Rabbi Prof.
Renana Peres
Prayer Leader · Scholar · Paytan
Rabbi Prof. Renana Peres is an ordained rabbi, prayer leader, educator, internationally recognized scholar, and accomplished paytan. She creates services that combine Jewish liturgy, music, learning, and genuine community participation.
Her work brings together Ashkenazi nusach, Middle Eastern piyyut, academic scholarship, and experience with diverse Jewish communities in Israel and abroad.
A rabbinic and academic life, together
Rabbi Prof. Renana Peres was ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem in 2020 and also holds an additional traditional rabbinic ordination. She has extensive experience leading High Holiday, Shabbat, and festival services, as well as Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies and other life-cycle events.
Alongside her rabbinic work, she is Professor of Marketing at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and holds a part-time Distinguished Professorship at Shandong University in China. She previously served as Visiting Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and at NYU Stern School of Business. She is also Vice President for Global Relations of the European Marketing Academy.
Her academic and rabbinic work has taken her around the world. She feels at home leading Jewish life in Israel and abroad, and values communities that celebrate Jewish tradition while welcoming varied backgrounds and perspectives.
Leading services with depth and participation
Rabbi Peres has led High Holiday, Shabbat, and festival services in congregations and private Jewish communities in Israel and abroad. Her services combine liturgical depth, thoughtful teaching, music, and active participation.
- High Holiday rabbi for Kehilat Tivon
- High Holiday rabbi for Kehilat Brit Olam in Kiryat Ono
- High Holiday services for private Jewish communities worldwide
- Regular Shabbat and holiday leadership at Kehilat Kamatz in Mevaseret Zion
- Responsibility for Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies at Kehilat Kamatz
- Two years as student rabbi at Kehilat Mevakshei Derech in Jerusalem
- Familiarity with Reconstructionist liturgy and communal life
Approach to Prayer
Prayer is most powerful when it combines beautiful liturgy, thoughtful interpretation, and genuine community participation. Rabbi Peres seeks to create services that are intellectually engaging, musically rich, and accessible to people with different levels of Jewish knowledge.
Rooted in tradition, open to participation
Rabbi Peres is an accomplished paytan with extensive training in both Ashkenazi nusach and the musical traditions of Middle Eastern Jewish communities. Her approach brings together Eastern and Western traditions while preserving the integrity of each.
Her musical training and collaboration include work with Prof. Eli Schleifer, vocalist Ayala Sicron, and paytan Roni Ish-Ran, spanning Ashkenazi nusach, Middle Eastern piyyut, Hebrew liturgy, and participatory singing.
“Rooted in tradition, open to participation.”
An international academic and rabbinic career
Rabbi Peres combines rabbinic leadership with an international academic career. She is Professor of Marketing at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a part-time Distinguished Professor at Shandong University in China, and a former Visiting Professor at Wharton and NYU Stern. As Vice President for Global Relations of the European Marketing Academy, she works regularly across countries and cultures.
She leads services fluently in Hebrew and English and is comfortable working with international communities of academics, executives, diplomats, students, families, and professionals.
Gallery
Prayer
Leading services, Torah reading, the bimah, High Holiday settingsCommunity
Bar and Bat Mitzvah, teaching, congregational life, familiesMusic
Singing, guitar, piyyut momentsMeet Rabbi Prof. Renana Peres
Introduction video coming soon
Rabbinic Profile
A short PDF summary of rabbinic and academic experience.