More than perhaps anything else in the Jewish world, communal singing has the power to bring us together in prayer, celebration, and action. It is a central element of deepening engagement, and it can be a powerful draw for bringing new people into the community.

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SUG songleaders learn so much more than how to be great performers. They learn how to collaboratively build and support strong, sustainable Jewish communities filled with song.
 

North American Fellowship 2024-2025

 

This prestigious 6-month Fellowship for teens in 8th - 12th grades across North America includes:
 

• A two-day (one night) retreat for in-person learning, December 7-8, 2024, at Temple Sholom in Broomall, PA. During this retreat, joining with the teen songleaders of that congregation, with learning from Jacob "Spike" Kraus and Rachel Wolman, fellows will  practice and hone songleading skills by leading singing with teens and children, and receive useful feedback from peers and professionals to aid their growth in real time. Teen songleaders will also enjoy a Spike concert with the congregation, and have a chance to sing and lead with him as wel! Room and board are  provided (in home hospitality), and travel subsidies may be available. 
   

• 6 virtual learning sessions, scheduled monthly from December 2024 through May 2025 . Fellows will learn with Rachel Wolman and from subject area experts on topics such as prayer and teen leadership, teaching new repertoire, pedagogy of leading music with different age groups, religious school music and strategy, working with adult clergy and professionals, how to memorize songs, how to choose repertoire, how to pivot and have "back-pocket" plans, and more.
   

• Support from a local, on-the-ground mentor. Each Fellow will choose or be assigned an adult mentor (clergy or educator) from within their local community, to provides leadership feedback, professional development and support throughout the year.
   

• A network of peer songleaders across North America. This Fellowship is an opportunity to build networks and friendships to last well beyond the Fellowship year, as Fellows grow with and learn from a group of like-minded teens who share a love of Jewish community and music.
   

• The development of professional relationships with connected Jewish community leaders and educators across North America and around the world who can be valuable contacts and resources on an emerging leaders career journey. 
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There are three ways you can choose to participate in the SUG North American Songleader Fellowship:

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1. Immersive 2-Day Retreat in Philadelphia plus Sing Unto God
   Participate in both the Songleading weekend with Spike Kraus in Philadelphia, PA, and the Fellowship zoom training and support sessions, which will include partnership with mentors on the ground in congergations to support ongoing songleading work.
   
   The retreat runs from Saturday December 7 at 2:00pm - Sunday December 8 2024 at 3:00pm. All coordination for this retreat (housing in home hospitality, meals, and programming) is run through the congregation. Most travel along the Eastern Corridor and those of you traveling across the country will work with SUG to arrange travel and talk about travel stipend. The cost for this full program (retreat and 6 session zoom program) is $280. Start your registration here. 
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2. Just Immersive 2-Day Retreat in Philadelphia
   Participate only in the 2-Day Retreat at Temple Sholom in Broomall, PA. The cost for this is $180. Once you fill out our registraiton information, you'll be sent to the congregation's form to collect more details.
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3. Just Sing Unto God Zoom Fellowship
   Participate only in the SUG Fellowship Zoom Sessions. The total cost for the zoom sessions is $100. Register here.