Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky,
the spiritual leader of Beth El Congregation in Phoenix, came to us in
the Summer of 2003 by way of Akron , Ohio, where he served his
synagogue with distinction for eight years. He also served
congregations in Philadelphia PA, Burlington VT and Tampa FL. Raised in
New York, Rabbi Lavinsky is a graduate of Columbia University where he
majored in psychology and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
where he pursued a degree in Talmud, and was ordained as a rabbi in
1981. He studied for two years at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
and spent his first years of rabbinical school at the University of
Judaism in Los Angeles. From his earliest years, Rabbi Lavinsky has
exhibited his leadership skills as a United Synagogue Youth chapter
president, regional officer, and president of the student body of JTS
both as an undergraduate and as a rabbinical student. Additionally, he
served two terms as the president of the Akron Area Interfaith Council
and two term as president of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania and Kentucky
region of the Rabbinical Assembly.
While
serving as the President of the Tampa Rabbinical Association, Rabbi
Lavinsky initiated a city wide education program encompassing all area
congregations. Throughout his career, he has been an exemplary
ambassador of the Jewish community to local churches, schools, and
other institutions. A fervent supporter of Israel , he has helped in
fundraising efforts for the United Jewish Communities and has been
interviewed on radio and television many times regarding Jewish
observance and current events in the Middle East . He has initiated
numerous intra-faith (within Judaism) and inter-faith programs and has
supported charitable boards and programs wherever he has resided. He is
currently the vice president of the Phoenix Board of Rabbis.
With
a commanding pulpit presence, Rabbi Lavinsky has earned a reputation as
a charismatic preacher, and he has proven to be a compassionate,
pastoral presence to his flock in times of need. Committed to the three
pillars of our faith, Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chassadim (Torah
Study, Divine Service, and Acts of Loving-kindness) he has consistently
endeavored to empower his congregants to take an active role in all
facets of Jewish life.
Rabbi
Lavinsky is also a retired Chaplain in the United States Naval Reserve
and served military units with the U.S. Navy, the Marine Corps and the
Coast Guard. He is married to Deborah Lavinsky, a financial planner for
the accounting firm Eide Bailley. They have two children, Shira Aviva,
age 21, and Aaron David, age 19. Shira is currently a senior at Arizona
State University in Tempe majoring in special education, and Aaron is
an aspiring film-maker and resides in Los Angeles.
Rabbi
Lavinsky enjoys working with the very talented staff at Beth El along
with its many committed lay leaders. He envisions both great challenge
and opportunity in leading the congregation to new heights in the
coming years. He was officially installed at our spiritual leader on
December 19, 2004 and looks forward to a long and fruitful tenure at
Beth El. His love for Jews and Judaism are evident in every aspect of
his service to the congregation, and Beth El has enjoyed a significant
increase in activity and participation since his arrival. Rabbi
Lavinsky vows to "work hand in hand with Beth El's staff and officers
to make Central Phoenix's only Conservative congregation stronger and
more vibrant than it's ever been before."
In addition to his love for
his family, Torah and Beth El, Rabbi Lavinsky enjoys playing the game
of golf. Those who have witnessed his skill on the links can attest to
the fact that he won't be giving up his day job anytime soon.
