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The Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music offers a five-year program of full-time graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Sacred Music and Investiture as a cantor. Students admitted to the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music are required to spend their first academic year at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem.
Upon successful completion of the first year of study in Jerusalem, students return to the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in New York for the ensuing four years of study. Course of Study Year-in-Israel The Year-in-Israel Program is mandatory for all first-year cantorial students. Matriculation into the Year-in-Israel Program is conditioned upon passing a Hebrew language competency examination, demonstrating the equivalent of at least one year of college-level Hebrew. Priorities 1. An understanding of the structure of the Hebrew language which will serve our students in mediating between the sources of Judaism and the North American Jewish community. 2. An encounter with Israel which leaves the students informed, enthused, and energized about the challenges of statehood and the implications of peoplehood. 3. The acquisition of basic textual skills which allows the successful continuation of studies in the U.S. 4. An exploration of the students' religious and spiritual identities, with special emphasis on Reform Judaism. 5. Fluency in Modern Hebrew. 6. The provision of professional skills, and the encouragement of a self-consciousness as future Jewish professionals. Orientation The Year-in-Israel Program includes a number of orientation sessions and seminars at the beginning of the academic year and thereafter throughout the course of study. Among the topics examined are: (a) a basic orientation to Jerusalem past and present, (b) an introduction to Modern Israel, (c) a discussion of the role of Reform Judaism, and (d) an examination of the roles of Jewish professionals within the community. Course of Study Students are expected to study a minimum of 25 credit hours of classroom study, divided between core courses (14 credits), professional courses (9 credits), and a weekly First Year Seminar (2 credits).
III. First Year Seminar: "Concepts in Jewish Living" For one day a week, Israel is the classroom, as students explore aspects of Judaism and the Jewish State. Some days studies take place on campus, and many others there are site visits of various kinds. Learning techniques include text study sessions, film, independent research, and more. Two of the extended field study trips are part of the wider course. Requirements include two research papers and active participation. Sessions tend to run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. throughout the year. Subjects include Religion and State, Life Cycle, and Zionism. IV. Other Requirements
V. Optional Students are also encouraged to participate in a range of additional activities and learning opportunities including:
Stateside HUC-JIR DFSSM Curriculum (The DFSSM is in the middle of a Core Curriculum revision. The following represents some of the changes that are being implemented. The sequencing of courses will be slightly different for each graduating class. It does represent the courses currently offered to our students.) Second Year - Fall Semester
Second Year - Spring Semester
Third Year - Fall Semester
Third Year - Spring Semester
Fourth Year - Fall Semester
Fourth Year - Spring Semester
Fifth Year - Fall Semester
Fifth Year - Spring Semester
y Frequently Offered Electives Music Analysis Jewish Music in American Life (Ethnomusicology) Arranging and Orchestration Beyond Misheberach - Music of Debbie Friedman Coaching in the folk genre Music as Midrash Art of Meaningful worship Advance Nusach and improvisation Golden Age of Cantorial Music Contemporary congregational Repertoire Intermediate Conducting Healing Services Creative Keyboard Accompaniment Technology for Clergy For a complete list of course offerings and course descriptions, please see the Academic Catalog. Field Work In cooperation with area synagogues, students who have successfully completed their first year are eligible for placement in positions as student cantors. All employment arrangements between students and congregations are subject to regulations of the Placement Office of the DFSSM, which must be consulted by students considering positions. Resources Go directly to Libraries, Museums, Centers, and American Jewish Archives Faculty and Administration Go directly to Faculty and Administration Contact Bruce Ruben Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Brookdale Center, One West 4th Street New York, New York 10012-1186 Phone: (212) 824-2279 Fax: (212) 388-1720 bruben@huc.edu |
