Rabbi John L. Rosove is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Israel of Hollywood in Los Angeles where he served as Senior Rabbi from 1988 to 2019. He is a national co-Chair of the Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet of J Street and a past National Chairman of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) representing 1.5 million Reform Jews.
John is the author of two books –
Why Judaism Matters – Letters of a Liberal Rabbi to his Children and the Millennial Generation with an Afterword by Daniel and David Rosove (Nashville: Jewish Lights Publishing, a division of Turner Publishing Company, 2017) available at Amazon.com.
Why Israel [and its Future] Matters – Letters of a Liberal Rabbi to his Children and the Millennial Generation with an Afterword by Daniel and David Rosove (New Jersey: Ben Yehuda Press, 2019) available at Amazon.com.
John is a co-editor of Deepening the Dialogue – Jewish-Americans and Israelis Envisioning the Jewish-Democratic State (New York: CCAR Press, 2020), in English and Hebrew.
John translated and edited the Hebrew biography of his Great-granduncle – Avraham Shapira – Veteran of the Haganah and Hebrew Guard by Getzel Kressel (publ. by the Municipality of Petach Tikvah, 1955). The translation was privately published (2021).
John also translated and edited a book of Hebrew poetry, letters, and writings by his Israeli cousin Michael Shapira (1933-1952) called In the Prime of his Days with an Introduction by Hebrew University Professor Yosef Yoel Rivlin, Michael’s cousin and the father of the former President of the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin (published by Michael’s parents, Devorah and Yitzchak-Tzvi Shapira of Petach Tikvah, 1953). The volume was given to John by Michael’s parents in 1973. The translation was privately published (2022).
John was the 2002 Recipient of the World Union for Progressive Judaism International Humanitarian Award and has received special commendation from the State of Israel Bonds. In 2013 he was honored by J Street at its Fifth Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles.
John wrote a series of 8 Jewish Life Cycle Guides. The Guide Preparing for Jewish Burial and Mourning appears on the web-site of Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles. (http://hillsidememorial.org/jewish-lifecycle-guide/).
John writes a regular blog that appears at The Times of Israel at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/john-l-rosove/ and this blog – https://rabbijohnrosove.blog/. His Facebook site is www.facebook.com/RabbiJohnLRosove
John is married to Barbara. They are the parents of two sons – Daniel and David. Daniel is married to Marina. John and Barbara have two grandchildren and live in Los Angeles.
Hello John,
I met your lovely wife Barbara the night you were being honored. I’m a makeup artist for Chanel and helped her choose some colors for this auspicious occasion. I look forward to meeting you and coming to a Friday night service.
Best regards,
Bonnie Benefield
Rabbi Rosove,
I was reading a sermon you wrote last year for Kol Nidre called “What I wish for you.”. It was beautiful. You began with a story about the man wishing to enter the inner chambers of a castle. You mentioned that you were unable to find the source. I think the source is from Fran’s Kafka’s “The Trial.” Again, great sermon.
Thanks Ari – kol tuv.
John
And of course, mazel tov on your retirement.
Ari
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Rabbi Rosove,
Just read your recent article on Israel in Reform Judaism.org. As Always, I couldn’t agree more. It’s been many years since you left Washington Hebrew Cong. I am still teaching there. I wish you the best in your “retirement”. Please know, I will never forget the very positive impact you had on me and WHC. even though you were only here for a little over two years.
L’chaim,
Paul Nass
Hi Rabbi Rosove,
I represent a community in Pittsburgh interested in using some of your materials in our High Holiday services this year and was hoping to connect and request permission to print some works. We are in the process of developing a Machzor that will be in place for the next several years.
Feel free to respond to this comment or email me your thoughts at brenna@kesherpittsburgh.org.
Thank you for your openness to consider contributing to us by allowing us to include your words.