LOCAL
Welcome to town
Raquel Schnitzer
Asher Schnitzer, Raquel Schnitzer, Avi Schnitzer, Dr. Cary Schnitzer and Yosef Schnitzer. Photo: Ivy Studios Photography
By Benjamin Weiss Raquel Schnitzer is originally from Southern California where she worked in politics, most recently at the pro-Israel AIPAC organization. She lived in Phoenix over the last 20 years with her husband, a physician and passionate Torah learner, and their three children. She recently worked to establish The Oasis School, a new Jewish High School in Scottsdale.
How long have you been in Tucson? A little over two months. We moved here the night of that huge storm at the end of July. I joke that we brought all the rain.
Smaller and slower-paced. But I have been thrilled to find everything I need here and everyone is so nice!
Jewish app on phone:
A favorite Mitzvah/holiday:
Go-to Yiddish or Hebrew word:
Sukkot. Creating another home outside our home. Hosting a wide variety of people in our sukkah.
Tachles. I am often eager to get to the heart of the matter.
I’m happy when I have a Shabbos table filled with family and friends. A meal with good food and even better conversation and learning.
A historical Jewish figure:
Something to kvetch about:
My great-great many times over grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant. He provided the spiritual inspiration for the Mussar movement and was a pure embodiment of a passion for Torah learning and modesty.
“What don’t you kvetch about” -- my husband says.
MyZmanim and TorahAnytime.
Laura Scudder’s peanut butter (only nutty).
Happiness:
A cherished Jewish experience: My youngest son’s Bar Mitzvah. Watching him read his Parsha from the Torah in front of the community and put on his tefillin for the first time at the Kotel. It was February of 2020, so it was also a sweet memory of one of the last events in the “time before...”
Chabad:
Point of pride: This past Shabbos, my middle son with Autism beat the entire family in Rummikub.
What brought you here? Currently learning/reading:
14
Excellent schools and day programs for my children who have special needs. Compared to your hometown, Tucson is...
Overwhelmed with the move. Learning the quickest North/South street to travel in Tucson.
Truly meeting and embracing each Jew wherever they are.
Comfort foods:
I would like to be known for: My challah (it is excellent) and my eager/ meager attempts to make the world around me a little better.
