"His connection with the crowd and Ruach are among the best I've seen"
- Rabbi Meir Azari , Daniel Centers TLV
Check out Shimon's show on Jewish Rock Radio!
Interactive Bio - click links for videos and pics
Shimon Smith tours the Jewish world and lives in Tel Aviv.
Shimon Smith is one of the leading Songleaders / Cantorial Soloists in Israel. His home congregation is The Daniel Centers for Reform Judaism in Tel Aviv, where he leads musical services, teaches hundreds of Bar and Bat Mitzvah students a year, runs the Mitzvah Chug, and leads special musical services with his band on various festive and solemn occasions. To read some testimonials of families who have worked with Shimon click here.
Shimon is also the spiritual leader of Tlamim, (Tel Aviv chapter) the Reform movement’s group for young adults. He also is the spiritual leader for the Reform movement’s gap-year Mechina program in Holon and does special events for Noar-Telem (Israel’s NFTY). Shimon lead HHD services as Cantorial Soloist for 9 years in Jaffa and last year for Brooklyn Jews.
Shimon leads music in social justice settings around the country in support of the Reform Center for Religion and State. He was also the music director at last year’s IMPJ conference, leading the Friday night songsession. He was invited to sing his Prayer For The State of Israel at the URJ conference in Chicago 2019. He was commissioned to write the Women Of The Wall’s 30 year anniversary song, “Kumi Ori”, and recently released an album by the same name. He is one of the leaders of “Hallelu,” Israel’s singing communities conference. He also records weekly Torah Sermons and songs for the IMPJ.
He is the musical director for the Jewish Agency’s Summer Shlichim program, which sends 1,500 Shlichim to the states every year. Next year will be his 8th year working with the organization. Shimon tours summer camps around the USA, Canada and Israel during the summer - young campers or older campers - they are all engaged.
Shimon was born in Korea to American parents, and Aliya from Hoboken, NJ as a kid. Growing up in the Israeli Conservative movement, his Nusach came before his musical chops. After serving in the IDF as an officer he went on Shlichut to the States, where he worked as the head songleader at Capital Camps for 6 summers. He’s toured Jewish summer camps every summer since. Shimon continues to write original Jewish music. He was featured in 3 Transcontinental music publications and the PJ Library. He is also the host of “The Best in Israeli Rock” on Jewish Rock Radio.
Shimon recently voice dubbed “Scar” in Hebrew, for the new Lion King movie, 2019.
Shimon lives in Tel Aviv with his wife Rebecca (from Montclair, NJ) and their dog Lucy.
"Shimon brings a level of energy, excitement and professionalism to Capital Camps the likes I’ve never seen in a song leader. His ability to bring our camp community together with his charismatic and dynamic energy is something every camp should experience. He is the total package"
- Sam Roberts , Capital Camps Director
"Shimon is a top-notch musician whose high-energy performances of Jewish music deeply touch the soul. Shimon's creativity, charisma, love of Judaism and love of Israel are powerfully expressed in his music for all ages"
- Rabi Robert Scheinberg, United Synagogue Of Hoboken
"Shimon brings enthusiasm and energy to Camps Airy & Louise. The campers get involved and love the show. We can't wait to have him back!"
-Jonathan Gerstl , Camps Airy & Louise Executive Director
"Shimon's performance at my community in Modiin was original, informative and breathtaking. His ability to connect with any crowd is unparalleled and his original songs are sung in our community. He has an ability to get everybody singing with a smile even at 3AM in Shavuot"
-Rabbi Nir Barkin, Yozma Modiin Israel