ROFEH Annual Gala 2026 Honorees

Dr. Robert (Yisroel) Lowenstein has been practicing emergency medicine for over 20 years, and he currently serves as the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Boston Medical Center – Brighton. Additionally, Dr. Lowenstein holds academic appointments as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, and as an Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences and Education at Boston University School of Medicine, where he plays a vital role in mentoring future physicians.

Dr. Lowenstein seamlessly blends his professional pursuits with a deep, lifelong commitment to his faith and to the local Jewish community.  These values are mirrored by his family’s involvement in ROFEH’s volunteer services. Whether managing high-stakes medical emergencies or quietly helping those around him, Dr. Lowenstein perfectly embodies ROFEH’s mission of supporting his patients and maintaining his community responsibilities with compassionate care.

Dr. Jesse Hefter is a highly regarded member of the Boston Jewish community.  A chemist/technologist by trade, he retired in 2019 after a distinguished 35-year career at Verizon. While working, he served on the Boards of the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, Jewish Education, and Torah Academy.

A highlight of Dr. Hefter’s community-building efforts is the design and establishment of the Greater Boston Eruv Corporation, which he began in 1984, and where he and his team maintain one of the largest Eruvin in the country.  Additionally, he lends his expertise to communities throughout New England to aid them in building local Eruvin. In his initial Eruv work, he collaborated closely with the Bostoner Rebbe, zt”l, and many other key community leaders. He is recognized as a partner and champion of the spiritual wellbeing of the greater Boston Jewish community, and a special friend to Congregation Bais Pinchas and the NECC.