Tal Rosen

Once upon a time, Tal Rosen planned to leave the Jewish communal world and join an upscale advertising firm. Then, an opportunity to work at a Hillel presented him with a tough choice: he could become a business-minded marketer, or return to his calling as a Jewish leader. Tal went with his heart, and has been a professional Jew ever since.

When Tal was offered a position at KAM Isaiah Israel, he and his wife -- a newly minted rabbi -- enthusiastically moved to Chicago. At KAM, he helped foster a micro-farm in the synagogue's Hyde Park neighborhood, growing Chicago's largest program of its kind, actualizing ancient Jewish ties to agriculture and community responsibility in a fresh way. Now, as director of the new Center for Jewish Leadership at Spertus Institute, Tal is helping to cultivate the next generation of Jewish professionals and lay leaders.

Age:

33

Primary gig:

Director, Center for Jewish Leadership and MA in Jewish Professional Studies Program, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

On the side:

Cyclist, farmer’s market aficionado, and observer of Chicago’s refuse collection and emergency vehicles with my kids.

Relationship status:

Married

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:

(Paraphrasing Shammai in Pirkei Avot 1:15) Make time for Torah, say little & do much, smile at everyone.

How do you Jew in Chicago?

Regular at Anshe Emet Rose Crown Minyan, Mishkan, KAM Isaiah Israel, and UChicago Hillel. I celebrate my Japanese heritage and Jewish values by enjoying Chicago’s own Phoenix Bean Tofu. It’s kosher, environmentally conscious, healthful, and great for Shabbat lunch in the summer.

Me in 10 years:

I’ll be reading Torah at my son’s bar mitzvah, loving my wife more every day after 20 years together, and hopefully will have already run a marathon.