In 1950, Sam and his parents arrived in Kansas City from a Displaced Persons Camp in Ragensburg, Germany. Initially they joined another synagogue, but became members of Kehilath Israel Synagogue when it was time for Sam to go to Hebrew School. The Devinkis could not afford Hebrew School and the bus fee to get Sam to their original synagogue, but K.I. told his parents not to worry - the synagogue would make sure he could attend Hebrew School and take the bus. The family could pay whatever they could afford. That was the beginning of Sam's sixty plus year journey with Kehilath Israel Synagogue.

Sam was asked to join the Board of Directors shortly after he graduated from law school. He became president in 1985 when the synagogue moved into the current building on Conser. Sam served a two year term. His son was the first bar mitzvah in the new building in September, 1985. Coincidentally, Sam was the first bar mitzvah when the previous sanctuary at 800 E. Meyer opened in June of 1959. Sam served a second term as president in 2010. He is the most proud of his participation in the Grand Givers program which he began in 1977, and which has raised four million dollars for Kehilath Israel Synagogue. Sam was honored by the Board of Directors and the congregation with the title of "Honorary President For Life" in 2012.

Ari is a native of the New York/New Jersey area. His home has been Kansas City since 1991. He and his wife have three children.

Ari is manager of a local automotive shop.

He notes that Kehilath Israel Synagogue is a central part of his entire family - home to all of the family's past simchas and surely all of the future ones.