CAN

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbbi Hazzan Jeremy Lipton The Jewish prayer modes are central to the understanding of the performative skills of leading the davening in a service. With practical application, we will examine the various services throughout the year by evaluating how the modes are integrated into each liturgy. last offered Fall 2023 Required Textbooks: Bernard, Andrew, The Sound of Sacred Time; A Basic Music Theory Textbook to Teach the Jewish Prayer Modes. ISBN: 8218215156 Andrew Bernard $80

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

credit

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbi Dr. Matthew Goldstone Designed for those with no background in halakhah (Jewish law), this course offers a brief overview of the history of halakhah , the major sources of halakhah , and how to search for answers within the corpus of halakhah . We will dedicate time to foundational discussions about the nature and relevance of halakhah for all Jewish communities and, in the majority of sessions, we will dive into halakhot related to prayer on both in-depth ( iyyun ) and broad ( bekiut ) levels. This course fulfills the cantorial Introduction to Halakhah requirement. Required Textbooks : None

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Prerequisite

Students should be at or above the level of Hebrew 350 (2A).

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantor Robin Anne Joseph This course is an in-depth study of Eastern European cantillation for Yammim Noraim and Eikhah. In addition to reviewing the history, function, and art of cantillation, participants will work to demonstrate proficiency in recognizing and chanting the various cantillation phrases for these two tropes. This course is open to both rabbinical and cantorial students. Required Texts: 1. Jacobson, Joshua R. Chanting the Hebrew Bible - Student Edition, Amazon $28.32 ISBN 0827608160 2. Binder, Abraham Wolf Biblical Chant, Amazon $65.00 ASIN B0006AVU80 3. Tikkun Torah LaKor’im. K TAV Publishing House, NY Amazon, $22.95 ISBN: 0870685481 4. The Koren Illustrated Five Megillot (Hebrew and English Edition), out-of-print or The Five Megilloth, Amazon $34.99 ASIN B005N6FV21

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Prerequisite

Introduction to Cantillation or equivalent

Hon. Rabbi David Markus “It’s alright for a shul to be a business - so long as you know what business you’re really in.” This cute aphorism begs a serious question: what’s the real business of Jewish spiritual professionals? How can we wisely leverage character traits (flaws), moral leadership (failures), and peacemaking (conflicts) to nourish vibrant Jewish institutions? Blending traditional texts, socio-political literature and real-life case studies, this course will explore spiritual models of authority and legitimacy, middot (character traits) in spiritual leadership, Jewish pastoral and psycho-spiritual dynamics of conflict, and change agency in spiritual systems. Students will expand their community governance toolkits while accelerating their personal formation as

