Community Reaction to Rav Shamash
From Elliot Polland and Diane Polland
“I have seen him fill a room with prayer and song and have all in attendance, both young and old, singing and participating.”
“He uses his leadership…teaching skills, knowledge, and musical talents to lead others. So many have benefited from his wisdom and experience.”
From Marshal B. Rubin, DDS
“If you are seeking a candidate who exemplifies unwavering dedication and the ability to inspire a congregation with spiritual depth, enthusiasm, and passion, you need look no further. [Rav] Hazzan Shamash embodies the rare combination of musical excellence, heartfelt devotion, and charismatic leadership that elevates every service beyond compare.”
“His thoughtful incorporation of diverse cultural and ethnic melodies into our siddur enriches the prayer experience and resonates deeply with congregants of all backgrounds.”
“His ability to connect with our youth is invaluable, ensuring the continuity and vitality essential to any thriving synagogue community.”
From Judi Kugel:
“Each week, his music and presence bring beauty, comfort, and a true sense of community. His services are soulful, inspiring, and deeply uplifting, nourishing the spirit and reminding us of the power of prayer, music, and shared worship. He has a remarkable gift for bringing people together and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed, connected, and spiritually enriched.”
“He builds meaningful relationships within the congregation and creates an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and embraced. His dedication, kindness, and ability to connect with others make him an exceptional spiritual leader.”
A Rare Harmonization of Heritage and Resounding Musical Depth
For Rav Shamash, this appointment is a beautiful homecoming. His spiritual and musical approach is directly informed by his unique upbringing. Raised in a distinctive Jewish home in Baltimore, Maryland, his background weaves together the Polish-Russian Ashkenazi traditions of his mother Ann’s family with the ancient Babylonian-Mizrachi heritage of his father Maurice, an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant. This rich dual heritage shapes his halachic understanding, his soulful approach to prayer, and his scholarly passion for revitalizing ancient liturgical poems, known as piyyutim, for modern communities.
"I feel incredibly blessed to engage with the multi-generational and multi-cultural community here in Great Neck," Rav Shamash said. "This community represents an extraordinary array and harmonization of backgrounds: Ashkenazi roots from Poland, Russia, and South Africa, alongside the rich traditions of Edot Hamizrach, including Persian, Iraqi, Syrian, and Israeli heritages among others. My goal is to embrace, learn from, and keep these beautiful, ancient traditions alive."
During services, Rav Shamash’s signature style is "nusach America," a traditional prayer service infused with Israeli folk, popular melodies, and rich harmonies. His services invite warm, participatory congregational singing that unites the community in song.
Deep Scholarship and Contemporary Connection
Rav Shamash holds a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies and Rabbinic Ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion, alongside a Certificate of Hazzan Minister through the Cantors Assembly. A classically trained musician, he earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees on full scholarship from the University of Maryland and the University of Miami, respectively. His extensive education also includes years of intensive chevruta study and coursework at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
This academic rigor balances with his desire to create accessible, joyful, and contemporary Jewish spaces. Drawing on Kabbalah, Chassidut, and modern existentialist thought, he approaches Talmud Torah as an ongoing encounter where ancient wisdom provides the vocabulary, insight, and practical guidance for contemporary ethical questions.
In the classroom, learning, or study sessions, Rav Shamash brings these teachings to life, often integrating his own skilled accompaniment on guitar, hand percussion, or piano to engage learners of all ages and make lessons dynamic and participatory.
Whether he is teaching adult education, developing digital Torah learning on YouTube, leading a restorative Yoga Shalom session, or helping a local family craft a deeply personal lifecycle milestone, Rav Shamash’s focus remains on building warm human connections. He strives to live his life as a Shamash: a helper who assists others in lighting their own spiritual sparks.
Rav Shamash shares his life with his wife, Emily, a gifted educator who holds an Ed.D. in Special Education, and their three children, Ella, Maya, and Ethan. When he is not serving the community, he can be found practicing yoga, skateboarding, or swimming in the ocean.
About Lake Success Jewish Center:
Located at 354 Lakeville Road in Great Neck, just north of the Northern State Expressway, Lake Success Jewish Center is a warm, welcoming, and egalitarian Conservative congregation. The synagogue offers dynamic programming, collaborative learning, and a supportive spiritual home for families of all backgrounds.