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Dear B’nai Israel,
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Rabbi Matthew Simon, Rabbi Emeritus of B'nai Israel Congregation. Rabbi Simon passed away last evening, September 10 (24 Elul 5783).
Rabbi Simon has been a cherished teacher, spiritual leader, and friend since he arrived in this community in 1973. He led the congregation's successful move to its current campus on Montrose Road in 1976. Capitalizing on the location adjacent to the Jewish Community Campus, Rabbi Simon positioned B’nai Israel as a community leader for Greater Washington. In his role as Rabbi Emeritus and Campaign Chair, Rabbi Simon was also instrumental in the construction of the Thelma and Melvin Lenkin Education and Activities Center, which opened in 2003.
In addition to his role at B'nai Israel, Rabbi Simon leaves behind a legacy of meaningful work supporting our greater Washington Jewish community. He is a past president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and served as a Campaign Chairman and Treasurer. He was chairman of the Legacy Society of the United Jewish Endowment Fund of The Jewish Federation, and was Chairman for four years of The Jewish Federation of North America’s Interagency Forum on Aging. He was a life member of the Board of the Jewish Social Service Agency, the founding Chairman of Jewish Vocational Services, and was an advocate for its Chaplaincy and Hospice programs. He is the recipient of numerous awards that honor his service to the community.
Rabbi Simon was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1958 after having received degrees from the University of Chicago and California State University, Northridge. He served as a U.S. Navy Chaplain in Japan, and retired from the Navy as a Captain after 28 years of Naval reserve service. Before coming to B'nai Israel, Rabbi Simon served congregations in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles and served as Director of the United Jewish Appeal in Jerusalem. He is a founding member of Mercaz, the Zionist Movement of Conservative Judaism, and is past president and longtime supporter of the Masorti Movement.
Rabbi Simon is survived by his wife Dr. Sara Rubinow Simon and their children Ethan Simon and Betsy Cowan (Col Jeffrey L. Cowan) and six grandchildren. He was also the father of the late Rabbi Joshua Simon, z"l (Dr. Miriam Bensimhon).
A graveside funeral will take place on Wednesday in Glendale, NY. Sara Simon will greet comforters on Thursday, September 14 beginning at 7:00 PM at B'nai Israel, before joining the evening minyan at 8:00 PM. Shiva is truncated by the start of Rosh Hashanah.
May God comfort the family of Rabbi Matthew Simon among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Rabbi Michael Safra
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