Kehillat Neshama

Hi, we are Shneur and Lisa Reti-Waks, a husband and wife duo, parents to three incredible children (Noam, Osher, and Layla), and two passionate individuals dedicated to bringing people together in meaningful ways.

Shneur is the Rabbi, Founder, and Inspiration (or dreamer!) behind Kehillat Neshama. Born in Kfar Saba, Israel, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Shneur’s roots lie in the ultra-Orthodox Chabad community, where he graduated as a rabbi 25 years ago. After teaching in Israel, he expanded his intellectual horizons with a secular education at Monash University, immersing himself in a variety of disciplines for nearly a decade. A long bike ride along the east coast of Australia gave Shneur a new perspective, and he was ready to settle in the rainforest of FNQ. But a growing community in Melbourne called him back, and he helped build the Ark Centre community. His vision eventually led him to create Rabbi Without Borders, focusing on meaningful, personal, and spiritual lifecycle events such as Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Today, Rabbi Without Borders has evolved into Kehillat Neshama, a community that celebrates Jewish identity through a lens that is spiritual, rational, and deeply relevant.

Lisa is the President and General Manager (and realist!) of Kehillat Neshama. Growing up in a traditional Jewish home in Melbourne, she attended Mount Scopus Memorial College, where she developed a strong love for community and Judaism. Lisa is a qualified Nurse and Midwife, with a deep passion for empowering families and offering care, compassion, and guidance through all of life’s milestones. Her work as a Midwife perfectly complements her leadership role at Kehillat Neshama, as she thrives on building lasting connections with Bnei Mitzvah students and their families, helping them connect to their Yiddishkayt (“Jewishness”) in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.

Together, we are committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and nurturing community where Jewish traditions are celebrated with passion, relevance, and purpose.

At Kehillat Neshama, we come together to celebrate our Jewish identity with intellectual honesty, soulful song and a strong sense of community.

Our monthly Kabbalat Shabbat services provide a warm atmosphere to welcome the Shabbat with song, prayer, and reflection, helping participants to unwind and connect. These gatherings foster a spiritual entry into the Shabbat and strengthen our community spirit.

We also host annual High Holy Day Services, marking these significant days with introspection and celebration, essential for our spiritual calendar.

And from now on we will be celebrating and commemorating all the other important dates. Very recently we cried like never before on Yom Hashoa and Yom Hazikaron. We somewhat celebrated Yom Haatzmaut. What is so clear is the need for us as individuals to come together and mark these days of our collective history and destiny together in a profound sense of a united collective.

Kehillat Neshama is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can explore and deepen their connection to Judaism. Whether you’re firmly rooted in your practices or exploring your identity, our community is welcoming and supportive. More than ever, post October 7, we have a moral duty to embrace all members of our community. Whether they are technically this, that, or the other.

Join us at our next service to experience the heartfelt connection of Kehillat Neshama, where we celebrate and sing together, transcend our petty egos, and nurture a community where everyone’s voice and spirit are valued.