Our Spiritual Leaders

IRA MICHAELSON Rabbi / Teacher

Ira Michaelson was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended the local Orthodox synagogue. Having a Rabbi with five daughters proved to be an advantage to his education, as the Rabbi chose to pour into him spiritually, as one pours into a son. It was this foundation, and love for God that prompted Ira to seek the truth in all of his pursuits. As he continued his Judaic studies it became apparent that there were just too many questions that could not be answered. Specifically, those related to the much awaited Messiah within Judaism. This took Ira on a spiritual journey of many years ending with a radical truth, which had until that point eluded him.

Simply put, there was no way of denying that Yeshua (Jesus) was the long awaited Messiah of the Jewish people, who had come first as Mashiach Ben Yosef  (The Suffering Servant), and would one day return as Mashiach Ben David (The Conquering King).

This truth brought him out of traditional Rabbinic Judaism into the greater body of Messiah. Ira has been a leader for over 12 years serving at two different Messianic synagogues. At Congregation Melech Yisrael in West Palm Beach, he taught a weekly Torah class, acted as Chazzan (Cantor), and worked directly with the congregational leader in meeting the spiritual needs of the members. In 2006, Ira and his wife Lori were asked to move to Orlando to help with a new congregation that had been established there. At Congregation Gesher Shalom, he served as Chazzan (Cantor), taught Hebrew classes, prepared children for Bar & Bat Mitzvah, and often gave the weekly message from the Bimah.

Ira has also been asked for the last few years to participate as Chazzan (Cantor) at the MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America) Annual SE Regional Conference, chanting liturgy and reading from the Torah.

Ira now brings his love and passion for God and the Torah to Clermont, Florida with the birthing of Congregation Beth Tefillah (House of Prayer). As a leader and teacher, says Rabbi Ira, “As a child I loved the teachings of the sages of Judaism. Now, I can see these teachings expressed fully within the words of Yeshua (Jesus) and the other writers of the Brit Chadasha. These two perspectives allows me to present the Torah,  from Genesis to Revelation within its proper Hebraic perspective, and allow it to speak to us today.”  Rabbi Ira considers communication to be his greatest tool, assisting people in their relationship with God, and helping people to connect with each other.

Why Rabbi?

Actually, there is no office of Rabbi in the Torah or the scriptures. The title has been passed down through traditional Judaism and was only first used in the Mishna. “Rabbi” in its Hebrew context simply means “Teacher.” Ira chooses to use this title to describe himself simply as a “religious teacher” within the Hebrew context. To the Christian, the title of “Rabbi” for a leader might be new, however, as Ira considers himself most decidedly Jewish, he feels more comfortable with this title.

Beth Tefillah is chartered with CTOMC (Coalition of Torah Observant Messianic Congregations). Ira is licensed as a Messianic Rabbi by the CTOMC as well.

 At Beth Tefillah, we worship within the context of what we consider Biblical Judaism, not in order to lure unsuspecting Jews to us, or to appear to be traditional Judaism. We worship within the context of Biblical Judaism, because we believe that Yeshua (Jesus) and all his followers, including Shimon Kefa (Peter), Shaul (Paul), and Yaacov (James) have remained true to Torah, and to the Judaism of the scriptures for their entire lives, both earthly and eternal.

Rabbi Ira presently resides in Orlando with his wife Lori, and his wonderful dog, Bear.

LORI MICHAELSON

Lori was raised in Madison, Wisconsin in a traditional Jewish home. She attended the local Reform synagogue, and became Bat Mitzvah at the age of 12. She was active in the synagogue youth group, was an assistant in the Hebrew school, and participated in NOFTY (Northern Federation of Temple Youth).

Lori remarked, “I always felt that something was missing in my life.” After much seeking, she came to the realization that Yeshua (Jesus) was the Messiah and accepted Him into her life. Lori is an accomplished Flautist, and played in an international orchestra at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

While working with her husband, she was leader of the women’s ministry at a congregation in Hollywood, Florida. Upon moving to Orlando to help build Congregation Gesher Shalom, Lori took on the roll of Shabbat School Director and made a great impact on the youth of the congregation.

For the last two years, Lori has been the MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America) SE Children’s Program Coordinator. Her responsibilities involved writing children’s curriculum and various children’s activities, set up registration, coordinated children’s presentation, and supervised the volunteer teachers.

Lori has always felt a calling from God to reach the Gentiles with the Hebraic message of Yeshua our Messiah. Together with her husband Rabbi Ira, they hope to bring this message to the Central Florida area.