About PHS
Welcome to the Prospect Heights Shul!
We’re a warm, inclusive Modern Orthodox community in the heart of Brooklyn, devoted to meaningful connection—with each other, with tradition, and with the Divine. Whether you're visiting for the first time or have been with us for years, we hope you'll feel the joy, openness, and depth that shape our community.
Below, you’ll find more about who we are, what we believe in, and how we strive to bring Torah, prayer, and kindness to life—together.
Our Mission
At the Prospect Heights Shul, our mission is to joyfully serve the entire Jewish community by embracing all Jews, regardless of background, observance, orientation, or affiliation.
Rooted in mesorah (tradition) and animated by a spirit of radical openness, we seek to cultivate a sacred community (kehilla kedosha) built on connection, compassion, and care.
Together, we show up for one another in times of simcha and struggle, and strive to make Jewish life accessible, meaningful, and vibrantly alive for our generation and the ones to come.
What to Expect
Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning after many visits, you’ll find a welcoming, spirited community at the Prospect Heights Shul. We are a diverse group—singles and families, newcomers and lifelong Brooklynites, those raised in Orthodox communities and those just beginning to explore Jewish life.
Come as you are—there’s no dress code, and no need to have all the answers. Whether you’re looking for a place to pray, learn, connect, or raise a Jewish family, we’re here to welcome you with open arms and open hearts.
Our Story
The Prospect Heights Shul began in the summer of 2011, when Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein and a small group of passionate community members came together with a shared vision:
"to create a meaningful, inclusive space for Jewish life
in the heart of Brooklyn."
What started as a grassroots, lay-led effort has since blossomed into a thriving congregation of nearly one hundred families—each bringing their own experiences, perspectives, and traditions to the table.
Today, under the leadership of Rabbi Jonathan Leener, our community continues to grow—rooted in Torah, inspired by tradition, and guided by a spirit of openness.
We are proud to be a diverse and dynamic kehilla, united by our commitment to prayer, learning, and genuine connection. Together, we strive to build a Jewish home that is welcoming to all.
Before joining Prospect Heights Shul, Rabbi Jonathan Leener co-founded Base BKLYN in 2015, where he served as rabbi until 2022. There, he helped cultivate a vibrant, welcoming space for young Jewish professionals to explore Jewish life, learning, and community.
Rabbi Leener has also served as a rabbinic intern at Sherith Israel Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee, and Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland.
His writings on Judaism and Israel have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Jewish Week, The Jerusalem Post, and Haaretz. He is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis and currently serves as a Faculty Associate Fellow for Pardes North America.
When he's not leading services or teaching Torah, you might find Rabbi Leener cheering for his beloved Brooklyn Nets or singing along to his favorite Beatles tracks.
He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Faith Leener, and their three children: Yehuda, Hannah, and Tikvah.
📧 Contact Rabbi Leener: rabbileener@prospectheightsshul.org
📅 Schedule a meeting here
🎥 In the Media
📰 Featured Articles
- 🗞️ eJewish Philanthropy: From Innovation to Tradition – Rediscovering the Power of the Synagogue
- 🗞️ The Forward: What Orthodox Rabbis Can Learn About LGBTQ+ Inclusion
- 🗞️ The Forward: A Letter of Support to the Williamsburg Jewish Community
📝 Blog Posts by Rabbi Leener
- 🗞️ Trauma’s Enduring Legacy: Auschwitz to Kfar Aza
- 🗞️ 48 Hours in Auschwitz
- 🗞️ Noah’s Ark in COVID
- 🗞️ My Zayde’s Megillah
- 🗞️ American Jews & Guns
👉 View all blog posts by Rabbi Leener on The Times of Israel
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to email the appropriate contact info, shared below.
| Who? | For |
|---|---|
| PHS Board | Any shul-related issues |
| Shul President (Ari Susswein) | Any shul-related issues |
| Rabbi Jonathan Leener | Any rabbinic or halachic issues |
| Kiddush Committee | Sponsoring a kiddush |
| Communications (Announcements) | Sharing messages with the community |
| Membership Committee | Joining the shul |
| Kids Committee | Childcare-related questions |
| Hospitality Committee | Visiting our community |