Welcome to town: Raquel Schnitzer

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.

What brought you here?

Excellent schools and day programs for my children who have special needs.

Compared to your hometown, Tucson is...

Smaller and slower-paced. But I have been thrilled to find everything I need here and everyone is so nice!

A favorite Mitzvah/holiday:

Sukkot. Creating another home outside our home. Hosting a wide variety of people in our sukkah.

A cherished Jewish memory:

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...”

Currently learning/reading:

Overwhelmed with the move. Learning the quickest North/South street to travel in Tucson.

Jewish app on phone:

MyZmanim and TorahAnytime.

Go-to Yiddish or Hebrew word:

Tachles. I am often eager to get to the heart of the matter.

A historical Jewish figure:

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.

Chabad:

Truly meeting and embracing each Jew wherever they are.

Comfort food:

Laura Scudder’s peanut butter (only nutty).

Happiness:

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.

Kvetch:

“What don’t you kvetch about” -- my husband says.

Kvell:

This past Shabbos, my middle son with Autism beat the entire family in Rummikub.

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.

Asher Schnitzer, Raquel Schnitzer, Avi Schnitzer, Dr. Cary Schnitzer and Yosef Schnitzer

Photo: Ivy Studios Photography