Jeremy Rosen - Revision history

David: /* Rabbinic and educational career */

2026-02-20T13:33:13Z

Rabbinic and educational career

David: /* Abuse allegations at Carmel College */

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Abuse allegations at Carmel College

David: /* Abuse allegations at Carmel College */

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Abuse allegations at Carmel College

David: Created page with "{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi, educator and writer (born 1942)}} {{Infobox person | name = Rabbi Jeremy Rosen | image = | alt..."

2026-02-20T10:34:52Z

Created page with "{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi, educator and writer (born 1942)}} {{Infobox person | name = Rabbi Jeremy Rosen | image = | alt..."

New page

{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi, educator and writer (born 1942)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rabbi Jeremy Rosen
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Jeremy Rosen
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|9|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Manchester, England
| nationality = British
| occupation = Rabbi, educator, writer
| known_for = Headmaster of [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)]], founder of Yakar Educational Foundation, writings on Jewish thought
| spouse = Vera Zippel (m. 1971; div. 1986)<br>Susana Kaszirer (m. 1988)
| children = 4
| parents = [[Kopul Rosen]] (father)<br>Bella Rosen (mother)
| relatives = Israel Rosen (brother)
}}

'''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.<ref name="LockdownUni">The Lockdown University, [https://www.lockdownuniversity.org/lecturers/jeremy-rosen Jeremy Rosen] ''lockdownuniversity.org'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> The eldest son of [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)|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.<ref name="JewishIdeas">Jewish Ideas, [https://www.jewishideas.org/jeremy-rosen Jeremy Rosen] ''jewishideas.org'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> 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.<ref name="TimesIsrael">The Times of Israel Blogs, [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/jeremy-rosen/ Jeremy Rosen author page] ''blogs.timesofisrael.com'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref>

Rosen has written extensively on Jewish theology, ethics, history and contemporary issues, advocating a Judaism that rejects dogmatic extremism and discrimination.<ref name="Tikkun">Tikkun, [https://www.tikkun.org/religio-fascism Religio-Fascism] ''tikkun.org'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> 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.<ref name="LockdownUni" /> His father, a Mir Yeshiva alumnus, founded [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)|Carmel College]] in 1948 as a Jewish boarding school combining rigorous secular education with Orthodox observance.<ref name="Explorabilia">Explorabilia, [https://explorabilia.co.uk/2019/12/04/dark-modernism-carmel-college/ Dark Modernism: Carmel College] ''explorabilia.co.uk'', 4 December 2019.</ref>

Rosen attended [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)|Carmel College]] himself, later studying at Cambridge University and receiving rabbinic ordination at Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem.<ref name="JewishIdeas" /> 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.<ref name="LubofScot">Lubavitch of Scotland, [http://www.lubofscot.co.uk/AnniversaryDinner.html Anniversary Dinner] ''lubofscot.co.uk'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> In 1971 he returned to [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)|Carmel College]] as headmaster, succeeding his father and steering the institution until 1984 amid financial and structural challenges.<ref name="Explorabilia" />

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.<ref name="JewishIdeas" /> By 2012 Rosen had settled in Manhattan, New York, where he continues teaching, writing and lecturing.<ref name="LockdownUni" />

== Involvement with Chabad-Lubavitch ==
While not formally affiliated with [[Chabad-Lubavitch]], Rosen actively supported its outreach in Scotland.<ref name="LubofScot" /> 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]].<ref name="YouTubeTribute">YouTube, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prEE1yjmcWk Rabbi Jeremy Rosen tribute to Rabbi Chaim Jacobs] ''youtube.com'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref>

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."<ref name="YouTubeTribute" /> 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."<ref name="YouTubeTribute" />

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."<ref name="YouTubeTribute" /> He has described himself as a "fellow traveler" with Chabad, admiring their dedication while critiquing certain theological claims.<ref name="JeremyRosenBlog">Jeremy Rosen, [https://jeremyrosen.com/2006/02/chabad-myths.html Chabad Myths] ''jeremyrosen.com'', February 2006.</ref>

