SAJ High Holiday Family Services Songleader Seasonal / Contract | Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur 5787/2026

About SAJ

SAJ is a joyous community of New Yorkers, a Jewish home where everyone’s voice is valued and heard. Imagine a school kids run towards and a synagogue where all can come together for social justice, study, and Shabbat. Ever since SAJ introduced America’s first bat mitzvah in 1922, it has been reconstructing Judaism, wrestling with God, questioning tradition and expanding its boundaries to ensure that Torah remains relevant, engaging, and welcoming to all.

Position Overview

SAJ is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Songleader to co-lead our Family High Holiday Services during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This individual will work with our Director of Education and Family Outreach, Rabbi Adam Graubart, to facilitate an engaging, age-appropriate, and musically rich prayer experience that draws in children, parents, and other family members. The ideal candidate brings warmth, enthusiasm, and positive energy to the bimah. The candidate will be skilled at creating inclusive and participatory prayer spaces that engage everyone present, from the youngest child to the eldest grandparent.

The Songleader will be responsible for the following services and time commitments:

1. September 12, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Rosh Hashana morning services for children 0 to 7 and their grown-ups
2. September 12, 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM: Rosh Hashana morning services for children 8 to 13 and their grown-ups
3. September 21, 9:30 AM -10:30 AM: Yom Kippur morning services for children 0 to 7 and their grown-ups
4. September 21, 10:45 AM -12:00 PM: Yom Kippur morning services for children 8 to 13 and their grown-ups
5. 2 rehearsals to be scheduled with the Director of Education
6. Planning calls as needed

Responsibilities

1. Co-lead congregational singing at Family Services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning
2. Accompany self on acoustic guitar
3. Plan the service with our Director of Education and execute moments that warmly invite families to participate in services through song, dance, and reflective conversations
4. Arrive early on each service day for sound check and setup

Qualifications:

1. Demonstrated experience leading music for family or children's services in a synagogue, camp, or Jewish educational setting
2. Experience working with children and their families
3. Familiarity with High Holiday liturgy and traditional and contemporary Jewish musical repertoire
4. Exceptional ability to engage children and families — enthusiastic, warm, and genuinely fun
5. Strong vocal and acoustic guitar skills
6. Collaborative spirit and excellent communication skills
7. Enthusiasm for working with diverse families, including interfaith, multicultural, and LGBTQ+ families

Compensation - Compensation is $5000.

How to Apply

Please send the following to the email listed below with the subject line "High Holiday Family Services Songleader Application":

1. Resume
2. Links to one or two recordings or videos of you leading music in a family or congregational setting

For more information about our community, please visit www.SAJ.nyc. Our address is 15 West 86th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. We are easily accessible by the C, B, and 1 trains, and the M86, M7, M11, and M10 buses.