Rabbi Sandy Zisser is the Founder and Director of the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Education at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Westchester County, NY. Rabbi Sandy received his smicha from the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, his Master of Arts in Special Education from Bank Street College, and his Bachelor of Arts in American History and Judaic Studies from the State University of New York at Albany.

Julie Soforenko is the Director of Operations for PRS. In her role, Julie uses technical expertise to improve every aspect of our programs. Her professional background is in programming for website development and project management tools. In addition, Julie has a deep love for Judaism and the Jewish community, including her participation in the Den Collective and learning Yiddish. When she’s not engaged in Jewish activities, Julie is a freelance, creative nonfiction writer; lover of nature; and world traveler.

Rabbi Patrick Beaulier is the Executive Director and President of the Board for PunkTorah, the parent organization of Darshan Yeshiva and Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. For his role at Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, Rabbi Patrick is Director of Innovation, focusing on helping students prepare for their rabbinic careers. Rabbi Patrick is also the co-spiritual leader of Kehillah, a pop-up Jewish community in Richmond, VA. Rabbi Patrick received his smicha from Rabbinical Seminary International and his Bachelor of Science with a focus on Business Administration from the City University of Seattle. Rabbi Patrick developed the Innovation & Synagogue Engagement Program in 2020 and is now the educator for Homiletics and Practical Rabbinics.

Rabbi Dr. Joshua Cahan is a writer and Tefilah Coach from Riverdale, NY, and author of The Yedid Nefesh Benscher and The Yedid Nefesh Haggadah. He spent eleven years teaching Rabbinics and Prayer at The Leffell School (formerly Schechter Westchester). He received his rabbinic ordination and a Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where he also served as Director of the JTS Beit Midrash, and spent eight years directing the Northwoods Kollel and Beit Midrash Program at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Rabbi Cahan’s expertise in liturgy and prayer spans the academic and the practical—he is an accomplished baal tefilla (prayer leader) and song leader, and has, in addition to the Yedid Nefesh series, published several academic articles on liturgy. Smicha, Jewish Theological Seminary of America PhD, Talmud, Jewish Theological Seminary of America MHL, Jewish Theological Seminary of America BA, Philosophy, Yale University

Rabbi Fredda Cohen, MA, JD, BCC, is the Director of Pastoral Care and Education at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. She has lectured extensively in the fields of pastoral education, bikur cholim, palliative care and spirituality. Rabbi Cohen was ordained as a rabbi by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2010, where she also earned an MA in Judaic Studies. She is a board certified chaplain under the auspices of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), and currently serves on its board. Rabbi Cohen received the prestigious Chaplain of the Year Award conferred by the New York Board of Rabbi in 2015. Prior to her career as a chaplain/rabbi, she worked as a trusts and estate attorney. Smicha, Jewish Theological Seminary MA, Jewish Theological Seminary JD, Fordham University School of Law

Originally from Israel, Hadassah Wrightman is a certified teacher who recently retired from The Leffell School (formerly Schechter Westchester) after thirty-six years as a Hebrew instructor to all grade levels, and serving as department chair for Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Hadassah is proud to be a “student-centered” teacher, always focusing on the learning needs of her students first and constantly seeking new ways to engage with her students and improve their learning experience. To that end, Hadassah has also worked directly with teachers to improve their instruction and learning in multiple areas. Certification, Hebrew Language and Tanakh, Kfar HaNoar HaDati Teachers’ College Certification, Education, Specializing with Working with Trouble Youth, Beit Rutenberg

Daniel Mond is a lecturer and teacher in Jewish studies and in film, and has taught and lectured on 4 continents, in 5 countries. He has a Master of Hebrew and Jewish Studies with Distinction from the University of London, a Master of Education from OISE in Toronto, both a First Class Honours degree and a Diploma of Education from Monash University in Australia, and he read for a Doctorate in Philosophy, at King’s College, Cambridge. Daniel also was a recipient of the prestigious Jerusalem Fellowship from 1989-1991; where he specialized in media for Jewish education. He came to the US from Israel to do a Master of Fine Arts in Film at Columbia University, and has lectured in film at both NYU and Baruch College and was a film reviewer for the Ma’ariv newspaper in Israel.  Daniel currently teaches Tanakh in New York.

