Rabbi Jonathan Bernis

Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, a Jewish Believer in Yeshua, is Executive Director of Jewish Voice Ministries International. Jonathan founded Hear O’ Israel! Ministries, which takes the Gospel of Yeshua to Jewish People around the globe through large-scale Festivals of Messianic Jewish Music & Dance. In 2001, Hear O’ Israel! Ministries merged with Jewish Voice Ministries to form Jewish Voice Ministries International, which continues the Festivals today. More than 500,000 people have attended these vibrant celebrations throughout Eastern Europe, India, Africa and South America. Millions more have participated through live television broadcasts. Tens of thousands have responded to altar calls, and nearly one half of those coming to belief in Yeshua are Jewish.

Rabbi Bernis is privileged to assist in the founding of more than a dozen new Messianic Jewish Congregations birthed by the Festival outreaches to the Former Soviet Union. His passion for equipping the Messianic Movement’s leadership comes forth through his partnership with several Messianic ministries to establish and operate Messianic Jewish Bible Institutes around the world for training leaders in Messianic Jewish ministry. Rabbi Bernis hosts a weekly television program, “Jewish Voice with Jonathan Bernis,” which airs in the United States and abroad (including Israel) on Christian television networks.

He is founding Rabbi of Shema Yisrael Messianic Congregation in Rochester, N.Y., serving as Senior Messianic Rabbi from 1984-93. He also founded and pastored the Messianic Center of St. Petersburg, Russia, where he lived and ministered from 1993-95. A highly sought speaker, Rabbi Bernis travels extensively, teaching at conferences and in local churches. As a prominent leader in the Messianic Movement, he serves on the Board of more than a dozen ministries. In his role as President of Christian Alliance for Israel, he oversees the organization of pro-Israel conferences and seminars to rally Christian support for Israel. He is a contributing editor for “Charisma” magazine, writing a bi-monthly column, "Ask the Rabbi."

Rabbi Bernis holds University degrees in Judaism and Early Christianity and has done extensive post-graduate study, including work on archaeological excavations in Israel.