We are the first School for Shamashim in 4000 years of Jewish history, and, as far as we know, the only one in the world. The need for competent and qualified Ritual Directors has reached crisis proportions everywhere. The programme emphasizes traditional Jewish nusah, trop, meaning and values, and consists of one month in residence each of two summers, with a supervised internship between. Our individualized teaching, flexibility and personal attention accommodate all. To provide a common base, students receive a reading list in advance.

You are passionate about your Judaism, can read Hebrew accurately and fluently, have some people and musical skills, and are interested in a synagogue-oriented or teaching career that will help people connect with their Judaism. Men and women are welcome from all movements within Judaism, and students choose their own place of internship. Students may be looking to develop a new area of service within the Jewish community or they may be currently functioning within congregations and schools and seeking to receive accreditation and/or to upgrade their skills. (You-continued below)

(You cont'd.) Congregations and schools may also wish to sponsor individuals to learn or expand their skills. Probably every congregation, large or small, has someone they want to groom for Hazzan Sheini, Ritual Director, Head Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher, classroom teacher or lay religious leader. Congregations or rabbis may have young teachers or choir members whom they wish to encourage for a career in synagogue service or tefilla teachers who want to enhance their skills. Day Schools and Hebrew Schools are looking for people who can teach and facilitate prayer effectively.

Accredited graduates should expect to be able to perform all the duties traditionally performed by Ritual Directors as well as serving as lay hazzanim, certified bar/bat mitzvah teachers, tefilla teachers, etc. Accordingly, graduates of the RA School for Shamashim can expect to serve as part of a staff of large congregations as Shamash, Ritual Director, Hazzan Sheini or Head Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher, enhanced classroom tefilla teacher, or as the only trained staff person or lay assistant to the rabbi in a small congregation.