Rabbi Ranon Teller

Rabbi Ranon Teller is a dedicated spiritual leader passionate about Jewish music, education, and community building. With a background in television writing and music, he brings a creative and engaging approach to worship, educational programming, and communal outreach. As the senior rabbi at Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, he has revitalized prayer services, deepened member engagement, and strengthened connections within the broader Jewish community. His leadership has fostered an inclusive and dynamic environment, making Jewish tradition more accessible and meaningful to congregants of all backgrounds. His innovative approach has transformed how his community experiences Jewish life, ensuring faith, learning, and music remain central to spiritual growth.

Raised in a household devoted to Orthodox Judaism, Rabbi Ranon grew up in suburban Detroit as the second of three children. His father, a respected rabbi and scholar, and his mother, a deeply committed Jewish educator, instilled in him a strong foundation in faith, learning, and tradition. From an early age, he was immersed in Jewish education, attending an Orthodox Day School before continuing his studies at Skokie Yeshiva High School near Chicago. His formative years were shaped by the rigorous study of Jewish law, philosophy, and sacred texts, which nurtured his intellectual curiosity and spiritual devotion. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he moved to Israel after high school to study at an Orthodox yeshiva, where he delved deeper into Jewish theology and Talmudic scholarship.

During his time in Israel, Rabbi Ranon Teller began questioning the rigid fundamentalism he encountered in the yeshiva world. While he remained committed to his faith, he felt a pull toward broader intellectual and creative pursuits. Returning to Chicago, he embarked on a secular career, enrolling at Columbia College Chicago to study television writing. His passion for storytelling led him into the television industry, where he worked as a writer and producer for the Sunday morning news program This Week with Wanda Wells. This experience honed his ability to communicate complex ideas in an engaging and relatable manner, a skill that would later become invaluable in his rabbinical work. At the same time, he immersed himself in music, developing a deep appreciation for rhythm and blues.