Rabbi Leon A. Morris grew up in the small town of Connellsville, PA, about 40 miles from Pittsburgh. He was graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 1990; received a MA in Hebrew Literature in 1995 and was ordained from Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997 where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He has also studied at The Pardes Institute in Jerusalem.

Prior to beginning his rabbinic studies, he worked in Bombay, India as a Jewish educator for the American Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC or "the Joint"). During his time in India he also officiated at Bombay's Liberal Jewish congregation for the High Holy Days . He remains in touch with that community and still visits regularly. He recently produced a radio documentary on contemporary Jewish Life in India which premiered on Radio Canada last fall.

For three years following his ordination, Rabbi Morris was Director of the New York Kollel: A Center for Adult Learning at Hebrew Union College in New York.

He came to Temple Adas Israel during the late 1990's as a guest rabbi and was so well liked that when Rabbi Paul M. Steinberg retired in 2000 he was named Rabbi. During his time at Temple Adas Israel he has initiated and implemented many new and innovative programs to involve Temple members and engage the entire East End community.

He is the Founding Director of The Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan -a very fast growing and successful adult education program with many exciting courses and cultural events including the popular Ideas Cafe.

Rabbi Morris loves the outdoors and enjoys his summers in Sag Harbor - an avid biker, last year he participated in a bicycle race from the East End to Manhattan.