BRIAN BARUCH SHAMASH hsugc hvk-tk vrnzt hhjc wv vkkvt
I will praise Adonai all my life, and sing to my God with all my being! ~ Psalm 146:2
My journey towards religious and spiritual growth has been a harmonization of worlds and experiences, blending the notes of my upbringing and passion for Jewish learning. I am blessed with a loving and supportive family— growing up with my parents, Ann and Maurice, my sister, Elizabeth, and establishing a home with my incredible wife, Emily, and our children, Ella, Maya, and Ethan.
From my earliest memories, I recall the warmth of family and the vibrant Jewish life in our home, influenced by my father ' s Iraqi-Jewish heritage and my mother ' s creative artistry and Ashkenazi roots. Friday nights were a symphony of melodies and customs, fostering in me a deep appreciation for Jewish expression.
Music has always been integral to my spiritual journey. The powerful voice of Hazzan Farid Dardashti ignited within me a love for Jewish liturgical music. My musical studies culminated in my bachelor ' s and master ' s degrees in music, during which time I actively engaged in Hillel and taught Jewish music. These initial experiences instilled in me a deep belief in music ' s power to connect us to the Divine, our heritage, and each other.
A transformative experience in Germany, dancing in the streets with the burgeoning Soviet Jewish community, and singing in empty synagogues, catalyzed a profound transformation within me. I resolved to fully apply my energies to the sustenance and revitalization of Jewish life, fueled by deep study with Jewish educators, Hazzanim, and Rabbanim, and expressed through dedicated community service.
I have enjoyed serving as a Hazzan in diverse congregations for the past twenty-eight years. I continuously strive to deepen my observance and enhance prayer and Jewish learning experiences, leading through creative modalities. My passion for Jewish education led to the creation of thousands of arrangements, notations, compositions, recordings, and educational videos.
For the last six years, I have been immersed in dynamic study at the Academy for Jewish Religion( AJR), giving me further personal grounding and deepening my understanding of Jewish texts, history, and theology, and strengthening my capacities as a teacher and clergyperson.
In 2020, I began serving Temple Israel of Great Neck. As a Hazzan serving this community deeply rooted in both Mizrachi and Ashkenazi traditions, I hope to motivate an intimate connection to God and our rich heritages, applying the knowledge acquired at AJR to further build upon meaningful connections and relationships. Recent pursuits include researching the world of piyyutim from the Babylonian experience. Now, I stand at the threshold of new adventures in soulful Jewish exploration, filled with gratitude. I am dedicated to creating new pathways for attachment to Torah and Tefillah, fostering a passionate and open approach to Jewish life. I believe in being a ana Shamash, a helper, embracing all people and life with love and encouraging each individual to fulfill their greatest strengths towards tikkun olam.
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