Message from the Rabbis: Week Two of the Omer
MESSAGE FROM THE RABBIS
As we journey through the Omer, counting the days between Passover and Shavuot, each week invites us to reflect on a different spiritual quality. This week is dedicated to gevurah—strength, boundaries, discipline, and discernment.
In honor of this week’s theme, we’re sharing a poem by Rabbi Ben about gevurah.
With love,
Rabbis Shoshana and Ben
Week Two of the Omer – Gevurah/Din: The Grace in Boundaries
This is the week of holding.
Of shaping.
Of strength—not the kind that dominates,
but the kind that cradles.
The kind that says:
Here is the edge. And it is holy.
We often think of judgment, of din,
as cold or cruel—
but what if it is a container?
A vessel that keeps the water from spilling,
a womb that holds new life
until it is ready to breathe on its own.
Gevurah is the boundary
that makes beauty possible.
A blossom is beautiful
because it opens slowly,
because its petals know when to stop.
Spring is beautiful
because it doesn’t last.
Because the bloom is held
in time’s gentle hands
before it fades.
We are beginning again,
in this week of April,
as the world reawakens.
And we are reminded:
to grow wild is not always to grow whole.
Discipline can be devotion.
Limits can be love.
So this week,
we honor the sacred edge.
We say yes to the quiet strength of saying no.
We practice being held
so we can know how to hold others—
not to contain them,
but to make space
for what is becoming.
This is Gevurah:
Not a wall, but a form.
Not punishment, but presence.
Not fear, but clarity.
It teaches us that everything passes,
but not before it fully becomes itself.
And that is beautiful.
And that is enough.
SHALOM SHABBAT
SHALOM SHABBAT @ PCS
Friday, April 25, 5:30 - 6:00pm
Shabbat Songs for little ones and their families!
MUSICAL SHABBAT SERVICE WITH DESSERT ONEG
Join us for a Musical Friday Night Shabbat Service featuring Rabbi Shosh Leis, Rabbi Ben Newman and the band, which will include recognizing upcoming Bat Mitzvah Millie Russin. In lieu of Dinner this month, there will be a Dessert Oneg after Services in the Community Room.
Deepening in our Purpose: A Journey of Reflection, Connection and Growth
Deepening in our Purpose: A Journey of Reflection, Connection and Growth
Sunday, April 27, 7:00pm
Join us for an exploration of purpose and practice, guided by the wisdom of the Jewish calendar. Through reflection, dialogue and community deepen your understanding of how you want to show up in the world and bring your purpose to life.
Co-facilitated by Rabbi Shosh and PCS Member Laurie Hirsch Schulz of LHS Coaching. This group offers a space to clarify your purpose and explore how to live it with greater intention. Each month, we will use Jewish holidays and seasonal themes as inspiration, engaging in facilitated dialogue and reflective exercises to connect our inner growth with the cycles of the year.
This program requires a three month commitment.
Sundays (monthly), April 27, May 18, June 8, 7:00 - 8:30pm at PCS. Minimum of 7 participants required to launch.
Key Benefits:
Develop a personal compass to guide your life's direction.
Explore how to live your purpose with greater clarity and intention
Gain a deeper connection to Jewish cycles and holidays as a source of meaning.
Build strong, supportive relationships with community members and like-minded seekers
Learn practical frameworks and engage in regular practices to support self-discovery and action.
The Book Club @ PCS
BOOK CLUB @ PCS
& on Zoom
Monday, April 28, 7:00pm
The Last Dekrepitzer
by
Howard Langer
All are welcome to join PCS's Book Group Meeting. It's not just about the books!
Come and discuss or sit back and enjoy the conversation, have a nosh, and take pleasure in getting to know your fellow congregants.
Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut. Israel Independence Day!
Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut with PCS at Falafel Taco!
Wednesday, April 30, 6:30pm
Falafel Taco, Pleasantville
Join us for an evening of music, community, and celebration as we gather to honor Yom HaAtzmaut—Israel’s Independence Day. Hosted by Pleasantville Community Synagogue at Falafel Taco, this joyful gathering will feature live music and a vibrant atmosphere. Rabbi Shoshana Leis will be there to share in the festivities. All are welcome!
Food available for purchase from Falafel Taco.
Come connect, celebrate, and enjoy!
ADULT EDUCATION: Spiritual Tools for Navigating Turbulent Times : Building Your Jewish Spiritual Toolkit (Copy)
Join us for an eight-session journey led by Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Shosh Leis, designed to equip you with a diverse array of Jewish spiritual tools for strength and resilience in an ever-changing world. Explore Rabbinic teachings, Kabbalistic practices, mindfulness, chanting, and contemporary approaches to sacred imagination, spiritual resilience, and radical amazement. Learn to integrate these practices into activism and face societal challenges with grace and courage. May 6 and 20, June 6 and 17.
