Marvin L. Labinger, 67; Regional Jewish Leader
Rabbi Marvin L. Labinger, 67, a past regional director of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, died of an apparent heart attack July 25 at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.
Labinger oversaw congregations in the Conservative branch of Judaism as the United Synagogue of America’s Pacific Southwest executive director in Encino from 1990 to 2000.
After he was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1960, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native embarked on a 30-year career as a chaplain in the Air Force, retiring with the rank of colonel. He also developed management programs for Protestant and Catholic chaplains. The first Jewish chaplain to be chosen for any military academy, he served at the Air Force Academy in Colorado and at several air bases.
A Torah scholar who was also knowledgeable about Christianity, Zen Buddhism and Shinto, Labinger won many honors, including the Dr. Sheitlis Award in medieval Hebrew literature and the Humanitarian Service Medal for his work in 1978-81 with Cuban refugees.
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