Emet Staff
Meet the Team
Rabbi Mordechai Kraft
Co-Founder and Director
Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg
Co-Founder & CEO
Mrs. Sara (Basiratmand) Benyamin
Program Director
Shay Yonaiev
Couples Director& Director HR
Rabbi Binyamin Yuhanan
Couples Division Rabbi
Rabbi Reuven Kigel
Campus Director
Rabbi Mordechai Kraft, Emet Founder and Educational Director, holds a BA degree in History from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He studied in Israel for four years and then for over a decade at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim under the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Henach Leibowitz Ztz”l, where he received their prestigious “Yoreh Yoreh, Yadin Yadin” rabbinic ordination in 1999. Rabbi Kraft serves as Emet’s Menahel Ruchani - spiritual director - guiding the organization, staff, and students to new heights in spiritual development. Rabbi Kraft also serves as the Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Havurat Yisrael in Forest Hills.
Sara (Basiratmand) Benyamin, Emet Program Director, was born in Iran and grew up in Queens. Sara attended TBY, Tiferes Bnos Yisroel Seminary, and later attended Queensborough Community College and Touro College. Joining Emet in 2004 while still a student, Sara has been part of Emet from the beginning and she has elevated our programming to a new dimension. Her boundless love for Judaism is absolutely contagious and builds momentum and excitement among Emet students. The love she has for all her Emet students is limitless. Sara has organized and led many Emet programs and trips. Her energy and enthusiasm level are unsurpassed. Four years ago we all joined in happily celebrating Sara’s wedding to Yiggy Benyamin and Yiggy is a welcome addition to the Emet family. The connection he has built with the students and the love he has for Emet is truly admirable. Yiggy works as a behavioral therapist. His method of therapy has made a difference in so many people’s lives. We are so happy to have the B’s as part of the Emet family.
Shay Yonaiev is Emet’s Director of Couples Programming and Human Resources. Shay also manages our admin team, which services our entire organization. Shay has a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and brings with him 19 years of Human Resources experience. Shay joined the Emet staff over 3 years ago and has since helped strengthen our organization and expand programming for couples. As HR Director, he oversees staff recruitment and management. Shay has been involved with EMET for over 2 decades and is excited to see Emet grow and help the Jewish community.
Rabbi Binyamin Yuhanan, Emet Couples Division Rabbi, was born in Tashkent and moved to Philadelphia, PA at age 16. Rabbi Yuhanan graduated from Drexel University with a major in Physics and a minor in Biology, and has conducted cutting edge scientific research in the US and Israel. In 2003, Rabbi Yuhanan received his Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbi Zimmerman, the Chief Rabbi of Gateshead, UK. Rabbi Yuhanan joined Emet in 2007 and since then has enriched countless students with his profound, in-depth lectures. Since 2016 he has been leading the first Bucharian community Kollel and Synagogue of Monsey, Bni Bechori.
He devotes his Sundays to teaching Halacha and Jewish Thought to men at Congregation Bet Boruchai in Rego Park, followed by teaching Halacha to women at Ateret Emet Seminary. Rabbi Yuhanan provides sage Halachic advice and guidance to countless young couples, and is available by appointment to meet with individuals and couples for personalized learning sessions. He is available for phone consultations, and answers numerous Halacha questions daily via text messaging. Rabbi Yuhanan can be reached with any questions at 845-825-7906.
Rabbi Reuven Kigel, Emet Campus Director, was born during the heyday of communism to capitalist-aspiring parents in Kiev, USSR, and immigrated to the USA as a young child. Rabbi Kigel graduated from the University of Michigan with a finance degree and worked as a stock and options trader on the NYStock Exchange. He studied at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in Monsey, and at Yeshivas Bircas Hatorah in Jerusalem, where he adopted their dynamic style of making the Talmud’s teaching come to life. In 2005, the Kigels decided to make a huge life and career change. Rabbi Kigel left finance and went to kollel (yeshiva for married men). After spending two years immersed in Torah learning, he transitioned to his dream job of Kiruv rabbi. Rabbi Kigel joined Emet in 2008 and is a charismatic teacher, leading Emet’s campus programs in NYC, as well as maintaining relationships with his past students of 15 years. Rabbi Kigel received his Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbi Moshe Heinemann. He also functions as a Jewish chaplain at Baruch College.