The Amazing Lorraine Rose

The next chapter for the amazing Lorraine Rose

By Cindy Saltzman

Lorraine Rose is an iconic figure in Portland. As the wife of Rabbi Emanuel Rose z”l of Congregation Beth Israel, (the first congregation and largest reform congregation in Oregon) she has been intimately involved with Jewish life in Portland since she moved here from London as a young bride in the early ‘60s. She has also been a top selling realtor here for the past 35 years, while raising 5 (now adult) children. Because Lorraine is a natural networker and has the real estate expertise, she has designed a new – fully complimentary-service to help buyers and sellers alike.

Cindy Saltzman: You really do seem to know everyone in Portland. After enjoying such a successful real estate career, why have you decided to transition to a new business within the field?

Lorraine Rose: Well, I love working with people and getting to know them. It’s time for a change of pace for me - but I want to put my 35 years of experience living in Portland, ,the Jewish community and my knowledge of the real estate market, to work.

Are you offering your services to both out-of-state people moving to Portland as well as locals who are looking for a realtor that would be a good fit?

Absolutely. I want to work with clients, no matter where they’re coming from. In fact, over the years I’ve worked with Portland natives, people from all over the US and in fact, even international clientele.

Would you describe your new business as a concierge real estate service or as a matchmaker between clients and real estate agents?

It’s both. It’s a concierge service because I meet people personally and get to know them and understand their needs. I would like to help sellers who are unfamiliar with selling a home and/ or buyers who are coming to Portland or Lake 0swego or the East Side or West Side of our city to buy a home. I will even come to the meet buyers at the airport or hotel, answer their questions and find the perfect broker to fit their needs All this at absolutely no cost to buyer or seller.

I am also a matchmaker, because I have worked with and know so many realtors and brokers all over the city, so I am able to connect people with the perfect broker for them.

What do you love most about the real estate field?

Well first, I love the City of Portland and I love to share that joy with people. I also am a people person and simply like to get to know them as we set them on the right path to find the best home.

What do you love most about the Jewish community here?

I have roots here. I’ve come to know it as a community that is warm and welcoming. This is also a city that certainly has Jewish neighborhoods, but also one where members of the Jewish community live all over the city. I should also say that Portland’s Jewish community is dynamic and is growing and changing in exciting ways.

How has the Jewish community changed over the years?

This is a terrific time to be Jewish in Portland. There used to be three rabbis at three large synagogues and now Portland has something like fifteen rabbis serving the community. The Jewish Federation has expanded its services, and there are several Jewish schools here. The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is a destination site, and - perhaps most exciting - there are a lot of young people here reinventing what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

As you are aware, Cindy, I am originally from the UK, got married and moved to Portland. You could say I’ve grown up with this lovely City. This is my home and where my heart is.

Lorraine Rose can be reached at lorrainerosepdx@gmail.com 503-703-8666.