The National Havurah Committee is seeking applicants who wish to be considered for the position of Liturgist-in-Residence at the 2020 Summer Institute, to be held July 27 – August 2 at the University of Hartford, Connecticut.
The Liturgist-in-Residence will offer a series of special programs open to the community related to creating liturgy, liturgical poetry or new rituals. The Liturgist-in-Residence will present 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 will be open to the entire community and will be equivalent to teacher-level service (approximately 8 hours of programming throughout the week).
Who Should Apply?
We especially welcome applications that share your process of creating new prayers, reinterpreting prayers, or designing new rituals through example. Please offer at least one session on “how you do what you do” so that others may learn from you. We are not looking for programs that teach traditional liturgical skills, nusach or service leading methods. While teaching, learning, singing, or matching original, or alternative melodies for prayers is appropriate, that should not be the sole focus of the Liturgist-in-Residence workshops and activities.
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.
Past NHC Liturgists in Residence include:
● 2019 — Ellen Dreskin
● 2018 – Linda Hirschhorn
● 2017 – Mitch Chefitz
● 2016 – Malkah Binah Klein and Aliza Arzt
● 2015 – Alden Solovy
● 2014 – Trisha Arlin
● 2013 – Adam Lavitt and Adina Allen
● 2011 – Miriam Margles
Please contact liturgist@havurah.org if you have questions or ideas to discuss for your proposal before submitting.
You may submit at most two different proposals. Applicants are encouraged to consider how they will draw on this year’s theme in their application: קֽוּמִי צְאִי מִתּוֹךְ הַהֲפֵכָה (Kumi tze’i mi’toch ha’hafecha) – Get up, go out from amidst the upheaval. Please complete a separate copy of this FORM for each Liturgist-in-Residence application you are submitting, and email completed forms to liturgist@havurah.org. Applications are due by January 2. We will notify you regarding the status of your application by January 9. The NHC Summer Institute provides captioning during community programming. We ask all presenters to work with our transcription and accessibility teams to help achieve inclusion for all. View and download the Call for Applications here.
Please note that during this week’s Institute, Thursday (the second-to-last day of classes) will be Tisha b’Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the Temple and other tragedies. Courses and workshops will meet normally on that day, although the schedule may be modified. Some community members will be fasting for the day. Proposals should specify whether the third day’s programming will be suitable for members of our community who refrain from Torah study, listening to music, and other joyous activities on Tisha b’Av (this is not a mandatory criterion for acceptance).