(1916-2003)
Isaac Behar served for 27 dedicated years as Cantor at Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel in Los Angeles, California. Cantor Behar was born in Shumen, Bulgaria. He studied both religion and music at the Yeshiva in Sofia, Bulgaria, and later graduated from the Musical Academy in Bucharest, Romania. In 1959 Cantor Behar moved to Israel, where he served as a music teacher and musical adviser at a school in Tel Aviv. In 1962 he was appointed as cantor of Congregation Yehuda Halevi in Mexico City, where he also served as the director of the Choir de Union Sefardi. Then in 1969 he was invited to Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel in Los Angeles, where he served as the senior cantor until his retirement on December 31, 1996.
During his many years at Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, Cantor Behar was an inspiration to the entire congregation, but particularly to the young people. He was regarded not only as their cantor, but also as a teacher, mentor, and adviser. Cantor Behar educated and entertained his congregation with his original compositions of Sephardic sacred music and music for Shabbat and for the Yamin Noraim. His lyrical voice and knowledge of Judaism have been shared with a wider audience through his two albums, the first of which was recorded in Mexico City, and the second in Los Angeles entitled “Songs of the Sephardic People.” The congregation of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel owes a great debt of gratitude to Cantor Behar for his long and successful tenure as cantor. Cantor Behar passed away on November 23, 2003.