Sanford Theodore Marcus

Columbia’s Spiritual Leader, Rabbi Sanford T. Marcus, Rabbi Emeritus of Tree of Life Synagogue

Rabbi Sanford T. Marcus, clergyman, activist and philanthropist, passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022, after a sudden, brief illness. Just three weeks ago, he could be seen doing his usual workout at the Jewish Community Center gym. Vivacious and full of life, Rabbi Marcus will be remembered for his compassion towards others (especially strangers in need), leadership in Jewish education, community activism, his love for family and devotion to God.

Rabbi Marcus grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with one brother, Ron Marcus. He graduated from Washington and Jefferson College and then served in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer in Japan. While there, he studied Japanese, served as a lay leader for 400 Jewish service men and women in the Yokota, Johnson Fuchu and Tachikawa Air Base area. While there, he met and studied with Rabbi Hiroshi Okamoto (who had been recently ordained at the Hebrew Union College) and was inspired to become a rabbi.

Ordained in Cincinnati in 1970, Rabbi Marcus later received a Master’s degree in Family Relations at UNC-G, and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree honoris causa from HUC-JIR.

Serving as Spiritual Leader for twenty years (1986-2006) at Tree of Life Synagogue, he continued on as Rabbi Emeritus until his passing. Rabbi Marcus loved the congregation, considering it his family in Columbia. While in Columbia, he served as an adjunct professor of Jewish History at the University South Carolina for twenty-two years and was active in organizations promoting interfaith and interracial cooperation. From 2013 to 2018, he served as part-time rabbi of Temple Sinai, Sumter, S.C.

Community activism and education were important to Rabbi Marcus. He volunteered teaching courses at the Shepherd Center for seniors almost every year since its inception, served as President of Greater Columbia Ministerial Association, was a board member of the Cooperative Ministry, member of The Luncheon Club, the Jewish community coordinator for relief and recovery in Sumter after Hurricane Hugo, a mentor for new arrivals from the Former Soviet Union who settled in Columbia, member of the governor’s task force for at-risk youth, visiting lecturer at Columbia College, Midlands Tech, Benedict College, the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and has been a supporter for various programs at USC on Israel, gay rights, theology, and the Holocaust.

During his career, Rabbi Marcus served congregations in Gastonia, N.C., Ottawa, Canada and Columbia, S.C.

Rabbi Marcus leaves behind his wife of almost 60 years, Ruth; his three children, Dr. Jonathan Marcus from Toronto, Janet Marcus (& Rene-Louis Adda) from Paris and Julia Gometz (& Dr. Alex Gometz) from New York; and his five grandchildren, Emma (22), Leah (20), Owen (18), Ella (15) and Bradley (10).

Rabbi Marcus will be remembered for his compassion for others. He loved bringing out the very best in each person and being there for others in times of need. He believed in the importance of listening and learning from others. He loved supporting his favorite charities. He also loved gardening, hiking and nature. He was a life-long learner.

The funeral service for Rabbi Marcus will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2022 at Tree of Life Congregation, with burial in Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to Tree of Life Congregation, 6719 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206 or Harvest Hope Food Bank, 2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.