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May 2, 2002/Nisan 30, 5763 Vol. 55, No. 36
New rabbi at Beth El
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Following the departure of Beth El Congregation's interim rabbi Moshe Tutnauer, who returned to Israel after Passover, the synagogue announces the appointment of Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky.
He is scheduled to move to the Valley in July and will begin in the first half of August, said synagogue president Herb Dreiseszun.
"He describes himself as a charismatic preacher (and) he is just like he describes himself," Dreiseszun said. "He has this depth of background and experience that Beth El feels will be very good for the congregation."
Lavinsky is currently the rabbi of Beth El Congregation in Akron, Ohio, where he has served for eight years.
Lavinsky said he and his family are looking forward to moving to the Valley.
"Phoenix has a reputation for being a wonderful city, a growing Jewish community (and) a very active city in every way," he said. "We're just looking forward to being in a vibrant community. We know that Beth El has had its challenges, but we also see them as opportunities."
Lavinsky was raised in New York and 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. He was ordained in 1981.
Lavinksy is the president of the Akron Area Interfaith Council and is also a retired chaplain in the United States Naval Reserve.
Lavinsky and Deborah, his wife of 20 years, have two children: Shira Aviva, 17, who will attend the University of Central Florida in the fall, and Aaron David, 15.
Lavinsky said that the most important thing for him is "that with the support of the lay people and the professional staff of the congregation, I believe that we are going to see renewed strength and vigor in the congregation."
Beth El's last full-time rabbi was Rabbi Michael Wasserman, who left the congregation in summer 2002.
Another change at Beth El is the departure of the congregation's executive director David Brook, who plans to return to Florida to be with family, said Dreiseszun. He will leave his position in June.
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