Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari was a guiding light for countless individuals, a man whose wisdom, warmth, and dedication touched the hearts of all who knew him. His passing has left a profound void, yet his life’s work and the values he embodied remain a beacon of inspiration. For the Sephardic community, he was not merely a rabbi or an educator; he was a bridge connecting tradition and modernity, intellect and humility, faith and action.
His life was as much about family as it was about community and teaching. To his children, he was “Abba,” a father who found joy in the small, intimate moments and who imparted lessons that would shape their lives. David, his son, spoke of his father’s unparalleled humility and how he managed to inspire through action rather than words. Rabbi Harari’s approach to life was deeply grounded in the value of doing over saying, a principle he emphasized throughout his life. Whether guiding David through his bar mitzvah or offering calm, reassuring words during difficult moments, Rabbi Harari’s gentle demeanor and wisdom were constants.
Michal, one of his daughters, fondly recalled childhood car rides in their Datsun without air conditioning, where her father turned hours of traffic into cherished memories by playing games and engaging conversations. She reflected on how he was always there for her, with daily calls at 2:37 Israel time to check in and offer support. Even in his final days, Rabbi Harari’s focus remained on ensuring that his family would not dwell on his illness but instead remember his legacy of love, faith, and connection.
Yael, another daughter, shared how her father seamlessly balanced his public role with his private devotion to his family. He was a man who carried a pocket notebook to cross off his tasks but never forgot to give his children his full attention. Every phone call, every planned vacation, and every family gathering was infused with his thoughtful presence. Yael also reflected on her philosophical discussions with her father during her high school years, conversations that offered solace and wisdom as she navigated her own struggles with faith. His ability to connect, to listen, and to reassure defined his relationship with her and many others.
One of the most poignant moments in his final days occurred during Simchat Torah, when Rabbi Harari mustered the strength to stand and address the crowd gathered outside his window. He read from the Torah, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, embodying his dedication to both his family and his faith. His wife, Vicky, who was his steadfast partner in life, remarked during this moment, “He lived to serve,” encapsulating his essence in four simple words.
Beyond his personal life, Rabbi Harari was a cornerstone of the Sephardic community. His tenure at the Yeshivah of Flatbush spanned decades, during which he shaped the lives of thousands of students. He championed the philosophy of *Torah U’madah* (Torah and science), integrating Jewish scholarship with secular education to nurture thoughtful, well-rounded individuals. Yet, despite his many accomplishments, he remained profoundly humble, often shying away from the spotlight to focus on meaningful action.
Rabbi Harari’s love for Israel was another defining aspect of his life. He instilled in his children a deep connection to the land and its significance. Michal shared how he encouraged her move to Israel and expressed pride in the life she built there. Even as they lived continents apart, he maintained close ties through frequent visits, heartfelt emails, and unwavering support.
As the Sephardic community reflects on Rabbi Harari’s life, they find comfort in the enduring legacy he leaves behind. His teachings, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to faith and education continue to inspire. For those who knew him, he remains a guiding presence, a reminder of the power of a life lived in the service of others.
Though he is no longer physically present, Rabbi Harari’s spirit endures in the lives he touched and the community he cherished. His children, now the bearers of his values, hold him close in their hearts. They recall his wisdom, his humor, and his love, striving to honor his legacy in their own lives. In the words of his family, he taught them not only how to live but how to connect deeply—with their faith, their community, and each other. It is through this connection that his memory will forever illuminate their paths forward.
Magen David Yeshivah
Dear Vicki, Rabbi Avi and Zehava, Michal and Avi, Yael and Ari, Dr. David and Milca, Dani and Rachel,
On behalf of Magen David Yeshivah, we extend our heartfelt condolences upon the passing of our great Rabbi, Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari (Zt”l). It is also at this time that we extend a tremendous amount of gratitude and hakarat hatov (recognizing the good) to the Harari family for sharing the Rabbi with us all these years.
While our community has lost a giant–not only in the world of Torah, but equally in the world of character and midot tovot (positive character traits)– it gives us solace to know that his legacy and teachings will live on through the thousands of students and community members that he undoubtedly impacted over the course of his prestigious life.
As expressed so beautifully by his family at the levaya (funeral), The Rabbi had tremendous patience; that patience came from the truest form of humility. The Rabbi‘s brilliance in Torah and world events coupled with his deep understanding and empathy of people deemed him the ultimate leader and, as it was so eloquently put, the ‘gentle giant of our time’.
The Rabbi reached great heights and successes in all his endeavors, but true to his humble nature, Rabbi Harari (Zt”l) simply just wanted to teach. I was one of the lucky students who had the privilege to learn from Rabbi Harari (Zt”l) for four straight years in one of the most rigorous, intricate, high level learning classes that left us with a thirst for knowledge and never wanting class to end. I remember being accepted into the highest honors class at Yeshivah of Flatbush High School, and fearing I wouldn’t be able to succeed at that level, I begged my parents to switch my class. Instead, my dad took me to Rabbi Harari’s office where he offered his warm smile, and promised me “I got you!”.. Those classes, that rigor, the Rabbi’s belief in me and each of his students, is the blueprint of what makes an excellent educator, and stayed with each of us forever. After all these years, I can say with certainty, the Rabbi kept his promise.
