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History
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) established the School of Sacred Music (SSM) in 1948 as the Reform Movement's only institution for the training of cantors. Created at a time when the Holocaust threatened the continuity of Jewish heritage, the SSM has flourished as a center dedicated to preserving, enhancing, and creating Jewish music. The SSM is located at HUC-JIR's New York School, adjacent to New York University (NYU), and offers the Master of Sacred Music (MSM) to men and women who, upon graduation, receive formal investiture as Cantor. Founded in 1875, HUC-JIR is the oldest institution of higher Jewish learning in North America and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism. With centers of learning in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC-JIR educates men and women for service to American and world Jewry as rabbis, cantors, educators, communal service professionals, and scholars. HUC-JIR trains those who will lead in congregational, school, community, organizational, military, and university settings throughout the world. |
