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Rabbi David Stavsky Born August 30, 1930, son of the late Lillian and Harry Stavsky, died Thursday, March 25, 2004. Beloved husband of 48 years to Ruth. Revered and loved by family, friends, congregants and those he served in the Columbus Jewish community for the past 47 years serving as Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation where he and his wife were recently honored at a dedication and naming ceremony of the Rabbi David and Ruth Stavsky Sanctuary. He is a world renowned Rabbi who has touched the lives of scores of people. Graduated from Rabbi Jacob Joseph Elementary School, graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in Psychology in 1952, ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary in 1955, received rabbinical smicha from Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Moishe Shatzkes and Rabbi Dr. Samuel Belkin, graduated from The Ohio State University in 1966 with a Masters degree in Psychology. Served as Chaplain in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital and was the Post-Chaplain at Fort Carson in Denver, Colorado from 1955-1957. At Fort Carson he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement from Major General H.P. Storke for meritorious performance in his military duty. He has served as senior rabbi, spiritual leader and creative force at Beth Jacob Congregation since 1957. Rabbi Stavsky helped found Columbus Torah Academy in 1958, led the effort to build a mikvah (ritual bath) in Columbus in 1970, helped found the Columbus Community Kollel (learning center) in 1994. He founded the Central East Region of the National Council of Synagogue Youth. He is the former National Vice-President of the Rabbinical Council of America, founded and served as President of the Columbus Board of Rabbis and is a former Vice-President of the Religious Zionists of America. He was the first rabbi in the state of Ohio to organize Holocaust Memorial Day programs and has led three groups to Holocaust sites in Eastern Europe and has visited and photographed Dachau, Matthausen, Terezen and Maidaneck Concentration Camps. Rabbi Stavsky is the author of four major sermon books: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land" (published in 1976), "Hope, Hostage, Terror, Trust, Recovery" (published in 1984), "A Rabbi Speaks...About the Zodiacs, Election, Formula, Crack, Who and Takeovers" (published in 1991) and "I Submit Thoughts On Hashem, Israel and Family" (published in 1997) and together with Dr. Brian Weiss, produced the video, "The Soul---Life After Death". Rabbi Stavsky is also the editor of "Anthology of Sermons", (published by the Rabbinical Council of America in 1990). Rabbi Stavsky has received numerous awards including; the Herzog Medal from the Religious Zionist of America (1967), the Adult National Standard Award from the National Conference of Synagogue Youth at the National Convention (1970) "for his knowledge and deep insights of problems facing American Jewish youth". He was the first recipient of the National Rabbinic Leadership Distinguished Alumnist Award by the Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Seminary (1981), received the Outstanding Rabbinic Leadership Award, presented by the National Convention of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (1984), received the National Rabbinic Leadership Award from Torah Umesorah in New York City (1997), and received the Rabbinic Centennial Medallion Award from the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations for Outstanding Rabbinic Leadership (1998). He is the innovator behind many dynamic and successful programs that have been copied widely and successfully throughout the country including Shabbos with the Rabbi, BJY Mitzvah Mobile, Cola and Shmooz, Torah Day, Religious Emphasis Week, and the Rebbe's Tisch. Rabbi Stavsky is survived by his Aishes Chayil, Ruth Burger Stavsky, who he met and married while serving in the United States Army. He is also survived by his children, Joel (Ronnie) Stavsky, Chanita (Michael) Weisz, Averim (Evelyn) Stavsky, Jordan (Etti) Stavsky and Seth (Lisa) Stavsky; and 15 grandchildren, Naphtali, Leah, Ariella, Rina Leah, Mina, Elana, Shira, Charlie, Jared, Jacob, Joshua, Zoe, Jonah, Nicole, and Tamar. He is also survived by brother, Elliot (Ruth) Stavsky and sister, Sylvia Wahrsager. Rabbi Stavsky is an ardent religious Zionist whose love and devotion to the State of Israel was integral to his rabbinic life. Known additionally for his love and skills of photography and personal collection of rare antique Judaica. Funeral Service 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 26, 2004 at BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE, 1223 College Avenue, with Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg and Cantor Jeff Siegel officiating. Burial to follow at New Beth Jacob Cemetery. Arrangements by THE EPSTEIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 614-235-3232. |
