Shema Yisrael

What Shema Yisrael does

Congregation Shema Yisrael is a Messianic Jewish congregation based at 250 Edgewood Avenue in Brighton/Rochester, NY, serving individuals — both Jewish and non-Jewish — who follow Yeshua as Messiah and seek to worship the G-d of Israel in a Jewish way. Spiritual leadership has been held by Senior Rabbi Jim Appel since 1996, with the congregation endorsed by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues and governed by a six-member board of Elders and Trustees. Programming centers on weekly Saturday Shabbat services (10 a.m.), monthly Havdalah services, and weekday morning prayer, supplemented by adult classes (Messianic Judaism, three tiers of Biblical Hebrew, Davidic Dance, T'vilah immersion, Connections), personal growth curricula adapted from Freedom in Christ Ministries and Be In Health, children's and youth programs (B'Nei Mitzvot, Junior Messianic Judaism, Shabbat School, summer VBS), and demographic-specific fellowship groups for men, women, seniors, youth, and families (Mishpocha).

The organization runs a SnapPages-hosted website, a dedicated mobile app, Subsplash-based group chat channels for ongoing member communication, Fluro.io registration forms, a livestream of Saturday services with a sizeable archived sermon library organized by series/scripture/topic/speaker, and a weekly Bagels & Blessings radio show on WDCX 990 AM / 107.1 FM. Community outreach is delivered through partnerships with Streets For Christ (homeless ministry), the March of Remembrance (Yom Ha Shoah observance), Fig Tree Gift Books (retail), and crypto-giving enabled through Engiven. There is no proprietary technology, API, or AI/ML capability disclosed.

The business model is donations-based: services, classes, fellowship groups, and volunteer ministry participation are free to all, with revenue generated from voluntary tithes and offerings accepted online, in person, by mail, and via cryptocurrency. There are no disclosed pricing tiers, no paid membership model, and no financial reporting — consistent with a private, non-profit religious organization of approximately 10 employees operating from a single campus in the Rochester, NY metropolitan area.

Name

Shema Yisrael

Legal name

Congregation Shema Yisrael

Website

https://shemayisrael.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Congregation Shema Yisrael is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Brighton/Rochester, NY, serving Jews and Gentiles who follow Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah. Led by Senior Rabbi Jim Appel since 1996, it provides Shabbat services, Hebrew and Messianic education, fellowship groups, care ministries, and a weekly radio broadcast, funded by voluntary tithes and offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services / Messianic Jewish Congregation

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Messianic Jewish congregation
• Religious worship services
• Jewish roots education
• Biblical Hebrew instruction
• Community fellowship ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton / Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Members and attendees contribute tithes and offerings to support the congregation's mission of spreading the Good News of Messiah Yeshua to Jews and Gentiles, and to help those in need. Giving is accepted online, via crypto, in-person (cash or check at Saturday services or special events), and by mail.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Congregation Shema Yisrael is a Messianic Jewish congregation that provides weekly Shabbat worship services, religious education classes (Hebrew language, Messianic Judaism, Davidic Dance, T'vilah), fellowship groups for men, women, youth, seniors, and families, pastoral care and prayer services, outreach programs (radio show, community service), and volunteer ministry teams. All services are offered free of charge to members and visitors, supported by voluntary tithes and offerings.

