A native of Chicago, Illinois, Rabbi David Lyon graduated from the University of Arizona in 1984, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He began his studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), Jerusalem in 1985. He earned his Masters of Arts degree in Hebrew Letters in 1988 at HUC-JIR, Los Angeles, and was ordained Rabbi in 1990, at HUC-JIR, Cincinnati. Upon ordination, he served as Assistant Rabbi and Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, Houston, Texas, 1990-1997. He served as Rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, East Lansing, Michigan, 1997-2000. He served as Rabbi of Temple Shalom, Dallas, Texas, 2000-2004. In June 2004, Rabbi Lyon returned to Congregation Beth Israel to serve as Senior Rabbi.

Rabbi Lyon enjoys the full complement of rabbinic duties in the synagogue, especially preparing weekly messages on Shabbat, and teaching children and adults in the classroom and informal settings. He is a member of the CCAR (Central Conference of America Rabbis) and has served on its Committee on Nominations. Currently, he serves on the CCAR’s Business Development Committee, its Revenue Committee, and represents the CCAR on a national Reform Jewish Day School Task Force.

In the larger Houston community, Rabbi Lyon is a Board member of the United Way of Greater Houston. He serves on the Bush-Clinton Relief Committee for recovery from Hurricane Ike on the Gulf Coast. He is a Board member of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center, and he is an active participant in interfaith activities in Houston.

Rabbi Lyon writes a weekly email address to the congregation, and he can be heard on KODA 99.1 FM, every Sunday morning at 6:45am. 

Rabbi David and Lisa Lyon, and their four children, Jeremy, Adam, Abby and Emma, welcome you to Congregation Beth Israel.