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbi Dr. Marc Gopin An Introduction to Jewish Peace Studies will entail an in-depth interactive study of conflict resolution theory and practice through the prism of ancient Biblical, Talmudic and Halakhic ethical values. The course will engage an introduction to conflict analysis and conflict resolution theory and practice, and then launch into Jewish traditional peace values as they relate to treatment of (1) the self, (2) the Other, (3) the Estranged Other(s), (4) community/society, and (5) the earth and life itself. This course is designed to analyze the ways in which world Judaism like many religions plays a role in conflict, war, peace making and conflict resolution. Every religion has a broad range of cultural resources and values that have formed the basis of personal and communal values that prevent or successfully manage conflict. On the other hand, conflict has been justified at one time or another by important representatives of every major religion. Understanding Judaism’s world view and, especially, the hermeneutics through which Judaism changes and evolves, are the keys to discovering conflict resolution methodologies that may be effective at the personal, communal and global level. Analyzing the role of Judaism in these phenomena is particularly challenging due to the fact that human beings come to be engaged in conflict or peacemaking out of a host of complex motivating factors, only one of which may be their religious beliefs and practices. Furthermore, religious language is often used as a mask that hides other motivating factors that may be less noble or persuasive. Key questions that should be kept in mind as we explore these issues include: What is the role of change and evolution in the religion’s practices and beliefs, and how does change occur? How would you attempt to disentangle multiple motivations for conflict or peace among religious people? Is religious motivation a mask for economic, ethnic, or psychological needs? Can you know what Judaism has truly meant to its adherents if you only speak to or study male representatives? Is self-described Jewish peacemaking that advocates for and relates to one side only to be considered peacemaking or conflict resolution, or is it something else? These are but a fraction of the questions that are raised by our subject matter. Some questions will be addressed in This course counts toward the Peace Studies requirement for cantorial and kol-bo students, and as an elective for rabbinical students. last offered Spring 2022 Required Textbooks: Gopin, Marc. 2002. Between Eden and Armageddon : The Future of World Religions, Violence and Peacemaking. Oxford University Press, ISBN No. 019513432X Amazon $60.19 Recommended Textbooks: Roth, Daniel. 2021. Third-Party Peacemakers in Judaism : Text, Theory and Practice . Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0197566774 Amazon $38.08 Kaminsky, Howard. 2017. Fundamentals of Jewish Conflict Resolution. Traditional Jewish Perspectives on Resolving Interpersonal Conflicts (Studies in Orthodox Judaism) ISBN: 1618118455 Amazon $28.11 Gopin, Marc. 2005. Holy War, Holy Peace: How Religion Can Bring Peace to the Middle East. Oxford University Press, 0195146506 (See especially chapter 6) Amazon $25.59 Gopin, Marc. 2021. Compassionate Reasoning: Changing the Mind to Change the World. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0197537947 Amazon $33.22 Gopin, Marc. 2017. Compassionate Judaism: The Life and Thought of Samuel David Luzzatto. 2017. ISBN: 1976549965 Amazon $17.23 Gopin, Marc. 2016. Healing the Heart of Conflict: Eight Crucial Steps to Making Peace with Yourself and with Others Revised and Updated. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, ISBN: 1536833428 Amazon $10.00 Gopin, Marc. 2012. Bridges Across an Impossible Divide: The Inner Lives of Arab and Jewish Peacemakers. Oxford University Press, ISBN: 019991698 Amazon $39.13 REQUIRED EXCERPTS FROM BOOKS OR ARTICLES (will be made available as pdf’s): Mitchell, C.R. “Psychological Dimensions of Conflict,” in idem, The Structure of International Conflict. St. Martin’s Press, Inc., 1981, pp. 71-98. Stenger, Mary Ann. “Gadamer’s Hermeneutics as a Model for Cross-Cultural Understanding and Truth in Religion,” in Religious Pluralism and Truth: Essays on Cross-Cultural Philosophy of Religion, ed. Thomas Dean. Albany: State University Press of New York, 1995. pp. 151-168.

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbi David Markus, JD “It’s alright for a shul to be a business - so long as you know what business you’re really in.” This familiar quip begs some key questions: What’s the real business of Jewish spiritual leaders? How can we most effectively steward nonprofit boards and other leadership constructs to flourish in the business we’re really in? How can we wisely leverage character traits (flaws), moral leadership (failures), and peacemaking (conflicts) to nourish vibrant and flourishing spiritual communities? Blending textual tradition, socio-political literature and real-life case studies, this course will explore models of spiritual authority, middot (character traits) in spiritual leadership, pastoral and psycho-spiritual dynamics of conflict, change agency in spiritu Textbooks: TBD

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbi Cantor Michael McCloskey In these sessions we will explore Jewish sources (Biblical, Classical Rabbinic, Medieval, and Modern) on the intersection of music and peace from a holistic perspective. We will engage with ideas, writings (scholarly and creative), and real-life examples of music as it relates to communication, siblinghood, cultivation of equanimity, trauma, memory, and catharsis, diversity, the particular and universal, and the building blocks of cultural change. This course will fulfill the Peace Studies III requirement for cantorial students or serve as an elective for rabbinical students. Required Texts: 1. Ed Vulliamy, Louder than Bombs: A Life with War, Music, and Peace, Amazon $23.00 ISBN 022671540X

