Leadership
Sha'arei Shalom is led by our rabbi and assistant congregation leader together with our staff and shammashim (servant-leaders), each carrying a part of the community's life.
Rabbi Jeffrey D. Lerman
Rabbi Jeff Lerman was affirmed as Congregational Leader and Elder of Sha'arei Shalom in late March 2025. Before coming to Cary, he served for a decade in Sarasota, Florida, where he planted a Messianic synagogue and helped cast a vision for the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations.
Rabbi Lerman specializes in connecting the Torah to the Apostolic Writings, and is known for unpacking complex biblical passages in a three-dimensional, practical, and accessible way. He is passionate about teaching and pastoral care within the Messianic community. He also brings a successful background in finance, with a proven track record in financial planning and management.
Rabbi Lerman is married to Brooke, and together they have nine children—seven sons and two daughters—along with multiple pets.
Ordination & education
- ·Rabbinical s'micha (ordination) from the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC)
- ·Rabbinical ordination from the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (MJRC)
- ·Master of Rabbinical Studies, Messianic Jewish Theological Institute (MJTI)
- ·B.S. in Business Management, Hodges University
Reb Mike Kaufman
Reb Mike Kaufman has been part of Sha'arei Shalom since 2008 and was ordained as an elder in 2012. He has dedicated himself to Messianic Jewish ministry for over 25 years, serving the congregation as interim congregation leader, assistant congregation leader, Bible teacher, homegroup leader, and men's ministry director.
Before his ministry service, Mike served 20 years as a Navy officer and spent 23 years in North Carolina Public Health. He holds a bachelor's degree from Marquette University and a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Mike lives in Cary with his wife, Lynn.
Staff & shammashim
Staff
Shammashim
Accountable to the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations
Sha'arei Shalom is a member congregation of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, whose standards guide our leadership, ordination, and doctrine.
About the UMJC →Come meet us on Shabbat
Our leaders would love to welcome you in person. Shabbat services are Saturdays at 10:00 AM—stay for oneg afterward and say hello.