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In 1987, Rabbi Kanter received
a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Knox College
(Galesburg, IL). After completion of studies in Jerusalem
and Cincinnati, he was awarded a Masters of Arts in Hebrew
Letters in 1992 and was ordained in 1993 at Hebrew Union
College, Jewish Institute of Religion. His Rabbinic Thesis
was titled, “From Jerusalem a Remnant Shall Go Out: The
Siege of Jerusalem in Biblical Times and Twentieth
Century.” As a student, Rabbi Kanter served small
congregations throughout the southern part of the United
States, including Lafayette, Louisiana, Natchez,
Mississippi and Jackson, Tennessee. In 1995, he joined
Congregation Etz Chaim as its first full-time rabbi, where
he served until 2002. He has also served Congregation Gan
Eden in the Boca-Delray area and Temple Hatikvah in
Homestead, FL.
Rabbi Kanter has a record
of noteworthy achievements. He is the founder of Jewish
Light, a chavurah with an outreach to interfaith
households, families, singles, couples, all people,
regardless of of sexual orientation. He taught
“Discovering Judaism” for community members and candidates
for conversion. For the JCC, Federation and Jewish Family
Service Boards, he taught sensitivity training. The
leadership and accomplishments of Rabbi Kanter has been
recognized with many honors and awards. From 2000 to 2002,
he served on the Board of Jewish Family Services of
Broward County. By proclamation, the City of Wilton Manors
declared “Rabbi Greg Kanter Day” in 2002. In 1997, he was
named Etz Chaim Man of the Year. In his own words, Rabbi
Kanter says, “It has been my privilege to officiate and
counsel in a way that brings education, healing and
comfort to communities and individuals. I seek to share my
love of Torah, Am Yisrael and Tikkun Olam with the entire
community.” |
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Margaret Schmitt holds a BA in
Music from Queens College, CUNY. She also studied at the
Juilliard and Mannes Schools of Music in New York City,
and at Amherst College in Massachusetts. She studied
contemporary liturgical music at the RSCM in Carlisle,
England. She has sung in opera, musical theatre and
concert throughout the US, and has been presented in
concert in Germany, England, Scotland and Russia.
Since moving to Florida,
Miss Schmitt has sung leading roles with several local
opera companies, including Palm Beach Opera, and has been
heard in many prestigious concert series. She was Director
of “Club Concerts” for the Palm Beach Symphony, and the
“Music for a Summer Evening” concert series at St.
Christopher’s Church, Hobe Sound. She is currently
Artistic Director of “Capri Blu Presents” in Palm Beach,
“Opera Benvenuto” in Boynton Beach, and “Opera at Brooks”
in Deerfield Beach. She is also Artistic Director of the
Serenade Singers, and conductor of the Choral Groups at
Abbey Delray South and Lakeside Village.
Margaret has extensive
experience in sacred music, both in church and synagogue
repertoire. She has been soloist at several area churches,
including The Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, Church
of the Palms and Unity Church in Delray Beach and First
Church of Christ Scientist in West Palm Beach.
Margaret was soloist with
Cantor Abraham Wolkin in New York City and Liberty, New
York for 7 years. She has sung at Temple Israel, West Palm
Beach and Temple Emanuel, Palm Beach. She was Choral
Soloist at Temple Sinai from 2002 until 2007, before
becoming Cantorial Soloist in the summer of 2007. |
