Volunteer of the Month: Cantor Rachel Stock-Spilker

Rachel is a graduate of HUC-SSM. She currently services Temple Mount Zion in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In what capacity have you volunteered for the ACC?  

I currently serve on the Ethics Committee. I was the fundraising chair for the 2009 convention and the program chair for the 2013 convention.

Did someone approach you? How did you get started? 

The ACC honored me when they asked me to serve.     

What is the best part of being a cantor, in your experience? 

I love the creativity and the opportunity to play such a meaningful role in people’s lives.
 
What is it about volunteering for the ACC that is most rewarding for you? 

Getting to know and work with ACC colleagues has been gratifying, and I am pleased to give, in some small way.
 
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the cantorate, looking toward the future? 

I think that all Jewish clergy will need to expand our skills to include even more than what we already do and to develop additional specialties within synagogue life. We will also need to continue to find ways to make Judaism and synagogue life compelling and meaningful – to find that balance between meeting people where they are and drawing them in. 
 
What do you look forward to at ACC conventions? 

Being with friends and colleagues, hearing about new ways to approach various aspects of the cantorate, and learning new music. It’s always fun to see what special “flavor” each convention has, depending on the location and programming.
 
Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with youth as a cantor? 

I have loved connecting with youth, especially through my children’s choir, Shir Tzion. It is rewarding to see so many “generations” of kids who have connected to the synagogue and to Judaism through singing in the choir.  For many, choir has taught them more about Judaism than any other part of our educational program.
 
Did someone in particular influence you to become a cantor? 

My cantor, Mordechai Haiser, was a big influence on my decision to become a cantor. He was the “real deal,” an immigrant with a real gift for hazzanut.  I always loved Hebrew and Judaism, and listening to Cantor Haiser made me feel connected to something beautiful and much bigger than myself. 
 
Tell us one thing about yourself that we might not know that you would want us to learn about you. 

I have been known to dabble in mosaic-making.