Congregation Ruach Israel

Congregation Ruach Israel is a Messianic Jewish synagogue in Needham, Massachusetts. It calls itself a community "where Jewish life and love for Messiah Yeshua go hand in hand." Its focus is Jewish families and singles who believe the historical Yeshua is the promised Messiah of the Jewish people. Its vision also reaches intermarried families in New England who want to raise their children within Jewish life.

Shabbat morning services run Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and are also offered by Zoom. The liturgy follows familiar synagogue prayers, from Ma Tovu through the Shema and Amidah to Aleinu and Adon Olam. Within the Shema section, the congregation exalts Yeshua as God's agent of creation, revelation and redemption. Torah, Haftarah and Besorah are read in both Hebrew and English. Children gather under a raised tallit for the traditional blessings before going to Shabbat School. A dairy oneg follows the service. Afterward there are adult classes and healing prayer from the Tefillah Team. A Friday morning Shacharit service also meets.

Rabbi Nathan Joiner serves as Senior Rabbi after eight years as Associate Rabbi. Rabbi Dr. Richard C. Nichol, Senior Rabbi for almost 40 years, now serves as Rabbi Emeritus. Through the year the community keeps the holy days, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot in the sukkah, a congregational Passover Seder, Shavuot and Tisha B'Av.