It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved longtime board member, leader, matriarch, and Lifetime Vice President, Raquel Bensimon ז״ל. Her departure leaves a profound emptiness in our community, one that can only be created by someone whose presence was woven into the very identity of our congregation.

Raquel was part of the original fabric of Sephardic Temple. From the earliest days of our congregation, she stood as a pillar—devoted, steadfast, and completely committed to nurturing a spiritual home for all of us. For decades, she offered her wisdom, strength, and endless heart to ensure that our community would not just exist, but flourish. Her leadership was not loud or forceful; it was thoughtful, calm, and deeply principled. She was a kind and gentle soul, but at her core was a fearless leader—one who carried the weight of responsibility with grace and humility.

This week, as our community reads Parashat Toldot, we encounter the quiet but extraordinary strength of Rivkah Imeinu. Rivkah is often described softly, yet her actions reveal remarkable courage, clarity of vision, and a profound devotion to her family’s future. She shaped the destiny of Am Yisrael through her intuition, her kindness, and her unwavering commitment. Raquel embodied that same spirit with every fiber of her being. Like Rivkah, she was a true matriarch—not only for her beloved family, but for our entire community. She nurtured generations, guided countless individuals, and created a sense of belonging wherever she stood. Her love was expressed not only in words, but through decades of service, leadership, and the countless acts of care that often went unseen. Her influence will continue to echo in our hallways, in our programs, in our prayers, and in the many lives she touched