By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Dovber and Chana’le Dechter will be establishing a full-time Chabad presence in Downtown Phoenix to serve the growing population of residents and visitors to the business and entertainment district.
The Dechters, along with their daughters Moussia and Risya, are the 37th family of Shluchim in the Grand Canyon State to be appointed by Arizona’s Head Shliach Rabbi Zalman Levertov.
Downtown Phoenix is undergoing a recent revitalization and continued resurgence. More than $6 billion is being invested in the areas of transportation, office, residential, education and research, technology, arts, culture, sports, restaurants and hospitality.
The area, home of the Chase Field baseball park and the Arizona Diamondbacks, has a mix of high-rise luxury, mid-rise townhomes and historic single-family neighborhoods. There are currently 3,873 new residential units under construction.
Serving the area until now were Shluchim Rabbi Levi and Chani Levertov who led Chabad of Downtown Phoenix alongside their primary vocation of Smile on Seniors, the city-wide organization which enhances the lives of active adults and seniors across Phoenix.
The couple has been holding weekly classes and discussions in offices downtown, but the growing Jewish population posed a need for a full-time center to include Shabbos and Holiday programming. “We are very excited to have found the perfect family to establish a full-time presence and lead the Downtown Jewish community,” Rabbi Levi Levertov said.
Rabbi Dechter grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, and studied at Chabad Yeshivos in Brooklyn, France and the Rabbinical College of America in New Jersey.
He received rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Dovid Schochet, President of the Toronto Rabbinical Council and a member of Vaad Rabbonei Lubavitch, and was later certified in dayanus (rabbinic judicial ordination) and a rigorous course in advanced contemporary halacha.
For the last five years, Rabbi Dechter ran a unique Smicha Yeshiva in the Upper West Side of New York, where the rabbinical students were trained in Jewish law as well as in community outreach.
Mrs. Dechter is a fourth-generation Chabad Shlucha herself, having been raised in Rancho Mirage, California, where her parents Rabbi Shimon and Chaya Posner serve as Shluchim of the Rebbe.
A graduate of Chabad schools and seminary in Jerusalem, she ran educational programs in California and administrating projects for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), among them its flagship courses, the National Jewish Retreat and Land and Spirit Israel trip.
Rabbi and Mrs. Dechter said they are looking forward to joining the Phoenix Jewish community, and to continue the growth of Chabad of Downtown Phoenix. He will also be serving as a personal halachic guide for members of the wider community.
To support their shlichus, visit JewishDowntownPhoenix.com/donate
הצלחה רבה דובער. שמח לראות ולשמוע
ה. דרוקמן
he ran an incredible program in Manhattan. My son had one of the best years there. I wish him only success in his new shlichus!
:):) we’ll miss you at JLI