Rabbi Emeritus Dean Kertesz

Rabbi Emeritus Dean Kertesz: A Lifelong Connection to Temple Beth Hillel

Intelligent, down to earth, and blessed with a good sense of humor, Rabbi Emeritus Dean Kertesz has deep roots at Temple Beth Hillel. He grew up in our community, attended religious school, became a Bar Mitzvah, and was confirmed right here at our temple. Many longtime members still fondly remember Dean as a child and young adult in our congregation.

After a meaningful and impactful second career in the rabbinate, Rabbi Kertesz has retired from active congregational leadership and now holds the title of Rabbi Emeritus. His journey back to Temple Beth Hillel was more than a professional step—it was a heartfelt return to his spiritual home. He brought with him a rich tapestry of life experience, including his work as a professional fundraiser for Jewish organizations and his deep personal exploration of Jewish spirituality and meaning.

As Rabbi Kertesz once said:

“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.”

His educational background reflects this dedication to lifelong learning. He holds a B.A. in American History from Reed College and studied at the Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley in the early 1990s. He lived in Israel during the 1980s and again with his family from 1992 to 1994. A Wexner Heritage Foundation Fellow from 1996 to 1998, he began rabbinical studies at the Academy of Jewish Religion in Los Angeles in 2002 and was ordained in 2007.

Throughout his years of service, Rabbi Kertesz was also an active presence at Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, where he often led services, taught, and officiated life cycle events.

He now enjoys retirement in El Cerrito with his wife Carla, an acupuncturist, and their two children, Simone and Avi. Though officially retired, Rabbi Kertesz continues to be a source of wisdom, warmth, and connection in our community.

When asked what he is most passionate about, he replied:

“Serving God and the Jewish people by helping to nurture a community that is open to all, cares about one another, and is seriously committed to increasing Jewish learning and spiritual practice.”