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbi Cantor Michael McCloskey Peace, viewed as the quintessence of blessing, is elusive, demanding spiritual grit. How does music help us to develop the fortitude, equanimity, sensitivity, and patience that peace requires? What sacred texts can we rely upon that speak to the relationship of music and peace, leading us to insight and growth? What does neuro-science reveal to us about music, equanimity, and conflict resolution? We will engage this topic with the following goals: (1) Cultivating psycho-spiritual resilience and humility, that we may have resources to draw upon in moments that call for peace-making (2) Developing a proactive culture of peace in our communities bolstered by music-making and Jewish teachings about music (3) Learning from the best practitioners of this art who do so from a global perspective. This course will fulfill the Peace Studies III requirement for cantorial students and the Peace Studies requirement for rabbinical students

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Subject

CAN

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantors Sol Zim and Lisa Klinger-Kantor This course gives an in depth and extensive study of the vast liturgy of the Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv LeShabbat services. Students will develop and master a deep understanding of the nusah and special motifs in the opening Kabbalat Shabbat Service. Students will learn, in depth, the many nushaot , motifs, and participatory melodies of the Lekha Dodi section and will master and attain a deep understanding of the Ma’ariv leShabbat service by learning and demonstrating strong competence in the nusah special motifs so as to lead a service. last offered Fall 2022 Required Textbooks: Zim, Cantor Sol, Musical Siddur Sbabbat,A Sol Zim Anthology (Cantors Assembly) ASIN B071VCLZ5G Cantors Assembly $49.95 Cahan, Leonard S., Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat & Festivals (Old or New Versions) ISBN 0916219135 Amazon $29.94 Feld, Edward, Siddur Lev Shalem for Shabbat & Festivals (Rabbinical Assembly) ISBN: 091621964X Amazon $62.88 Recommended textbooks: Gates of Prayer / for Shabbat and Weekdays (Hebrew): Gender-Inclusive Edition B014BH4QH0 Amazon $9.95 Gates of Prayer / Complete Edition 1975 Recommended textbooks: Gates of Prayer / Shabbat Weekdays Gates of Prayer / Complete Edition 1975

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantor Sol Zim and Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor This course provides an in-depth and extensive study of the vast liturgy of the Shabbat Shaharit and Musaf services. Students will develop a deep understanding and mastery of the Nushaot , special motifs, and participatory melodies involved in both services. They will also demonstrate strong competence in these areas so as to proficiently lead a Shabbat service. Last offered Spring 2023; offered periodically Required Textbooks: The Sol Zim Shabbat Anthology (Musical Siddur), ASIN B071VCLZ5G, Cantor’s Assembly $49.95 Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat & Festivals (Rabbinical Assembly & Harlow Editions), Leonard S. Cahan, ISBN: 0916219135, Amazon $34.95

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Prerequisite

CAN 425 or permission of Instructor

Cantor Sol Zim and Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor An in depth extensive study of the vast Mi-sinai tunes that make up the Regalim liturgy. Each student must develop an understanding of the various motifs and nushaot and how to use them in the course of davenning . Both sections required. Required Texts: 1. Cahan, Leonard S. Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat & Festivals, Amazon $34.95 ISBN 0916219133 2. Mishkan Tefillah

