Joyful Judaism! 

Weekly E-Newsletter 

November 16-23, 2023

Long-time PCS members, David Benattar (Israel Action Committee chair) and Bruce Fleischer (board member and Adult Ed committee chair), in photo on right, went to Washington on Nov. 14, to join 290,000 others in a historic march for Israel, to free the hostages, to fight antisemitism.

Yasher ko'ach and toda raba!

Another great Friday night

celebration at PCS!


November 17

Come and experience the warmth of PCS with its wonderful sense of community.

There really is something for everyone!


Join us for community and connection during

ANY part of the evening:


5:30 pm Shabbat Roots (for ages 0-8 + grownups) with help from PCS's K-2nd graders!

6 pm Shabbat dinner with Shabbat music

for EVERYONE

(Suggested dinner donation: $18/adult;

free for children under 18)

 

Please click here to RSVP for the dinner.


If you have any questions, please contact

Marcy Gray, [email protected], 914-769-2672.

For Hebrew School families:

Holding Space at PCS

Sunday, November 19, 9-10 am


This moment is a lot to process for ourselves while also staying steady for our children.


The purpose of the space is to witness and support one another as we focus on how we are feeling in the wake of the terror in Israel and the war between Israel and Hamas. 


Jill Resnick will help the group name and grapple with the feelings that are coming up in a judgment-free, nurturing space. This will be a heart space, not a head space.  

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Wednesday, Nov. 22,

7 pm

All are welcome to join Rabbi Ben at the Emanuel Lutheran Church,

197 Manville Road in Pleasantville for

a Thanksgiving Eve interfaith service.

"It's not just about

the books!"

Come and discuss or sit back and enjoy the discussion, have a nosh, and take pleasure in getting to know your fellow congregants.


Monday, 7 pm Dec. 11

PCS Book Group

at PCS!

"The Golem and the Jinni”

by Helene Wecker



Contact Marcy Gray at [email protected] to for more information or to RSVP or call PCS, 914-769-2672.

An extraordinary retreat opportunity with Rabbi Ben Newman, Roberta Wall and Donna Nisha Cohen.

(Click on names to find out more about them.)

December 8-10, 2023


In these challenging times, when the world's events weigh heavily on us, it's more important than ever to find moments of peace and restoration. With this in mind, I am writing to invite you to join me for a special retreat: "A Weekend Retreat Nourishing Ourselves with Mindfulness, Rest and Illumination: The Shabbat of Hanukkah," at the serene Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing in Cragsmoor, New York.


This retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience with meditation or spiritual practice. It's a space where we can collectively find rest and replenishment, something we all need right now.


Spaces are limited, so I encourage you to click on the link below to register soon:


https://dharmakayacenter.org/all-programs/2061/a-weekend-retreat-nourishing-ourselves-with-mindfulness-rest-and-illumination-the-shabbat-of-hanukkah/


I am looking forward to sharing this enlightening experience with you.


Wishing you peace and blessings,


Rabbi Ben

[email protected].

Now is the time to tell your elected representatives to stand by and support Israel.

Find out who all of your representatives are by clicking on the link below:

https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Henry Blumner, in photo above on right, is the father of long-time PCS congregant, Adina McGinley, and grandfather to Adina's four children, Aiden, Anya, Amelia and Autumn. Henry and his life partner, Dorothy Goodman, recently donated an ambulance to the Magen David Adom in Israel. Henry

Yasher ko'ach and toda raba, Henry and Dorothy!

Ongoing...

Please join us to meditate

via Zoom

Led by Rabbi Ben every Thursday morning at 8:25 - 9 am.

Please click here to attend via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 865 7391 7016

If you have any questions, please email 

Rabbi Ben Newman.

Rabbi Ben Newman's Neshama Project

 In this weekly podcast Rabbi Ben explores spiritual tools for human thriving.

Please click here for the link to the most

recent podcast.

If you have any questions or would like to offer feedback and comments,

please email Rabbi Ben Newman.

PCS SoundCloud!

PCS has created a new SoundCloud account that will hold prayers, songs and podcasts.

Click https://bit.ly/PCSprayers here to listen and enjoy!

If you have any questions,

please email Rabbi Ben Newman.

Pleasantville Community Synagogue is a welcoming Jewish community with people of diverse traditions and backgrounds who want to share a joyous spiritual and cultural home.

The PCS office is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am-3 pm.

Please feel free to leave a message, send an email, be in touch, set up an appointment!

~~~

Rabbi Shoshana Leis, [email protected]

Rabbi Ben Newman, [email protected]

Educational Director Galit Messman, [email protected]

Executive Director Marcy Gray, [email protected].