Mishkan Ha’am Rabbinic Leader Jesse Weil is currently a student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC), in Wyncote, Pa. A graduate of Brown University, Jesse is an artist, writer, and educator. He has performed widely on stage and television, and has facilitated storytelling programs for students of different ages and backgrounds in schools, synagogues, and non-profit organizations.
Jesse says he was drawn to rabbinical school by his desire to deepen his commitments to curiosity, compassion, and community. He aims to support others in fostering meaningful connections to and through Jewish tradition in ways that feel authentic and alive for them.
As an RRC student, Jesse served as a rabbinic intern at Centre College in Danville, Ky. Functioning as the sole rabbi on campus around the Jewish holidays, he led varied programming—music, ritual, text study, creative writing, baking, meditation, personal reflection, open discussion, and hiking—and offered pastoral care to both Jewish and non-Jewish students.
As co-leader of the RRC Music Collective, Jesse organized and led rehearsals and performances, expanded students’ opportunities to make music together on- and off-campus, wrote and arranged Jewish liturgical music, and facilitated collective composition. Jesse also was elected to the RRC’s Kehilla Committee, tasked with cultivating community and togetherness on campus.
Jesse is committed to leading the Shabbat services and other programming that Mishkan Ha’am holds approximately two weekends every month. He also will lead us on major holidays.