About Hazzan Judy Sofer

Hazzan

Judy Sofer has been the Cantor at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center since she completed her Cantorial studies in 1994. She began her Music and Theatre studies at the University of California, Irvine. After making aliyah in 1974, Cantor Sofer completed her degree — along with a teaching credential — at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. While in Israel, Hazzan Sofer performed at the Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv and appeared in a number of programs for Israeli educational television. Cantor Sofer also toured the country with her own children's theatre and taught music.

Upon returning to Southern California in 1985, Cantor Sofer completed her Master's Degree in Directing at California State University, Fullerton, and received the Award for Excellence in Children’s Theatre for her play, “A Journey to Noteland,” which was performed in 70 elementary schools. Cantor Sofer has also performed in many locations around Southern California as Soloist and Director/Musical Director.

In 1991, Hazzan Sofer returned to the Cantorial Program at Hebrew Union College — taught by Cantor William Sharlin — and studied with Hazzanim Jeremy Lipton and Nathan Lam. She is a member of the Cantors Assembly and organizes concerts for the Cantors Assembly Western Region.

At PJTC, Hazzan Sofer conducts both the Adult and Teen Choirs, and produces and directs various concerts and shows, including her most recent, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” in 2006. Cantor Sofer also trains all the PJTC B'nai Mitzvah students, both children and adults.

Hazzan Sofer and Rabbi Grater are currently working on their second CD together, which will be released later this winter.