Our Leaders
David Wein
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Rabbi David grew up as a reform Jew here in Richmond, VA and came to follow Yeshua the Messiah in college at Wesleyan University. Getting a Bachelor’s in Spanish and French literature, he decided to join Teach for America and teach Spanish in Mississippi for three years. He would visit Tikvat Israel during his breaks from college and teaching, and immediately felt at home in a place that combined everything he grew up with along with everything he believed.
Much to his mother’s delight, he moved back to Richmond and continued teaching Spanish for ten years, and began attending Tikvat regularly. In 2015 he became the happiest man and married his bride, Sonya. A few months later, he joined the staff of Tikvat Israel and started working in part-time ministry as the Rabbi-in-training under the mentorship of Rabbi David Rudolph. He has taken classes at MJTI, the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute and at The King's University and holds rabbinic ordination with the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations. He loves talking about Torah and theological narrative, coming alongside others in their walk with Hashem, spending quality time with his beautiful wife, writing and playing music on the piano, making up words, going to coffee shops, learning and teaching languages, making friends, walking around the downtown areas of various cities and towns, and making people laugh. He has been promoted to Dad in May, 2022. |
Eric Friedman
Elder & Treasurer
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Eric Friedman grew up as a Conservative Jew from Massapequa, NY (Yes, Seinfeld and Baldwin Brothers Massapequa), in a family that were members of B’nai Brith and BBYO. Eric served in the U. S. Navy from 1977 – 1992. Eventually, he moved from Hampton Roads to the Richmond area in 1998. He has worked with Pella Windows and Doors in Logistics here in Richmond since 1999. He met Bonnie of Highland Springs (who grew up in the Episcopal Church there), in 2000 and they were married in 2003.
Eric & Bonnie first came to Tikvat Israel in 2009 after feeling a call to know more about the Messiah. It was here where Eric came to discover the fulfillment of the scriptures, in Yeshua, as the true Messiah and embraced Messianic Judaism. He has served in many areas of the Synagogue over the years, becoming one of the lay cantors and a Shamash, and was eventually installed as an Elder in 2018. Eric continues to serve joyfully with Bonnie at his side, and, will tell you how much he feels ‘at home’ at Tikvat Israel. |
Our Staff
Meggie Elliott
Administrator & Events Coordinator
