Our Rabbi

Rabbi Sam Rose 

A native of Norfolk, VA, Rabbi Sam Rose joins the Temple of Israel congregational family after serving for six years as the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, TX. Rabbi Rose loves to teach. While at CBI, Rabbi Rose engaged with congregants of all ages: teaching in the religious school, working with b’nai mitzvah students, and leading a variety of adult education programs. Rabbi Rose is also passionate about working on issues of social justice and interfaith dialogue. In pursuing those passions he served on the board, strategy team, and clergy caucus for Austin Interfaith, the Industrial Area Foundation’s Austin affiliate. He also served on the board of Shalom Austin, the 501(c)(3) comprised of Jewish Federation of Greater Austin, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Foundation of Austin and Central Texas.

Prior to joining CBI in Austin, Rabbi Rose and his wife Andrea lived in Cincinnati, OH, where they did their best not to freeze in the winter while Rabbi Rose attended Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. During his rabbinic training, he served as student rabbi for Congregation Gates of Prayer in New Iberia, LA, and B’nai Sholom in Quincy, IL. He spent a summer as a rabbinic intern in the San Francisco Bay Area working with the Bay Area Organizing Committee and the Marin Organizing Committee to help member congregations with their community organizing campaigns. Rabbi Rose also served as the rabbinic intern for The Valley Temple in Cincinnati, OH.

Rabbi Rose received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Jewish Studies and Political Science from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. While in college, he spent his Junior year abroad studying at the Rothberg International School of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Rabbi Rose is a lover of most things related to sports and music. He especially enjoys rooting for his Philadelphia Eagles. He is also particularly fond of hard rock music, is a trained opera singer, and likes to play guitar.

Rabbi Rose is married to the very wonderful Andrea Rose and they have 2 beautiful daughters Maya and Ellie.

Rabbi Rose’s hours are listed below. Please call or email first to schedule an appointment .
Tuesday 9:30-5:30
Wednesday 9:30-7:00
Thursday 9:30-5:30
Friday 9:30-2:00