Learn to Lead Jewish
Services of All Types
Welcome to the Cantors Assembly's new online learning portal. Whether you've come to learn how to lead services, chant from the Torah or Megillot, learn synagogue basics or register for one of our many popular Zoom classes, there's something here for everyone. We invite you to explore and, most of all to LEARN.
Dozens of Courses
Learn to daven every service throughout the year with our one-of-a-kind musical siddurim.
Now in digital format, the Cantors Assembly's series of Musical Siddurim by Pinchas Spiro are perfect for beginner, intermediate or experienced sh'lichei tzibbur to take the guesswork out of learning the nusah. Complete with the full text of every Hebrew prayer, transliteration, accessible syllable-by-syllable musical notation and crystal-clear recordings of correct nusah, we've taken the guess-work out of learning how to daven so you can stand at the amud and lead your community with confidence.
High Holy Days
From Selichot through Neilah and everything in between, our series of courses cover the entire Yamim Noraim from start to finish.
Shalosh Regalim
Those Regalim won't daven themselves! Learn all the ins and outs for Pesah, Shavuot, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah plus all the unique musical flourishes that make the chagim special.
Shabbat
Our Shabbat courses cover it all: Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma'ariv, Pesukei D'Zimrah, Shacharit, Torah, Musaf, Minchah and Havdalah.
Weekday
Perfect for those just getting started, who want to lead a shiva minyan or just want to learn more about the structure of the weekday service. Courses cover all weekday services including Rosh Hodesh.
Rosh HaShanah & Yom Kippur
Both the biggest challenge for the novice shaliach tzibbur, as well as the greatest need. If you've got a nice voice and your shul doesn't have the resources to bring in a High Holy Day hazzan, this series of courses will teach you everything you need to know. Can't learn all that music by heart? Don't worry. You can take our printed musical siddur right up onto the bima with you.
Shabbat from A to Z
From Kabbalat Shabbat to Havdalah, we've everything you need.
Shabbat may be the day of rest, but for the shaliach tzibbur, it can be a marathon. Even shuls that have a hazzan rely upon laypeople to fill in some of the pieces along the way, like Pesukei D'Zimrah, Mincha, etc. Here are all those pieces, plus everything in between, presented by master Hazzan Pinchas Spiro with the most precise nusah you'll find anywhere.
Shalosh Regalim
Pesah, Shavuot, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret
and Simchat Torah
Each with their own distinctive prayers and melodies, all tied together by a common nusah that ties them all together, the Three Festivals are often thought to be the most challenging of all services, even for advanced students. Thanks to Hazzan Spiro's Musical Siddur for Shalosh Regalim, you'll be able to walk up to the amud with confidence, knowing you can daven with accurate and accessible nusah for each occasion.
Weekday Services
Weekday Services, Rosh Hodesh and more.
Whether you're a student, a mourner being asked to lead a service or just curious, weekday are not only the most frequent of all the services, for obvious reasons, but they're the easiest to jump in and learn. As with all of our Musical Siddurim, you'll learn the right nusah for the right service no matter what time of day you're called to the amud to lead your community in prayer.
"So grateful! I've been looking for something like this for years! Thank you, Cantors Assembly."
I've spent years searching YouTube and basically every other website I could looking for an authentic way to learn how to lead services. Even the best were either confusing or just too overwhelming. I never met Hazzan Spiro, but I'm so glad to be able to learn from him. The recordings are easy to digest, and the note-for-note transliterations are super helpful. It's all presented so clearly, I feel like I can't miss.
Mike W., Brooklyn, NY
FAQs
We've got you covered.
Have a question we didn't answer? Please let us know by writing to us at support@cantors.org, and we'll be happy to assist you.
What is a Musical Siddur?
Our series of Musical Siddurim by Hazzan Pinchas Spiro z"l contains the all the essential building blocks for you to learn how to lead any service throughout the entire liturgical year. Each prayer is presented with the complete Hebrew text, English transliteration, syllable-by-syllable musical notation and note-for-note recording made by Hazzan Spiro himself. No matter your Hebrew level of ability to read music, you'll find our Musical Siddirum accessible and easy to follow.
Do I need to be able to read Hebrew to use the Musical Siddurim?
While Hebrew reading is not required to use our Musical Siddurim, it is very helpful. All you have to do is follow the transliterations provided, listen to the recordings and the pronunciation should be very clear. Of course, there's no substitute for having your cantor, rabbi or other knowledgeable lay person check your work before you step up to the amud.
Do I need to be able to read Hebrew to lead a service?
Ah! That's the million-dollar question. The answer depends on who you ask. The Sages, of blessed memory, enjoined upon us to pray in a language we understand, with the understanding that Hebrew is the ideal to which we should always aspire. Our Musical Siddurim were created with the student in mind. As long as you are leading with kavannah, or intention, and your community has called upon you to lead them in prayer, we want you to have the tools to ascend the bima with confidence regardless of your current level of Hebrew. If your Hebrew language skills are still developing, study the prayers in translation to ensure you understand them, grab your Musical Siddur and start leading!
Can I use the Musical Siddurim in a live service?
The short answer is: YES! In addition to all the goodies we've included to help you learn, all of our Musical Siddurim contains the complete Hebrew text of every service you may be called upon to lead. Ideally, you will be able to just use your siddur or machzor without need of the music or transliterations, but if you're not ready to ditch the music or transliterations just yet, simply visit our store and get your copy of the Musical Siddur of your choice.
Do I need to purchase physical copies of the Musical Siddurim?
That's totally up to you. If you find the online resources sufficient for your learning needs, there's no need to purchase the books. If, however, you feel the need for extra support while you're davening, or just want to learn with an actual book in your hand, you can always order what you need from our online store and then use the recordings here to guide your learning.
What if I can't read music?
Our Musical Siddurim are designed to work equally well whether you can read music or not. If reading music is not your thing, just listen to the recordings.
Online Courses
Now, for the first time ever, our printed Musical Siddurim are available online. Study wherever you are, on any device, without carrying around bulky books.
Printed Books
Study anywhere with our online course material, but at some point, we hope you'll be up in front of your kahal. At that point, you may need a printed copy of your Musical Siddur or Machzor to help you get through. Our online store has everything you need.
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