Shmaltz Brewing’s Jesse Epstein Joins URJ’s Jewish Community Cultivators Cohort
Jesse Epstein, owner of Shmaltz Brewing, joins the Union for Reform Judaism’s Jewish Community Cultivators Cohort to foster creative expressions of Jewish life.
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Editorial Dept.
Published: March 17, 2025
| Updated: March 18, 2025
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) recently launched the Jewish Community Cultivators Cohort (JCCC) to support Jewish community leaders in fostering expressions of Jewish life beyond traditional congregations.
One of the cohorts is Jesse Epstein, the owner of Shmaltz Brewing Company®, a historic Jewish-owned beer company best known for ales such as He’Brew, Rejewvenator, and Messiah Nut Brown Ale. Shmaltz is built on the original concept of the “public house” — the true meaning behind the term “pub,” a space where people of all backgrounds come together to share ideas, stories, and experiences over a pint.
“Pubs have served as gathering places for entire communities, where families share meals, colleagues discuss work, and strangers become neighbors,” shares Jesse. “Shmaltz brings this ethos into the Jewish world, creating a space for Jews of all backgrounds to celebrate, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue.“
After finishing his rabbinical studies this year, Jesse – and Shmaltz – will relocate to Seattle, where he will become Rabbi of Temple Beth Am: “Seattle is not only a renowned beer city opening new doors for Shmaltz Brewing but also a city of forward-thinking creativity. My future congregants have already expressed excitement about their synagogue becoming a laboratory for creative Jewish expression — whether in ritual, cultural engagement, or community-building.“
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