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantors Sol Zim and Lisa Klinger-Kantor In this course, students will learn and develop a deep understanding of the vast components of various Motifs, Nus h aot, Prayer Modes and Misinai tunes for Y’mot Ha h ol - Sha h arit , Min h ah and Ma’ariv services. Students will learn, demonstrate and master how to lead all the weekday services from the siddur by utilizing the correct motifs and the richness of the various Nus h aot blending them with contemporary sounds and various niggunim, thereby creating a bridge between traditional and new sounds. Each student will be required to master the Nusa h motifs of the following parts of the weekday service: Birkhot Hasha h ar, P’sukei D’zimrah, Sha h arit (including the Amidah ), Ta h anun , Torah Service, and the concluding service. Both sections (second and third period) are required. Required Texts: 1. Book of Musical Manuscripts will be provided by Cantor Sol Zim 2. Siddur Sim Shalom for WEEKDAYS (Old, New versions) Amazon $34.95 ISBN 0916219143 3. Frishman, Rabbi Elyse D. Mishkan T’filah Amazon $35 ISBN 0881231185 4. United Synagogue of America’s Weekday Prayer Book 5. Birnbaum, Philip Ha-Siddur Hashalem Daily Prayer Book Amazon $50.20 ISBN 0884820459

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantor Sol Zim and Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor An in-depth extensive study of the vast Misinai tunes that make up the Yom Kippur liturgy. Each student must develop an understanding of the various motifs and nus h aot and how to use them in the course of davening . Both sections required. Textbooks: Sol Zim. Yom Kippur Anthology . New York: Cantor’s Assembly, 2008. ISBN: 9781928918516, $69.95 Choose one of the following High Holiday Ma h zorim: Morris Silverman. - מחזור לראש השנה וליום הכפורים [ High Holiday Prayer Book ], Hartford: Prayer Book Press, 1951. $34.95 Jules Harlow, ed. Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur . New York: Rabbinical Assembly, 1972. ISBN: 978-0-87441-148-5, $49.95 Sidney Greenberg and Jonathan D. Levine ed. Mahzor Hadash: The New Mahzor for Rosh Hahanah and Yom Kippur . Bridgeport, CT: Prayer Book Press, 1978 ISBN: 9780876770757, $43.95 Chaim Stern ed. Gates of Repentance: The New Union Prayerbook for the Days of Awe , New York: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1978. $24.95 Ed Feld, ed. Mahzor Lev Shalem: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur . New York: Rabbinical Assembly. ISBN: 9780916219468, $49

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantors Sol Zim and Lisa Klinger-Kantor An in depth extensive study of the vast Mi-sinai tunes that make up the Rosh Hashanah liturgy. Each student must develop an understanding of the various motifs and nushaot and how to use them in the course of davening. Targil section required. Textbooks: Zim, Sol, Musical Machzor: Rosh Hashana, A Sol Zim Anthology, ASIN: B09KNDBK77, $69.95

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Hazzan Dr. Ramon Tasat During this summer course we will discuss liturgical and secular musical and poetic examples providing an opportunity for individuals to lead elements of synagogue services and to share their personal experiences during the learning process. For the purpose of this course we will broadly define Sefaradim as the Jews of the Western and Eastern Mediterranean World, but we will also consider research on Middle Eastern Jews and the Jewish communities of the Maghreb. This course will count as an elective.

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credits

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Rabbi Cantor Luis Cattan Israeli popular music can be seen as interpretive prayer, poetry that arises directly and/or creatively as a unique and extraordinary form of liturgy. In this course, we will explore, study, and get inspired by contemporary and timely expressions of prayer that can inspire us personally and be useful in various praying and teaching settings. We will cover the Israeli state’s founding poets, musical legends, and newcomers alike, who help us connect not only to the individual artists but also to liturgy in a more expansive way, and to Israel’s history (both in wartime and peacetime), her resilience, her beauty, and her personal and collective stories. This course can count toward the Tefilah and Seminar requirement or as an elective. Open to both cantorial and rabbinical students. This class runs the second half of the trimester. Required Texts:

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

credit

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu

Cantor Sol Zim The course will address all occasions in the congregational calendar during which the cantor is officiating and music plays an important part, including life cycle events, and more.

Subject

CAN

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

credit

Type

course

Edition

2026

Source

ajr.edu