I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few days thinking about Rabbi Alvin Marcus, zt”l, who passed away [last] week. I remember his participation in my wedding, his insistence that Dr. Ronnie Sultan, Yakov Moradi and I create a Sephardic minyan to pass our special customs and heritage on to our children. I remember his dedicated but gentle finesse in the educational direction of JKHA (Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy) in Livingston and his countless hours of commitment to the school and its greater community. I remember his rock-solid counsel, and our chats with Marilyn, sitting outside of the La’Rom (Inbal), in front of the hotel, catching some sun on chagim and Shabbat afternoons in Jerusalem. I remember visits to his sukkah, and his participation in all our family’s births, brits, bar mitzvot, weddings and funerals.

There is no possible expression of thanks that could repay the time Rabbi Marcus spent, and all the efforts he expended on me personally. I will miss the warmth of his smile and its youthful twinkle. May Hashem give his neshama an added aliyah in shamayim. May his amazing wife and partner, Marilyn, and very special children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all be comforted by heaven, min Hashamayim tinuchamu.

Rabbi Marcus, Shabbat shalom u’mevorach,
Thank you for being my rabbi.

By S. Simon Jacob