Rabbi Ranon Teller Male • United States of America

Rabbi Ranon Teller is a dedicated spiritual leader whose passion for Jewish music, education, and community engagement has defined his rabbinic career. With a unique background in television writing and music, he brings creativity and innovation to worship, educational programming, and communal outreach. As the senior rabbi at Congregation Birth Shalom in Houston, he has reshaped prayer services, deepened member engagement, and cultivated strong relationships within the broader Jewish community and beyond. His ability to intertwine tradition with modern expression has created a dynamic and spiritually enriching environment that resonates with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that Jewish values remain accessible and meaningful.

Raised in a household where Orthodox Judaism was central to daily life, Ranon was the second of three children born into a family devoted to faith, scholarship, and community. His parents instilled in him a love for Jewish learning and practice, which was further reinforced through his education at an Orthodox Day School. As he progressed academically, he attended Skokie Yeshiva High School outside Chicago, where he deepened his knowledge of Jewish law, theology, and philosophy. Seeking a more immersive experience, he moved to Israel after high school to study at an Orthodox yeshiva. He dedicated himself to advanced Talmudic studies, exploring sacred texts, religious rituals, and theological discourse there. However, as he delved further into his studies, he began questioning the rigid structures and fundamentalist perspectives that defined his educational environment, leading him to seek a broader understanding of faith and identity.

During his final years in Israel, Rabbi Ranon Teller began feeling disconnected from the stringent orthodoxy that had shaped his upbringing. He returned to Chicago and pursued a more secular path, channeling his creative energy into storytelling and artistic expression. He enrolled at Columbia College Chicago, where he earned a degree in television writing, blending his analytical skills with a passion for narrative. This transition led to a successful stint in the television industry, where he worked as a writer and producer for the Sunday morning news program This Week with Wanda Wells. Alongside his work in media, he developed a deep appreciation for blues music, immersing himself in its rich cultural and historical roots. After learning to play the guitar, he joined a rhythm and blues band, performing at various venues, including a memorable set on Maxwell Street, a landmark of Chicago blues. Despite his engagement in secular pursuits, he felt an undeniable pull back to his Jewish roots, prompting a profound reevaluation of his spiritual journey.

In 1996, Teller returned to Israel with a renewed curiosity and purpose, determined to explore alternative approaches to Jewish spirituality and practice. Moving beyond the confines of his Orthodox upbringing, he sought new ways to engage with Judaism, studying contemporary Chasidic music and immersing himself in the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, a visionary leader in Jewish Renewal. This discovery period led him to audit classes at the Conservative rabbinical school in Jerusalem, where he encountered a more inclusive and pluralistic approach to Jewish learning. Additionally, he participated in an intensive experiential Jewish education program, refining his skills in teaching, community building, and spiritual leadership. During this transformative time, he realized his true calling lay in Jewish leadership, inspiring him to become a rabbi formally.

Determined to further his studies and embrace a leadership role within the Jewish community, Ranon Teller Rabbi returned to the United States in 1998 and enrolled at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, now known as the American Jewish University. There, he pursued a degree in Jewish education and rabbinic ordination, immersing himself in rigorous academic study while refining his ability to connect with individuals through teaching and spiritual guidance. His commitment to education was evident in his achievements. In 2000, he earned a master's degree from the Fingerhut School of Education, receiving the Fingerhut School of Education Award for Outstanding Achievement. As he progressed in his rabbinic training, he demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leading to his ordination in 2002. His academic excellence was further recognized when he was honored with the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence and the Ziegler School Award for Excellence in Talmudic Studies. In May 2022, his contributions to Jewish education and leadership were acknowledged again when he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, solidifying his place as a distinguished and influential figure in contemporary Jewish life.