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Bruce Ruben, Cantor, Ph.D.
Cantor Bruce L. Ruben, Ph.D., is the Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music (DFSSM) at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). He has taught Jewish history courses at HUC-JIR and the history of Jewish music at The Julliard School. For fifteen years he served as an adjunct professor of history at Hunter College, where he taught courses on World History, Modern Jewish History, and the Holocaust. From 1982-2006 he served as the Cantor of Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City, where he organized special music programs with professional and volunteer choirs, wrote liturgical music and commissioned and premiered new works by leading composers, taught adult education courses on the history of Jewish music, history, and liturgy, and developed innovative services for increased congregational participation. He fostered interfaith relations as a leader in the Yorkville Christian-Jewish Council, and was active for many years in community activities at a neighborhood senior citizen center.
Education
- 1997
Ph.D. History
City University of New York, Graduate Center
Ph.D. Dissertation: "Max Lilienthal: Rabbi, Educator, and Reformer in Nineteenth-Century America"
- 1982-84
Courses in Psychology and Psychoanalysis
New School for Social Research, Institute for Modern Psychoanalysis & Mid-Manhattan Institute
- 198l
Bachelor of Sacred Music and Certificate of Hazzan
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
- 1977
Masters of Arts, Religious Studies
Indiana University
Masters' Thesis: "The Human Body as a Microcosm in Early Midrashim"
- 1975
Bachelor of Science, Music (Graduation with Distinction)
Indiana University
Lectures, Publications & Recordings
- 2011
"Music, Liturgy and Reform Judaism in Mid-Nineteenth Century America: Rabbinic Perspectives," Musica Judaica (accepted for publication)
- 2011
Max Lilienthal and the Making of an American Rabbinate to be published by Wayne State University Press, fall of 2011
- 2010
Paper presented at Geiger Kolleg conference, Potsdam, German:
"A Historical Survey of the American Reform Cantorate: Models and Pedagogy"
- 2007
"Barbara Ostfeld: an Unassuming Pioneer" Fall 2007 issue of Journal of Synagogue Music
- 2005
Author, "Max Max Lilienthal and Isaac M. Wise: Architects of American Reform Judaism," American Jewish Archives Journal. Fall 2005
- 2004
Lecture, Cambridge University Music Faculty: "History of Cantillation"
- 2004
Author, study guide for ACC: "Three Hundred and Fifty Years of American Synagogue Music"
- 2003
Paper presented at ACC convention: "Music and Reform in Mid-Nineteenth Century America: Rabbinic Perspectives"
- 2003
Transcontinental Music Recording: "Shabbat Anthology"
- 2002
Lecture, University of Virginia: "Three Hundred Years of Jewish Music"
- 2001
Author, "S'lichot: Prayers of Forgiveness," in Reaching for Holiness: Study Guide for S'lichot and Yom Kippur (Union of American Hebrew Congregations)
- 2000
Lecture, Association for Jewish Studies: "Max Lilienthal and Isaac M. Wise: Creators of Moderate American Reform"
- 2000
Transcontinental Music Recording: "Kol Dodi: Jewish Music for Weddings"
- 1998
Paper presented on the "History of the SSM" at symposium marking its 50th Anniversary
- 1997
Panelist, "The Bible as Libretto" at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
- 1995
NBC Broadcast, "Sunday Morning": Historical discussion of Chanukah
- 1987-90
Reviewed music for Transcontinental Music, UAHC
- 1989
Composer of Baruch Haba, for mixed chorus and organ, performed at the Hebrew Union College Ordination-Investiture Service at Temple Emanu-El, New York, May 29, 1989
- 1986
Co-author of Seasons of Our Lives: A Resource Guide of the Music, Books, Films, and Videos of Jewish Life Cycle Occasions, Jewish Welfare Board
Selected Musical Perfomances
- 2004
Leo Baeck Institute Concert, "Vienna: The City of Jews and Music"
- 1999
Script writer & performer for "Celebration of Freedom: Music of the Haggadah," 92nd Street, New York
- 1995
Soloist on WNYC, "Around New York," with the New York Concert Singers
- 1994
G.F. Handel, Judas Maccabeus. Soloist with SSM Choir
- 1989
American Jewish Committee: Commemoration of Anne Frank
- 1982
Sing Along: "The Impact of Jewish Life on Tin Pan Alley," HUC-JIR, New York
- 1981
Mendelssohn, Elijah. Soloist with Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Professional Activities
- 2010
Scholar in Residence: Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester
- 2009
Scholar in Residence: Congregation Keneseth Israel, Allentown, PA.
- 2006-present
Ex-offico member of ACC Board
- 2005-Present
Appointed to ACC Committee on Continuing Professional Development
- 2004-5
Cantorial Certification Examiner, ACC
- 2001
Scholar in Residence: Temple Emanu-El, Edison, New Jersey
- 1999-Present
Member of Joint Cantorial Placement Commission
- 1998
Member of UAHC Task Force on Jewish Ethics
- 1998
Interfaith Passover Seder with Rabbi James Rudin, American Jewish Committee
- 1997
Delegate on ARZA slate at World Zionist Conference, Jerusalem
- 1996
Musical coordinator for New York-New Jersey UAHC Regional Biennial
- 1995-Present
Member of Board of Yorkville Christian-Jewish Council Organized interfaith musical programs and model sedarim
- 1995-Present
Editorial committee for Shirei T'suvah, UAHC
- 1987-90
Reviewed music for Transcontinental Music, UAHC
Awards
- 1981
Arthur Einstein Memorial Prize in Composition (JTS)
- 1979
Co-Recipient: Arthur Einstein Memorial Prize in Composition (JTS)
- 1978
Jacobson Memorial Prize in Hazzanut (JTS)
- 1975
National Music Honors Fraternity
- 1970
National Honor Society, Oregon Scholar
Professional Organizations
- Association for Jewish Studies
- American Jewish History Society
- American Conference of Cantors
- Cantors Assembly of America
- American Society for Jewish Music
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