Raphael Marcus

Biography

Rabbi Raphael Marcus was the official rabbi of B'nai Torah Congregation in Toronto, Ontario. A native of New York, he attended Rabbi Jacob Joseph School and thereafter Yeshiva University High School for Boys. For his post-secondary education, Rabbi Marcus attended various yeshivot in Israel, including Kerem B'Yavneh and the Mir Yeshiva where he was attained a reputation for his brilliance and astounding moral character. He continued his studies at the Hebrew Theological College of Illinois where he received rabbinic ordination under his Rebbe and father-in-law, Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik. While learning in Chicago, Rabbi Marcus attended Northeastern Illinois University.

Upon receiving rabbinic ordination, Rabbi Marcus decided to pursue a career in Jewish education. He first moved to New York and joined the Faculty of Mesivta Ohr Torah of Riverdale. Although it was not Rabbi Marcus's desire to become the pulpit rabbi of the Young Israel of Woodmere, he nevertheless reluctantly accepted a temporary position there. This was the beginning of his career as a pulpit rabbi. From that experience, Rabbi Marcus went on to assume a rabbinical position at Congregation Ohev Tzedek for the five years prior to his moving to Toronto.

Rabbi Marcus moved to B'nai Torah on 1980-03-01 with his wife Rochel Leah and for 26 years he led the community. Rabbi Marcus was a teacher of Yeshivat Or Chaim for boys and Ulpanat Orot. In addition, Rabbi Marcus was a member of the Toronto Vaad Harabonim and was a member of the Beis Din.

Rabbi Marcus died on November 21, 2007 after a long illness. The burial services took place in Jerusalem, Israel, on Har Ha-Zeisim.