Jews can be found in just about every profession—from lawyers to doctors, accountants to real estate agents. But there are certain occupations that serve the specific needs and traditions of Jewish life. Read on for 17 uniquely Jewish professions.
1. The Rabbi
Perhaps the best-known uniquely Jewish profession is the rabbi. Every sizable synagogue and Jewish community is led by a rabbi, who is responsible for the spiritual well-being and growth of his community. A rabbi delivers sermons, teaches Torah classes, officiates at life events such as weddings and funerals, and offers comfort and guidance in times of need. Some rabbis with higher levels of scholarship are also qualified to issue rulings in complex cases of Jewish law.
In Sephardic congregations, the rabbi is often called a Chacham or Mullah.
Read: The Difference Between a Rabbi and a Rav
2. The Chazan (Cantor)
The chazan, or cantor, leads the prayers in the synagogue. In many congregations, services are led by volunteers from the community. But in larger synagogues, the chazan may be a hired professional. A skilled chazan invests significant time and effort into learning the traditional melodies and perfecting his delivery, creating an atmosphere that is both musical and spiritually uplifting.
Fun fact: Some professional chazans wear large, ornate kippahs as part of their formal attire when leading services.
Read: The Chazan
3. The Shochet (Ritual Slaughterer)
A shochet is the person trained to slaughter fowl and livestock according to the precise requirements of Jewish law. A shochet must be well-versed in the laws of shechitah (ritual slaughter), expert in sharpening his knife (called a chalef in Yiddish), and skilled in slaughtering quickly, smoothly, and painlessly.
Just as important as his technical skill is his fear of Heaven. Because the difference between kosher and non-kosher slaughter is often undetectable to the outside observer, the community must rely on the shochet’s honesty and integrity.
A schochet is sometimes also trained as a bodek (checker), examining the inner organs of the animal to ensure it is fit for consumption by Jewish law.
Read: What Is a Shochet?
4. The Mashgiach (Kosher Supervisor)
In the kitchen of a kosher restaurant or food production facility, you’ll often find a mashgiach, or kosher supervisor. The mashgiach ensures that all food preparation follows the laws of kashrut. His tasks include checking ingredients for kosher certification, ensuring proper separation between meat and dairy, inspecting produce for insects, turning on all flames, and more.
In factories and processing plants, mashgichim (plural) visit regularly to make sure that kosher standards are upheld throughout the production process.
Read: What Is a Mashgiach?
5. The Sofer (Scribe)
A sofer, or scribe, is a specially trained craftsman who writes Torah scrolls, mezuzahs, and tefillin by hand on parchment, using the traditional form of Hebrew calligraphy. Alongside his artistic skill, the sofer must master the detailed laws governing the writing of sacred texts. Many also check existing scrolls to ensure they are kosher and have not been damaged.
Because even a small flaw can render a scroll invalid, much like a shochet, the sofer must be a person of great integrity and fear of Heaven.
Read: Sofer: The Torah Scribe
6. The Batim Macher (Tefillin-Box Maker)
The batim macher, or tefillin-box maker, practices one of the most specialized and rare Jewish crafts. Crafting the leather boxes of the tefillin involves a long and intricate process, transforming raw hides into perfectly shaped batim (boxes). A visit to a batim macher’s workshop is fascinating—especially for a 12-year-old boy preparing for his bar mitzvah!
Read: What Are Tefillin?
7. The Etrog Dealer
Though we use the Four Species only during the festival of Sukkot, preparing for the holiday begins months in advance. The etrog dealer travels to orchards in Italy, Israel, and beyond to select etrogim that are both kosher and beautiful, ensuring communities have a plentiful supply in time for the holiday.
Read: A Candid Conversation With an Etrog Dealer
8. The Shatnez Checker
The Torah forbids wearing clothing that contains both wool and linen—a mixture called shatnez. Because modern garments often contain hidden fibers, the shatnez checker plays an important role. At a shatnez lab, trained experts inspect garments to detect any forbidden threads and, when necessary, carefully remove them so the clothing is shatnez-free.
Read: Shatnez-Free Clothing
9. The Rosh Yeshivah (Talmudic Dean)
A rosh yeshivah heads a yeshivah—an academy of advanced Talmudic learning. A scholar of great stature, the rosh yeshivah teaches classes, delivers in-depth Talmudic lectures, and sets the tone and study methodology of the institution. A related position is the rosh kollel, who leads a Talmudic academy geared toward married men.
Read: What Is a Yeshivah?
10. The Dayan (Judge)
A dayan serves as a judge in a Jewish Beth Din (court of law). Dayanim (plural) preside over cases brought to the Beth Din, such as monetary disputes, divorces, and conversions. This demanding position requires not only rabbinic ordination but also an advanced level of scholarship and experience.
Read: 11 Facts About a Beth Din
11. Shadchan
A shadchan is a matchmaker, who suggests prospective marriage mates and then coaches them through the dating process.
A shadchan can be either male and female, although a female matchmaker is more properly called a shadchante in Yiddish, and a shadchanit in Hebrew.
Read: What Is a Shadchan?
12. The Chevra Kadishah (Burial Society)
The chevra kadishah, or Jewish burial society, performs one of the most sacred and selfless mitzvahs: caring for the deceased. Members prepare the body for burial and ensure the process is carried out with dignity and respect. Chevra kadishahs are normally composed of volunteers, but larger communities may have on-staff professionals as well.
Read: 10 Facts About the Chevra Kadisha
13. The Mikvah Attendant
At the heart of Jewish family life is the mikvah, where married women immerse as part of the observance of family purity. The mikvah attendant—often simply called “the mikvah lady”—assists and supports visitors and ensures that immersions are done properly. With her care and encouragement, she is often the inspiration to keep this special mitzvah.
Read: A Visit to a 92-Year-Old Mikvah Lady
14. The Sheitel Macher (Wig Maker)
Another Jewish female profession is the sheitel macher, who crafts and maintains wigs worn by married Jewish women as a form of hair covering. Some specialize in designing wigs from scratch, while others focus on cutting, washing, dying, and styling them.
Read: Why Do Jewish Women Wear Wigs?
15. The Shtadlan or Askan (Communal Activist)
In earlier centuries, Jewish communities in Europe often relied on a shtadlan—a representative who interceded with the government on behalf of the Jewish people. Using personal connections with high-ranking officials, the shtadlan worked to overturn antisemitic decrees and protect Jewish life.
Today, the modern counterpart is the askan (community activist), who dedicates his time to helping others—whether through facilitating help for medical crises, community advocacy, or ensuring access to Jewish education.
Read: What Is a “Macher”?
16. The Meshulach (Charity Fundraiser)
Many Jewish institutions depend on charitable support, and the meshulach, or charity emissary, helps make that possible. The meshulach travels to communities and philanthropists, giving them the opportunity to partner in the mitzvah of tzedakah (charity). It’s a mutually rewarding role: the organization receives vital support, and the donors gain the tremendous merit of giving.
Read: 15 Facts About Charity
17. Temple-Era Professions
During the times of the Holy Temple, there were many more uniquely Jewish occupations. Foremost among them were the Kohanim (priests) who performed the Temple service, led by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). They were assisted by the Levites, who guarded the Temple and sang when sacrifices were offered.
Beyond these, there were countless others: artisans who crafted the ketoret (incense), merchants who sold doves for sacrifices, scholars who taught the priests or inspected animals for blemishes, Temple officials, and even a Temple doctor!1
Read: Raise Your Hand if You’re a Kohen
