Rabbi Jessica Lenza
Rebel Rabbi.
True Crime Enthusiast.
Lover of Drag Culture.
Growing up in the northern part of New Jersey, Rabbi Jessica Lenza first connected to Judaism as a teenager. She followed her passion for Jewish knowledge by pursuing a BA in music and religious studies from Lafayette College before eventually earning an MA in Jewish studies as well as rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College. Her unique path to the rabbinate included studying in New York City, Jerusalem, London, and Boston where she cultivated an expansive approach to Jewish life and experience.
In 2017, Rabbi Jessica moved to the Upper East Side to become the Director of Religious School Engagement at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Two years later she began a new position as the Director of Adult Programs and Initiatives at Temple Shaaray Tefila crafting a cohesive slate of innovative programs for adult congregants including signature experiences like Bad Girls of the Bible, Sparking Joy in Judaism: A Class for Cynics and Seekers, and RE:set—A Jewish Approach to Soul Care. She recently joined Adventure Judaism as the Urban Adventure Rabbi. In collaboration with founder Rabbi Jamie Korngold, Rabbi Jessica is creating a city based branch of Adventure Judaism to add a new dimension to the already existing wilderness experiences Adventure Judaism is known for.
Rabbi Jessica has a passion for making substantive Jewish content exciting for modern audiences and often draws on her love of performing arts, yoga, and city life. A singer and guitar player, Rabbi Jessica regularly incorporates secular and Jewish music when creating sacred moments.
Rabbi Jessica enjoys podcasts and documentaries almost as much as she loves Talmud and Torah study. She lives in Manhattan with her pleasantly plump cat Dolci.
Ask me about:
Judaism and Feminism
That time I converted to Judaism when I was 15
My favorite Jewish music