A New Era for Jewish Music: American Conference of Cantors Acquires the Largest Provider of Jewish Music From the URJ

New York, NY and Schaumburg, IL – August 20, 2015 – The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) today announced that the ACC is assuming ownership of Transcontinental Music Publications (TMP), the largest North American provider of Jewish music.

Under the new arrangement, Reform Movement leadership will continue to provide long-cherished and innovative musical titles, publications, and digital music offerings to the Reform Jewish community and beyond. This is the final step in the transition of the materials from the URJ Books and Music division to new publishing partners, including the ACC, the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and Behrman House Publishing.

“This is a pivotal moment in the life of the conference, and our entire membership is thrilled about this opportunity. The ACC, and our member cantors, are now in a position to touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through inspiring, joyful, and meaningful music. We look forward to offering this music to congregations and individuals, and to employing new technology to make this important content even more widely available,” said Cantor Mark Goldman, President of the ACC and Cantor of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation, FL.

TMP has been publishing Jewish music since 1938. Its industry-leading sheet music and songbooks include music for worship, informal settings, and concert performance, by renowned Jewish composers. Long known for its choral publications, in recent years, Transcontinental has become known also as a provider of contemporary-style music in songbook form, including the best-selling Complete Shireinu, the Shabbat Anthology series, and Sing Unto God: The Debbie Friedman Anthology.

"Part of implementing our 2020 Vision plan is to find outstanding partners to carry on, and to grow, aspects of our work which they can do better than the URJ can. We are so pleased that the stewardship of this treasury of sacred and uplifting Jewish music is in the capable hands of the ACC. And we are even more excited by the ACC’s plans to develop new music for our Movement. We know that the ACC will ensure that our Movement shares the beauty and meaning of our existing and yet-to-be-created melodies for generations to come,” said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the URJ.

Stephen Sacks, chairman of the URJ’s North American Board of Trustees, added, “The ACC is committed to innovation and to making our music – both ancient and modern – come alive through new technologies. The transition continues to be seamless, and we look forward to the new ways that the ACC will evolve the creation and distribution of TMP material.”

The ACC has engaged Joe Eglash of EglashCreative.com as transition manager for the project. Joe’s extensive knowledge of Jewish music, music publishing, sales and marketing will position the ACC and TMP as the address to find both cutting edge and traditional Jewish music.

"There is a truly unique opportunity here for the American Conference of Cantors to become more integrally involved in shaping the future of Jewish music, a primary and vital component of our synagogue and camp/youth systems. Transcontinental will continue to be the central source for Jewish music and uphold its sterling reputation under the oversight of an organization that already enjoys that status. I'm very happy to be a part of this important venture," said Eglash.

Orders and customer service will be handled by the ACC office in Schaumburg and can be reached by emailing tmp@accantors.org or calling 847-781-7800. Online ordering via the website is currently in transition.

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About the Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is a dynamic network of Reform Jewish congregations, lay leaders, clergy, and professionals, which represents the largest and fastest growing constituency of Jews in North America. Our progressive, inclusive approach unites thousands of years of Jewish tradition and values with modern Jewish experience to strengthen Judaism today and for future generations. Through programs, consultations, resources, and networking opportunities provided by the URJ, we help strengthen our nearly 900 member congregations, welcome spiritual seekers through audacious hospitality, engage Jewish youth, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue tikkun olam (social justice), connect with Israel, and develop inspired leadership. Enjoy related content at ReformJudaism.org and connect with the URJ on Twitter and Facebook.

About the American Conference of Cantors
The American Conference of Cantors, originally founded in 1953, is the professional organization of over 500 ordained or certified cantors. Responsible for raising the professional standards of synagogue musicians, the ACC offers continuing education programs in conjunction with HUC-JIR Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music and professional development opportunities for its members. Members of the ACC have special expertise in the music of the Jewish people and serve synagogues and communities in pastoral, worship, programming, and educational roles. The ACC sponsors an annual convention and publishes Koleinu, a regular newsletter. It also offers placement services to its members and URJ congregations through the Joint Cantorial Placement Commission. The American Conference of Cantors is an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism.