A Rabbi and Hazzan with decades of experience serving the Jewish world, Rav Shamash brings a unique harmonization of backgrounds to his rabbinate, blending his father’s Babylonian Iraqi-Jewish heritage with his mother’s Ashkenazi roots. This dual heritage informs his Halachic understandings, soulful approach to prayer, and his scholarly passion for piyyutim, ancient liturgical poems that he revitalizes for modern communities.

Rav Shamash holds a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies and Rabbinic Ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion, Certificate of Hazzan Minister through the Cantor’s Assembly and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music. His education included intensive chevruta study and coursework at the Jewish Theological Seminary, providing a comprehensive immersion into the resilient and evolving nature of Jewish thought. Throughout his service to Klal Yisrael, he has successfully integrated into a variety of settings, fostering a deep respect for and amplifying the diverse nuances of Jewish practice. He views our sacred texts, from the multi-vocal debates of the Talmud to modern philosophies, as a restorative wellspring for each soul.

He feels blessed to offer the community a bridge between rigorous intellectual inquiry and the need for socially joyful spaces where families can unwind with a life balance informed by Shabbat.Drawing on Kabbalah קַבָּלָה, Chassidut חֲסִידוּת, and existentialist foundations, he approaches Torah תּוֹרָה as an ongoing encounter where ancient wisdom provides the vocabulary for contemporary ethical questions. He embraces Talmud Torah as a model for Holy disagreement, teaching us how to navigate the complex challenges of a pluralistic world with grace and love.

A unique aspect of his rabbinate is his ability to foster a harmonious, intuitive musical partnership. He is thrilled to partner to create a joyful experience of prayer and learning settings where his skills on guitar, hand percussion, or piano can support and elevate the congregation. He strives to find the voice in each congregant and the voice of the collective community using diverse musical expressions to help our Holy prayers come alive and open up the revelatory process.

Throughout his service, Rav Shamash has proven to be a resourceful visionary. Whether by creating Jewish Video Learning on YouTube or leading Yoga Shalom, he is full of ideas for building Jewish life. Besides the sweetness of bonding with his family, nothing brings him more fulfillment than helping a couple create a meaningful wedding, being part of a B’nei Mitzvah student’s growth, adult education classes, or bringing comfort to a congregant with a caring, listening heart and musical tefillah.

Brian celebrates his wife, Emily, a gifted educator and relationship builder with an Ed.D. in Special Education, and their three children, Ella, Maya, and Ethan. Brian lives his life as a Shamash שַׁמָּש: a helper dedicated to lighting the sparks of others and guiding them toward their own unique wholeness, Shleimut שְׁלֵמוּת. When he's not serving the Jewish and greater community, Brian enjoys yoga, skateboarding, and swimming in the ocean.

We are thrilled to be charting new adventures in soulful Jewish exploration with Rav Hazzan Brian Shamash. Find your path with us, nurture a love of mitzvot מִצְוֹת, and continue to see and fulfill your greatest strengths towards tikkun olam תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם, repairing the world.