Stephen Wise Temple Senior Cantor Emma Lutz.
Singing is our entry point for Jewish ritual, especially during this High Holy Day season. Each moment of our worship is perfectly accompanied with words of blessing and special melodies that connect us both to our prayers and to our aspirations for the year to come. At times, we open ourselves up simply by listening, evoking a sense of awe or stirring up memories from the past year. And at other moments, we raise our voices together in communal song, reminded of the strength of our community when we come together. We feel connected not only to those present but to so many generations before us joined who together in the same words and songs as they, too, atoned and searched for meaning in their own lives. I pray that the music of our congregation will be a sacred key that unlocks a beautiful, reflective, and hopeful holiday season for us all in 5784.
Dr. Tali Tadmor, Music Director for Stephen Wise Temple and Schools
Our music director Dr. Tali Tadmor, DMA, is a leader in the field of Jewish worship music. Born and raised in Israel, she combines a deep understanding of Hebrew texts with her musical talents. Tali was Music Director at Temple Judea for 22 years and is on faculty at Academy of Jewish Religion-California, where she helps to train future generations of cantors. This past year, Tali was commissioned to compose piano arrangements for the Reform Movement’s newest anthology of High Holy Day music. In addition to her work in the Jewish world, she has a fruitful career in classical music. For several years she served as Assistant Music Director at the L.A. Opera and has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and other halls around the globe. Tali holds master’s and doctorate degrees in Music Performance from USC.
Dr. Tali Tadmor, Music Director for Stephen Wise Temple and Schools
Our music director Dr. Tali Tadmor, DMA, is a leader in the field of Jewish worship music. Born and raised in Israel, she combines a deep understanding of Hebrew texts with her musical talents. Tali was Music Director at Temple Judea for 22 years and is on faculty at Academy of Jewish Religion-California, where she helps to train future generations of cantors. This past year, Tali was commissioned to compose piano arrangements for the Reform Movement’s newest anthology of High Holy Day music. In addition to her work in the Jewish world, she has a fruitful career in classical music. For several years she served as Assistant Music Director at the L.A. Opera and has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and other halls around the globe. Tali holds master’s and doctorate degrees in Music Performance from USC.
Cantor Tannoz Bahremand Foruzanfar
Cantor Tannoz Bahremand Foruzanfar was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was 2 years old. An only child, her favorite hobby was always singing. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School and then attended USC, where she earned her B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Music. She received a master’s in Sacred Music at the AJR-CA, and was ordained in 2009 as the first female Iranian American cantor. Tannoz began working at Stephen Wise Temple in the summer of 2004. She has been married to David Foruzanfar for 20 years and they have three daughters together: Noa, Joelle, and Liora.
Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil
Andrew became our Cantorial Intern in July of 2022, but he has been part of our musical team for over two years now, singing and chanting at services, lending his voice and guitar to Aaron Milken Center Shabbats, working with our Center for Youth Engagement, and heading up our Young Adult Division.
Originally from Huntington Beach, Andrew was passionate about Jewish music from an early age, singing in his synagogue’s High Holy Day choir at the age of 10. Andrew has a background in musical theater, performing in New York for six and a half years before returning to Southern California in 2020.
Andrew is currently in his third year of cantorial school at AJR-CA in Los Angeles.
Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil
Andrew became our Cantorial Intern in July of 2022, but he has been part of our musical team for over two years now, singing and chanting at services, lending his voice and guitar to Aaron Milken Center Shabbats, working with our Center for Youth Engagement, and heading up our Young Adult Division.
Originally from Huntington Beach, Andrew was passionate about Jewish music from an early age, singing in his synagogue’s High Holy Day choir at the age of 10. Andrew has a background in musical theater, performing in New York for six and a half years before returning to Southern California in 2020.
Andrew is currently in his third year of cantorial school at AJR-CA in Los Angeles.
Soloists
Joe Hack, Bass Soloist
Brandon Levin, Tenor Soloist
Lisa Westermark, Mezzo Soprano Soloist
Andrea Sonnenberg, Alto Soloist
Special thanks to all of our Torah and Hafarah chanters as well as our junior cantors who beautifully enhance the music of our worship services.
Stephen Wise Temple Band
Yarone Levy, Guitar
Larry Steen, Bass
Jeff Stern, Percussion
Cellists
Dane Little
Jacob Szekely
Stephen Wise Temple High Holy Day Choir
Director: Tali Tadmor, DMA, Stephen Wise Temple & Schools Music Director
Lisa Edwards, Organ and Piano
Luc Kleiner
Matt Lewis
Josh Munnell
Molly Pease
Meredith Pyle
Veronica Robinson
Anna Schubert
Ann Sheridan
Dave Stal
Valerie Tambaoan
Greg Whipple
Lorenzo Zapata
Stephen Wise Temple Singers
Director: Iris Levine, DMA
Cathy Miller, Organ and Piano
Lesili Beard
Christina Bristow
John Buffett
Saunder Choi
Carrah Flahive
Harriet Fraser
Ian Luna
Brett McDermid
Julia Metzler
David Morales
Evan Roberts
Ilana Summers
High Holy Day Anthem
Stephen Wise Temple is proud to present a brand new addition to our musical catalogue: “Adonai Hu HaElohim—You Are Our God.” The song will be our closing anthem for Yom Kippur. You can find out more HERE, and listen to the song in the player below.
Music on the Mountaintop
Save the dates for these wonderful musical celebrations with Cantor Emma Lutz, our Wise music team, and special musical guests throughout the year.
- Friday, Nov. 3 Musical Shabbat: Sweeten your Cheshvan (the only month on the Hebrew calendar with no special holidays!) by celebrating an extra-special Shabbat featuring vocal and instrumental guests!
- Friday, Dec. 8 Shabbanukkah: A joyful celebration with our band and a special holiday performance from our Wise School first graders! We’ll have great food and music and share in the Festival of Lights together.
- Friday, Jan. 12 Debbie Friedman Memorial Shabbat: We celebrate the life and impact of Debbie Friedman, the singer-songwriter responsible for much of the American Jewish songbook.
- Friday, Jan. 26 Shabbat Shirah and Homecoming Shabbat: Join us as we kick off our 60th anniversary celebration with special guests and soul-lifting music for our Shabbat of Song.
- Friday, March 22 Shabbat Purim! Enjoy a fun Purim celebration fit for all ages.
- Tuesday, April 23 Second Night Seder at 6 p.m.: A meaningful seder experience in community with
delicious food, moving storytelling, and celebratory singing. - Friday, May 10 Memory and Meaning: Music for Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.
- Friday, May 17 Yom HaAtzmaut: A special celebration of the music of our homeland.
- Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. Shavuot Concert: This musical celebration of Wise’s 60th anniversary will feature the talents of cantors and musicians from across Los Angeles, celebrating Shavuot together.