ACC News

AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF CANTORS ANNOUNCE NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

August 1, 2007

The American Conference of Cantors (ACC) <www.accantors.org>, a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional growth and development of cantors in the Reform Movement, announces the addition of Rachel Turry as Managing Director.

Turry, a native of Chicago, joined the American Conference of Cantors August 1, 2007. She brings extensive experience in non-profit management from her position as the Temple Administrator at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El of Plantation, Florida, a congregation of over 1,100 family members.

In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the congregation, Turry managed several major projects during her tenure. Those projects included the expansion of the Kol Ami Emanu-El Day School campus; building a swimming pool for use by the students and campers; the integration of the staff, artifacts, and congregants from Temple Emanu-El after the merger of the two synagogues; the restoration of the campus after the 2005 Hurricane season; and the design and permitting phase of a new Early Childhood School Building.

“Rachel’s combined experience in business management and administration in the for-profit world, in addition to her knowledge of congregations and Reform Judaism is a tremendous asset to the Conference,” commented ACC President,
Cantor Kay Greenwald.

An active member of the National Association of Temple Administrators (NATA), Turry is currently working on her thesis paper for her Fellow of Temple Administration. She serves NATA in several capacities, including as a member of the 2007 Nominating Committee, Membership Committee and as chair of the New Member Welcome Committee. 

Growing up in Suburban Chicago, Turry and her family are members of Temple Chai in Long Grove, IL. “I’m a Union kid,” Turry commented, referring to the Union for Reform Judaism. “I attended Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute Camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and was a member of CFTY and NFTY, the youth group movements, through high school.”

Staying involved in a URJ congregation has always been a priority for her, including membership in the Women for Reform Judaism (WRJ), an affiliate organization for the women of the Reform movement. A graduate of Indiana University, Turry is a member of the Journalism School’s alumni association.

“I am looking forward to working with the elected Officers, Executive Board, and Professional Staff of the ACC,” she said. “In the coming months, I will be working with them on everything from Continuing Education to planning for the URJ
Biennial in San Diego, as well as our own ACC Convention in San Francisco.”