ADULT EDUCATION: Spiritual Tools for Navigating Turbulent Times : Building Your Jewish Spiritual Toolkit (Copy) (Copy)
Join us for an eight-session journey led by Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Shosh Leis, designed to equip you with a diverse array of Jewish spiritual tools for strength and resilience in an ever-changing world. Explore Rabbinic teachings, Kabbalistic practices, mindfulness, chanting, and contemporary approaches to sacred imagination, spiritual resilience, and radical amazement. Learn to integrate these practices into activism and face societal challenges with grace and courage. May 20, June 6 and 17.
ADULT EDUCATION: Spiritual Tools for Navigating Turbulent Times : Building Your Jewish Spiritual Toolkit (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)
Join us for an eight-session journey led by Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Shosh Leis, designed to equip you with a diverse array of Jewish spiritual tools for strength and resilience in an ever-changing world. Explore Rabbinic teachings, Kabbalistic practices, mindfulness, chanting, and contemporary approaches to sacred imagination, spiritual resilience, and radical amazement. Learn to integrate these practices into activism and face societal challenges with grace and courage. June 6 and 17.
ADULT EDUCATION: Spiritual Tools for Navigating Turbulent Times : Building Your Jewish Spiritual Toolkit (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)
Join us for an eight-session journey led by Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Shosh Leis, designed to equip you with a diverse array of Jewish spiritual tools for strength and resilience in an ever-changing world. Explore Rabbinic teachings, Kabbalistic practices, mindfulness, chanting, and contemporary approaches to sacred imagination, spiritual resilience, and radical amazement. Learn to integrate these practices into activism and face societal challenges with grace and courage. June 17.
Yom Hashoah Service with speaker Dennis Schoen
Yom Hashoah Service
with speaker Dennis Schoen
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00pm @ PCS and by Zoom.
Richard Schoen survived Kristallnacht and Dachau before emigrating to the United States where he
raised his loving family. Although he escaped the horrors of the holocaust, he was forever traumatized with survivor's guilt as both his parents and siblings were murdered.
Richard’s story will be presented by his son Dennis.
Shabbat, Yizkor and Seventh Day Passover
Shabbat, Yizkor and Seventh Day Passover
Saturday, April 19, 10:00am
(crossing the sea!) led by Rabbi Ben
Services will be followed by light luncheon refreshments for Kiddush and Torah study.
Musical Community Passover Potluck Seder
Location: Parish Hall @Trinity (Grace), 7 South Highland Ave. Ossining, NY
We look forward to coming together to celebrate the rebirth of spring, reflect on our collective history and gain strength and joy from each other in these challenging times. The Seder will be led by Rabbi Shosh and Rabbi Ben and will include youth programming, community-building exercises as well as engaged adult learning and dialogue.
Food will be kosher for Passover by ingredients. Please provide ingredient list with your offering. Sign-up genius will be shared with all who register.
Register here: https://bit.ly/communitymusicalseder
Passover Service @ PCS
First Day of Passover Service
Sunday, April 13,
led by Rabbi Shosh
10:00-11:00am @ PCS, followed by Kiddush
In Person Meditation
IN PERSON MEDITATION WITH RABBI BEN
Join us for a community led in-person meditation group
All are welcome
Thursday, April 10 @ PCS
7:00 - 8:15pm
Preparing for Pesach: A Decluttering Workshop with Rabbi Shoshana Leis and Tamar Prager
Join Rabbi Shoshana Leis and Tamar Prager, a downsizing and decluttering expert, for an evening of insight and practical guidance on how to create more ease and less overwhelm in your home as you prepare for Pesach. Tamar will share her powerful method for letting go of what no longer serves you, helping you understand the emotional connection to your possessions and how to make thoughtful decisions about what stays in your sacred space.
Rabbi Shosh will explore the deeper spiritual themes of Passover, drawing connections between the holiday’s message of liberation and the practice of cultivating simplicity in your life. Learn how clearing space in your home can mirror the process of clearing space in your heart and mind as you prepare for this season of renewal.
ADULT EDUCATION: Spiritual Tools for Navigating Turbulent Times : Building Your Jewish Spiritual Toolkit
Join us for an eight-session journey led by Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Shosh Leis, designed to equip you with a diverse array of Jewish spiritual tools for strength and resilience in an ever-changing world. Explore Rabbinic teachings, Kabbalistic practices, mindfulness, chanting, and contemporary approaches to sacred imagination, spiritual resilience, and radical amazement. Learn to integrate these practices into activism and face societal challenges with grace and courage. April 1 and 22, May 6 and 20, June 6 and 17.
