WELCOME TO THE WOMEN CANTORS’ NETWORK
Cantor Deborah Katchko Gray founded the Women Cantors’ Network in 1982. The goal of the WCN is to promote the practice of Judaism through the dissemination, development, and commissioning of Jewish music and rituals for clergy and lay leaders serving in the cantorate.
The WCN provides information and education in areas related to the cantorate and Jewish music through annual conferences and on-line forums, commissions Jewish music for women’s voices, and serves as a forum for discussing practical issues for women in the cantorate by sharing professional knowledge and experiences in a supportive atmosphere.
Testimonial by
Cantor Debbi Ballard
“Coming to WCN lets me sit in a room full of other women and listen to them sing, and pray, and their voices lift my voice. And I just love being here with my sisters and song.”
Testimonial by
Cantor Marlena Taenzer
“WCN makes a difference because the women really care about each other. They’re spiritual, they love to share their knowledge, they support each other, and it really, really works.”
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO COPYRIGHT
by ADRIAN DURLESTER
Parnasa (livelihood) is a basic concept in Judaism. Our faith has long recognized that, while one can and should perform religious services such as writing liturgically-based music, performing cantorial or songleading services, etc., for the community willingly, people do need to earn a living. To varying degrees, composers, songwriters, and performers depend on income from legitimate sales of printed music and recordings.
“One who derives benefit and the other suffers loss [is liable].” (Bava Kamma 20a)
Another honored concept in Judaism is attribution. It is considered a great honor to report the words of another.