Rabbi Jonathan Scott Hanish grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where he was an active member in NFTY and BBYO. Jon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University where he double-majored in Comparative Religious Studies and Film History. Additionally, he holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema/Television and a Master of Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College. Jon received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College.

Prior to rabbinic school, Jon worked in the film and television industry where he wrote, produced, and directed documentaries, children's programs and feature films. During rabbinic school, Jon was the Student Rabbi at Bnai Israel in Butte, Montana, and was the rabbinic intern at Kehillat Israel, the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the Pacific Palisades.

After ordination, Jon was hired as Kehillat Israel's first youth and family rabbi.  While there, he was instrumental in developing their Sages program for senior citizens, their KINCaring program for those in physical and emotional need, their father/child programs, and their youth and family services for Shabbat and High Holidays.

Jon has worked hand-in-hand with the Jewish Federation by overseeing the development of the Federation's "It's a Guy Thing" program and the "Bringing Men Back" conference.  In 2010, he was asked to represent the Federation at the General Assembly where he spoke on the topic of ways to bring men and boys back to progressive Judaism.  Jon currently sits on the executive committee of the Southern California Board of Rabbis.

Jon is the proud father of Lila and Sydney and is married to Lisa Hanish.