Shalom Shabbat Havdalah Celebration
Shalom Shabbat and Musical Havdalah Dinner Celebration
Saturday, March 29, @ PCS
Join us to celebrate the end of Shabbat with a Havdalah Celebration as we welcome our monthly Shabbat Celebration with Rabbis Shoshana Leis and Ben Newman.
Celebration nights @ PCS offer a wonderful sense of warmth, engagement and community. There is something for everyone.
Dinner will feature foods from Spain in our continuing theme highlighting Jews around the world.
5:30 - 6:00 Shalom Shabbat, with Rabbi Ben for children under 10 and their grownups
6:00 Havdalah Dinner Celebration with Rabbis' Shosh, Ben and the Band
Dinner for PCS members is $21 per adult,
Member's children under 13 at no charge.
Dinner for non members: $25 per adult, children 5 - 13, $8 each.
The Book Club @ PCS
THE BOOK CLUB @ PCS & on Zoom
Monday, March 17, 7:00pm
This month’s book: BAUMGARTNER
by Paul Auster
All are welcome to join PCS's Book Group Meeting. It's not just about the books!
Come and discuss or sit back and enjoy the conversation, have a nosh, and take pleasure in getting to know your fellow congregants.
Purim Celebration @ PCS
Join us for Pizza and Salad @ 6:00pm in the community room.
6:30pm the fun begins in the Sanctuary with the reading of the Megillah!
COME IN YOUR BEST, FAVORITE CHARACTER AS WE READ THE STORY OF QUEEN ESTHER AND THE PURIM STORY.
Shalom Shabbat
Shalom Shabbat and Musical Shabbat with Dinner
Friday, February 28, @ PCS
Join us to celebrate Shabbat in February as we welcome our monthly Shabbat Celebration with Rabbis Shoshana Leis and Ben Newman.
Friday nights offer a wonderful sense of warmth, engagement and community. There is something for everyone.
Dinner will feature foods from Austria in our continuing theme highlighting Jews around the world.
5:30 - 6:00 Shalom Shabbat, with Rabbi Ben for children under 10 and their grownups
6:00 Appetizers and Dinner is Served
7:00 Musically enhanced Shabbat Service with Rabbis' Shosh, Ben and the Band
Dinner for PCS members is $21 per adult,
Member's children under 13 are at no charge.
Dinner for non members: $25 per adult, children 5 - 13, $8 each.
The Book Club @ PCS
THE BOOK CLUB @ PCS & on Zoom
Monday, February 10, 7:00pm
This month’s book: Orbital
by Samantha Harvey
All are welcome to join PCS's Book Group Meeting. It's not just about the books!
Come and discuss or sit back and enjoy the conversation, have a nosh, and take pleasure in getting to know your fellow congregants.
Finding A Way Toward Peace In Israel - Palestine
Finding a Way toward Peace
in Israel-Palestine
Saturday, February 1, 2025
4:30 - 6:00pm @ PCS
Finding a Way aims to find a way to unite people despite their differences, and is working together for the shared values of peace and justice for all. In the face of war, trauma, and suffering in Israel/Palestine, we resist hopelessness and futility by convening during these challenging times. We acknowledge that we have different lived experiences and will explore common ground through dialogue, study, music and prayer, highlighting the universal themes and core values that we share from our various sacred texts and shared humanity.
We will be gathering for connection and compassion, listening and learning at the end of Shabbat.
RSVP to Rabbi Shosh @ rabbishosh@shalompcs.com
Shalom Shabbat
Shalom Shabbat and Musical Shabbat with Dinner
Friday, January 24 @ PCS
Join us to celebrate Shabbat in January, as we welcome our monthly Shabbat Celebration with Rabbis Shoshana Leis and Ben Newman.
Friday nights offer a wonderful sense of warmth, engagement and community. There is something for everyone.
Dinner will feature foods from Eastern Europe in our continuing theme highlighting Jews around the world.
5:30 - 6:00 Shalom Shabbat, with Rabbi Ben for children under 10 and their grownups
5:30 Shmooze and Nosh (appetizers and conversation)
6:00 Dinner is Served
7:00 Musically enhanced Shabbat Service with Rabbis' Shosh, Ben and the Band
Dinner for PCS members is $21 per adult,
Member's children under 13 are at no charge.
Dinner for non members: $25 per adult, children 5 - 13, $8 each.
