Rabbi Yonatan Arnon
I aspire to instill a sense of meaning, belonging, and hope in your life. Perhaps what we share as seekers is to be nomads. Each one of us follows their own path. Our individual journeys might be different, yet we can walk alongside one another on a shared path. Walk with me?
My Story
Yonatan was ordained as a Rabbi by Hebrew Union College, NYC, in May 2023.
He graduated with an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Management from the Morton Mandel Social Leadership Program at Ben Gurion University in 2018.
Yonatan has extensive experience as a mentor, advisor, chaplain, and spiritual director, providing guidance, support, and spiritual care to individuals from diverse backgrounds and groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, people in custody (Rikers Jail), those in recovery, men's groups, older adults, nursing home residents, and individuals receiving end-of-life care.
Yonatan has also completed a rigorous chaplaincy residency at one of the most prestigious medical-university institutions, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Hospital.
For the past ten years, he has served Jewish communities in New York and Israel, including Columbia/Barnard Hillel, Romemu, Lab/Shul, Nava Tehila, Beth Emeth Albany, JDC Entwine, and Kehilat Zion. His work has focused on Jewish and Hebrew education, community building for young adults and alumni, interfaith facilitation, program innovation, and leading rituals and prayer services.
He is a trained dialogue facilitator, working for over 10 years with multicultural groups, including Jews, Muslims, Israelis, Palestinians, Christians, and Zen Buddhists.
In 2017, he founded his signature "MoveMeant - Embodying Sacred Texts" workshops, where he integrates spiritual and movement practices. MoveMeant reimagines what is possible within ritual spaces, regardless of spiritual affiliation. MoveMeant explores the intersection of sacred and ancestral texts, ritual, live music, mindfulness, breath, and vocal exercises, as well as movement techniques.
Currently Yonatan serves as the Rabbi and Senior Jewish Educator at Johns Hopkins Hillel.
He also accompanies diverse seekers as a spiritual director, working with individuals across a range of identities and life stages, including LGBTQ+ individuals, marginalized communities, and both younger and older adults. He facilitates online men’s circles and leads a variety of pastoral, educational, and interfaith initiatives. His approach integrates Jewish tradition with contemporary spiritual practice, fostering inclusive spaces for dialogue, reflection, and connection.
For more information about Yonatan, please feel free to visit his LinkedIn or contact him here.