Product overview

Congregation Shema Yisrael is a Messianic Jewish synagogue offering a comprehensive suite of religious education and community programs. The organization provides adult education through classes on Messianic Judaism, Hebrew language (Beginner through Advanced levels), Davidic Dance, and prayer study groups. Personal growth programs include the Grace Course, Freedom in Messiah, Healing a Father's Heart, and Her Choice to Heal. Children's programming encompasses B'Nei Mitzvot preparation, Junior Messianic Judaism, Shabbat School, and summer Vacation Bible School. Community connection is facilitated through Fellowship Groups (Men, Women, Seniors, Youth, Mishpocha), Outreach Programs (Bagels & Blessings Radio, March of Remembrance, Streets for Christ), Care & Prayer Services (food assistance, counseling, weekday prayer), and Volunteer Teams across various ministries. The congregation also provides a Media Library for streaming sermons and an Online Giving platform for donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shabbat Worship Services Weekly Saturday Shabbat morning worship services at 10:00 a.m. and monthly Saturday evening Havdalah services at 6:00 p.m., combining Jewish liturgical worship with belief in Messiah Yeshua. Services are held at the Brighton/Rochester campus and are livestreamed, offered free to members and visitors.
• Hebrew Language Education Three-level Biblical Hebrew language instruction program: Hebrew I (Beginner) covering the Aleph Bet and vowels; Hebrew II (Intermediate) covering vocabulary for Feasts and holidays; Hebrew III (Advanced) introducing Hebrew grammar using Holy Scriptures. Offered to adult congregation members and seekers.
• Messianic Judaism Classes Adult education classes covering Messianic Judaism foundations, including the Connections Class for new members, Davidic Dance instruction, and T'vilah (water immersion) teaching. Designed to graft Jewish and non-Jewish people into their Jewish roots through study of Messianic Judaism. Also includes T'Shuvah Prayer & Study meeting Thursdays via Zoom.
• Children's Religious Education Children's religious education programs including B'Nei Mitzvot preparation (for ages 11+), Junior Messianic Judaism (12-hour class for youth 12-18), Shabbat School, and summer Messianic Judaism Vacation Bible School (mjVBS). Teaching faith foundations and Messianic Judaism principles to children and youth.
• Fellowship Groups (Khavurah) Khavurah-style fellowship groups including Men's Fellowship (K'Eesh Echad), Women's Ministry (led by Rebbetzin Diane), Seniors (ages 55+), Youth Group, and Mishpocha (Family). These groups meet regularly for Bible study, fellowship, discipleship, and community building across all ages and life stages.
• Volunteer Ministry Teams Volunteer ministry teams serving across Care, Facility, Hospitality, Kids Ministries, Moadim, Security, Technology, and Worship functions. Provides congregants with opportunities to serve and contribute to the community's operations and outreach.
• Care and Prayer Services Pastoral care and prayer support services including weekday prayer (M-F 8:00-8:45 a.m.), T'Shuvah Prayer & Study, food assistance (Sharing Our Bread / SHOB, emergency meals, meals for shut-ins), and counseling services. Supports members and broader community in practical and spiritual needs.
• Outreach Programs Community outreach programs including the Bagels & Blessings radio show on WDCX 990 AM / 107.1 FM (Saturdays 2:00-3:00 p.m.), participation in the March of Remembrance (annual Yom Ha Shoah prayer walk), and the Streets for Christ ministry serving the homeless population in Rochester.
• Media Library and Sermon Streaming Online sermon archive and media library with series organized by topic (Moadim/appointed times, Sermons, Special Guests), speaker (including guest Rabbis), and scripture. Provides ongoing spiritual education and access to service recordings for members and the broader community.
• Online Giving Secure online giving platform accepting traditional online donations, cryptocurrency contributions via Engiven widget, mail-in donations, and in-person contributions at services. Funds the congregation's mission of spreading the Good News of Messiah Yeshua and helping those in need.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreedom in Christ Ministries (FICM) endorses and is associated with Freedom in Messiah, a community freedom ministry directed by Pastor Tom Burgo of Congregation Shema Yisrael. Pastor Tom is a certified FICM Freedom Associate Member. Freedom in Messiah offers courses (Freedom in Messiah Course, Grace Course, Healing a Father's Heart, Her Choice to Heal) taught at the congregation, representing a formal ministry alignment between the two organizations.
• Streets For ChristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreets For Christ is a non-denominational ministry of volunteers from churches across the Rochester NY area who come together to feed, clothe, and minister to the homeless population. Congregation Shema Yisrael participates in this outreach effort, representing a local community partnership.
• March of RemembranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe March of Remembrance is an annual Christian prayer walk held in dozens of cities across America and worldwide in observance of Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), to stand with the Jewish community against rising Anti-Semitism. Congregation Shema Yisrael partners with the broader Jewish community to participate in this event.
• WDCX Radio (990 AM / 107.1 FM)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWDCX Radio in Rochester NY broadcasts the Bagels & Blessings radio show, a weekly ministry of Congregation Shema Yisrael. The show airs Saturdays 2:00–3:00 p.m. on 990 AM and 107.1 FM, and is also livestreamed at WDCXradio.com. This radio partnership extends the congregation's outreach beyond its physical campus.
• Be In HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe In Health is a Georgia-based ministry. Congregation Shema Yisrael has been connected with the Be In Health ministry; two members of the congregation have taken the For My Life course at Be In Health. The B'Nafshee class at the congregation covers teachings from the Be In Health retreat at a slower pace for ongoing support.
• Fig Tree Gift BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFig Tree Gift Books (operated at figtreegiftbooks.com) is linked from the congregation's website under the 'Shop' section. The shop offers books, jewelry, and Judaica items, representing a curated retail partnership that serves the congregation's community.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA): The largest Messianic Jewish congregational alliance in North America, of which many congregations (and potentially Shema Yisrael) are affiliates. Shema Yisrael links to the MJAA Bible-in-a-Year plan. Functions as an umbrella/ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor to a single congregation.
• International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS): Umbrella body that ordained Rabbi Jim Appel and endorses Congregation Shema Yisrael. Provides credentialing, standards, and community for Messianic congregations; functions as a peer network rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Jews for Jesus: One of the largest Messianic Jewish outreach organizations in the United States, focused on evangelism to Jewish people. Comparable to Shema Yisrael in serving Jews and Gentiles who believe in Yeshua, but operates nationally with a much broader staff and outreach apparatus rather than as a single local congregation.
• Chosen People Ministries: Long-established Messianic Jewish ministry with congregations, missions, and outreach programs across multiple U.S. cities. Comparable in theological identity (belief in Messiah Yeshua expressed through Jewish-rooted practice) and educational programming, but operates at a significantly larger multi-city scale than Shema Yisrael.

