Our story: a community that began after October 7
Jews in Weed (JIW) started as a circle of Jewish cannabis professionals who needed each other after October 7, 2023. Today it is a year-round community of connection, Jewish identity, culture, professional relationships and joy.
Why did Jews in Weed start?
Jews in Weed was founded in the fall of 2023, out of the tragedy of October 7. The world felt different, especially for American Jews, and the cannabis industry was mostly silent. Jewish people working in it needed a space of their own, first to grieve and then to build.
It began almost by accident, when a group of Jewish professionals found themselves in a conversation circle at a New Jersey cannabis industry event. That afternoon led to a Shabbat call, hosted by Jordan Isenstadt with Adriana Kertzer of JewWhoTokes. Twenty-five people joined the first one. Word spread, and the call became a monthly ritual that still happens on the first Friday of every month.
About two months later the community threw its first Hanukkah party in New York and hosted its first Bagel Bash, in Las Vegas during MJBizCon in December 2023. It has been growing ever since.
All are welcome. Hate is not.
Jewish professionals are at the heart of Jews in Weed, and allies have always been welcome. Today they make up nearly half of the people at our events. Nobody checks your level of observance at the door.
Co-founder and leadership
Jews in Weed runs on people who keep showing up.
Jordan IsenstadtCo-Founder- Shelby PooleLeadership
- Stu ZakimLeadership
- Mitch KulickLeadership
- Liora SussweinLeadership
- Luna StowerLeadership
Special thanks to Adriana Kertzer, who co-founded Jews in Weed, and to Dave Kushner, Seth Lorinczi and Jay Caplan for helping build it along the way.
What do we do all year?
We gather at Bagel Bashes during major cannabis conferences, celebrate Jewish holidays together with parties like Purim at Torches NYC, our yearly Hanukkah gatherings and a 2025 pre-Hanukkah night with Matisyahu at a Westchester dispensary, and get together for evening events and pop-ups. Every month we meet on the pre-Shabbat call, and between gatherings the conversation keeps going in our WhatsApp community.
We also publish a regular newsletter and the Highly Kosher Professionals series, which shares the stories of Jewish leaders across cannabis and carries forward our JewWhoTokes roots.
How is the community run?
By volunteers, partners and sponsors. Hosts like Luna Stower, Laurie Parfitt and Ali Jubelirer carry the Bash to new cities, and partners such as the Long Island Capital Alliance, High Times, Cannademix and Accelerate Cannabis co-produce gatherings with us. Sponsors help sustain the gatherings, the calls and the connections throughout the year. See how sponsorship works.
How do I get involved?
Join a call, come to a gathering, hop into the WhatsApp community, volunteer or suggest a guest. Here is every way in.
Who comes to a Jews in Weed gathering?
Every role in a cannabis company, and the people who serve them.
Operators and founders
Dispensary owners, cultivators and brand founders comparing notes on what is working in their markets this quarter.
Advisors and service providers
Attorneys, CPAs, bankers, insurance brokers and payroll teams. Several of our sponsors come from exactly this group.
Creatives, media and advocates
Marketers, writers, photographers and policy voices who shape how the industry is seen from the outside.
Want to get involved?
Whether you want to come to a Bash, host one in your city or just learn more about the community, start here. We will send invitations, news and the occasional story worth reading.