October 29 – December 17, 2025

Rabbi Steve Gross

Rabbi Steve Gross was ordained in 1996 as a rabbi from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio where he also received a Masters of Hebrew Letters. He has served the Houston Jewish community ever since his ordination and is currently the rabbi at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism where he brings energy and enthusiasm to the pulpit using his guitar to shape the worship experience for young and old alike.

Rabbi Gross sees every religious endeavor as an opportunity to promote community and establish an intimate relationship with God, and he commits a major part of his religious mission to building tolerance and understanding between and among faith communities throughout the city.

Rabbi Gross believes that the pursuit of peace and justice is a central component to the expression of one’s faith and has nurtured a sense of collective responsibility within the community he leads. Core to this mission has been his work with a peace-camp run by Jerusalem Peacebuilders which brings Israeli, Palestinian, and American youth and adults together to provide them with opportunities to expand their capacities to consider conflicting narratives and develop critical skills necessary diplomacy and peace building.

Rabbi Gross is an active participant in the Anti-Defamation League’s Coalition for Mutual Respect; he served on its board (1997-2000); and he was recognized for his leadership in multi-faith bridge building in 2019. He currently serves on the board of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston working closely with them on a wide variety of projects which seek to strengthen relationships between faith communities in the City of Houston.

In 2017, Rabbi Gross was selected as the Jewish representative on a delegation of Houston clergy for a peace conference in Abu Dhabi called, “Religions Promoting Peace Through Trust and Partnership,” a conference dedicated to a multi-faith response to fanaticism. This work continues locally through his leadership in the Mulit-Faith Neighbors Network, a national organization committed to building trust and understanding between Pastors, Imams, Rabbis, and their respective communities. Rabbi Gross strongly believes that shared experiences, communal projects, and audacious hospitality are crucial in his personal mission to eradicate the fear and hate that divide us, and he strives to work cooperatively with leaders of all faiths to build a kinder and more accepting world.

Rabbi Steve Gross grew up in La Jolla, California. He loves to explore culture through cuisine; he is an accomplished cook; and he is an avid fan of the Astros. He is married to Beckye and has four children Elliot, Lily, Simon, and Aiden.