Fun facts: Daniel represented Australia twice in the International Bible competition, and, as a recipient of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Award, he met and joked with Prince Charles.

MA, Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University of London
MFA, Film, Columbia University
MEd, Curriculum Development, University of Toronto

Originally from Montreal, Rabbi Nachshon Siritsky lived in France, Cuba, and Israel before moving to the United States in 1997. They studied at several Orthodox yeshivas, including Pardes in Jerusalem, prior to their studies as a Reform rabbi at Hebrew Union College. For Rabbi Siritsky, studying Judaism from traditional perspectives “was important to understand what we were reforming”. Rabbi Siritsky believes in making educated choices from the rich resources Jewish tradition provides to ensure that every ritual and prayer is meaningful.Rabbi Siritsky is a founding board member of the Society of Classical Reform Judaism due to their unwavering commitment to advocacy for interfaith families and the creation of inclusive Jewish communities that unconditionally welcome all spiritual seekers, regardless of their religious background, relationship status, identity, or Hebrew-speaking ability.In addition to nearly a decade working in synagogues, teaching, counseling, and participating in life cycle events, they are trained as an interfaith chaplain, and worked with the American Red Cross after 9/11 providing counseling and support at the family assistance center, Ground Zero, and the morgue. This led Rabbi Siritsky to get a second Masters in Social Work and spent several years working as a psychotherapist, social worker, counselor, and chaplain in multiple settings including hospice and palliative care. Rabbi Siritsky is the developer of the unique and ground breaking LGBTQ+ Jewish Studies course series at PRS.Smicha, MHL, Hebrew Union College MSW, Louisville Kent School of Social Work

Ariel Simon teaches high school students at The Leffell School (formally Schechter Westchester). His courses focus on Jewish History, Tefilah, and Torah. He has also taught Jewish History classes for students of all ages and backgrounds in synagogues throughout the New York area.

Ariel earned undergraduate degrees in Ancient Studies from Columbia University and in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He then spent two years studying Talmud at the Conservative Yeshiva, in Jerusalem. Afterwards, he enrolled at New York University’s Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies where he earned a master’s degree studying the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple Judaism.

MA, New York University
BA, Columbia University
BA, Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Dr. Eric Wasser is originally from Canada and is an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He has worked in the pulpit and Jewish education for over thirty years. His academic background includes investiture as Hazzan from the Jewish Theological Seminary, certification as Mohel from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, ordination as Rabbi from Mesivta Wolkowilsk, and he additionally holds a doctorate in Jewish Education from the William Davidson Graduate School of Education. Dr. Wasser has served pulpits in Chicago and on the East Coast. He presently teaches advanced Talmud at the Leffell School in Hartsdale, New York, and passionately serves as Rabbi of the Jewish Community Center in Harrison, NY (where he presents a pro-Israel platform based on Torah text study and the love of Judaism.

Rabbi Jill Levy is the Director of Ramah DC Day Camp, which is part of the Camp Ramah New England family. Rabbi Jill joined CRNE after five years as Rabbi at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC in Houston, where she oversaw Jewish learning and engagement as well as taught numerous adult education classes. Prior to her position at the Houston JCC, Rabbi Jill was Director of Congregational Learning at Herzl-Ner Tamid in Mercer Island, WA. Rabbi Jill received her ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2011. While in rabbinical school, she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow and served as student rabbi in several different congregations. In addition, she completed a summer of clinical pastoral education at St. Luke’s and Texas Children’s Hospitals in Houston. Rabbi Jill also earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University. She currently lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Matt, and two daughters (and eager campers), Nava and Miri. In her free time, you can find her running or bike riding on one of the many trails in the D.C. area.

