Rabbi David Rosen KSG CBE (1958-67)

The Road from Carmel

Joining Jill and Doron on the 19th episode of the podcast, the first of our second season, to tell us his story, is Rabbi David Rosen (1958-67), the youngest son of Carmel College’s founders Rabbi Dr. Kopul and Bella Rosen, and brother of Rabbis Jeremy Rosen and the late Micky Rosen.

David, known to his old school friends as Buster, is currently Special Advisor to the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. He is the former Chief Rabbi of Ireland, and previously Senior Rabbi of the largest Jewish congregation in South Africa during the apartheid era. For his interfaith work, he has received a papal knighthood and was named a Commander of the British Empire by the late Queen Elizabeth II. David lives in Jerusalem and is married to Sharon, with whom he has three children and seven grandchildren, ranging in age from 2 to 23.

Hear David talk about sibling rivalries, playing cricket with the Chief Rabbi, hearing Danny Kaye sing Hebrew in Wallingford on Faye Day, and his IDF service.

Thank you, Rabbi David Rosen, for turning us again to Carmel days!

Dedication: at David's request, this episode is dedicated to the memory of his late mother Bella Rosen, who made often unrecognized yet invaluable contributions to Carmel College as its co-founder. In the school's early years, she shouldered responsibilities as Catering Manager and Household Supervisor. During one of the institution's dire financial periods she selflessly pawned her engagement ring to ensure breakfast for the school's boys, an act that resonates with profound dedication. She later joined the Board of Governors. Sadly, Bella Rosen passed away in Jerusalem in 1999.

Personal mentions in this episode:

• Rabbi Dr. Kopul Rosen (Founder and Principal)

• Bella Rosen (Co-founder)

• Rabbi Jeremy Rosen (Headmaster)

• Ron Evans (Mathematics)

• Mary Evans (Mathematics)

• Rabbi Sidney Leperer (Jewish Studies & Ancient History)

• Miriam Leperer

• Moshe Dover (Preparatory School Head & Jewish Studies)

• Zahava Dover

• Timothy Healey (History & Cricket)

• Joshua Gabbay (French)

• Mrs. H. Whitfield (French)

• John Bunney (Physics)

• Jacob “Jacky” Epstein (Chemistry)

• Alexander “Toby” Tobias (Jewish Studies & History)

• Abraham Carmel (English & Classics)

• Hugh “Baldy” Crossthwaite (Latin)

• Micky Rosen

• Angela Fay Rosen

• Rachel Feuerstein

• Joe Feuerstein

• Matthew Engel

• Daniel Dover

• Stuart Cohen

• Michael Sternberg

• David Duke

• Mordell Klein

• Victor Weingarten

• Shimon Weingarten

• Avrom Sherr

• Jonathan Rosshandler

• Ami Federmann

Feel free to leave a comment letting us know what you liked about this episode, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform 🙏🏼

To tell us your story, email us at [e-mail] / [e-mail]