Rabbi Dean Kertesz

Intelligent, down to earth, with a good sense of humor, Rabbi Dean Kertesz returns to his roots as rabbi at Temple Beth Hillel. Rabbi Kertesz grew up at Temple Beth Hillel, attended religious school, became a Bar Mitzvah and was confirmed at our temple. Many older members share stories of Dean as a child and young man. 

Deciding to become a rabbi in his middle years he brings his life experience working with a variety of synagogues and Jewish organizations as a professional fund-raiser. More importantly, he brings his personal quest for Jewish spirituality and meaning, as well as his knowledge and education. As he puts it, “I hope that I combine the life experience of a middle-aged man with the enthusiasm of one who is new to the rabbinate. I have chosen to pursue the rabbinate as a calling in mid-life because I feel drawn to helping individuals find meaning in their lives through growth in Torah and Jewish spiritual practice, much as I have done.” 

Rabbi Kertesz’s education reflects his commitment to Jewish learning. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History from Reed College. In the early 1990’s he studied at The Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He lived in Israel in the early 1980’s and again with his family from 1992 through 1994. He was a Wexner Heritage Foundation Fellow – a national Jewish education program for Jewish leaders – from 1996 through 1998. He began the Rabbinic Program at the Academy of Jewish Religion in Los Angeles in 2002 and was be recently ordained in May 2008. 

Prior to coming to Temple Beth Hillel Rabbi Kertesz has been an active volunteer at Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley for a number of years, often filling in for the rabbi leading services, teaching, and facilitating life cycle events. Previously, he has served as a rabbinic intern at Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon, teaching, counseling and developing special projects focused on strengthening Jewish practice and outreach to the unaffiliated. He lives in El Cerrito, with his wife Carla, an acupuncturist, and their two children, Simone and Avi.