Induction of UK’s First Reform Cantor
Thursday, 26 November 2009
On Shabbat 14 November 2009, Finchley Reform Synagogue inducted the first Reform cantor in the United Kingdom. Cantor Zoë Jacobs, who grew up in the synagogue and received S’micha from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York, took up her position at the start of September.
The service was part of a Shabbat of activities that centred around music, with Shabbat dinner and an oneg, complete with songs and stories on
Friday night and sessions of study and singing on Shabbat afternoon, culminating with Havdalah.
Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, Executive Director of the Movement officiated at the induction. She said "The appointment of Cantor Zoë Jacobs is significant not only for the FRS community, but the entire Reform Movement. Never before has one of our communities had a trained Cantor, with the same high quality and length of training as our rabbis, serving as clergy.This development promises to benefit not only FRS and not only the Reform Movement, but British Jewry as a whole."
The service showcased the many different ways in which music can be used in services from the music of memory conjured up by the Cantor’s nusach to the music of majesty generated by the voices of a choir. The service concluded with Rabbi Dr. Tony Bayfield, Head of the Movement, giving the final blessing.
Cantor Zoë Jacobs said: “Our community has many factors which contribute to its unique place within Anglo-Jewry. As our leader, we have a rabbi who is dynamic, thoughtful, supportive, and committed to leading us with vision. In addition, we have a council who strive to think outside the box. So it is that we have created a dynamic new education program - kochavim - and that our clergy team includes Rabbi Howard Copper - who is dedicated to the spiritual life of the community.
I am so grateful to be joining this team, and to be able to return to the community which has given me so much. It is a rare opportunity to return to the community in which one has been nurtured. We are a community who love music, and last night and this morning have been testament to the sound we can create when we raise our voices together. I look forward to the opportunity to sing and celebrate with our growing, cutting-edge community well into our future.”
Rabbi Miriam Berger, Principal Rabbi, added: “Cantor Zoë Jacobs has quickly and imaginatively shown us that multiple styles of music are key to creating a powerful and inspirational opportunity in prayer.”
Cantor Jacobs will also be coordinating Jewish music projects for the Reform Movement.
Pictured above (left to right): Rabbi Miriam Berger, Cantor Zoë Jacobs and Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand.
Photo: Carolyn Djanogly
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