What is a cantor? Most of my Christian friends don’t understand: The position of the cantor, or hazzan, is sort of a cross between a prayer leader and a singing tutor. (My Baptist friends, on the other hand — all I have to say is, “He’s the guy who gets down on the synagogue stage,” and they get it right away.)
Fortunately, the world no longer has to rely on my sketchy comparisons. Our favorite cantor here at MyJewishLearning, Jeremiah Lockwood (the exemplary lead singer of The Sway Machinery) explains it to us. And, fortunately, to you.