Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI), a Reform Jewish community located in Fayette County, announces the installation of a new rabbi, Rick Harkavy. The official ceremony will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., at Congregation B’nai Israel, 1633 Ga. Highway 54 East in Fayetteville, and will include a religious service followed by a reception and hors d’oeuvres.
To RSVP for the event, call 678-817- 7162.
The installation of Harkavy represents a milestone for Congregation B’nai Israel, which was founded in 1981 to serve the needs of the Jewish community residing on the south side of Atlanta.
Harkavy will replace Rabbi Louis Feldstein, who has been the religious leader since 2002 and is now Rabbi Emeritus. The celebration and installation will be officiated by Harkavy’s close friend and peer, Rabbi George Stern of Mt. Airy, N.Y.
Harkavy is a graduate of Hebrew Union College and is an ordained reform rabbi.
He most recently led Congregation Bet Chaverim in Des Moines, Wash., where he served as the rabbi from 2009-2015.
Prior roles include work as the executive director of a Holocaust museum in the New York area, serving as executive director for the American Jewish Committee in the Seattle region, and staff positions with congregations in California and Texas.
“These myriad experiences in various Jewish organizations and positions have given Rabbi Harkavy training and insight into being an effective spiritual leader, teacher, community organizer, and spokesperson,” a B’nai representative said. “He was an early proponent among American rabbis of building support groups for interfaith couples. He possesses a spirited interest in Israel, issues concerning American Jewry, and continuing education.”
Harkavy lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Laurie Strom.