They say in Hebrew, “מחיל אל חיל“ (From strength to strength)
Just as “The sun rises and the sun sets” our sages teach us this is the assurance that the passing of one tsadik (a righteous person) will always be accompanied with the birth of a new tsadik.
Our community witnessed this firsthand with the succession of the great Rabbi Dr. David Eliach (Zt”l) to Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari (Zt”l). The yeshivah continued to thrive and we as a community were the beneficiaries of unequivocally great leadership. I was reminded of that same pasuk as Rabbi Avi eulogized the passing of his father. “The sun rises and the sun sets….”
May we continue to find comfort in this great loss and inspiration from the Rabbi’s life’s work.
With much sincerity,
Gladys Haddad.
President of Magen David Yeshivah
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH Alumni
In loving memory of Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari A”H, whose legacy lives on. In Pirkei Avot it says, “Find yourself a Rabbi.” The love of a Rabbi for his student and a student for his Rabbi is like the love of life-long friends. The relationship encourages both to live up to the best of themselves, to seek good and to be a blessing to others. You have been our Rabbi, teacher, friend, and a blessing for our entire family.
Joan & Jack Mann (ES ‘74, HS ‘78) and Family
Sephardic Community Center
Anyone walking into the Center will notice a giant wall in our lobby with pictures of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents from yesteryear. They look upon us and the next generation, reminding us that we are the product of lives lived in accordance with Torah values, among them the virtues of service to the greater family.
It seems that from the beginning of his career, Rabbi Harrari was destined to join the wall of giants whose lives made an indelible mark on the good name of our community. And while he did so with countless speeches and classes, it was his character that spoke deepest. It spoke of those long-cherished values that echo from generations past: humility, service, modesty, encouragement, and action.
It was Rabbi Harrari who introduced me on Rosh Hashanah to his shul, speaking from his heart about his beloved community and the special role the Center plays. For me personally, I was lucky to have known him at some of the highest points of my life. He was the rabbi who spoke at my wedding. I was fortunate to sit on his right as a student of his at his beloved Flatbush High School as he taught us Halacha (Jewish law), perhaps never realizing that his example spoke more powerfully than anything he taught.
May our community merit in his memory, may we remember the example he set for us in the way we act, and may his life continue to stay alive within us all as we continue to build on this incredible gift of togetherness that Rabbi Harrari’s life was dedicated to.
Louis Jerome
President – Sephardic Community Center
Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari, A”H, was a distinguished educator and leader within the Jewish community. As the Head of School at Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, he dedicated over four decades to nurturing students’ spiritual and academic growth. For the last seven years, I had the fortune to learn with him every morning at Mikdash Eliyahu, known as “the Avenue U Shul,” where he served as the head Rabbi. The most amazing thing about Rabbi Harari was that each of his students was sure they were his favorite. Such a unique connection could only arise from a heart where love and caring combined with a deep understanding that all comes from Hashem. His legacy of warmth, wisdom, and unwavering faith will remain a guiding light for all who knew him and even for those who never met him.
Rabbi Harari shaped the community in ways only he was capable of doing. There were many times when challenging issues arose, whether politically charged or within the community. The Rabbi had a way of guiding you through these matters so gracefully that you would find yourself arriving at the right answer on your own, with him as a quiet, unwavering light along the way. Now, in his passing, we realize we had no idea of the giant we were learning from. I truly miss him every day.
Joey Tawil,
CEO of the Sephardic Community Center
Sephardic Community Alliance
The SCA, along with our entire community, deeply mourns the passing of our beloved Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari, A”H. Rabbi Harari was a guiding light who touched the lives of thousands of students and families through his unwavering dedication to countless organizations, including the SCA.
Since our inception, Rabbi Harari has been an integral part of our programming. From leading our Annual Rabbi Dr. Ezra Labaton A”H Tisha BeAb Day of Learning to giving inspiring women’s weekly classes, he embodied a deep passion for Torah, intellectual honesty, commitment to tradition, and an abiding love for Medinat (sovereign land) and Eress Yisrael (land of Israel)—all values at the heart of the SCA. But above all, Rabbi Harari taught with unparalleled humility, warmth, and love for every individual he encountered.
I feel privileged to be among the thousands of students blessed to learn from him, both at the Yeshivah of Flatbush and Bnei Shaare Zion. His passion for learning and the profound lessons he shared remain etched in my memory and continue to inspire me.
Rabbi Raymond Harari, A”H, was a beacon of wisdom and kindness, and his absence will be profoundly felt. May his memory be a blessing and his legacy continue to guide us.
Ricky Novick
President SCA
