Rabbi Michael Davis

Chicago Rabbi/Cantor

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About Rabbi Cantor Davis

Rabbi Michael Davis cantor

Rabbi Cantor Michael Davis was born in the United Kingdom and grew up in Israel. He trained with the Chief Cantor of the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem and in leading rabbinical seminaries in Israel.

Rabbi Davis has served the Jewish community in Chicago since 1995. He founded Reform Cantors of Chicago (2009) and the Open Hillel Rabbinical Council (2014). He initiated and programmed the first three years of Yom Hashoah programming at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

Rabbi Davis is a globally recognized religious leader. In January 2016, he addressed other faith leaders at Old St. Pat’s Catholic Church in a vigil against violence. In December 2015, Rabbi Davis represented the Jewish community at the nation’s largest gathering of Muslims. His rabbinic advocacy for peace received the recognition and praise of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was a national clergy leader of the Hyatt workers campaign. He worked 2010–2013 on their behalf to secure a fair contract. He organized Jewish and Christian clergy to interview workers and meet with executives. His successful work was featured on the front cover of the Chicago Tribune Business Section.

Rabbi Cantor Davis has served on the faculty of the Hebrew Seminary in Skokie, training future rabbis in classic Hebrew and Aramaic text since 2009. He has served on the Certification Committee for the American Conference of Cantors in conjunction with the the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College. He has been a member of the South East Lake County Interfaith Clergy Association. Rabbi Davis established two cantorial pulpits, serving as the first full-time cantor of two Reform congregations in Highland Park, IL.

Rabbi Cantor Davis is married to Gilit, a high school career counselor. They are the proud parents of two girls and live in Evanston, Illinois. In his spare time he enjoys riding his bicycle along Chicago’s beautiful bike paths.


Rabbi Michael Davis was a seminary professor in Chicago for 13 years and currently teaches Arabic as a Jewish Language. For more information, please visit Rava Chicago (ravachicago.org).

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Testimonials

Jacob and I can’t begin to express how happy we are to have had you involved at our wedding! Honestly, it was the best day of our lives! We had so much fun and you were such a pleasure to be with ­you have a very calming presence. You spoke so eloquently and everyone was impressed with how great the ceremony was.

Angelica Marconi

Rabbi Davis conveys a warmth through his words and his music that draws people in and helps them remember the joy of Judaism, their own family history and their culture.

Marcy Kamen

Rabbi Cantor Michael Davis’s warm welcoming love of music, Judaism, and peace encouraged my son to be involved in our Congregation and to participate as a musician in concerts, Shabbat services, and with holiday and special events. My son learned about Tikkun Olam and what it means to be a part of our Jewish Community.

Debi Shandling

Cantor Davis has always been so much more that just a wonderful Cantor with a beautiful singing voice, but, in addition, his having been raised in Israel in a deeply religious family has added to his rich background in Judaica and his own gift of teaching skills combine to make it a privilege to take classes and study with him.

Joyce Lyon

Cantor Michael Davis officiated my wedding at the Field Museum, and did a beautiful job. The ceremony was the perfect length, and was super personal and meaningful. We live in California and so can’t speak to the quality of the synagogue itself, but I can say that Cantor Michael is really inspiring, a great Jewish educator… not to mention that he’s a great cantor with a spectacular voice.

Allison Mickel

Cantor Michael Davis encouraged me, an ‘elderly congregant’ to embark on the joyful journey of a bat mitzvah. He did it with patience and humor and I was reminded of the warmth and the strong connection of my very Jewish background ­my father would have been proud!

Bluma Kaplan

My youngest grandson had his Bar­ Mitzvah in October at Lakeside Congregation in Highland Park. His performance was flawless due to the preparation, encouragement, kindness, and support of Cantor Davis. The service was filled with the melodious voice of Cantor Davis as he chanted the Hebrew prayers and Torah portions. When I looked at the Cantor’s face as he sang, the emotions he felt were magically transferred to me, and it filled my heart with joy and abundant love for our Jewish traditions.

Eileen & Myron Berkson

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