I felt very good when called to read the Torah and then later davening Maariv.
"All in all, I must say that I was quite satisfied with the summer course."
--Mark Stein, Utica, New York
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