About Me

Soon-to-be-Rabbi Jesse Epstein believes taking risks and pursuing big ideas are essential to Jewish meaning-making in today’s ever-changing world.  As the owner of Shmaltz Brewing Company®, Jesse strives to nourish community members with Jewish culture, text, and tradition, often over a good pint of beer.  He is currently pursuing rabbinic ordination at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (New York), where he is a Tisch Rabbinical Fellow and volunteers on the supervisory team of the Community Soup Kitchen.  Jesse also continues to develop Torah and Tourniquets©, a textual bleeding-control workshop, which combines his background as an EMT with his passion for Jewish learning.  Throughout his studies, Jesse has served as rabbinic intern in a variety of institutions, including Lenox Hill Hospital, Northeastern University Hillel, Temple Sinai (Saratoga Springs, NY), the Community Synagogue (Port Washington, NY), and Third Space at Shaarei Tefiloh.  Jesse enjoys seeking adventure and hosting Shabbat dinners with his wife (and former Hillel Co-President), Emily, whose partnership and shared commitment to Jewish life enrich both his work and spiritual journey.  Whether traveling to new, exciting places or at home with his many houseplants, he seeks to uncover and make relevant Judaism anywhere and everywhere.