Smicha, Jewish Theological Seminary
Master of Public Administration, Columbia University
Bachelor’s Degree, University of Washington

Rabbi Shais Rishon, known by his pen name MaNishtana, is an Orthodox African-American rabbi, author, educator, and thought leader whose work sits at the intersection of faith, race, and Jewish identity. Blending sharp scholarship with cultural fluency, he challenges assumptions about what—and who—constitutes the Jewish experience. Rabbi Rishon is the author of “Ariel Samson: Freelance Rabbi”—a 2018 Jewish Book Council Awards finalist for Debut Fiction, “The Souls of Black Jewish Folk” released in February of 2026, and the upcoming “B’Esh Sh’chorah/In Black Fire,” the first Torah commentary written by an Eidot CHeMDaT”A Jew, and his essays, lectures, media appearances, and sermons have redefined conversations on inclusion and authenticity within contemporary Judaism. He is also the founder of Eidot CHeMDaT”A Community Organization and Ohel Eidot Chemdata, the first modern-orthodox synagogue both centering African American (Eidot CHeMDaT”A) Jews and headquartered in our Nation’s Capital. Through his writing, storytelling, teaching, and lecturing Rabbi Rishon continues to expand the canvas of Jewish life, illuminating its diverse voices, honoring its profound history and exploring its sacred possibilities.

Dr. Dan Aviv has been engaged with Jewish learning for almost 30 years as an educator, innovator, professor, published scholar and author. He has three kids, two books, and one podcast – and serves as Lead Educator and Design at ADRABA, a Jewish blended-learning high school in Toronto, Ontario.

Barnett Kamen is a teacher of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish Studies, Philosophy and Literature. He received a BA in Hebraic Studies at Rutgers University, having spent his sophomore year at the the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He received an MA in Jewish Studies with a specialty in Jewish History from the Baltimore Hebrew College, and was a PhD candidate in Biblical Literature at Dropsie University. Mr. Kamen has been involved in Jewish education for almost 50 years, having taught Hebrew school, high school, and adult education.

Pastor Kerra English is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA, with a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary and more than 20 years pastoring Presbyterian Congregations. She is also a trained spiritual director through the RUAH School of Spiritual Direction at Richmond Hill. Together with Rabbi Patrick Beaulier she hosts talks on the Bible from Jewish and Christian perspectives.

Master of Divinity, Union Presbyterian Seminary
Spiritual Direction, RUAH School of Spiritual Direction at Richmond Hill

Dr. Jeremiah Lockwood’s music career began with over a decade of apprenticeship to the legendary Piedmont Blues musician Carolina Slim, playing in the subways of New York City. He also trained under his grandfather Cantor Jacob Konigsberg and performed in his choir. Jeremiah’s band The Sway Machinery seeks inspiration from diverse realms of experience related to the cultural geography of New York City. The Sway Machinery has played around the world, including stints at legendary music festivals like Montreal Jazz, Roskilde, and perhaps most notably, Festival au Desert in Timbuktu, Mali. In addition to leading The Sway Machinery, Jeremiah toured for years as guitarist in the popular world-beat band Balkan Beat Box and has scored numerous film and video projects. Jeremiah was a recipient of the 2007-8 Six Points Fellowship for Emerging Jewish Artists, was 2010 Artist-in-Residence for the Forward and was a 2011 Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Fellow. Jeremiah is currently working on a PhD in Education and Jewish Studies at Stanford University. His solo guitar and voice record, entitled LOCKWOOD, was released in the Fall of 2014 on System Dialing Records. The new Sway Machinery LP, entitled Purity and Danger, was released in the spring of 2015 to critical acclaim.

Menachem Cohen is a spiritual director, rabbi, and tabletop roleplaying game designer (like Dungeons & Dragons). His 2 areas of focus are the design and use of roleplaying games for spiritual direction and working with seminary/divinity students and new clergy from all traditions. He was ordained at Hebrew Seminary in Skokie, IL in 2003 and received his Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction at Loyola University in 2019. He has played roleplaying games since 1979. You can find more information about him and his work in this Wired article, https://www.wired.com/story/roleplaying-rabbi-community-building/, and on his website, http://whatmakesyoucomealive.net.

Dr. Sariel Birnbaum received his PhD. in Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies from Hebrew University. He has written and published a book, “Back to the Past – Filmed history in Arab Cinema,” through Magnes Press, Hebrew University, and published additional academic articles.

Dr. Birnbaum teaches at UCLA, and previously taught at Binghamton SUNY and San-Diego State University

In addition to Hebrew, his mother language, Dr. Birnbaum worked as a translator from Arabic, and he reads and speaks French and German.

