Rabbi Dimitry Ekshtut

Born in Leningrad, USSR, Dimitry immigrated with his family at the age of five to Philadelphia, PA. He is an educator, musician, and builder of Jewish community.

While in middle and high school, Dimitry fell in love with the guitar, motivating him to move to New York and pursue a career as a professional musician. Dimitry has had an active career teaching music in public, private, and charter schools throughout New York City. Since 2016, Dimitry has worked to build Jewish community in New York. Dimitry formerly directed Based in Harlem, through which he welcomed over 3,000 unique individuals to his home for shabbat, holiday celebrations, learning, and service opportunities. He is also a co-founder of Kehillat Harlem, a progressive orthodox synagogue and prayer community in Upper Manhattan, and has served as an adjunct professor of Jewish Studies at City College of New York.  Beginning in July 2026, Rabbi Dimitry has shifted his professional role to serve as the full-time Rabbi at Base Manhattan.

Dimitry holds a Bachelor’s of Music (Jazz Performance) degree and a Master’s of Music Education, both from New York University. He received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT). He lives in the UWS with his wife, Erica, and their two daughters, Maayan and Dalia