Rabbi John L. Rosove

Rabbi John L. Rosove assumed his duties as Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel of Hollywood in November 1988. A native of Los Angeles, he earned a BA in Art History from UC Berkeley (1972), a Masters in Hebrew Letters from HUC-JIR, LA (1976), Rabbinic Ordination from HUC-JIR, NY (1979), and a Doctor of Divinity from HUC-JIR, LA (2004).

His mission has been to build Jewish community and draw Jews and their families closer to God, the Torah, Jewish tradition, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel as a Jewish national home. He regards social justice work and high ethical practices as essential core Jewish religious values.

He is a passionate progressive Reform Zionist, is a national co-Chair of the Rabbinic Cabinet of J Street, a pro-Israel pro-peace political and educational organization in Washington, D.C., on the board of the American Friends of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), the Advisory Committee of the Daniel Center of Tel Aviv, and the Israel Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR).

He 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.

He formed twin synagogue relationships between Temple Israel of Hollywood and Kehillat Mevasseret Zion, Israel, and with Congregation Darchei Noam in Ramat Hasharon, Israel, as well as with the Progressive Synagogues in Kiev and Kharkov, Ukraine.

During his tenure Rabbi Rosove has overseen the rebirth of Temple Israel of Hollywood and spearheaded a number of new education and social action projects including the Temple’s Day School and Big Sunday Weekend of Service that puts 50,000 Los Angelenos to work each year. He has been an advocate for liturgical change and stronger adult learning, and inspired Temple Israel’s participation in the Synagogue 2000 program. He oversaw the creation of the Temple’s High Holyday Machzor and its Shabbat and Festival Siddur. He has written a series of eight Jewish Life Cycle Guides that are posted on the TIOH website and given as a gift for all synagogue members. The guide, “Preparing for Jewish Burial and Mourning,” also appears on the web-site of Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.

John and his wife, Barbara, are the loving parents of two sons, Daniel (age 27) and David (age 22).