Aaron Levi is an experiential Jewish educator, curriculum developer, and the founder and CEO of Gate City Tours, LLC, which offers hyper-local, neighborhood-based walking tours exploring the history and evolution of Atlanta and its Jewish community. Aaron holds dual Master’s Degrees in Education and Judaic Studies from New York University, where he was a Jim Joseph Fellow. He is a graduate of the Yeshiva University Certificate Program in Experiential Jewish Education; the iCenter Master’s Concentration in Israel Education; and the American Jewish World Service Rabbinic and Graduate Student Global Justice Fellowship. Aaron received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Judaic Studies, and Hebrew from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

MA, New York University
Graduate Certificate, Yeshiva University
Graduate Certificate, iCenter Master’s Concentration in Israel Education
BA, New York University

Rabbi Arielle comes to the rabbinate with a background in Jewish education and teaching. She has taught Hebrew language in elementary and pre-school and then decided to attend rabbinical school. Rabbi Arielle served as the Rabbinic Intern to Temple Emanu-El in Miami Beach for five years and loved every part of the rabbinate, from officiating at wedding ceremonies, Bnei mitzvah, funerals, teaching Hebrew school, mentoring conversion students, teaching Hebrew, running synagogue programs for young professionals and young families and so much more!

Rabbi Arielle began my rabbinical career through the Jewish Renewal movement where she learned to incorporate yoga and meditation into my Jewish spiritual practices and learned to see Judaism in a new light. She strives to make Judaism relevant and meaningful on a daily basis. Coming from a traditional background, and having a strong background in text study in Hebrew and English, Rabbi Arielle is excited to share my passion and love of Judaism with her students. In her spare time, she enjoys making jewelry, practicing yoga, and taking long walks with her children and husband.

Smicha, Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute
BA, Hebrew Language and Literature, Queens College
BA, Art History and Hebrew, Queens College

Joey Leskin, of Yemeni-Jewish origin, is a leadership consultant, Jewish educator and coach from London. He has over a decade of experience designing and facilitating leadership and Jewish learning programs for audiences across the globe. He specialises in communication skills training and innovative approaches to community building, having had experience working with mission driven organisations, foundations and Jewish communities in over 50 countries. Notable collaborators include Schusterman Family Philanthropies, the JDC and Limmud. In the Jewish education space, he teaches the Jewish Diversity module for Westminster Synagogue’s conversion class, produced a report on Jewish Innovation in the Diaspora for the Templeton Foundation, and sits on the Board of the UK Movement for Reform Judaism. He holds a master’s degree in international relations and certifications in coaching and non-profit management.

My approach to teaching Judaism is holistic, integrating intellectual knowledge, experiential immersion, and spiritual transformation. I’m a passionate teacher, an eternal student, and a lover of life. My mission is to open doors of knowledge, create bridges of understanding, knit tapestries of memories, and kindle the light of the souls of those who surround me. If you choose me as your companion on this path, I’ll be honored to share my own experiences and to help you craft a very special, meaningful, and profound relationship with Judaism.

MFT graduate student under the supervision of Natalie Elliott, Rabbah Amanda formerly served as a chaplain resident at Emory University healthcare while she pursued board certification through Neshama: the National Association of Jewish Chaplains. Her courses at PRS reflect a passion for pastoral care, medical ethics and more.

Jonathan T. Reich was born and raised in the Gateway City and attended Washington University in St. Louis. He earned a MA from the Harvard Divinity School, and also studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as the Harvard University department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He lives in Somerville, MA with his wife Stefanie and daughter Meret.

Rabbi Lex Rofeberg is the Senior Jewish Educator at Judaism Unbound, where he co-hosts its weekly podcast, leads live digital events, and oversees the UnYeshiva learning platform. He holds a Judaic Studies degree from Brown University and was ordained as a rabbi in 2021 by ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Originally from Milwaukee, he has worked for the Institute of Southern Jewish Life and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island. He serves on advisory boards for The Shalom Center, Tikkun Olam Productions, Evolve, and Mitzvah Matzos.