Rabbi Jim Appel has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Shema Yisrael since 1996 and a Jewish follower of Yeshua since 1977. He is ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues. Rabbi Jim previously worked for Xerox Corporation in Webster, N.Y., for 24 years as an optical engineer and engineering manager. He holds more than 45 patents in the areas of copier imaging systems and laser printing. Rabbi Jim received a bachelor’s degree in optical engineering from the University of Rochester in 1967 and a master’s degree in physics from the University of Southern California in 1970. Rabbi Jim decided to follow Yeshua after a long spiritual search. He grew up with parents who taught him that G-d did not exist and organized religion deceived and oppressed people. In 1967, after completing college, Jim became disillusioned with life as an atheist.  He rejected his parent’s teachings and began his search for spiritual reality. This search took him into the world of mind-altering drugs and yoga meditation, and ended with a dramatic encounter with Yeshua the Messiah, who revealed himself to Rabbi Jim in the privacy of his bedroom without the assistance of any other person. Rabbi Jim and his wife, Diane, live in Brighton, and they have two grown children.

After 49 years and 2 minor heart attacks, Pastor Tom Burgo began earnestly reading the Bible and seeking God. A short time later, he began studying at and received a diploma from Elim Bible Institute. Pastor Tom has also completed the training from Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM), and is currently Freedom Associate Member with FICM. He directs Freedom in Messiah, which is a Community Freedom Ministry recognized and endorsed by FICM, and Finding Freedom and Forgiveness Post-Abortion (FFFPA). Tom is married and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren. 

Don has been a member of Shema since 2017 but has been walking with the Lord since 1978.  He has dedicated his life to serving the congregation with the skills that the Lord has gifted him. 

Hector gave his life to Yeshua at the age of 14.  He is bilingual in Spanish and English, and has a lengthy history of serving the believing body as Youth Leader, Security, Teacher and Elder.

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Keith is a certified financial advisor with a professional focus on assisting clients in preparing for retirement. Additionally, he brings analytical experience to Shema and is also a published author in the field of wealth management.