Cantor Zucker

My approach to conducting prayer services at Yad Shalom is to ensure attendees of all ages participate in the services as much as possible. Audience or individual participation includes reading English translations of key prayers, singing and chanting well-known prayers in Hebrew, and group activities that include being called to the Torah to participate in its study. Our local community social hall serves as our sanctuary which allows us to hold services, dinners, and programs in one convenient location.

During services, congregants sit in a circular arrangement to encourage participation and I distribute a program for the service that I've prepared. The program lists every prayer and ritual in the service that I plan to complete or for which I will lead congregants. We usually sing, read, and chant prayers in Hebrew and English that we have completed at a prior service. When there is a new melody or text that I'd like to introduce, I announce it and encourage the congregants to join. I make make each service comfortable for both newcomers and longstanding members. We enjoy using a first-class prayer book at our services, Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals, that is published by The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

We are fortunate to have volunteers who publish our montly newsletter, Yad Shalom Kibbitzer, to which I contribute a column titled Chanting along with Cantor Zucker. I strive to incorporate material in my column that has a religious theme and is supported by material that I read from the Torah during services. I am delighted that with the inspiration of the Vice President of Religious Observances and others, many congregants are now inspired to share their perspective on the weekly Torah portion with the Yad Shalom membership via email.