Before the High Holy Day season arrives with S’lichot on Sept. 17, we would like to introduce you to the music team that will be guiding you through the Days of Awe at Stephen Wise Temple.
A community is like a magnificent symphony–each individual person can create beauty and meaning on their own, but when we come together, the sounds and experiences shared have the potential to be so much more beautiful and inspiring. We are blessed here at Wise to have an incredible musical team to help lead our own symphony of prayer throughout these High Holy Days. I trust that you will find inspiration from their leadership and the sacred sounds that we will compose together. I am looking forward to our shared singing, reflection, and meaning-making journey over the course of these Days of Awe together.
Warmly,
Emma Lutz, Senior Cantor
Stephen Wise Temple’s High Holy Day Music Team
About 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, who starts preschool at Wise’s Aaron Milken Center this fall.
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.”
About Tali Tadmor, Music Director for Stephen Wise Temple and Schools: Our Music Director, 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.”
About 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. Her plans of teaching elementary school soon gave way to another passion, as her private studies led her to enroll in cantorial school at the Academy for Jewish Religion, Los Angeles. There, she received a master’s in Sacred Music, and was ordained in 2009 as the first female Iranian American cantor. Tannoz began working at Stephen Wise Temple in the summer of 2004. Since then, she has always looked forward to the Yamin Nora’im (Days of Awe). It is a wonderful time to get together and see the whole Wise community. She has been married to David Foruzanfar for 20 years and they have three daughters together: Noa, Joelle, and Liora. Tannoz continues her work as a cantor on a part time basis, helping to teach and lead b’nai mitzvah services, lead high High Holy Day services, and officiate at all other lifecycle events.
Favorite High Holy Day music: “The music of the High Holy Days is beautiful, but the messages are what truly stir the soul. She has many favorite prayers and melodies, however the one that usually is most emotional for her is B’rosh Hashanah. It talks about the fragility of life and asks God to inscribe us in the Book of Life for the coming year. Wishing you a sweet and healthy Shanah Tova and G’mar Hatima Tova!!”
About Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil: Before being named our new Cantorial Intern in July, Andrew had been part of our musical team for over a year, singing and chanting at services, lending his voice and guitar to Aaron Milken Center Shabbats, and working with our CYE.
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. Like Cantor Emma, 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 second year of cantorial school at AJRCA in Los Angeles.
Favorite Prayer Moment: “When I was growing up, my sister and I would leave our seats at the end of the Torah service to stand in the back of the sanctuary to listen to everyone chant Eytz Chayim. We would take in the harmonies and the voices of the congregation would uplift us, and today it is still one of my favorite things to sing and hear the congregation sing.”
About Educational and Cantorial Intern Lauren Roth: Lauren Roth just completed her third year of cantorial school at the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at HUC-JIR in New York and is excited to serve as Stephen Wise Temple’s educational intern. This coming spring, Lauren will receive her master’s in Jewish Education and Leadership from HUC-JIR and will then return to New York to complete her cantorial studies. Lauren has served as student cantor at Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor, N.Y. and as cantorial soloist at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lauren was born and raised in Brooklyn, where her love for Jewish music blossomed.
Favorite Prayer Moment: “The most meaningful moment of the High Holy Days for me is Kol Nidre. I love how we are given three opportunities to listen to this haunting melody. This prayer is one of the main reasons I decided to pursue the cantorate. As a teenager and young adult, I was given opportunities to sing this for my home congregation. Standing in front of my community, singing the words of Kol Nidre, was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. Now, every time I hear this ancient prayer, I think of that moment and how my life was forever changed.”
About Conductor Lauren Buckley Schaer: Lauren Buckley Schaer is delighted to be joining the musical team at Stephen Wise Temple for this year’s High Holy Days. She received her doctorate in Choral Conducting from USC Thornton School of Music and has been working as a freelance musician in the Los Angeles area ever since. She currently serves as the music director at Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, sings frequently with the L.A. Zimriyah Chorale, and directs IMAG/cameras at the Hollywood Bowl. She has also taught and directed ensembles at UC Irvine, Long Beach State, and L.A. City College.
About accompanist Lisa Edwards: Lisa Edwards is the Pianist/Music Assistant for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and performs regularly at Walt Disney Concert Hall. She also works on projects with Los Angeles Philharmonic and other major performance groups in the L.A. area. In addition to playing for b’nai mitzvah services and High Holy Day services at Stephen Wise Temple, Lisa is pianist at Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood and is the organist/pianist at San Marino Community Church.
About accompanist Alice Huang: Alice Huang is a non-binary pianist who views meaningful collaboration with others as a path to a more compassionate and optimistic community. They have over 25 years of experience performing classical, pop, and musical theatre genres and have a Master of Music in Piano Performance from CSU Northridge, where they studied with Dr. Tali Tadmor. Listen to them online at alice-piano.com and www.youtube.com/c/alicepiano.
The Stephen Wise Temple High Holy Day Singers
Our Stephen Wise Temple Choir will be conducted by Tali Tadmor and Lauren Buckley Schaer. Our musical team will be accompanied by Lisa Edwards and Alice Huang.
Choir:
Bass Soloist Joe Hack
Tenor Soloist Brandon Levin
Maria Elena Altany • Jennifer Arnold (Haydn-Jones) • John Buffet
Anna Cave • Saunder Choi • Laura Jackman • Luc Kleiner
Matt Lewis • Ian Luna • Sarah Lynch • Julia Metzler
Josh Munnell • Meredith Pyle • Veronica Robinson
Darita Seth • Ann Sheridan • Flecher Sheridan • Dave Stal
Carrah Stamatakis • Greg Whipple
Stephen Wise Temple Band:
Yarone Levy • Jeff Stern • Larry Steen
Stephen Wise Temple Music Events
After the High Holy Days, we invite you to join us throughout the year for more musical events.
Friday, October 21, 2022
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Simchat Torah | Nahmias Plaza
Join us for music, celebration, and dancing as we end one cycle of Torah reading, and begin the next.
Friday, December 16, 2022
6:15 p.m. | Shabbanukkah | Stephen Wise Temple
An evening of festive music, food, and celebration to kick off the Hanukkah holiday
Friday, February 3, 2023
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Shirah| Stephen Wise Temple
Join Cantor Emma and our musical team as we mark this special Sabbath of Song.
Sunday, March 19, 2023
4 p.m. | Bible Women, a Special Concert| Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Cantor Emma will join female cantors from around the city of Los Angeles for this concert, a unique storytelling in song about our biblical matriarchs.
Late Spring, 2023
Wise Spring Concert with UCLA
A celebration of the life and music of Mickey Katz.