Hey! Shalom! Privyet!
Welcome to Base Manhattan, the home of Rabbi Dimitry Ekshtut, Erica Frankel, and their family—and a gathering place for Jewish young adults from across New York City.
In our home, Judaism is not something you simply attend. It is a living tradition: something to learn, question, sing, wrestle with, practice, and celebrate together. We gather for Shabbat and holiday meals, Jewish learning, living the Jewish calendar, service, conversation, joyous encounters, and community. Did we mention community? Everything (everything!) we do is about community.
Whether you grew up immersed in Jewish life, are finding your way back, are exploring Judaism for the first time, or are accompanying someone you love, there is room for you here.
Come with your questions, your stories, and your appetite. We look forward to welcoming you into our home.
Rabbi Dimitry Ekshtut is an educator, musician, and builder of Jewish community. Born in Leningrad, USSR, Dimitry immigrated with his family at the age of five to Philadelphia, PA. While in middle and high school, he fell in love with the guitar, motivating him to move to New York and pursue a career as a professional musician. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music (Jazz Performance) degree and a Master’s of Music Education, both from New York University. 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 Harlem. Dimitry directs Base Manhattan, a pluralistic, home-based, rabbi-led Jewish community through which he has 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 serves as an adjunct professor of Jewish Studies at City College of New York. Dimitry received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT). He lives in Harlem with his wife, Erica, and their two daughters, Maayan and Dalia.
Coming Soon:
Rabbi Dimitry and Erica will be leading Base Manhattan on a full-time basis. Look for their programming to be shared here beginning in July