AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF CANTORS INC

Here is an example of the programming for an annual convention: praying in the congregation of cantors at t’filah, to learning with high level scholars, and to getting a supercharge of inspiration for the coming program year. I’m guessing that it is the same for many of you – and I promise you that this year’s convention in Florida will deliver all of that and more.

The program for Florida is exciting. We have some great headliners with Rabbis Aaron Panken, Peter Rubinstein, Steve Fox, and Richie Address. We will celebrate the fantastic achievement that is Shirei Mishkan HaNefesh with performances of many of the brand new pieces commissioned by the ACC and dialog with the composers. We have a schedule of workshops that is truly excellent – making it hard to choose between fabulous learning opportunities. And then, of course, there is the dance party…

This year, as program chair, I am working on a new initiative, and I need you to help me succeed. The programming at convention has always been of the highest quality, but it has also been generally self-contained. This year, I want to encourage all of our participants to start their convention experience long before they get to the hotel in Ft Lauderdale –and here are three ways we are going to do it.

First: for each of the 16 (or so) workshops planned I have asked the presenters to submit articles or exercises that will allow us to come in prepared. All of the workshop descriptions and preparatory materials will be posted to the convention website ready for your perusal. I ask you to please dedicate some time to making your choices and taking this preparation seriously. Our learning will benefit immeasurably from this new process and it depends on each of us taking personal responsibility. I know that this is new –and I hope that you will share with me how it affects your experience of convention.

Second: on Monday morning of convention, we will have a unique panel of leaders representing the breadth of our movement. Rabbi Aaron Panken (HUC), Rabbi Esther Lederman (URJ), Rabbi Steve Fox (CCAR), Cantor Mark Goldman (ACC) and Rabbi Peter Rubinstein will offer their thoughts on the future of Reform Judaism, our congregations, and our organizations. For this panel, we will be soliciting questions from you, our membership, whether or not you are attending convention. You will receive an email in the coming month or so asking for your questions in a variety of subjects. Please take some time to respond! We want to make sure that this panel responds to the essential questions that are of mutual concern and curiosity to the membership of the ACC.

Finally: Wednesday of convention is largely dedicated to our new machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh. While we know that not all of our members’ congregations are making the move this year, we do know that all of us have work to do in keeping our High Holy Day services meaningful.