Ellen Dreskin is an innovative worship leader, as well as a synagogue consultant and clergy coach in the areas of liturgical innovation, personal prayer practice, and communal worship skills.

Ellen has worked for over 20 years as a scholar-in-residence and worship-leader at dozens of congregations across the country and regularly serves on the Faculty of National Institutes, Camps, and Conferences.

Ellen was ordained as a cantor by HUC-JIR in 1986 and has a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University. She is married to Rabbi Billy Dreskin and is extremely proud of their joint projects: Katie, Jonah (z”l), and Aiden.

Ellen will be teaching four programs throughout the week:

• Glamour in the Grammar: Deepening Your Understanding of Liturgy
• Illuminating the Word we Speak and Sing
• Music as Midrash
• Know Before Whom You Stand: How To Customize a Prayer Experience for your Community

About the Role

The Liturgist-in-Residence offers a series of special programs open to the community related to creating liturgy or ritual. The Liturgist-in-Residence presents at least three independent workshops and also may lead or participate in innovative prayer experiences, an evening or Shabbat program, an activity specifically for kids or teens, or community programs. These programs are open to the entire community and will be equivalent to teacher-level service (approximately 8 hours of programming throughout the week).

We especially welcome applicants that share the process of creating or reinterpreting liturgy or designing new rituals through example. We do not look for programs that teach traditional liturgical skills, nusach or service leading methods.  The Liturgist-in-Residence receives one complimentary registration to attend at the NHC Summer Institute. If multiple individuals are on the same application and are chosen, they will share the tuition credit. There is no stipend with this position.

Please contact liturgist@havurah.org if you have questions.