Cantors are responsible for the spiritual health and growth of synagogue's members. They prepare and lead worship services, singing, teaching, and help oversee all aspects of the synagogue and its role in the community. They are clergy members who are expected to advise and council congregants.

Some may also be psychologists, as I am, or social workers. In the past, rabbis tended to do more counseling than cantors and were much more involved in community affairs, but that is no longer the case. The present day cantor is, generally, as highly educated as his rabbinic partner and is looked upon to participate in all aspects of Jewish communal life.

Even those who do not have the additional education in counseling are at least trained to know when to refer congregants to counseling professionals. They visit the ill who are in the hospital and homebound. They, also, officiate at religious rites of passage, such as B’nai Mitzvah, weddings and funerals.

The rabbi and cantor are both spiritual leaders of the congregation. The rabbi’s primary function is that of teacher and in more observant congregations, the one who decides upon the path both the congregation and its congregants should follow through his interpretation of Jewish law. The cantor's primary focus is leading the congregation in prayers and rituals. In many cases based on the strength of the individual clergy, the roles of rabbi and cantor often overlap.

Today, the calling of the cantor is going through a number of changes. He is no longer just the expert on the service and Jewish music. The new curriculums at the various seminaries stress a higher level of teaching and counseling skills to go along with the required musical abilities. Smaller congregations are now, as in olden days, turning to cantors to be their sole spiritual leaders, due to their wider skill set.

Cantors are called upon to respond to congregants in crises. Being a clergyman is a people-intensive job, which means having excellent communication skills is a must. Cantors just as much as their rabbinic partners must be able to listen to their congregants, understand their needs, and respond to them in a meaningful way.

But the most important characteristics of both rabbis and cantors is that they are compassionate beings with an ability to bring God's presence into their community.

If you are interested in helping others come closer to God and enjoy reaching out to others in need, then maybe becoming a member of the clergy might be the right career for you, as well.

I am proud to have been a mentor to one such person since coming to B’nai Moshe. Zachary Mondrow is someone who I have had the opportunity to see grow in his Judaism and help lead him to the calling of Shaliach Tzibbur.

On June 6, we will be celebrating the ordination of Hazzan Zachary Mondrow from the H. L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is the first cantor to grow up at Congregation B’nai Moshe and the first Detroiter in over 25 years to become a Cantor.

It is a magnificent occasion and one which you are all invited to attend. We will celebrate with a dinner, concert and desert reception. I have been asked to officially invest Zach as Hazzan, as part of the program. Look for your personal invitation in the mail and plan to attend.