Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz (1921 - March 14, 2018),[1] best known for his years as rabbi of Far Rockaway's Congregation Knesseth Israel (The White Shul)[2] was also the author of four books published by ArtScroll.[3]
The Canton, Ohio born Pelcovitz was a student of Rabbi Shlomo Heiman at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath[1] and also studied at the Chevron Yeshiva.[4]
He "served several out-of-town synagogues before coming to the White Shul in 1951."[5] Pelcovitz was the shul's third rabbi, but the first to publicly speak in English.
Part of his career included serving as a rebbi at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas.[4]
One of his books, Balanced Parenting, he co-authored with his older son Dr. David Pelcovitz, a psychologist.[3] Another was an acclaimed[1] translation of Sforno on Chumash.
He was survived by his wife, their four children, and both grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.