ScubaBigBro has been a singer all his life (and longer). He’s had a gig for 9 of the past 10 years as a High Holiday cantorial soloist. Now he is going to become a professional Jewish cantor in the Conservative movement!
He’s been accepted to the Jewish Theological Seminary for the five year cantorial program starting this fall, beginning with a year in Israel. Right now he’s applying for various scholarships to help with the financing.
I’m so proud of my brother for figuring out what his dream job is, and for pursuing it.
In small rural towns the cantor would rotate his schedule to visit the congregations on a monthly basis. When he got sick one night and couldn’t make it, the Rabbi asked the congregation if anyone could fill in as a cantor. No one repsonded. He asked again. Nothing. Finally he begged. A guy in the back row said his dog could do it. (The dog was sleeping at his feet. Hey! I told you this was rural).
The Rabbi politely scoffed and said that while he appreciated it, he doubted a dog could fill in for the cantor. But the dog’'s owner said he could. So, the Rabbi relented and told the guy to let the dog proceed. And proceed he did. The dog got up in front of the congregation and proceded to shame all the cantors that had preceded him. The audience had never heard such a sound. It was from God.
After finishing, the dog went back and lay down at his owner’s feet and fell asleep.
After the service ended, the Rabbi approached the man and asked if the dog could become the permanent cantor.
The owner said no. The rabbi asked “why?” The owner said, “because he wants to be a doctor.”
