Rafi Jacobs of Teaneck has always loved coffee. Whether it was powering through early mornings in semicha or late nights in law school, a cup of cold brew was never far from reach. That everyday passion recently turned into something more with the launch of Mishnah Brewery, his handcrafted cold brew company featuring bold, flavorful blends and a proudly Jewish twist. With flavors like New Orleans-style cinnamon and hazelnut—and a playful tagline, “Shtark Taste”—Mishnah Brewery is already making waves among coffee lovers across the tri-state area.

Jacobs first started experimenting with cold brew at home, making coffee for friends and family. Over time, people began to ask where they could get more, and word of mouth took off. That interest, coupled with his own enthusiasm for high-quality coffee, sparked the idea to turn it into something more official.

“I never thought of myself as a business guy,” Jacobs shared with The Jewish Link. “But I’m very ambitious, and once I had the idea, I just went for it. I saw other cold brew brands in the Jewish world doing well and thought, ‘Why not me?’”

The operation is currently based out of Jacobs’ kitchen, where he brews and bottles each batch himself. His lineup includes caramel and decaf options in addition to the aforementioned blends.

“People love the flavor,” Jacobs continued. “They tell me it’s stronger, smoother, more satisfying than what they’ve had before. That’s where our tagline, ‘Shtark Taste,’ comes from—it’s a fun nod, but it really does describe what we’re going for.”

Though the business is new, it’s already gotten attention from community members. Jacobs and his wife—who runs Mishnah Brewery’s Instagram account—have shared samples with friends and contacts and each time the response is the same: People want more.

“We didn’t do any big marketing push,” Jacobs said. “We just let people try it and they started asking where they could get it. It felt authentic, like people were connecting with both the flavor and the idea behind it.”

The Mishnah Brewery brand is infused with Jacobs’ personality and background. The logo features a cheerful rabbi sipping coffee, a playful nod to his semicha and love for Torah learning.

“I wanted the logo to feel lighthearted but meaningful,” Jacobs said. “The image of a rabbi enjoying a cup of coffee felt like the perfect blend of who I am—someone who’s serious about Torah, but also loves the simple, everyday things that bring people joy. It makes people smile, and that’s exactly the vibe I was going for.”

While Mishnah Brewery remains a one-man brewing operation for now, Jacobs hopes to expand someday to a dedicated production space where he can scale up without compromising flavor. The goal, he says, is to continue growing at a steady, sustainable pace. “I’d love to have a facility where I can brew in larger batches and work more efficiently. Right now, it’s a lot of late nights in the kitchen, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it.”

All of this comes in the midst of a major life transition. Jacobs recently completed law school at NYU and semicha at Yeshiva University. That meant a schedule packed with classes, shiurim, commuting and study sessions.

“It was exhausting, but also deeply fulfilling,” Jacobs shared. “I got into NYU while I was in my first year of semicha, and I figured out a way to do both at the same time. I’d be running from the beis midrash straight to law classes, and then back again to learn. It wasn’t easy, but I loved the challenge—and it gave me a really meaningful experience. Balancing both worlds pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.”

As orders continue to come in, the multitalented entrepreneur remains focused on the same values that sparked the business in the first place: authenticity, creativity, and a good cup of coffee. No matter the flavor, every bottle reflects his hands-on approach and passion for quality.

“At the end of the day, it’s just about sharing something I love,” Jacobs said. “If someone can start their day with a little extra energy and a smile because of it, that makes it all worth it.”

If you would like to order your own bottle of Mishnah Brewery coffee, visit https://take.app/mishnahbrewery. You can also follow them on Instagram @mishnahbrewery.

Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.