When attending rabbinical school, Rabbi Jessica Lott knew she wanted to do something pluralistic – where her work could incorporate all types of Jews within a larger, multifaith community. Working as the campus rabbi at Northwestern Hillel embodies this.

Students appreciate Lott’s presence on campus, with Weinberg second-year Grace Downing describing her as a light at Hillel. Her commitment to helping students understand the role of Judaism in their lives and making them feel welcome is well-recognized by students like Communications third-year Dani Goldberg.

Lott entered campus ministry because she is excited by the place college students are at in their lives, a phase of exploration she refers to as “emerging adulthood.”

“To get to have conversations about like, ‘Well, my parents laid the foundation for me, but, who do I want to be?’ That’s very exciting to me as a rabbi,” she said. “I want to engage in that conversation.”

Weinberg first-year Allie Greifer was already involved in programming and X at Hillel, but Lott helped her connect with the spiritual side of Judaism.

“I wasn’t always as involved in the services [at Hillel], but she’s kind of supported me through giving a d’var," Greifer said, referencing commentary on the week’s Torah portion."Which wasn’t something I thought I would be doing coming into college, but it’s something I’ve really enjoyed."

Lott said many students don’t realize that they are looking at things from a Jewish perspective when they enter college. She likes to help students see the world through “Jewish glasses.”

Lott did not always see her future as being so closely tied to Judaism.

Growing up in Evanston, Lott was always very active in her Jewish community. But a summer trip to Israel made her realize she wanted to pursue teaching Judaism.

“A five-week trip was not enough for me,” she said. She described how she loved exploring the land of the Jewish story and getting her first taste of experiential education.

While in Israel, she became close with her teacher, Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon. Shiryon was the first female congregational rabbi to work in Israel, and she was also a community activist and general spiritual leader.

Seeing Shiryon’s role as more than a rabbi inspired Lott, and it was Shiryon who first suggested she go to rabbinical school.

Lott has been able to assume this role as more than a religious leader at Hillel.

Downing saw this first hand as a participant of the Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) at Hillel, a program Lott describes as a “cohort learning experience every quarter” exploring different topics relating to life and judaism.

In JLF, Downing got to know Lott on a more personal level. While she always had a rabbi growing up, she never felt like she could talk to them in the way she can talk to Lott.

“She enters a room. It just feels warmer,” Downing said.

Goldberg said Lott always makes them feel welcome at Hillel.

“She is always so inviting,” they said. “She really makes an effort to get to know and connect with everybody there on a personal level.”

The time students spend with Lott does not go unnoticed by her. She enjoys guiding students through this turbulent time in their lives.

“It’s really a gift to sort of be able to accompany people along that journey of life, figuring out who you are, and who you want to be in the world," Lott said.

Photo courtesy of Northwestern Hillel