As a dynamic leader of worship, Cantor Lindsay Kanter weaves together congregational melodies, moving listening moments, and thoughtful teachings to create authentic Jewish experiences that are meaningful, uplifting, and memorable. In offering pastoral care, reimagining musical and learning opportunities, and penning show-stopping Purim spiels, Cantor Lindsay strives to reach all four corners of her congregational tent. She is also an avid composer and was awarded the 2017 Kol Emet Commission Prize from Beth Emet: The Free Synagogue, in Evanston, Illinois.
Hailing from Chicago, Cantor Lindsay earned a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, alongside a Minor in Business. She then pursued a Master's Degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University, while working as a soloist and professional quartet member at Chicago Sinai Congregation.
Upon graduation, Cantor Lindsay taught voice lessons at various Chicagoland schools and served as Cantorial Soloist and Music Specialist at Congregation Solel, in Highland Park, IL, under the tutelage of Rabbi Evan Moffic. Inspired by her work with this heimish Jewish community, Cantor Lindsay applied to Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. During her studies, Cantor Lindsay served as cantorial intern at Central Synagogue and Temple Israel of Staten Island, b'nei mitzvah tutor at Temple Shaaray Tefila, and as student cantor at Congregation Ohel Avraham in Haifa, Israel. Cantor Lindsay also served as a chaplain intern for Mount Sinai-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan.
At HUC–JIR, Cantor Lindsay received her Master of Sacred Music in 2016 and was ordained in 2017. She then served as Cantor for Temple Emanuel of Kensington, Maryland, from 2017–2025. During her tenure at Temple Emanuel, Cantor Lindsay refreshed the congregation’s musical landscape — expanding the Kol Zimrah congregational choir, reviving the Kol Ruach Jr. Choir, and revitalizing the Mizmor L’Shabbat Band of dedicated volunteer musicians. In partnership with the Rabbi, she wove moments of beauty, meaning, and inspiration into worship and life-cycle events, deepening the community’s connection to music, Judaism, and one another.
Additionally, Cantor Lindsay spearheaded several transformative learning initiatives at Temple Emanuel. From thoughtfully redesigning the b’nei mitzvah program and creating a specialized weekly 6th and 7th grade Learners’ Minyan, to designing a Family Minyan that engaged students and their parents alike, Cantor Lindsay helped revitalize the religious school — all with warmth, joy, and a collaborative spirit.
Cantor Lindsay is proud to be a dual member of the Reform Movement's American Conference of Cantors and the Conservative Movement's Cantors Assembly. She is also currently enrolled in the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's Clergy Leadership Program— an immersive, 18-month retreat-based program designed to develop spiritual growth, resilience, and authentic leadership through mindfulness, prayer, meditation, and text study.
Cantor Lindsay resides in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband David, daughter Zoheret, and son Myer.
