cantor: the official of a synagogue who conducts the liturgical part of the service and sings or chants the prayers intended to be performed as solos
spiritual leader: a leader in religious or sacred affairs
oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: a form of muscular dystrophy that usually begins between early adulthood and middle age and first affects muscles of the eyelid and throat; progresses slowly with swallowing problems common as the disease progresses; inheritance is autosomal dominant