Cantor Janet Leuchter has been cantor of Congregation Beth Elohim since July 2001. She previously served as cantor of Temple Avodah, Oceanside, NY, and was invested by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1999.

A native of Vineland, New Jersey, she has lived in NYC for many years. She is known for her involvement as a performer and teacher of Yiddish songs. Active in the early years of the klezmer revival, she was the vocalist with the pioneering women's band Klez-meydlekh and has taught at the Yiddish Folk Arts Program ("Klez-Kamp") and other national festivals. A classically trained mezzo-soprano, she has sung in concert, oratorio and opera in the metropolitan area. She has performed with trail-blazing playwright/directors Maria Irene Fornes and Elizabeth Swados, and composed the music for Fornes' Obie-award-winner Eyes on the Harem.

She can be heard on Zumerteg-a CD of Yiddish songs by songwriter Bella Gottesman--as well as on the soundtracks of several acclaimed documentaries, including Partisans of Vilna. She is also the featured cantor on the CD Dancing with the Dead-the Music of Global Death Rites, on Ellipsis Arts. You can also hear her here , chanting the Torah blessings.