TINW Music Professionals

Cantor Lauren PHILLIPS Fogelman

Cantor Phillips Fogelman joined TINW in July 2018.  Prior to this she served Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, CT from July 2016-July 2018. She was ordained as cantor from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2013 and holds degrees from Tufts University and The Boston Conservatory. 

Before her tenure at Temple Israel, Cantor Phillips Fogelman served as cantor at Congregation Sinai in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founding and directing the Kol Simcha youth band there and singing the National Anthem at a Milwaukee Brewers game.  In addition to being an accomplished prayer leader and musician, Cantor Phillips Fogelman has a diverse portfolio of expertise in many areas, including formal and informal education, B'nai Mitzvah preparation, pastoral counseling, and media relations. 

Eddie Pleasant, Choir Director

Edward Pleasant, baritone, is recognized as one of the most versatile performers of his generation.  Critically acclaimed in both opera and musical theater, he has distinguished himself as a gifted actor with brilliant comic timing and a luscious baritone voice.  Eddie first came to Temple Israel in 1991 and he has been a fixture during the High Holidays at Temple Israel ever since.  He first served as bass soloist in the professional quartet and then in 2008 he was asked to take the helm of the adult choir Hallel b’Shir.  Along with his duties with the adult choir, Eddie enjoys working other vocal ensembles at Temple Israel, namely the Glee Club and Selah.  Eddie particularly enjoys his time with the Brotherhood Choir every year as well.  He is proud to have been named an honorary member of this fine group of brothers.  

Dina Pruzhansky, Accompanist

Russian born, Israeli raised composer and pianist Dina Pruzhansky started music studies and composition at the age of six. After winning numerous nationwide music competitions in her native Azerbaijan while still in her early teens, she moved to Israel. Since her arrival to the United States in 2006, she has resided in NYC.  Dina's NYC premiere venues of classical works include Merkin Hall, Weill Carnegie Hall, Bargemusic, the Yamaha Piano Salon, the JCC Manhattan and others.  Her latest projects includes an original opera (in Hebrew), which was premiered in October 2014 in NYC. Ms.Pruzhansky was nominated for the prestigious Fred Ebb Award for Excellence in Musical Theater Writing with her lyricist collaborator Matt Schatz.