1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors are the governing body of the congregation. The Directors are:
- Maharat Erika Quintero, President
- Reb Andrew Friedman, Vice President
- David Frontera, Director
- Richard Snoddy, Director
2. ELDERS
Zakenim (Ordained Elders) along with our Shamashim (Deacons), are the servant-leaders. Under the guidance and authority of the Rabbi, provide prayer, teachings, classes, and lead ministries of the shul.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
The Accountability Board exists as a body of accountability for the Congregation's Senior Leader. The Accountability Board may only be called upon by the rabbi for prayer or counsel as needed. The Board of Directors may contact the Accountability Board, only by unanimous vote (excepting the rabbi), if any matter of serious unrepentant biblical sin should arise concerning the senior leader. The Accountability Board is empowered to have authority over the senior leader. Their identity is known only to the senior rabbi, and the board of directors.
Kehilath HaDerekh's leadership is composed of three components:
Rabbi Ben, KHD Senior Rabbi and Founder. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to a Conservative Jewish family in the Kosher Catering business, and is of Ashkenazi heritage. He studied in Yeshiva since boyhood, and has a background ranging from Boy Scout to U.S. Paratrooper (82nd Airborne Division), and having served in Germany, Korea and USA; and in Sales, International Trade and Finance; as well as an Employment Counselor. As a young man, he studied Mathematics and English through a University of Texas annex offered at the U.S. Army Education Center College Program. After the military he majored in Economics at Hunter College of the City University of New York. Rabbi Ben pursued Messianic leadership training in Messianic Jewish Theology and Leadership over an eight year period with some of the top Messianic schools and organizations. He studied under three Messianic Jewish Rabbis, has five separate ordinations, the first of which was from an Orthodox Rabbi. He received an honorary Doctorate from Northwestern University (a religious school unaffiliated with Northwestern University of IL.) through Chaplains International Director, Chaplain General, Rev. Dr. Herman Keck. He has taught in Messianic congregations and also in churches, both locally and overseas. Rabbi Ben authored about 40 position papers on Messianic Jewish Theology and Practice. He sees himself more of a Peter than a Paul, more of a fisherman teacher than a scholar. He has served as the rabbi in three Messianic congregations and has led Passover seders and Jewish services in prisons, as well as leading a local prison ministry program in NYC. He is also one of the founding members of the Messianic Jewish Association International.
Maharat Erika (also known as Rebbetzin Erika) is an ordained Messianic Jewish leader, teacher, and congregational leader of Sephardic heritage, originally from Ecuador. She is the wife of the late Rabbi Ben and serves as the Maharat of the shul, continuing in leadership, teaching, and service within the community.
She has devoted more than twenty years to the study of Judaism, Messianic Jewish theology, and the Hebrew language. Maharat Erika trained under three Messianic rabbis and completed twelve Messianic leadership yeshiva courses prior to her ordination as a Maharat. She continues to study daily, believing that every day is a school, and there is always something new to learn and to teach.
The title Maharat is a Hebrew acronym for Manhiga Hilkhatit Rukhanit Toranit, meaning a female leader in Jewish law, spirituality, and Torah. This title is used within Judaism to denote female clergy and reflects her calling to serve HaShem and His people through teaching, spiritual leadership, and faithfulness to Torah.
The title Rebbetzin traditionally refers both to the wife of a rabbi and to a female religious teacher. In this role, Maharat Erika provides instruction, mentorship, and Torah guidance to the congregation.
By profession, Maharat Erika is a production and compliance manager, bringing strong organizational leadership, diligence, and integrity to both her professional work and her service in ministry. She is also a devoted full-time mother to her most beloved son, Daniel, and a loving companion to Shira, her chosen pup.
Reb Andy hails from Westchester County New York and was raised in a Reformed Jewish family. He studied at New York University, State University of New York at Purchase, Liberty University (Pastoral Staff Program), and The Kings College. He holds both undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in Bible, Theology, Pastoral Leadership, and Dramatic Arts. His path of learning led him to faith in Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) and he began attending Christian services. He left to study Orthodox Judaism for a time and finally landed at home in Messianic Judaism. He attended Messianic congregations over three decades in Westchester and Rockland Counties New York, New Jersey and finally New York City. Reb Andy studied under several Messianic Rabbis and was ordained as a Messianic Reb. He is a professional Mental Health Advocate for mentally challenged people in Westchester County New York.
Reb Emmanuel (also Pastor Emmanuel) is from Buffalo, New York and currently resides
in Queens, New York. He obtained a dual degree in Theology & Communications and
published several magazine articles for Christian publications while serving the Youth
Ministry. He spent most of his career working in educational settings, including Teachers
College, Columbia University, CUNY Baruch and a Yeshiva in New Jersey. He is a veteran
of the United States Air Force and listed in Who International for Technology for his work
in NYC Public Schools. He was ordained a Pastor in 2012. He studied Hebrew and Judaic
Studies at Lincoln Square Synagogue where he was asked to begin conversion to Judaism
but declined because of his belief in Yeshua of Nazareth. The Rabbi identified him as
a Messianic Jew and he subsequently sought fellowship with others of the same faith at
Kehilath HaDerekh in 2014. In 2016, he was ordained as a Reb at KHD, where he now
serves as an elder.
Shamash Brian and Shamasheet Erika have devoted their lives to faith, family, and ministry for more than two decades. Brian comes from Sephardic Jewish ancestry tracing back to Moroccan Jews, and Erika was born in Brazil and also comes from Sephardic Jewish heritage.
Erika immigrated to the United States at eighteen, where she came to faith in Yeshua through a women’s fellowship and Bible studies. Brian likewise developed a deep commitment to HaShem during his high school years.
Since their early twenties, Brian and Erika have served faithfully in many areas of ministry, including worship leadership, teaching the Scriptures and Torah, children’s ministry, discipleship, and outreach work in South America.
Today, Brian serves as Shamash and Erika as Shamasheet at Kehilath HaDerekh, where they lovingly support the life of the kehilah (congregation), encourage spiritual growth, and help nurture a community centered on Torah, Messiah Yeshua, and the love of HaShem. Alongside them are their children, Ian and Isaac, who are also actively involved in the life of the shul, sharing in the family’s commitment to the community.
Shamasheet Jackie has been a devoted member of Kehilath HaDerekh since 2014. Born and raised in New York City with Jewish heritage, she carries a deep connection to the traditions and values of her people. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), reflecting her dedication to education, communication, and empowering others through learning.
Within the kehilah, Jackie serves with distinction in both the children’s ministry and the Oneg. She oversees kosher meal preparations at the shul with meticulous care, organization, and attention to detail, creating an atmosphere of warmth, hospitality, and meaningful fellowship. Her gift for nurturing is equally evident in her work with the children, where she invests thoughtfully and intentionally, guiding them with patience and encouragement.Jackie was drawn to Kehilath HaDerekh מתוך a sincere desire to worship the Holy One, blessed be He, in spirit and in truth. She values a Messianic Jewish expression of faith that honors the integrity of the Scriptures while embracing the richness, continuity, and beauty of Jewish life and tradition.She considers it both an honor and a privilege to serve and contribute to the growth and vitality of the kehilah. Jackie is also blessed to be raising her son, Uriell, who is actively learning and practicing with the singing ministry, growing in his love and devotion to Adonai.
