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Shalom BA Chaverim!

Please join us for various Minyanim and Pesach Services as we welcome Klei Kodesh Candidate, Hazzan Brian Shamash, to our Kehillah Kedoshah for the final days of Passover.
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Did that say Hazzan Shamash? Yes, it did. In our effort to find the best fit for B’nai Amoona, the Search Committee, at the recommendation of Rabbi Rose, expanded the pool of candidates by opening the search to the Cantor’s Assembly. Hazzan Shamash’s experience in education, pastoral work and community building, along with his musical talent, makes him an excellent candidate to fill our open Klei Kodesh position. Please read his bio below.

Please take a look at the opportunities for you to interact with Hazzan Shamash and make every effort to be with us! Kindly share your impressions of Hazzan Shamash with our Search Committee and Personnel Committee Chair, Cindy Schuval, who is spearheading this important initiative. You may email Cindy at cschuval@gmail.com.

Chag Sameach! See you in Shul.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

6:15 pm

Hazzan Shamash will Daven Minchah and Ma'ariv

Thursday, April, 25, 2019

7:00 am

Hazzan Shamash will join us for Minyan followed by

breakfast and some casual conversation
6:15 pm - Erev Seventh Day Pesach Services

Friday, April 26, 2019

9:00 am

Hazzan Shamash will share a sermon during Seventh Day Pesach Services

and join us for Kiddush

6:00 pm

Hazzan Shamash will help lead Shabbat & Seventh Day Pesach Services

Shabbat, April 27, 2019

9:00 am

Hazzan Shamash will Daven during Shabbat & Eighth Day Pesach Services 

with Cantor Nathanson and Cantorial Intern Mira Davis
10:15 am

Torah For Today will be taught by Hazzan Shamash
​​​​​​​11:00 am
Hazzan Shamash will meet with Young Families​​​​​​​
11:45 am

Hazzan Shamash will give the Intro to Yizkor with a sermonette
12:00 pm

Hazzan Shamash will join us for Kiddush
12:30 pm

Q & A Session with Hazzan Shamash
6:30 pm

Hazzan Shamash will facilitate a Torah Study during Seudah Shlisheet

Hazzan Brian Shamash

Pictured Above: Hazzan Brian Shamash with his wife, Emily and their three children, Ella, Maya, and Ethan.

Brian Baruch Shamash proudly serves as the Hazzan, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Coordinator and Education Director of Congregation Beth El in Fairfield, Connecticut. Hazzan Shamash values being part of a loving, caring and supportive team of clergy, lay leaders, staff and teachers. He is confident he can be a strong partner in motivating dynamic services while fulfilling “off the Bimah” needs such as community building, pastoral care and education. He believes strongly in continually communicating with other clergy, staff, leaders, and congregants while offering and asking how he can help. He looks forward to officiating or co-officiating at any life-cycle event and is there for anyone in need.

Over the past 20 years, Hazzan Shamash has acquired the experience doing both the hands-on teaching and administration of religious school curriculum and programming, Bar / Bat Mitzvah education, Choirs, Adult Education, Adult Bar / Bat Mitzvah, building an ever-expanding corps of Torah readers and more. The greatest gift that G-d, Shamash’s parents, and teachers have given him is his love of learning. He has a passion for making a connection to G-d and the community through teaching, prayer, and song, Shabbat and Holy Day services and study. Hazzan Shamash is equally at home in both Ashkenazic and Sephardic ritual and customs and his teaching (and learning) through Torah discussion inspires all ages.  

Hazzan Shamash has unique and original ways of finding the voice in each of us while helping to ignite our Pintele Yid, the small spark within each of us which can expand and channel the light of Torah.  Shamash strives to inspire the Jewish community with Torah as a way of life, blended with beautiful music, making it an integrated part of their lives. He has helped teach our world to pray through his Jewish Follow & Sing-Along Video Learning on YouTube with thousands of followers and views. Besides the sweetness of bonding with his loving family, nothing brings him more joy and fulfillment than helping a couple create a meaningful wedding ceremony, being part of the growth of a B’nai Mitzvah student, or bringing comfort to a congregant in the hospital. Hazzan Shamash currently leads the Jewish community with innovation while also deepening the understanding of traditional texts, prayer modes, and Torah sources.

The Hazzan holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in music from the University of Maryland and the University of Miami respectively. He bears a certificate of Hazzan-Minister with the Cantors Assembly.

Another great benefit of Shamash’s candidacy is that his wife Emily is a very gifted singer and educator.  She is a specialist in early intervention, serves as the special services coordinator for Beth El Fairfield religious school, has taught religious school, led junior congregation and High Holiday Young Family Services and is currently a faculty member at Fairfield University, where she teaches in the graduate program.  She could be an incredible asset to the St. Louis community. Emily and Hazzan Shamash enjoy singing with their three beautiful children Ella, Maya, and Ethan.

​​​​​​​With his extensive teaching and musical background, Shamash has a deep desire to share these gifts with the B’nai Amoona community. Hazzan Shamash is confident he can make a difference, teaching Torah and the love of Mitzvot, through prayers as well as new and old songs while encouraging participation in services and programs. He always makes himself available to teach and learn and loves helping others find their path toward spiritual growth.