Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
What does it look like to build a community where everyone feels they belong?
For Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal, it looks like opening doors wider, listening deeper, and leading with heart.
Rabbi Jessica’s connection to Judaism began early. Growing up in Framingham, her synagogue and youth group weren’t just places she went — they were the center of her life. That sense of meaning and belonging would go on to shape her life’s work: creating vibrant, inclusive Jewish spaces where others could feel that same connection.
Her path to the rabbinate wasn’t linear. She earned her undergraduate degree in religion and psychology from George Washington University, and an MBA from Brandeis University. After a formative semester studying in Jerusalem, she returned to Boston to work with the American Jewish Committee and later the Anti-Defamation League.
But something was missing.
After reflecting on what truly energized her, she made a bold decision: to become a rabbi. She enrolled at Hebrew College, drawn to its collaborative, pluralistic approach to Jewish learning. She was ordained in 2019 and now serves as President of its Alumni Association.
That same year, her journey led her to Temple Beth Shalom — a moment she still describes as deeply meaningful. While on a field trip to Ellis Island, a place where so many ancestors first arrived in America, she received the call offering her the position in Melrose. Sitting in that historic space, she said yes, feeling the weight of history and the promise of the future come together.
She officially began on August 1, 2019. Within weeks, she made it a priority to meet one-on-one with as many congregants as possible, laying the foundation for the relationships that would sustain the community through the challenges ahead.
Then COVID hit.
Like so many leaders, Rabbi Lowenthal had to pivot quickly. Services and programs moved online — but she found creative ways to preserve connection, especially for young learners. Hebrew school students continued meeting in person when possible — masked, distanced, and determined — because she knew how vital human connection was, especially during uncertain times. Under her leadership, the community hasn’t just endured — it has grown. Temple Beth Shalom has expanded from 90 to 140 families, and Hebrew school enrollment has nearly doubled. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Rabbi Lowenthal has helped transform the temple into a true community hub — hosting programs like the MAAV Healthy Relationship Program, mindfulness classes, book clubs, cultural events, and service initiatives. She also brings her voice beyond the synagogue walls, guest lecturing in Melrose Public Schools on the Holocaust and antisemitism, often incorporating powerful firsthand stories from adult children of survivors.
She is deeply committed to inclusion, especially for interfaith families, working closely with parents and children navigating identity and belonging. She’s also passionate about helping second-generation interfaith families explore who they are and where they fit — tackling complex questions with compassion and curiosity.
And perhaps one of the most meaningful signs of change — she has helped make the Jewish community more visible and embraced in Melrose. For older generations who remember a time when that wasn’t the case, moments like the public menorah lighting at City Hall are more than symbolic — they’re transformational.
Rabbi Jessica often says no two days are the same — and that’s exactly how she likes it. Because for her, this work isn’t just a career — it’s a calling.
And Melrose is stronger, more connected, and more welcoming because she answered it.
Fun fact: She’s a dog lover—and met her husband at a dog park! They now have two active sons, ages 7 & 9!