== 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.<ref name="Guardian">The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/14/acclaimed-composer-tells-of-sexual-abuse-at-carmel-college Acclaimed composer tells of sexual abuse at Carmel College] ''The Guardian'', 14 February 2018.</ref> 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.<ref name="Guardian" /> Bolton was dismissed in 1988, after Rosen's resignation, following parental complaints about indecent letters.<ref name="BBC">BBC, [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34604157 Victims of former Carmel College housemaster describe years of sexual abuse] ''BBC News'', 22 October 2015.</ref> 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.<ref name="Explorabilia">Explorabilia, [https://explorabilia.co.uk/2019/12/04/dark-modernism-carmel-college/ Dark Modernism: Carmel College] ''explorabilia.co.uk'', 4 December 2019.</ref>

== Writings and views ==
Rosen maintains an active blog on [[The Times of Israel]]<Ref>https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/jeremy-rosen/</ref>, addressing theology, antisemitism, Israeli politics and Jewish ethics.<ref name="TimesIsrael" /> He has criticised religio-fascist tendencies within Judaism and questioned aspects of the Zionist regime's policies.<ref name="Tikkun" />

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'.<ref name="TimesIsrael" />

== 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.<ref name="LockdownUni" />

== See also ==
[[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)]]
[[Kopul Rosen]]
[[Chabad-Lubavitch UK]]

== External links ==
* [https://jeremyrosen.com/ Official website]
* [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/jeremy-rosen/ The Times of Israel blog]
==Notes==
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British rabbis]]
[[Category:British educators]]
[[Category:People educated at Carmel College, Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge]]

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 :“Carmel in my time was a caring community and anything that betrayed that care is a stain on its stellar reputation and achievements.”<ref name="Guardian" />
-Bolton was dismissed in 1988, after Rosen's resignation, following parental complaints about indecent letters.<ref name="BBC">BBC, [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34604157 Victims of former Carmel College housemaster describe years of sexual abuse] ''BBC News'', 22 October 2015.</ref> 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.<ref name="Explorabilia">Explorabilia, [https://explorabilia.co.uk/2019/12/04/dark-modernism-carmel-college/ Dark Modernism: Carmel College] ''explorabilia.co.uk'', 4 December 2019.</ref>
+Bolton was dismissed in 1988, after Rosen's resignation, following parental complaints about indecent letters.<ref name="BBC">BBC, [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34604157 Victims of former Carmel College housemaster describe years of sexual abuse] ''BBC News'', 22 October 2015.</ref> 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:
 == Writings and views ==

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 == Rabbinic and educational career ==
-Rosen began his rabbinic career in Glasgow at Giffnock Shul during the early 1970s.<ref name="LubofScot">Lubavitch of Scotland, [http://www.lubofscot.co.uk/AnniversaryDinner.html Anniversary Dinner] ''lubofscot.co.uk'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> In 1971 he returned to [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)|Carmel College]] as headmaster, succeeding his father and steering the institution until 1984 amid financial and structural challenges.<ref name="Explorabilia" />
+Rosen began his rabbinic career in Glasgow at [[Giffnock Shul]] during the early 1970s.<ref name="LubofScot">Lubavitch of Scotland, [http://www.lubofscot.co.uk/AnniversaryDinner.html Anniversary Dinner] ''lubofscot.co.uk'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> In 1971 he returned to [[Carmel College (Oxfordshire)|Carmel College]] as headmaster, succeeding his father and steering the institution until 1984 amid financial and structural challenges.<ref name="Explorabilia" />
 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.<ref name="JewishIdeas" /> By 2012 Rosen had settled in Manhattan, New York, where he continues teaching, writing and lecturing.<ref name="LockdownUni" />

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 == 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.<ref name="Guardian">The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/14/acclaimed-composer-tells-of-sexual-abuse-at-carmel-college Acclaimed composer tells of sexual abuse at Carmel College] ''The Guardian'', 14 February 2018.</ref> 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.<ref name="Guardian" /> Bolton was dismissed in 1988, after Rosen's resignation, following parental complaints about indecent letters.<ref name="BBC">BBC, [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34604157 Victims of former Carmel College housemaster describe years of sexual abuse] ''BBC News'', 22 October 2015.</ref> 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.<ref name="Explorabilia">Explorabilia, [https://explorabilia.co.uk/2019/12/04/dark-modernism-carmel-college/ Dark Modernism: Carmel College] ''explorabilia.co.uk'', 4 December 2019.</ref>
+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.<ref name="Guardian">The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/14/acclaimed-composer-tells-of-sexual-abuse-at-carmel-college Acclaimed composer tells of sexual abuse at Carmel College] ''The Guardian'', 14 February 2018.</ref> 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:
 == Writings and views ==