PCS’s Co-Rabbis
Rabbi Shoshana Leis
Rooted in the Jewish and universal values of justice, compassion, creativity, teshuva (growth), peace/wholeness, kindness/generosity and listening to learn, Rabbi Shosh believes that Torah comes alive when people bring their full selves to it, and that every person has wisdom, gifts, and a unique voice. Nurturing that emergence —in individuals, groups, families, and communities—remains at the heart of her rabbinate. She is dedicated to joyful, mitzvah-centered living at Pleasantville Community Synagogue and throughout the interfaith communities of Westchester County.
Prior to coming to PCS, Rabbi Shosh served as the founding Director of Youth and Family Education at Romemu, a pioneering spiritual community in New York City, where she developed the congregation’s youth and family educational vision, Seekers curriculum, and family programming. She has also served as rabbi of Tehillah in Riverdale, New York; Har Shalom Center for Jewish Living in Fort Collins, Colorado; and Hebrew Congregation of Somers.
Rabbi Shosh is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and also studied at the Conservative Yeshiva, Pardes in Jerusalem, and at the Drisha Institute and Hadar in New York.
Rabbi Shosh cultivates hopeful visions for the future that unite rather than divide, and her identity and affiliations
Rabbi Shoshana lived in Israel 1998-2000 and has visited many times since 1985. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the many peace builders that seek mutual recognition among Israelis and Palestinians.
Rabbi Shosh founded the Facebook group Neurodiverse Jewish Community and is dedicated to strengthening the contributions of the Neurodivergent community to Jewish life and beyond. She is co-host, with Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz, of the podcast Four Worlds Torah, which invites listeners to uncover treasures hidden within Torah and explore their relevance to our lives and world. She also writes the Substack newsletter Beneath the Surface.
Rabbi Shosh lives in Dobbs Ferry, on Lenape land. She loves a good music jam with her creative and life partner, Rabbi Ben Newman. Together with their two fantastic teens, she is raising two spirited dogs, Oz and Bodhi, her very best mindfulness instructors.
Please drop her a line at rabbishosh@shalompcs.com to meet for coffee or a tour of PCS.
Rabbi Shoshana Leis Pleasantville Community Synagogue (914) 409-3090
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.