Career Opportunities

Director of Music & Prayer (Shaliach/Schlichat Tzibur):

Key Aspects of the Role: What You Will Do

1. Transformative Ritual Leadership

  • Create Welcoming, Joyful Services: Lead Shabbat, daily, and holiday services where members are not just attending, but are excited to participate and sing along.

  • Bridge Tradition and Innovation: Work collaboratively with the Rabbi and lay leadership to ensure services are deeply rooted in tradition while incorporating a discerning eye and ear toward innovative melodies and styles, finding the perfect balance for every moment of the Jewish year.

  • Elevate Spirituality: Ensure that prayer, music, and spirituality are meaningful, moving, and profoundly welcoming to members and visitors by incorporating your voice, instrumental accompaniment (when appropriate), and the voice of our community into our services.

2. B'nei Mitzvah and Educational Leadership

  • Empower Future Leaders: Play a central, hands-on role in the success of our foundational B’nei Mitzvah program.

  • Program Oversight: Oversee and execute all B'nei Mitzvah tutoring in partnership with our Baal Koreh/Tutor, ensuring excellence in the instruction of Torah and Haftarah chanting and service leading with confidence and meaning.

3. Musical Program Development & Innovation

  • Expand Music’s Reach: Develop creative, engaging programs that extend music beyond ritual services.

  • Showcase Your/SPS’s Talent: Design and lead musical events, adult learning opportunities, and community programs that elevate SPS's musical profile within the broader community.

  • Lead our Choir: Inspire, rehearse, and grow Kol Rinah, our volunteer choir for various events throughout the year.

4. Music Education for All Ages

  • Instill a Love of Jewish Music: Engage learners across Kaplan Nursery School, Jackson Religious School, and teen programming to foster enduring connection.

  • Seamless Progression: Use music and prayer as a tool for connection that keeps students engaged from preschool through B'nei Mitzvah and beyond.

Reporting line: This position reports to the Senior Rabbi/CEO and may supervise tutors and relevant contractors. 

What are we looking for?

We invite candidates with a wide variety of professional qualifications and congregational experiences. While some aspects of our job responsibilities are consistent with those of an ordained Cantor/Hazzan or Rabbi, ordination as such – while welcome and encouraged – is not a firm requirement. The following qualifications are more important than specific titles or specialized education. These qualifications include:

  • Possess vocal skills and training and appreciation and knowledge of traditional and contemporary Jewish music, including liturgical settings. 

  • Ability to manage and/or lead the full range of services held throughout the year, including weekly, daily and High Holiday services.

  • Competency in reading and understanding Hebrew, and ability to read and teach Torah, Haftarah and Megillot though we do have a baal koreh who reads the majority of our Torah reading throughout the year.

  • A love of teaching and working with students.

  • A commitment to the values and practices of Conservative Judaism.

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop positive relationships and inspire and encourage participation.

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with synagogue staff and congregants on a range of activities.

  • Excellent organization, time management and communication skills, including ability to organize and potentially direct areas of interest outside of traditional cantorial and/or rabbinic duties such as working with various affinity groups in the synagogue.

What do you bring?

You have a strong sense of musicality and an understanding of traditional and innovative Jewish worship. 

  • Musical excellence and an understanding of Jewish prayer and liturgy remain a priority – strong voice, presence, and musical leadership.

  • Worship should feel uplifting, connective, and spiritually resonant.

  • However, musicality alone is not enough without the accompanying emotional and communal connection.

Having a strong and musical voice with the ability to adapt to the various services and programs inviting people to feel the energy and power of Jewish music as they sing along.

Community Engagement is something you love!

  • Being a visible, accessible, and present figure in our communal experience.

  • Knowing the congregation—building relationships and being present in both joyful and difficult moments—is essential.

The ability to work with people of all ages with varying backgrounds in all different aspects of synagogue life: daily/weekly/holiday services, teaching, and programming, with a can-do attitude. 

You are someone who exudes joy for the team and mission.

  • Alignment on shared values and vision: someone who wants to grow with SPS and help SPS grow in return.

  • Engages with the community naturally and authentically.

  • Flexible and nimble: able to switch contexts quickly, pitch in wherever needed, and handle shifting priorities with calm and good judgment.

  • Collaborative teammate: works seamlessly with clergy, educators, and staff within and beyond musical responsibilities, with a can-do approach.

  • Problem solver: anticipates needs, adapts plans on the fly, and maintains a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.

Please note: While our ideal candidate is seeking a full-time role within the stated salary range and can fulfill the role as posted, we understand that great talent comes in many different forms.  If you believe you can excel in part of this role, we’d love to hear from you.  We are open to reworking the description and compensation to create a fit that works for both sides. 

Religious School Educator:

Sutton Place Synagogue (SPS), a vibrant, egalitarian synagogue located in the Midtown East neighborhood of Manhattan, is seeking a passionate and creative educator to join the team of the Jackson Religious School. The position is the lead Shabbat School teacher which runs on Saturday from 9am-10:30am. There is a possibility for an expanded role during the Winter and Spring during the week.

  • Hiring Process and Timeline

- Please send your resume and cover letter to sgolob@spsnyc.org to be considered

- We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

- We will not be able to respond to every application we receive but we will let you know if/when the position has been filled

Sutton Place Synagogue is an equal opportunity employer.