Contact Cantor Coyot

Cantor Tifani Coyot was born in Long Island New York and grew up in Pittsburgh PA where she realized her dream of becoming a cantor during her Bat Mitzvah service. Her family was a member of a Reform Synagogue where she was president of her youth group. She was also a song leader for NFTY PAR (North American Federation of Temple Youth, PA) and she went to Kutz Camp, the Reform Movement’s Youth Leadership Institute.

Cantor Coyot graduated Summa Cum Laude from Temple University with a B.A. in Jewish Studies and minored in Vocal Performance. While at Temple University, Cantor Coyot was very active in the Philadelphia Multi Campus Hillel, where she led worship services and was the Religious Cultural Board Representative. She spent her junior year abroad at the University College of London, studying in the largest Jewish studies department in Europe. She met her husband Loic Coyot, who was also studying abroad from France.

While studying at the Hebrew Union College she was very active and served on Student Government and as the president of the School of Sacred Music. She was also a recipient of many awards including; the Women of Reform Judaism Award, the Jacobs Prize for the most creative in the leadership of worship, Excellence in Studies, and The Sylvia Davidson Memorial Award for mastering the traditional style in Chazzanut.

During her time at Hebrew Union College, Cantor Coyot served as Cantorial Intern at the synagogues: Temple Chaverim in Plainview, New York, Temple Ohav Shalom in Pittsburgh, PA, and most recently at the Jewish Center of Northwest New Jersey. While serving as Cantorial Intern she brought a number of creative and innovative programs to these different synagogues including; Rock Bands, Meditation and Yoga Services, A combined youth and adult choir, and a variety of Jewish music programs, concerts, and courses. During her final year at HUC, she taught Introduction to Judaism at the Union for Reform Judaism - Greater New York Council.

Cantor Coyot has a passion for promoting Liberal Judaism abroad. She spent her school vacations in Paris, France leading services and teaching music at La Communauté Juive Libérale. During her time in France, she has learned to speak French. She has also led Passover Seders in Belarus and Russia.

In addition to becoming a Cantor, she received a Masters in Jewish Education and is the first Cantor to receive this degree. Cantor Coyot has a strong passion for Jewish Education and believes that it is an integral part of her Cantorate. Over the course of the past ten years she has taught in a variety informal and formal Jewish educational settings.

During her free time Cantor Coyot enjoys exploring nature with her husband by hiking, running, and bicycling. Therefore, they are thrilled to be moving to sunny Southern California. They look forward to joining the Kol Tikvah Community!