Manuel Mesa has been the Executive Director at Congregation Kol Tikvah since 2007, responsible for the day-to-day administration of the synagogue.  His responsibilities include finances, personnel, facilities management, congregant relations, communications, event scheduling and coordination of the synagogue calendar. Manuel and the office and facilities staff work closely as a team to make each congregant an important part of the Congregation Kol Tikvah community.

Holding an Associate’s degree from Broward Community College, Manuel has been involved in synagogue life for over 16 years. He is active in national and local professional organizations.

Manuel’s career began in 1991 as a Youth Group Assistant which led to Assistant Youth Director. He was an integral part of the Youth Department at Temple Beth Torah, located in Tamarac, for over six years where he developed strengths in leadership and programming. Manuel further refined his leadership skills as Youth Director at Temple Beth Am in Margate. He then added the responsibility of Assistant Director of Religious School to his resume at Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas, TX.

Manuel left his work in synagogues for two years while serving as Vice President of Operations for a small service oriented company where he gained experience in product management, customer service, outside sales and human resources. He subsequently returned to synagogue life at B’nai Torah in Boca Raton where his expertise brought growth to many existing programs and success to new ones.

Manuel takes great pleasure in working with Kol Tikvah’s congregants and families and has truly found a warm, welcoming community to connect to, both as a staff person here to help our congregants, as well as a Jew on his own journey.

Manuel is married to Rachel Mesa and they have two amazing children, Noah and Jacob, both of whom attend Congregation Kol Tikvah and look forward to growing up with our congregation.