William Rosenau

The family came to the United States and settled in the Philadelphia area when William Rosenau was eleven.

He served as rabbi in Omaha, Nebraska and in Congregation Oheb Shalom of Baltimore, Maryland.

Rosenau was considered a "radical reformer" regarding ritual and he was a member of the anti-Zionist American Council for Judaism.

After graduation from the seminary, Rosenau served at Temple Israel in Omaha, Nebraska from 1889 to 1892.

While at Congregation Oheb Shalom he succeeded in the introduction of English prayers and sermons (from the previous German), the abolishment of the compulsory wearing of hats during services, and the introduction of the Friday evening service.

Rosenau was involved in the activities of the general and Jewish communities of Baltimore.

He was a member of the Baltimore School Board from 1900 to 1910 and served on the Maryland Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis.