Drink lots of fluids to protect your voice! That's just one piece of practical advice Cantor-Educator students received at the new Yerusha Program's monthly Wednesday Lunch and Learn seminars.

Developed by Dr. Scott M. Sokol, Cantor-Educator Program director and dean of the Jewish Music Institute, the seminars are led by local cantors in the Greater Boston area. "It's an informal environment to ask questions and get answers for the topics that don't come up in class," says Cantor Dvorah Buhr, program administrator.

Since the first session in November, speakers have included Marina Shemesh, an opera singer and cantor from Worcester, and Elias Rosenberg, an Argentinian cantor from Chestnut Hill who described Jewish life and music in his native country. Sam Pessaroff, a cantor and mohel from the North Shore, is scheduled for February.

Yerusha-which translates as "inheritance" or "legacy"-also includes a mentorship program. Cantor-Educator students are paired with community cantors to observe their services and eventually lead a portion or all of the prayers.

The goal of both components is to enable students to gain confidence in a supportive learning environment. Buhr, who recalls feeling alone and unprepared when she began leading cantorial services, says Yerusha participants will be much better equipped for their first cantorial assignments: "We're helping the students be the best they can be."

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