Emerging players

• First Fruits of Zion: A Messianic Jewish educational ministry and publisher producing teaching materials, periodicals (e.g., Messiah Journal), and discipleship resources used by Messianic congregations. Comparable to Shema Yisrael in theological positioning and educational emphasis, though operating as a media/educational ministry rather than a local congregation.
• Tikkun International / Restoration from Zion: Messianic Jewish discipleship and congregational planting ministry that trains leaders and develops resources for congregations worldwide. Comparable in theological emphasis on restoring Jewish roots of faith and producing educational content for Messianic communities.

Regional players

• Temple Aron HaKodesh: Small Messianic synagogue offering Shabbat services and Jewish-rooted teaching for believers in Yeshua. Direct peer to Shema Yisrael in congregational model and size, serving a different U.S. geography.
• Beth El Zedek Messianic Synagogue: Messianic Jewish congregation in the U.S. offering Shabbat services, Hebrew classes, and Bar/Bat Mitzvot preparation. Direct comparable to Shema Yisrael in worship style, educational offerings, and target audience, though serving a different U.S. metro.

Direct peers

• Beth Yeshua International Messianic Congregation: A Messianic Jewish congregation offering Shabbat services, Hebrew instruction, Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation, and Jewish-rooted worship with belief in Yeshua. Direct structural peer to Shema Yisrael in mission, programming mix, and congregational model, though based in a different U.S. metro.
• Congregation Roeh Israel: Another Messianic Jewish synagogue offering Shabbat services, Hebrew study, and community programming for believers in Messiah Yeshua. Closely comparable in size, theology, and programming structure to Shema Yisrael.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/congregation-shema-yisrael

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shema Yisrael