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 three-day retreat for in-person learning, December 6-8, 2024, in partnership with NFTY's Hagigah. During this retreat, as part of an immersive leadership weekend with NFTY, 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. Room and board are  provided (in home hospitality), and travel subsidies may be available. The songleading program will be led by master teacher of songleading Rachel Wolman.
   

• 6 virtual learning sessions, scheduled monthly from November 2024 through May 2025 (excluding December). 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. NFTY plus Sing Unto God
   Participate in both the NFTY Hagiga Weekend Songleading Track 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 Friday December 6 - Sunday December 8 2024. All coordination for this retreat (housing in home hospitality, meals, and programming) is run through NFTY. Most travel along the Eastern Corridor will be coordinated through NFTY, and those of you traveling across the country will work with SUG and NFTY to arrange travel and talk about travel stipend.The cost for this full program (retreat and year long zoom work) is $500. Start your registration here. 
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2. Just NFTY
   Participate only in the NFTY Hagigah Weekend Songleading Track. The cost for the NFTY Hagigah weekend is $375.  Register on the NFTY site.
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3. Just Sing Unto God
   Participate only in the SUG Fellowship Zoom Sessions. The total cost for the zoom sessions is $125. Register here.