About Rene
Rabbi Rene Pfertzel is a progressive leader deeply passionate about weaving together stories, music, history and texts of the Jewish tradition to create a rich tapestry of spiritual and communal life. With a PhD in Biblical Studies, focused on the textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, Rabbi Rene brings a scholarly approach to his teaching and religious practice.
Rabbi Rene Pfertzel received his Rabbinic Ordination through the Leo Baeck College, situated in North London, in 2014.
Rabbi Rene Pfertzel
Prior to his rabbinic journey, Rabbi Rene was a History teacher in France, he earned the “Agrégation d’Histoire” in 1991 at the University of Strasbourg in Alsace, alongside with working with progressive Jewish communities in France, in Strasbourg and Lyon.
Rabbi Rene seeks to engage communities in meaningful dialogue, bridging tradition with contemporary insights to foster a spiritual, vibrant and inclusive environment.
“Adhering to Progressive Judaism does not mean that our current of Judaism is a Judaism of progress, and all the others are stuck in the darkness of the Middle Ages. The notion of Judaism as “progressive” finds its roots in the philosophy of Herman Cohen, who in 1919, in his seminal work The Religion of Reason, explained that Revelation, like Creation, is an enduring, ongoing process that began at Sinai and continues to this day. That notion was at the heart of the Rabbinic project in the Talmud, who transformed a religion focused on the Temple of Jerusalem to a religion rooted in texts, prayers, and actions. Change, whether we like it or not, is unstoppable. We accompany the changes in our world, and we bring the light of our Tradition and its values that are universal and eternal. “
– Rabbi Rene Pfertzel
My Beliefs & Values
Ethics
A group, a community, or a society cannot fulfil its role without a strong sense of ethics. The Jewish Tradition contains values that are universal and eternal. They are not specifically Jewish: they are human. In a world that is losing its moral compass, our mission is to remind our fellows of the cement of a fair and just society
Community
A community cannot fulfill its purpose without a strong ethical foundation. The Jewish tradition contains values that are universal and timeless—not exclusively Jewish, but fundamentally human. In today’s world, where moral clarity often seems lacking, our mission is to remind others of these essential principles that serve as the foundation of a fair and just society.
Narrative
We are defined by the stories we tell about ourselves. Each group, each human being has created a narrative about itself that is unique and is charged with meaning. A Jewish story is rooted in our ancient texts and history. As Amos Oz and Fania Oz-Salzberger one wrote, “ours is not a blood line; ours is a text-line”. Torah study is central to the Jewish experience, and is at the heart of the Jewish conversation.
Israel
Israel stands at the heart of Jewish identity, with events there deeply affecting Jewish communities worldwide in a profound, reciprocal relationship. My Zionist views are rooted in the democratic principles of Israel’s 1948 Declaration of Independence, which promised equality, freedom, and justice for all citizens. I support the progressive and liberal voices within Israeli society who work to uphold these founding values while addressing the complex challenges of the modern Middle East.