Rabbi Aharon Mendez
Aharon Mendez is from a Sephardic-Anusim Jewish heritage. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Aharon encountered the risen Messiah, Yeshua in someone’s living room when he was almost 19 years old. From a gothic agnostic, Christian hating teenager, God radically transformed his heart and changed his life. All of this led to Aharon pursuing his theological degrees of which he holds a Master of Divinity from The King’s University in Messianic Jewish Studies and undergrad in theology. He also holds a Level I and Level II Gottman Method Couples Research Therapy certifications. Aharon (Aaron) has been involved in Messianic Judaism for over two-decades and has done work in areas of Holocaust awareness, combating anti-semitism, and outreach in various forms. He served as a cantor and executive Messianic Rabbi for fourteen years. Aharon is most proud not of these accomplishments but of being the father of his late children Refayah Selah (3 months) and Livnat Sapirah (5 years). He is blessed to share this gift of life and the gift of his children with his wife of 11 years, Zhenya who is also Jewish from the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic of Russia. Together they have a heart to see Israel and the Jewish people come to know their Messiah and to see the Body of Messiah (the Church) know the love of Messiah for His people Israel.
ELDERS (Z'KEINIYM)
JACK JACOBS – RABBI EMERITUS
Jack Jacobs is Rabbi Emeritus at Beth Am Messiah (House of Messiah's People) in New City, NY and currently is serving as our Congregation Leader while Rabbi Aharon Mendez is away, on a sabbatical. Rabbi Jack also serves the Tikkun America Messianic Congregational Network as leader of a ministry (Chaverut Tikkun) that is building strategic, relational partnerships with churches in America. Jack has written "Hear O Nations" and co-authored the "Becoming One Bible Study" from his experience in building long term relationships with the local church. Jack and Kate Jacobs have been married 47 years and have four children and six grandchildren.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN ELDER?
SERVANT LEADERS (SHAMASHIM)
JOHN BARNHART
John was raised in a Lutheran clergy home, and came to faith in the Messiah at a young age. He and his wife, Pam, came to an develop an interest in the Jewish roots of the faith almost 20 years ago. Now they attend Beth Am Messiah with their eight children. (Yes, you read that correctly.) John has recently returned to the worship team after hiatus of a few years. He has also served as a sound booth technician and was the original web master.
ALAN BINGER
Alan is a Jewish attorney who has been a believer in Yeshua as his Messiah since age 19, when he received Yeshua through the witness of two fellow students who were Jewish believers at Pennsylvania State University. Alan has been an active member of Beth Am Messiah since 1991. Aside from his law practice, Alan has been involved in an extensive prison ministry with inmates - several of whom are Jewish - in various states. He and his wife, Abbye, have a passion to see their Jewish people come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and Savior.
JAY GAGE
Dr. J. Gage received his Doctor of Ministry in 2023 from The Kings University for a dissertation entitled “Discipling Children in Messianic Jewish Congregations.” As a long time member, he has ministered in the areas of worship, Shabbat School, and small groups. Currently Jay leads an online Zoom Havurah.
ANDREW PLATT
Andrew was brought up in a traditional Jewish home and was Bar Mitzvahed in a conservative congregation. He came to faith in his mid 20's through the loving witness of born again believers and through searching G-d by reading the Torah and prophets for himself. He has been serving at Beth Am Messiah since 1995. In addition to being a Servant Leader, Andrew oversees the both the Welcoming and D'var Torah ministries.