Shalom L’kulam!
My name is Aaron Rozovsky, and I am truly honored and humbled that you have accepted me as your student rabbi for this year. I have heard many great things about United Hebrew Congregation and cannot wait to begin my time with you all. Betsy asked me to write a quick sketch about myself.
I am 30 years old and a fourth-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Before coming to Terre Haute, I had the privilege of serving as the student rabbi for Temple B’nai Israel in Petoskey, Mich., for two wonderful years.
In terms of my background, I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and have lived all over the East Coast. However, the place that I like to call home is Rhode Island, as that is where most of my close friends and mother’s side of the family live. I graduated from Providence College in 2008, where I earned a B.A. in history, and Central Connecticut State University in 2012, where I earned an M.S. in international studies with a concentration in Latin American studies.
I am also a captain in the Rhode Island Army National Guard, with more than 10 years in the military. I have been sent twice on one-year deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Cuba and Afghanistan). During my first year at seminary (“the Jerusalem year”), I served with the National Guard Bureau Liaison Officer to the Israeli Defense Forces Home Front Command.
I currently serve as a Chaplain Candidate at Joint Force Headquarters, Rhode Island Army National Guard. My military education includes the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course and the Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course.
My hobbies include running, swimming, hiking, learning foreign languages and travel. Although, like any good New Englander I do enjoy football, hockey and baseball, my favorite sport is and remains rugby, and I am a avid supporter of the All Blacks, the national team of New Zealand.
I love the student rabbi program because it is such a giving relationship. As future rabbis, we get the chance to perfect our craft, develop ourselves professionally, become confident in a pulpit setting, get real-world experience and most importantly, make lasting friendships. As congregants and congregations, you mentor us, you befriend us, you challenge us to grow and develop and you definitely show us that yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel (five years of seminary can often seem unending).
Again, thank you for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks, and I feel blessed for the strong relationship that we will forge this year.
Kol Tuv.
Student Rabbi Aaron Rozovsky will serve UHC Terre Haute throughout the 2016-17 academic year.