Cantor Kelly Onickel
I have been asked this question often, especially in recent weeks. A rabbi and a cantor are both equally ordained clergy, but they often focus on different core areas of leadership.
Within the Reform and Conservative movements, a rabbi is generally the congregation’s expert in teaching, spiritual leadership and the interpretation of Jewish tradition. A rabbi’s roles often include preaching and teaching Torah and Jewish values, providing pastoral care and counseling, guiding life cycle events such as weddings, funerals and conversions, offering leadership in matters of Jewish law, ethics and community direction, and working with the congregation in the areas of education, justice and spiritual growth.
Within the Reform and Conservative movements, a cantor, or hazzan, is also clergy and is generally the congregation’s expert in prayer, music and worship leadership. A cantor’s roles often include leading the congregation in services and prayer, chanting liturgy, Torah and Haftarah, shaping the musical and spiritual experience of worship, teaching Jewish music, prayer skills and often Hebrew, officiating or co-officiating at life cycle events, and providing pastoral support as clergy.
In the Reform Movement, the distinction is often more collaborative and overlapping than many people realize. Both rabbis and cantors are equally ordained clergy. Both may teach, preach, officiate at life cycle events, provide pastoral and spiritual care, and lead worship and prayer experiences. Both also serve as communal leaders. The greatest difference is usually one of professional specialization: a rabbi specializes in rabbinic texts, and a cantor specializes in sacred music.
Many Reform congregations function as a team, with the rabbi and cantor partnering closely in leading the congregation. Temple Beth Shalom is fortunate to have a strong clergy team in Rabbi Rose Durbin and Cantor Kelly Onickel. Each brings different strengths and areas of specialization, and together they serve the congregation and broader community.
I hope this offers a clearer understanding of the roles of a cantor and a rabbi within a congregational setting.