Volunteer of the Month: Cantor Rebecca Robins

Rebecca Robins grew up on Long Island, and started her career as a music teacher in Syracuse, New York. She graduated HUC-JIR SSM-DSM in 2008. Following an outstanding internship with Cantor Michael Shochet at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia, Rebecca served Congregation Sinai as Cantor-Educator in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for four years. As of July, she is Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C.

What influenced you to become a Cantor?

It began around the time I was Bat Mitzvah; but really didn't take shape until I was taking classes at the congregation in Syracuse. Singing as a soprano soloist in the High Holiday choir at a conservative congregation. All the people I met, while beginning my Master's work, were asking me if you love to sing and you teach why don't you just become a Cantor? You can do everything you want in one profession. I met with Izzy Goldstein at Hebrew Union College; I remembered him when I was a child when my mother took us to Kol Nidre services. I was hooked from then on. So it started out as a logical progression and it became my passion.

How did you get started doing Volunteer work for the ACC? Did someone approach you or did you volunteer on your own?

I was asked to be on the Committee for Continuing Professional Development. As an Educator I was excited to do that work. It was a good fit for me. I really enjoyed the work. Through our conversations as a committee, and in knowing some of the directions we needed professional development to go in, I was asked to be Vice-Chair of the committee. I am very blessed to be working with one of my closest friends in the universe, Cantor David Berger. For me, to be working as a volunteer in this area as a Cantor where I have some experience and expertise as an educator is really important being able to do this work for the ACC. I've been working on professional development for the ACC for the past two and a half years. This has been my one and only major commitment.

What's the most rewarding experience doing volunteer work for the ACC?

There are two things. One is getting to know Cantors across the country that I otherwise wouldn't have met either through working with them, meeting with them or attending classes with them. It's great to put faces to names at conventions. It's been a meaningful experience to meet my colleagues. Also, I've been interested in the cantorate and in education of cantors for a very long time. I wrote my Masters thesis at college on the history of cantorial curriculum. For me, to work with conference to achieve the highest ideals as cantors is very meaningful.

In your experience, what is the best part of being a Cantor?

Humbling honor of being a part of people's Jewish lives and journeys. For me as a Cantor-Educator, it's sharing those moments of discovery for young people.

What is the biggest challenge facing the cantorate, looking toward the future?

Thinking about, for individual cantors to make time and space for personal and professional development. For personal and professional renewal. Not just to make us professionally relevant. The biggest challenge is managing a demanding profession and finding time for meaningful growth. We're challenged by the day by day, we need to be committed to our own development. Enriched by one another.

Tell us one thing about yourself that we might not know, that you would want us to learn about you.

My busiest, most personal hobby is kickboxing. I'm taking it to the next level. I'm an aspirational boxer. It's great for stress management and great for exercise.