Rabbi Albert Plotkin, 89, founding rabbi of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley and a leader in the Phoenix Jewish and interfaith communities, died of a heart attack Feb. 3.
A memorial celebrating his life will be held at the JCSVV synagogue on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m.
Plotkin was an inspiring speaker, champion of civil rights, avid art collector and developed the Jewish Studies Program at Arizona State University, according to Rabbi Alicia Magal, current rabbi of the JCSVV.
Plotkin was also the main impetus for the creation of the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, housed in the building of Phoenix’s first synagogue. It was hoped that he would be present at the formal opening later this year, but at least he was able to view the renovated building recently, a point of great pride and joy for him, Magal stated.
Plotkin served as Congregation Beth Israel’s spiritual leader in Scottsdale from 1955 through the early 1990s, when he became rabbi emeritus.
During his travels with his beloved wife Sylvia, who died several years ago, he collected an impressive collection which became the basis of the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum, housed at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, Magal stated.
He did not remain retired for long, but answered the invitation to serve as spiritual leader for the newly formed congregation in Sedona. He served as rabbi of the JCSVV from 1991 until 2005. He encouraged the building of the synagogue, which was dedicated in 2004. The Rabbi Albert and Sylvia Plotkin Sanctuary is named in their honor, Magal stated. When Magal was hired to serve as full-time rabbi for the congregation, he kept up his warm connection with the congregation, she stated.
Plotkin was a community rabbi, active in interfaith programs and supportive of the arts, Magal stated. He continued writing books, lecturing and acting as rabbi emeritus both in Phoenix and Sedona. He had a stirring speaking and singing voice, and always ended his sermons with the Biblical phrase, “Hazak v’amatz,” which means, “Be strong and of great courage,” the words spoken by Moses to Joshua.
“He was a light on the horizon of several generations. That light is not extinguished, but lives on in the thousands he served and counseled, and in his books and teachings,” Magal said.
A funeral was held on Friday, Feb. 5, at Congregation Beth Israel, in Scottsdale.
Donations in his memory may be made to the JCSVV.
