Director of Sacred Music

Position Overview
We are seeking a Musical Director to serve as a core spiritual leader in our community. This person will lead weekly Shabbat services, High Holy Days, and other holiday experiences, as well as other workshops and gatherings. Music is a vehicle for transformation in our community: a way to accompany people through vulnerability, longing, joy, and integration. The Musical Director does not only lead songs – they help create conditions in which people feel safe, seen, and connected – to themselves, to one another, and to something larger. The Musical Director will work closely with the Rabbi/Spiritual Leader and our team of talented musicians to sustain and deepen the spiritual life of our community.

Core Responsibilities
Service Leadership (Approx. 40%)

Co-lead weekly Shabbat services (Friday nights and/or Saturday mornings, approximately once per week)
Co-lead High Holy Days services and other Jewish holidays throughout the year
Craft and offer deep kavanot (intentions) for prayers during the services

Musical Leadership and Coordination (Approx. 30%)

Prepare liturgy, music, and outlines for services in collaboration with the Rabbi/Spiritual Leader, supporting a culture of mutual respect and creative partnership
Cultivate, coordinate, and collaborate with ensemble musicians for services and holidays, including providing needed materials and sheet music, leading rehearsals, and providing clear feedback. Maintain a cohesive and high-quality band sound (“tight band”), avoiding unstructured or “campfire” dynamics
Bring both traditional and contemporary Jewish melodies into services, including original music and curating music from diverse sources
Help steward the overall musical direction of the community, with room for thoughtful evolution over time. Set musical boundaries while balancing openness and participation.
Coordinate and work with sound engineers

Teaching & Community Engagement (Approx. 30%)

Lead workshops, retreats, classes, or song-learning spaces for adults
Potentially teach within youth or family programs
Support the community in deepening their connection to Jewish music, practice, and each other

Who You Are
You are both a skilled musical leader and a grounded spiritual presence. You can hold a sanctuary of hundreds – as well as intimate spaces of healing and connection – with authenticity, warmth, and depth. You can “read the room” moment by moment, and respond musically in a way that supports integration rather than overwhelm.

Required Musical Qualifications

Strong vocal and guitar skills, with the ability to lead communal singing that moves between ecstatic and contemplative energies (strong preference for guitar, but open to other instruments)
Strong overall musicianship, including the ability to read music, understand harmony, rhythm, arrangement, and song structure.
Experience directing ensembles and familiarity with basic music production and arranging concepts, including shaping vocal harmonies, instrumental dynamics, transitions, and emotional pacing within a service.
Operate basic sound systems and support live audio needs (usually in collaboration with professional sound engineer)

Required Jewish Qualifications

Experience leading Jewish prayer services, including High Holy Days
Deep knowledge of Hebrew language, Jewish liturgy, and liturgical music across traditions and cultures, including fluency in High Holy Days nusach
Alignment with Chochmat HaLev’s deep, inclusive theology

Preferred Qualifications

Experience teaching Jewish content to adults and/or youth
Familiarity with Jewish Renewal or spiritually oriented Jewish communities
Strong knowledge of traditional Jewish texts, commentaries, and practices, as well as Jewish mysticism and contemplative practices
Workshop facilitation or community-building experience
A pulse on contemporary Jewish music, alongside grounding in traditional forms
Experience writing original soulful music, ideally in a Jewish context

Job Structure & Logistics
Approximately 20 hours/week (this is a true part-time role, not expected to exceed that outside of High Holy Days and other major holidays), with flexibility to shape your schedule outside of scheduled services and programming
In-person presence required for services, workshops, and other programs in Berkeley; preparation work may be done remotely
Reports to and collaborates closely with the Rabbi/Spiritual Leader
Works with our current team of talented musicians, with some flexibility to shape ensembles over time
Position may be structured as either an employee or contractor role (PTO available if employee)