Rabbi Ranon Teller is a passionate spiritual leader devoted to Jewish music, education, and community service. His multifaceted background in television writing and music enables him to lead his congregation with creativity and depth. As the senior rabbi at Congregation Birth Shalom in Houston, he has transformed prayer services, enhancing the connection between members and fostering engagement within the greater Jewish community. His unique approach to worship and educational programming has made a lasting impact on both his congregation and the broader Jewish world.

Growing up in a suburban Detroit home, Rabbi Ranon was the second of three children to Rabbi Dr. Gerald Teller and Judy Teller. Raised in a family deeply rooted in Orthodox Jewish traditions, he was introduced to the values and practices of Judaism from a young age. His early education occurred at an Orthodox Day School, followed by his attendance at Skokie Yeshiva High School outside Chicago. His love for learning led him to Israel, where he studied at an Orthodox yeshiva, immersing himself in Talmud, Jewish philosophy, theology, and sacred texts.

However, as his education in Israel progressed, Rabbi Teller began questioning the rigid orthodoxy he had been raised with. This period of introspection led him to explore new avenues, and by the time he returned to Chicago, he found himself drawn to secular pursuits. With a newfound interest in creative writing, he earned a degree in television writing from Columbia College Chicago. He worked in television, producing and writing for a Sunday morning news program called This Week with Wanda Wells. During this time, he also developed a passion for blues music, eventually learning to play guitar and performing in a rhythm and blues band. A particularly memorable gig for him was playing on Maxwell Street, a site known for its rich blues history in Chicago.

In 1996, Rabbi Ranon returned to Israel, determined to explore Jewish spirituality beyond the Orthodox traditions he had known. He engaged deeply with alternative forms of Jewish expression, particularly contemporary Chasidic music and the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. During this period, he realized that his calling lay in Jewish leadership. He studied at the Conservative rabbinical school in Jerusalem and participated in an intensive experiential Jewish education program. This journey led him to a pivotal realization that would define his future path.

In 1998, Rabbi Teller returned to the United States and enrolled at the University of Judaism, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. He focused on Jewish education and rabbinic studies, which fueled his growing passion for Jewish learning and leadership. His academic excellence was recognized in 2000 when he received his master's degree from the Fingerhut School of Education, accompanied by the Fingerhut School of Education Award for Outstanding Achievement. In 2002, he was ordained as Rabbi Ranon Teller and was honored with the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence and the Ziegler School Award for Excellence in Talmudic Studies. His journey from questioning his roots to becoming a respected rabbi is a testament to his dedication to Jewish education and spiritual leadership.