Offerings

Exploration, Creativity, Curiosity: Let’s Build Together

Looking to further develop your community’s worship and music culture? Curious how communal music participation and singing in the round can function in your Jewish space? Wondering how to bridge the gap between the sacred and secular through music? Dreaming of empowering musical lay leaders of all ages and kinds while building a leadership pipeline?

Cantor Jordan Goldstein brings years of experience — both in formal cantorial study and professional work as well as the craft and skillset of song leading — to everything they do. Fluent in the traditions and legacy of Debbie Friedman as much as the cantorate, Jordan brings the best of both worlds.

“I invited Cantor Goldstein to co-lead our Shabbat evening at my congregation and I was bowled-over by their warm and loving style of worship leadership. They are truly a visionary and architect of innovation in worship service leadership. However, what I personally felt was most profound aspect of Cantor Goldstein's visit was the partnership and collaboration. Not only are they generous and giving, but I personally felt like I learned and grew so much simply planning the service with them. They are a gift to the Jewish world.”

– Cantor David Fair

Options & Opportunities

Some places to start, but not the end-all, be-all. Every experience is tailored to the wants and needs of your community.

Shabbat Service Guest Artist

Looking to expand what Shabbat services can look like in your community? Whether that means learning new melodies, diving deeper into the meaning of prayers, singing in the round (or even harmony), connecting with the ancient tradition of nusach or the modern one of folk-style music — CJG is ready to be your partner in the work. A Shabbat visit can include many different programs that, built in collaboration with community leaders, can set a new trajectory for music and worship that goes beyond one day of rest. Shabbat residencies start at $2000 for a Friday night service experience. Opportunities with a Shabbat Guest Artist package could include:

  • Friday Night/Kabbalat Shabbat services, including a sermon or sermon-in-song

  • Saturday Morning Shabbat services, including support for potential b’nei mitzvah, Torah chanting, and more

  • Tot/Family Shabbat services (at any point during the weekend)

  • Havdallah programming (a concert, a jam or sing-along, a social program, or whatever potential you see)

  • Musical Torah Study or Lunch & Learn Experience (going beyond Torah text to see how singing or chanting it effects our understanding)

Religious School Music Development & Youth Song Leader Training

If families, kids, and young adults are a focus for engagement and programming, CJG comes with over a decade of experience using music in education and developing young Jewish leaders. Bring their skills as the URJ Creative Art Academy's Song Leading Mentor and a regular partner in music making at BBYO to bolster your religious school music environment into one that not only helps kids learn, but connects to the larger Jewish music trends across the country, prepares them for further Jewish engagement as they get older, and uses Jewish music as a tool not only for teaching text and ritual, but also as a way to explore their own identity and spirituality. Paired with a Shabbat Guest Artist experience, coordinated as a stand-alone event, or designed for a more long-term collaboration, CJG's religious school guest opportunities run a large range:

  • a Religious School musical lesson or tefillah experience, either for specific age groups or made for the entire school

  • Music curriculum development and recommendations, offered with your particular students and teachers in mind

  • Mentorship for teens interested in Jewish music — either a one-off lesson in person or with the chance to continue mentorship in person or online

  • Experiences designed with a variety of access points of participation to bring everyone in, including neurodivergent and disabled youth

Worship/Music Education Consultation & Support

Not looking for a guest artist, but wanting to expand worship and music in your community? CJG carries extensive experience in leading worship in a wide range of styles, from contemporary camp-style singing, to pluralistic prayer that includes a wide range of Jewish practice. Whatever your worship goals may be, CJG offers a fresh set of eyes and insight into shifting musical culture. They are a ready thought partner, whether you want to shore up the skill of teaching a new piece of music during services or envision the next 10 years of communal singing in your congregation. Consultation comes with an hourly rate or a negotiated flat fee prior to the start of the project when meeting via Zoom, though certain projects may benefit from bringing CJG in to see your community in action. Possibilities include:

  • Implementing Nava Tehila or Hava Nashira style prayer (in the round, meditative chant) in a way that works for communities who have never sung that way before

  • Implementing “Worship Architecture,” or building a foundation for a 5-year, 10-year vision for prayer: what are your dreams for prayer and music programming, and what strategies and melodies can get us there over time?

  • Music curriculum development and recommendations, offered with your particular students and teachers in mind

  • Supporting other musical leadership (both professional and lay leader) in achieving their goals and honing their skills

  • Guidance in working with volunteer choirs & musicians from an educator mindset

Beyond the Matbe’ah: Jewish Values & Diversity in Action Through Music

The world of American Jewish music is so much more than our prayers and liturgy, and CJG's thesis (plus their many years of URJ camp work) has made them a specialist in that genre. Having studied how contemporary Reform Jewish composers (from the 1960s to today) have used the art form to convey a wide range of complex and intricate Jewish values and philosophies, they bring this expansive repertoire to everything they do. This work can also be shared in the form of an interactive concert, where the audience is more than encouraged to sing along and engage. Split into certain focuses (Identity & Intersectionality, Social Action & Judaism Responding to Our World, or Theology & Jewish Thought), there is opportunity to choose a deep dive into one theme or hear sections of all three. This opportunity functions as stand-alone concert, a classroom-oriented learning session, or as part of a larger visit.

Another concert opportunity lies in the new Nonbinary Cantors’ Concert Series, built in conjunction with Cantors Kalix Jacobson and Ze’evi Tovlev. As the collective first-ever openly trans or nonbinary cantors ordained in history, the three have found it important to share the unique perspectives they bring to the Jewish world as well as their music, to much acclaim. Communities interested in bringing out the whole trio can reach out through this website. CJG can also offer parts of this series in their own concerts, learning sessions, and services as anyone desires; they have shared about their nonbinary journey through sermons-in-song for Pride month, and are proud to bring their full authentic self to their work.

If you're interested in working with Cantor Jordan Goldstein, complete this form with a few details about what you’re looking for. We'll review your message and get back to you within 3-5 business days.

Let’s Collaborate!