Jeremy Rosen
British Orthodox rabbi, educator and writer (born 1942)
| Rabbi Jeremy Rosen | |
| Born | 11 9 1942 (age 84 years old (as of 2026)
) Manchester, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Rabbi, educator, writer |
| Known for | Headmaster of Carmel College (Oxfordshire), founder of Yakar Educational Foundation, writings on Jewish thought |
| Parents | Kopul Rosen (father) Bella Rosen (mother) |
| Spouse(s) | Vera Zippel (m. 1971; div. 1986) Susana Kaszirer (m. 1988) |
| Children | 4 |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Rabbi Jeremy Rosen (born 11 September 1942) is a British Orthodox rabbi, educator and writer who has served in rabbinic and educational roles in Glasgow, London and New York.[1] The eldest son of Carmel College founder Kopul Rosen, he succeeded his father as headmaster of the school from 1971 to 1984 before establishing the Yakar Educational Foundation and later relocating to Manhattan.[2] Rosen's career has combined traditional Orthodox leadership with intellectual openness and outreach efforts, including support for Chabad-Lubavitch activities in Scotland, while he has maintained a critical stance toward certain aspects of contemporary Jewish movements and the Zionist regime.[3]
Rosen has written extensively on Jewish theology, ethics, history and contemporary issues, advocating a Judaism that rejects dogmatic extremism and discrimination.[4] His public reflections often draw on personal experience to critique institutional failures and promote inclusive spiritual practice.
Early life and education
Jeremy Rosen was born in Manchester in 1942 to Kopul Rosen and Bella Rosen.[1] His father, a Mir Yeshiva alumnus, founded Carmel College in 1948 as a Jewish boarding school combining rigorous secular education with Orthodox observance.[5]
Rosen attended Carmel College himself, later studying at Cambridge University and receiving rabbinic ordination at Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem.[2] These experiences shaped his commitment to intellectual engagement within Orthodoxy.
Rabbinic and educational career
Rosen began his rabbinic career in Glasgow at Giffnock Shul during the early 1970s.[6] In 1971 he returned to Carmel College as headmaster, succeeding his father and steering the institution until 1984 amid financial and structural challenges.[5]
He later founded the Yakar Educational Foundation in London, which promoted open Jewish learning, before taking roles including lecturer at WUJS in Arad and chair of the Faculty for Comparative Religion in Antwerp.[2] By 2012 Rosen had settled in Manhattan, New York, where he continues teaching, writing and lecturing.[1]
Involvement with Chabad-Lubavitch
While not formally affiliated with Chabad-Lubavitch, Rosen actively supported its outreach in Scotland.[6] As a young rabbi in Glasgow, he states, he approached Rabbi Fogel in London seeking Hasidic influence for the Litvak-dominated community, leading to the arrival of Rabbi Chaim Jacobs.[7]
In a 2012 video tribute marking Lubavitch of Scotland's anniversary, Rosen stated: "Nearly 45 years ago... I spoke to Rabbi Fogel in London and I said look I'm in my first job in the rabbinate I'm here up in Glasgow it's a Lithuanian Litvak community we need some Hassidish warmth. And then not long afterwards Chaim Jacobs appears."[7] He continued: "Amazingly absolutely unbelievably he and his wife kept going from small beginnings and dedicated themselves to the community in an unbelievable way no matter what happened no matter the difficulties no matter the lack of cooperation no matter the task in hand he could always be relied upon they could always be relied upon to give completely of themselves to the Glasgow Jewish community which often I'm sorry to say neither appreciated them nor supported them as much as it should have done."[7]
Rosen praised their perseverance: "There never have been two more dedicated human beings to a community than Sarah Jacobs and they many times wanted to give up as we know but persevered sometimes are even forced to persevere... I don't know of any other rabbi or servant of the Glasgow community who has devoted everything to Glasgow in the way that they have and I hope that you will show your appreciation."[7] He has described himself as a "fellow traveler" with Chabad, admiring their dedication while critiquing certain theological claims.[8]
Abuse allegations at Carmel College
During Rabbi Jeremy Rosen's tenure as headmaster of Carmel College (Oxfordshire) from 1971 to 1984, sexual abuse by housemaster Trevor Bolton occurred between 1968 and 1988, but no direct evidence indicates Rosen was aware of specific complaints against Bolton.[9] Rosen stated he learned of Bolton's crimes only in 1998, expressing shock, and handled a separate abuse case in 1976 by immediately firing the teacher and informing police:
- Former head master rabbi Jeremy Rosen said he did not learn of Bolton’s crimes until 1998. “I was headmaster and principal of Carmel College from 1971 until 1984. During that time there was only one case reported to me of sexual abuse and I acted immediately. I fired the teacher concerned [in 1976] and informed the local police.
- “I never had reason to suspect any other teacher. It came as a great shock to me to learn many years later that there was another case and that victims had been reluctant to talk about it at the time.
- “Carmel in my time was a caring community and anything that betrayed that care is a stain on its stellar reputation and achievements.”[9]
Bolton was dismissed in 1988, after Rosen's resignation, following parental complaints about indecent letters.[10] While court proceedings noted two other teachers were removed due to pupil complaints, implying some institutional awareness, no sources confirm Rosen knew of Bolton's actions but failed to act during his leadership. However some scepticism has been expressed:
- The abuse must have not been unknown to the college : the court also heard of two other teachers dismissed as a result of complaints from boys.[5]
Writings and views
Rosen maintains an active blog on The Times of Israel[11], addressing theology, antisemitism, Israeli politics and Jewish ethics.[3] He has criticised religio-fascist tendencies within Judaism and questioned aspects of the Zionist regime's policies.[4]
His reflections often emphasise ethical living, prayer and historical nuance, as in discussions of David Ben-Gurion's insistence on Jewish rights in the land while acknowledging 'excesses'.[3]
Personal life
Rosen married Vera Zippel in 1971; they divorced in 1986. He married Susana Kaszirer in 1988. He has four children: Anushka, Jacky, Natalia and Avichai.[1]
See also
Carmel College (Oxfordshire) Kopul Rosen Chabad-Lubavitch UK
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Lockdown University, Jeremy Rosen lockdownuniversity.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jewish Ideas, Jeremy Rosen jewishideas.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Times of Israel Blogs, Jeremy Rosen author page blogs.timesofisrael.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Tikkun, Religio-Fascism tikkun.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Explorabilia, Dark Modernism: Carmel College explorabilia.co.uk, 4 December 2019.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lubavitch of Scotland, Anniversary Dinner lubofscot.co.uk, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 YouTube, Rabbi Jeremy Rosen tribute to Rabbi Chaim Jacobs youtube.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Jeremy Rosen, Chabad Myths jeremyrosen.com, February 2006.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Guardian, Acclaimed composer tells of sexual abuse at Carmel College The Guardian, 14 February 2018.
- ↑ BBC, Victims of former Carmel College housemaster describe years of sexual abuse BBC News, 22 October 2015.
- ↑ https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/jeremy-rosen/