Rabbi Harry Pell

Rabbi Harry Pell is The Leffell School's associate head of school, as well as a teacher of Talmud and Israel studies in the High School. Before joining our faculty, Rabbi Pell earned an undergraduate degree from MIT in architecture as well as ordination and a master's degree in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

As a K-12 day school graduate himself, Rabbi Pell identifies closely with what it means to be a Leffell School student. His favorite teaching opportunity comes annually when he is privileged to travel with the senior class through Poland and Israel. As the architect and visionary behind the eight-week senior experience, Lev v'Nefesh—consisting of one week in Poland and seven in Israel—Rabbi Pell serves as the program's primary guide in Poland. In addition to his work with students, he leads the adult trip to Poland, Masa l'Polin, and is a beloved teacher to current students, alumni, and alumni parents. A participant in the prestigious Wexner Field Fellowship, he has also completed the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI) fellowship and subsequently joined the DSLTI faculty as a mentor, where he helped train future heads of school for Jewish day schools nationwide. Despite his professional accomplishments, he can often be found sitting on the rug with Lower School students discussing God or the weekly parashah.

Rabbi Pell served as a chaplain and held the rank of lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve and currently serves as a chaplain for the Greenburgh Police Department. He is also the core Israel educator at Teen Israel Leadership Council, a selective Israel education and advocacy program. When he is not in school, Rabbi Pell enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa and their three children, as well as running, cycling, and traveling.