Our Leaders 

David Wein
Rabbi

      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

      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.

Scott Moore
Elder

      Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Scott and his wife Sherry moved to Richmond in 2018 to be closer to one of their two sons and his family.  Scott’s other son and his family live in Israel, and Scott and Sherry also run Yosher Tours, a travel business organizing group tours to Israel.
      Scott was ordained as an Elder in Ohev Yisrael Messianic Jewish Congregation in Northern Virginia in 1988.  He continued in that role until he moved to Richmond.  He also served as Congregational Leader of Ohev Yisrael for 14 years from 1992 until 2006.
      Scott has served the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations as Family Ministries Committee Chairman and Treasurer in the past and currently serves as the Secretary. He has been the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director since 2004.

Gordon Martin
​Shamash

      Gordon Martin grew up as a Catholic in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Gordon served in the U. S. Army from 1977 – 1992. Eventually, after serving in multiple locations in Virginia,Gordon ended up in the Tri-Cities area of Central Virginia.  He worked for several Defense Contractors after separating from the Army.  He was hired as a Department of the Army Civilian in 2008.
      During the many station changes with the Army, Gordon had been a member of several faith groups, but had not found a spiritual home. In 2014 a friend introduced him to Tikvat Israel.  Immediately, he knew he had found his spiritual home at Tikvat Israel. He has served in several areas of the Synagogue since becoming a member in 2015. Recently Gordon was installed as a Shamash.

Brenno and Rachel Martins
Shamashim & Worship Director

      Brenno and Rachel have been part of Tikvat Israel since 2012 where they met and fell in love with the Messianic Jewish Community and each other.
      Brenno originally grew up in Brazil before moving to the United States in 2003. Throughout his childhood he worked alongside his father, who was a Baptist Minister of Music for over 30 years. Through working with his father he came to faith in Messiah.
      Rachel grew up within the greater Richmond area and came to faith as a child.
​      Both have had experience being part of the greater Church community but felt God calling them to serve in line with their Jewish heritage at Tikvat Israel. Married since 2016, they have 2 wonderful boys, Daniel and Kaleb. They are thrilled to raise their family in a Yeshua centered Jewish tradition and lifestyle. They enjoy music, Mario video games, and Soccer (Futebol!).

Our Staff 

Meggie Elliott
Administrator & Events Coordinator