Cantor Linda Semi

Cantor Linda Semi leads congregation B'nai Emunah in prayer and song.  Cantor Linda  imbues our synagogue worship with the beauty and emotional power of traditional Nusach, the melodies of Jewish prayer. Her approach to the cantorial role is to instill knowledge and partnership on the part of the Congregation. We take pride that our services are highly participatory; Cantor Linda enjoys hearing voices from the worshippers as much as the worshippers appreciate her expression of the synagogue service through the special qualities of Jewish musical tradition.

Cantor Semi also directs our choir, an all-volunteer group that prepares throughout the summer for participation in High Holy Day services. The result of the collaboration between Hazzan Linda and the choir is the addition of a special dimension to the liturgy of these services with moments of transcendent power.

Cantor Semi received her cantorial training at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. She served congregations in Whittier and Thousand Oaks before coming to Congregation B’nai Emunah in 1991. Based on her demonstrated expertise in Jewish sacred music, she was inducted in 1997 into the Cantors' Assembly, the professional association of Conservative cantors affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

At B'nai Emunah, we love to think of ourselves as one huge extended family.  Because of this, our clergy are not just officiants on the pulpit and at life cycle events.  They are multi-faceted people with fascinating families, hobbies, and lives of their own. 

As of the latest count, Cantor Linda, who remains a big kid at heart, has been blessed with seven grandchildren.  When not davening, she loves to travel, take in spectator sports, go to the movies, and indulge in ice cream treats!  Among her volunteer activities are ushering at community theater events, helping at the Food Bank, and being a regular Red Cross donor.  Catch her on this page in some of her off-the-pulpit activities.

See the Many Faces of Cantor Linda

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