Finite Lives, Shining Lights
Finite Lives, Shining Lights
Falafel Taco, December 19, 7- 8:30 pm
30 Wheeler Avenue, Pleasantville
Rabbi Shosh will lead this event, taking from the Death Cafe model, we will study how awareness of mortality can inspire our values. Our texts will be A Year to Live by Stephen Levine and So That Our Values Live On by Reiner and Stampfer.
This event will only be held if there are a minimum of 7 reservations.
Please make reservations by Sunday, December 15.
Zoom Meditation
Zoom Meditation
with Rabbi Ben Newman.
Thursday mornings 8:40am
Please click here to attend via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 865 7391 7016
Shalom Shabbat and Dinner
SHALOM SHABBAT and DINNER
Families with Young Children Chanukah Theme Event followed by dinner, then PCS's Musical Shabbat Service for all.
Everyone is Welcome!
Friday, December 13, 2024
5:15 - 6:00 Families with Young Children with Rabbi Ben and storyteller Jill Liflander
5:30 Nosh and Schmooze (appetizers with meet and greet)
6:00 Dinner is served (Highlighting Greece in our Jews Around the World Series)
7:00 Shabbat Services
To reduce food waste, RSVPs ARE REQUIRED FOR DINNER
Dinner for PCS Members: $21 for Adults, Children under 13 are at no charge
Dinner for Non-Members: $25 for Adults, Children under 13 are $10 per child
PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY December 9, 2024
In Person Meditation
IN PERSON MEDITATION WITH RABBI BEN
Join us for a community led in-person meditation group
All are welcome
Thursday, December 12, @ PCS
7:00 - 8:15pm
Zoom Meditation
Zoom Meditation
with Rabbi Ben Newman.
Thursday mornings 8:40am
Please click here to attend via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 865 7391 7016
Israeli Jews & Israeli Arabs Building Shared Society
Israeli Jews & Israeli Arabs Building Shared Society
with Mohammad Darawshe
PCS is Partnering with the Shames JCC for this event.
Israel Discussion and News
ISRAEL DISCUSSION AND NEWS
Thursday, December 5, 6:30 - 8:00pm at PCS and on Zoom.
Join us for our next open, respectful discussion of current events in Israel, at PCS and on Zoom. If you haven't been able to make the weekday morning discussions, join us this month.
Zoom Meditation
Zoom Meditation
with Rabbi Ben Newman.
Thursday mornings 8:40am
Please click here to attend via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 865 7391 7016
Thanksgiving Interfaith Service
Join Our rabbis and other local clergy for an interfaith service at St. John’s Church in Pleasantville.
Musical Shabbat Celebration and Dinner
Join PCS with your family to Celebrate Shabbat and everything we are thankful for!
Dinner at 6pm followed by a musical Shabbat service with musicians and our Rabbis, Rabbi Shoshana Leis and Rabbi Ben Newman
Selichot Observance
Observing Selichot with Rabbi Ben
Stories and songs to open the heart for repentance and forgiveness
At Selichot we prepare our spiritual and emotional selves for the awe of the High Holy Days. Dive deep into the heart of these holidays with Rabbi Ben Newman as he weaves together ancient tales and soulful melodies that explore the essence of forgiveness. We will open our hearts to a more profound connection with ourselves, others and the divine.
Preparing for the High Holy Days: Awareness of our Mortality
As we approach the transcendence of the High Holy Days, we will clarify our highest values and priorities, exploring what’s important for a full and engaged life.
Our texts will be the books “A Year to Live” by Stephen Levine and “So That our Values Live On” by Reiner and Stampfer.
Additional sessions, based on the Death Cafe model, will be held in the Winter and Spring if there is interest.
First Day of Hebrew School!
And there's still time to register!
Contact Educational Director, Galit Messman, pcshebrewschool@gmail.com
or call PCS, 914-769-2672.
Friday Night Shabbat
PCS's First Monthly Friday Night Shabbat of the Year!
Celebrate and rejoice with music, Joyful Judaism, Rabbi Shosh and Rabbi Ben the beginning of ... well, a lot of things! All are welcome!
Welcome Back Shabbat Dinner & Service
Our Friday night musical monthly Shabbat gatherings are not to be missed! They offer a wonderful sense of community, and there really is something for everyone!
Join us for community and connection during
ANY part of the evening:
5:30 pm Shmooze & Nosh (Appetizers & Conversation)
6 pm Shabbat Dinner for EVERYONE
($18/adult; free for children under 18)
7 pm Soulful, heartwarming, musical Shabbat service
Please click here to RSVP
for the dinner.
If you have any questions, please contact
Kathryn Rubenstein, krubenstein@shalompcs.com, 914-769-2672.
Become A Volunteer
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