Senior Cantor, Emma Lutz

Senior Cantor Emma Lutz has served Stephen Wise Temple since 2016. Lutz was born and raised in Northern California and attended the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at HUC-JIR in both Jerusalem and New York before making Los Angeles her home. With an extensive background in musical theatre, dance, and vocal performance, and driven by her deep love of Hebrew, Jewish music, and Israel, she is passionate about her work here at Wise, as well as various other projects with the American Conference of Cantors Union and Hadassah. Cantor Lutz served as a volunteer for the Israel Defense Force through Sar-El—the National Project of Volunteers for Israel—and has also worked as a clergy chaplain for Mount Sinai-Roosevelt Hospital. Her voice is featured on numerous recordings with Stephen Wise Temple, Transcontinental Music Publications, and National Public Radio. She is married to Rabbi Adam Lutz and together they are the proud parents of Ruby Mira and Gwen Shoshana.  Both girls attend preschool at Wise’s Aaron Milken Center.

Meaningful Prayer from High Holy Day Liturgy: “Perhaps the most meaningful moment of the High Holy Day season is the final communal confessional of Ne’ilah, when we stand and chant—one final time before the gates of heaven close—the words of our Vidui: “Ashamnu, bagadnu, gazalnu…” The simple and familiar melody, chanted responsively by cantor and congregation, is a reminder of where we have been and can inspire us to be our best selves in the year to come. We have fallen short but we make amends, not just alone but as a community—hearing our voices all together reminds us of our greatest potential.”

Commentary and Words of Wisdom – Cantor Lutz’s Blog

Music Director, Dr. Tali Tadmor

Our Music Director, Dr. Tali Tadmor, is a leader in the field of Jewish worship music. Born and raised in Israel, she combines a deep understanding of Hebrew texts along with her musical talents. Tali was Music Director at Temple Judea for 22 years and is on faculty at AJR-CA, where she helps to train future generations of cantors. 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 LA Opera and has performed with numerous artists 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.

Favorite Prayer: “I find that different settings of prayers speak to different people, and some music reveals to us a variety of emotions at different times. However, if I had to choose one prayer setting that consistently moves me during every High Holy Day season it would be the traditional Avinu Malkeinu melody. Despite (or perhaps because of) its simplicity, its ancient roots and its haunting-but-satisfying melody provide me with a moment of self-reflection and prayer.”

Cantor, Tannoz Bahremand Foruzanfar

Cantor Tannoz Bahremand Foruzanfar was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was two years old. An only child, her favorite hobby was always singing. She attended USC, where she earned her bachelor’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. Cantor Tannoz has been working at Wise part time since 2004. She joins us for our High Holy Day season, frequent Shabbatot and b’nai mitzvah, and also serves as an SWT mentor in our b’nai mitzvah program.

Cantorial Intern, Andrew Paskil

Andrew became our Cantorial Intern in July of 2022, but he was part of our musical team even before that. Andrew sings and chants at services, lends his voice and guitar to Aaron Milken Center Shabbats, works with our Center for Youth Engagement (CYE), and heads up our Young Adult Division (YAD).

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 years before returning to Southern California in 2020.

Andrew is currently in his third year of cantorial school at the AJR-CA in Los Angeles.

Stephen Wise Temple has been synonymous with soaring and inspirational music almost from its inception. Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin (z”l) laid the foundation for a strong musical identity during the early days at St. Alban’s Church in Westwood, envisioning music as a central pillar of the community.

Cantor Richard Silverman, the temple’s inaugural cantor, joined in 1968. A prolific composer of Jewish liturgical music, Cantor Silverman’s melodies, such as Mi Chamocha and Etz Chayim, are sung and cherished worldwide.

Cantor Nathan Lam served SWT from 1976 to 2022 and commissioned a variety of original compositions for our community.

In 2016, Cantor Emma Lutz joined Stephen Wise Temple as Assistant Cantor and was named the third Senior Cantor in 2021. Recognized as a rising star in the American cantorate, Cantor Lutz has brought new musical styles and a visionary spirit to the temple’s long legacy. She is beloved for her warmth, authenticity, and passion for Jewish life, nurturing young voices and celebrating student talents within the community.

Cantor Lutz and music director Dr. Tali Tadmor masterfully craft meaningful services and create new music that resonates with the times. The recording of Acheinu/We Are With You in response to the Hamas attacks of October 2023 exemplifies their ability to inspire and unite the community. You can listen to it here

In 2024, we celebrated 60 years of Stephen Wise Temple, and we continue to honor the musical leaders who have shaped and continue to shape our spiritual journey. Their voices have accompanied our most significant moments, and as we look to the next 60 years, we remain committed to carrying this legacy L’dor Vador.