Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn
Core Semikha, Class of 2016

Rabbanit Alissa Thomas Newborn is a member of the spiritual leadership at B'nai David-Judea Congregation, an Orthodox shul in Los Angeles. She received her semicha from Yeshivat Maharat and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Classical Studies Archaeology and Ancient History. Rabbanit Alissa is also a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). She has specialties in Psychiatric Care, Palliative Care, and End of Life Care. She has worked as a chaplain at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center, and Bellevue Hospital. She was also a writer for the Center for Jewish End of Life Care at Metropolitan Jewish Health System. She is currently a per diem chaplain for Grateful Palliative Care and Hospice. Rabbanit Alissa is on the board of NAJC and on the board of the Rabbis and Cantors Retirement Plan. She is a member of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Clergy Roundtable and the Pico-Robertson Mental Health Neighborhood. In 2017, she was chosen as one of the Forward50, the Forward's annual list of the 50 most influential, accomplished, and interesting American Jews.
Publications and Media
Title | Type | Category | Topic | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Miscarriage and Loss During COVID-19 | Article | May 5, 2021 | ||
Finding God In Death and Suffering: Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn | Multimedia | Podcasts | MaharatCast | March 21, 2021 |
Post-Partum Depression | Dvar Torah | Bereishit | Vayera | 2015/5776 |
Let Me Tell You a Story: Questions and Answers in Parshat Bo | Dvar Torah | Shemot | Bo | 2017/5777 |
The Need to Tell Our Difficult Stories: Chet HaEigel in our Wholeness and Holiness | Dvar Torah | Shemot | Ki Tissa | 2017/5777 |
Letting the Light In | Dvar Torah | Vayikra | Shemini | 2014/5774 |
The Toothpaste Sacrifice | Dvar Torah | Vayikra | Metzora | 2017/5777 |
Elul Reflections | Dvar Torah | Holiday | Rosh Hashana | 2013/5774 |
Table for Five - Weekly Parsha: One Verse, Five Voices - Beha'alotecha | Dvar Torah | Bamidbar | Beha'alotekha | 2020/5780 |
Power Hour of Torah: The High Holiday Edition | Multimedia; Dvar Torah | Video Divrei Torah; Panels and Discussions; Holiday | Rosh Hashana; Yom Kippur | 2020/5781 |
In the News
Title | Publication | Published |
---|---|---|
Miscarriage and Loss During COVID-19 | Jewish Journal | May 5, 2021 |