PCS’s Co-Rabbis
Rabbi Shoshana Leis
Rabbi Shosh’s application to rabbinical school began with “A Rabbi is a Jewish spiritual midwife.” She has been living this vision for 25 years whether it be nurturing the emergence of a new idea or guiding the spiritual growth of her congregants or communities. She loves to teach Jewish mitzvah-centered living and vibrant, relevant Torah to all ages and stages, and has decades of experience leading Hebrew schools where kids thrive and enjoy heart-centered community and learning. She served as the first Director of Youth and Family Education at Romemu, a start-up synagogue in New York City, where she helped develop the learning programs and curriculum. Rabbi Shosh has been building strong, collaborative connections with the Westchester interfaith communities since she first began serving as a rabbi in Northern Westchester, at Hebrew Congregation of Somers in 2019. Rabbi Shosh served as co-rabbi with Rabbi Ben at Har Shalom Center for Jewish Living in Ft. Collins, Colorado 2009-2016.
A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Dartmouth College, she also studied Russian at St. Petersburg University, and Jewish sacred texts at the Conservative Yeshiva, the Drisha Institute for Jewish Studies and Pardes. As a member of the CCAR, the RRA, Ohalah and Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Rabbi Shosh enjoys discerning, dreaming and daring to create new visions for Jewish life with rabbinic colleagues.
Her podcast “Four Worlds Torah” - along with Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz- guides listeners to dig deep to find treasures in the Torah, treasures that matter for our lives and for the world.
Rabbi Shosh lives in Dobbs Ferry with her family. She loves to sing and spend time in nature - and is always up for a nature walk!
Contact Rabbi Shosh at 914-769-2672.
Rabbi Ben Newman
Rabbi Ben Newman brings together joyful Judaism, contemplative practice, and creative expression to nurture love, wisdom, and community. He serves as co-rabbi of Pleasantville Community Synagogue with his wife, Rabbi Shoshana Leis.
A singer-songwriter, storyteller, and innovative service leader, Rabbi Ben delights in leading prayer through music and meditation. Ordained in 2006 by the Academy for Jewish Religion, he has served congregations in Hastings-on-Hudson and Ft. Collins, and as Director of Spiritual Life at the Shames JCC in Tarrytown.
He is the author of AI for Clergy: Harnessing the Power of the Digital Golem for Sacred Service and 52 Gates: Reflections on Living, along with several other books on Jewish spirituality and children’s stories such as The Enchanted Sukkah.
Rabbi Ben founded Shtiebel, a welcoming Havdalah gathering now part of PCS’s community life. Learn more at rabbibennewman.com or call 914-769-2672.