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December 10, 2004/Kislev 27 5765, Vol. 57, No.15
Beth El to install rabbi
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky's installation at Beth El Congregation on Dec. 19 will be a family affair.
His wife Deborah, a trained classical musician, will perform a jazz piece - one of her husband's favorites - on flute. Daughter Shira, a sophomore at Arizona State University, will sing, and son Aaron, a senior at Sunnyslope High School who hopes to pursue a film career, will chronicle the event on tape. In addition, Lavinsky's 89-year-old father will make a special trip from Florida to attend.
The installation, preceded by a 6:15 p.m. dinner, will be held at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. It is open to the community.
Cantor Stephen J. Stein, executive vice president of the Cantors Assembly, will install Lavinsky. The two worked together for eight years at Beth El Congregation in Akron, Ohio.
Since Lavinsky arrived in Phoenix 18 months ago from Akron to serve as spiritual leader of Beth El, "he has added significantly to the spiritual life of the congregation," said David Rosenbaum, Beth El president. "He has brought stability and a sense of purpose and direction to the congregation. We are absolutely thrilled to have him as our rabbi."
Lavinsky is a graduate of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and has served congregations in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Stockholm, Sweden. He is also a retired chaplain of the U.S. Navy, where he earned the rank of lieutenant commander.
Besides his service at Beth El, he also teaches a conversion class through the Bureau of Jewish Education and at BJE's Hebrew High.
"Congregants recognize him as a leader with a real sense of purpose," Rosenbaum said.
Lavinsky said he has enjoyed his time at Beth El so far and looks forward to continuing the relationship.
"I have found Beth El to be very receptive, very warm," he said. "It's been a good shidduch."
To attend the dinner, call 602-944-3359 by Dec. 15.
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