 Rabbi Seymour Rossel is best known throughout the Jewish world as the author of more than thirty books, including Bible Dreams: The Spiritual Quest, A Child’s Bible, When a Jew Prays, When a Jew Seeks Wisdom, A Thousand and One Chickens, Managing the Jewish Classroom, and A Congregation of Learners. In addition, he has edited nearly 300 books, having worked with nearly every distinguished Jewish author of our times.
Before coming to CJCN, Rabbi Rossel was Director of Pathways Foundation, an advocacy program for Jewish teens and Jewish dreams. Prior to moving to Houston with his wife, Sharon L. Wechter, he served the American Reform movement on the national scene: as Director of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Press, Director of the URJ Department of Education, Director of the Joint Commission on Reform Jewish Education, and Academic Coordinator of the School of Education of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, NY. He is the former Executive Vice-President of Behrman House Publishers, Inc., and the former President of Rossel Books. He also has a strong background in organizational work, having served as an officer and board member for the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE) and the National Association of Temple Educators (NATE); and on the board of the Jewish Book Council. Rabbi Rossel is a founding member of CAJE and served as Chairperson for its two international conferences, CAJE 13 and CAJE 21, both held at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
As speaker, author, and editor, Rabbi Rossel is listed in Who's Who in the Eastern States, Contemporary Authors, The International Authors and Writers Who's Who, as well as Who's Who in World Jewry. He holds the Bonei HaNegev award for excellence in Jewish Education and served as an ex-officio member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He lectures widely on dreams, Bible, Jewish history, education, and values; and conducts teacher, board, and congregational workshops and retreats in communities throughout North America. Rabbi Rossel maintain his own web site, which includes essays and two full-length books, at www.Rossel.net. Read his words to the congregation here. To send him an EMail, click here.
Letter from Rabbi Sharf to Rabbi Rossell
Rabbi Seymour Rossel
Congregation Jewish Community North
5400 Fellowship Lane
Spring, Texas |
|
August 31, 2005 26 Av 5765 |
Dear Seymour,
Linda and 1 are thrilled you have chosen to serve as the Interim Rabbi of Congregation Jewish Community North. We are sorry that a previous commitment to participate in the installation of our son Ben as Assistant Rabbi in Tucson has prevented us from being with you on this special Shabbat.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah bless you and your family every day. May it be Your will, O God, that Seymour's thoughts and actions as the spiritual leader of this holy community lead to a greater understanding of Torah, an increase in acts of Tzadakah and cause more families to live in harmony. Seymour, may the light of your extensive knowledge of our tradition cause a new brightness and warmth to encompass our Shabbat and Yom Tov Services, your well known dedication to Jewish education set an example that will cause us to enhance the wisdom transmitted in our educational programs, and your love of Klal Yisrael inspire us to increase the quantity and quality of our acts of Gemelut Chasadim for all our people whether we are living in America, rebuilding the State of Israel or inhabiting other countries around the world. As a personal favor, O God, please grant Seymour an extra portion of patience and understanding that will allow him to overcome those little bumps in the road that arise in the course of the life of all synagogues.
Our God and God of our ancestors, inspire the lips of all those who have been appointed by Your people to stand in prayer before You. Teach us what to say, hearken to our petitions, and instruct us how to best glorify Your Holy Name. May we always walk in the light of Your Spirit as we seek to elevate the lives those entrusted to our care.
|
Rabbi Robert S. Sharif, O. Min., D.O.
Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Jewish Community North
|
|
Clergy and Staff 