Rabbi Nathan Joiner serves the congregation as Senior Rabbi after having served as Associate Rabbi for eight years. He and his wife Raina made Ruach Israel their home as newlyweds.
Rabbi Nathan holds a BA in classical trumpet performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. He completed his rabbinical studies (2007-2012) and earned a Master in Jewish Studies at the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute (MJTI). He was ordained by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) and the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (MJRC) in 2012.
Rabbi Nathan is co-founder and director of Camp Or L’Dor, a Messianic Jewish summer youth camp. He also serves as a member of the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (MJRC) and as rabbinical advisor for the UMJC 20s, the “20s Rabbi.” He speaks widely about Messianic Judaism in congregations, at conferences and other venues around the United States. Rabbi Nathan and his wife Raina have seven lively young children.
Rabbi Nathan speaks about his spiritual journey:
“I went into music conservatory hoping to pursue a career in classical music. But God seemed to have different plans. While on a life-transforming journey along the Appalachian Trail, I came to know and embrace Yeshua, the Messiah. This shaping encounter brought me full circle, eventually inspiring me to become a Messianic Jewish rabbi. Raina and I look back on our growing family over the years with nothing but a deep sense of gratitude for the tremendous blessings we share together.
Asked about what inspires him about being a rabbi at Ruach Israel, Rabbi Nathan says:
“Ruach Israel is more than just a job, it is family. From teaching, to leading services, to praying for and walking with our members through life’s joys and challenges – I love it all. I also count it a privilege to work every day with such a terrific leadership team of professionals and nonprofessionals at Ruach Israel. Yet even beyond the walls of our special congregation, I am inspired to do my part to build a vibrant Messianic Jewish movement — a Judaism with Yeshua at its very heart. We are part of something much larger than ourselves, and I believe that we are doing our small part to change the world.”
Interested in asking Rabbi Nathan to present at your community? Visit our Messianic Jewish Christian Relations page. And, if you’re interested in his newsletter, “Yeshua at the Heart,” or joining his support team, click here.