Rabbi Rafael David Ross Senter

DOVER - Rabbi Rafael David Ross Senter passed away peacefully at The Hyder House in Dover, N.H., with his beloved family at his bedside on Friday, December 1, 2017. The funeral took place at The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey and burial was at Riverside Cemetery in Saddlebrook, N.J.

He was born in Christ Hospital in N.J., on June 16, 1961. He is the eldest of five children. His father is Rabbi Zacharia Senter and mother Anne Senter of Teaneck, N.J.

He leaves behind his wife of 13 years, Chaplain Elissa Kaplan Senter; daughters Rochie Senter, Yehudes Tova Orlansky, Lani Senter Raice, Bentzion Senter and Tracy Abraha; 11 grandchildren; four step grandchildren; and his siblings Rabbi Ari Senter, Rabbi Daniel Senter, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Senter and Yehudes Zidele.

Early in his career Rabbi Senter was an Administrator for the Kosher Supervision Company, The Kof-K. After leaving there he decided to open a catering business and created the Kosher concession stands at Shea and Yankee stadium. He was ordained as a rabbi in 1985. After a successful career in the business world he decided he wanted to make his mark on the world as a pulpit rabbi. He has served two congregations in N.J., one in N.Y., and most recently served as the spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Portsmouth, N.H., where he leaves behind a congregation of nearly three hundred families. He was committed to furthering interfaith dialogue between people of all religions and cultural backgrounds. He loved children and bringing people closer to their Jewish roots.

SERVICES: Shiva will be observed on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 12-5 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m., with a Shiva minyan at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8, from 9-1 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 10 from 9-1 p.m., at Temple Israel, 200 State St., Portsmouth, N.H. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Temple Israel Portsmouth Educational Endowment Fund, 200 State St., Portsmouth, NH 03801. The J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel, assisted with arrangements.