Ranon Teller is a dynamic spiritual leader passionate about Jewish music, education, and community engagement. His background in television writing and music has shaped a distinctive approach to guiding his congregation through creative worship, educational initiatives, and communal involvement. As the senior rabbi of Congregation Birth Shalom in Houston, he has transformed traditional prayer services, deepened member participation, and expanded outreach efforts to strengthen connections within the Jewish community and beyond. An innovative spirit has marked his leadership, integrating contemporary elements into religious practice while maintaining a strong foundation in Jewish tradition. Through his dedication, he has cultivated an inclusive, vibrant environment that fosters personal growth, spiritual connection, and a sense of belonging for all who seek guidance and inspiration.

Ranon was born the second of three children to his parents, a distinguished rabbi and a devoted educator in a household deeply rooted in Orthodox Judaism. Growing up in suburban Detroit, he was immersed in Jewish life from an early age, attending an Orthodox Day School where he developed a strong foundation in religious studies. His commitment to Jewish learning continued at Skokie Yeshiva High School near Chicago, where he furthered his studies in Torah, philosophy, and Jewish law. Upon graduation, he began intense research in Israel, attending an Orthodox yeshiva where he delved into advanced Talmudic studies, theology, and sacred Jewish texts.

As Rabbi Ranon Teller's time in Israel progressed, he became increasingly disillusioned with the rigid structures of Orthodox fundamentalism. Seeking a broader perspective, he returned to Chicago and began to explore creative writing, earning a degree in television writing at Columbia College Chicago. This transition marked a significant shift in his journey as he embraced storytelling and media production, gaining experience as a writer and producer for a Sunday morning news program. During this time, he also discovered a deep appreciation for blues music, which became a transformative force in his life. Teaching himself to play guitar, he joined a rhythm and blues band, performing at renowned venues, including Chicago's legendary Maxwell Street. These artistic pursuits allowed him to express his creativity in new ways, yet he felt an undeniable pullback to his Jewish roots and the spiritual fulfillment he had once sought.

In 1996, Teller returned to Israel with a renewed curiosity and a desire to explore Judaism beyond the confines of his Orthodox upbringing. Immersing himself in alternative expressions of Jewish spirituality, he studied contemporary Chasidic music and the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, gaining a fresh perspective on faith and practice. This transformative period led him to audit classes at a Conservative rabbinical school in Jerusalem, where he also trained in experiential Jewish education programs. These experiences ignited a newfound purpose, and he realized that his true calling was in Jewish leadership. Recognizing the need for a path that blended tradition with modernity, he decided to pursue rabbinic ordination and dedicate his life to guiding others on their spiritual journeys.

Determined to fulfill this calling, Ranon Teller Rabbi returned to the United States in 1998 and enrolled at the University of Judaism, now known as the American Jewish University, in Los Angeles. He pursued degrees in Jewish education and rabbinic studies, fully immersing himself in the academic and spiritual rigor required for religious leadership. His dedication and excellence in education were evident early on, earning him a master's degree from the Fingerhut School of Education in 2000 and the Fingerhut School of Education Award for Outstanding Achievement.