ACC News, ACC News

New Additions and Changes for the ACC

July 29, 2016

SCHAUMBURG, IL (July 29, 2016): The American Conference of Cantors (ACC), a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional growth and development of cantors in the Reform Movement, is pleased to announce a host of new additions and changes.

Rachel Roth, who served as ACC Managing Director since 2007, was recently promoted to Chief Operating Officer through July 2021. A native of Chicago, during her tenure Roth has overseen the growth and transition of the organization, including the acquisition of Transcontinental Music Publications (TMP) last year. She is responsible for the operations of the ACC, their affiliate organization the Guild of Temple Musicians, the annual professional development conference and has oversight of the ACC retirement and insurance plans.

“I am pleased and honored to continue my work and relationship with the ACC,” Roth said. “The work of the ACC has changed so much over the last nine years and has expanded in ways we could never have anticipated. The addition of Transcontinental Music Publications has been an exciting challenge and I look forward to being part of the team who will share the music and operations with an even larger audience.”

Cantor Steven Weiss of Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham, MA, has been named the new national ACC President, succeeding Cantor Mark Goldman of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation, FL.
“I stand before you humbled, honored, and in awe of the responsibility you have placed into my hands and I pledge to you that I will work each and every day to the best of my ability to lead the ACC with pride, dignity and with a resolve to move our conference forward in the coming years,” Cantor Weiss said during his official induction at an Executive Board meeting held at the end of June at the ACC-GTM Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA.

Board members installed as officers at the board meeting include Cantors Claire Franco. Jacqueline Rawiszer, Joshua Breitzer, Daniel Singer and Seth Warner. New ACC Executive Board members include Cantors Linda Ecker, Alicia Stillman, David Frommer, Barbara Ostfeld, Randall Schloss and Jamie Marx.

Rounding out the changes include the addition of two new staff members: Abigail Pickus and Stacey Delcau, who begin their tenure with the ACC on August 1, 2016. Pickus, an experienced writer and reporter, will assume the role of Communications Manager for the organization. Delcau will be the ACC’s Professional Development Coordinator responsible for steering the education offerings both online and at annual conventions.

The ACC also hired Joel Eglash as Director of Transcontinental Music on a full-time basis effective July 1, 2016. Eglash brings a wealth of experience in music publication, composition, and creative work such as website design and implementation to the ACC. Last December, Stacey Berliner was added to the TMP team to assist with sales and customer service.

About the American Conference of Cantors
Founded in 1953, the American Conference of Cantors is the pre-eminent professional organization of Ordained and Certified Cantors in North America, currently representing over 500 cantors in North America and around the world. As clergy committed to Judaism and Jewish Music, the membership of the ACC serves the diverse needs of the Jewish people. As an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, the ACC supports its members in their sacred calling as emissaries for Judaism and for Jewish music, providing a unique and dynamic vision of programs and initiatives that respond to the needs of the greater Reform community. For more information, please visit the ACC’s website at www.accantors.org.
The Guild of Temple Musicians is an affiliate of the American Conference of Cantors. They are a diverse group devoted to education and quality in the field of Jewish music.