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Syrilcq Rubin of Fort Lee, a vigorous supporter of Jewish causes, most prominently the Kaplen cq JCC on the Palisades, died Monday after a brief illness. She was 84.
With her husband, Leonard, who died in 2007, Mrs. Rubin helped found the Englewood Jewish Community Center. The couple were among the principal fundraisers for the construction of the JCC's building in Tenafly, which opened in 1981. A wing bears their names, as does the JCC's nursery school.
Mrs. Rubin was synonymous with the JCC and its myriad programs. When the center was in Englewood, she organized a lecture series that brought in the likes of psychologist Bruno Bettelheim and George McGovern, the U.S. senator and 1972 Democratic presidential nominee. She was front and center at the annual Rubin Run, which raises money for the JCC's health and social services programs. Family and friends organized the Mother's Day race in 1981 after Leonard Rubin suffered a heart attack.
In recent years Mrs. Rubin went to the JCC for Pilates, group exercise and music appreciation classes.
"This woman lived here," said Avi Lewinson, the executive director. "The last time she was here, two weeks ago, she came over to me and you'd have thought she hadn't a worry in the world. She walked over to the auditorium, saw there were fliers, and straightened out the pile. Then she walked down the hall, and everyone she saw she had a smile and a good word for."
Mrs. Rubin also supported the Jewish Home at Rockleigh and the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, among other organizations.
Sandra Gold, a former board president of both the JCC and the Jewish Home, said Mrs. Rubin was "in many respects a matriarch of this community" and an unassuming mentor to her and others involved in Jewish philanthropy.
"Syril and Lenny's home was the focal point for leaders of these organizations," Gold said. "It was almost like a convening of family when you were at their home, and Syril was a great and warm hostess."
Mrs. Rubin, formerly of Tenafly, is survived by her children, Daniel Rubin, Robert Rubin and Leslie Weinberg; a sister, Helene Nelkin no hometowns available; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was held Tuesday at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, under the direction of Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors, Hackensack.
Email: [email protected]
8 Entries
I am so sad to hear this I had no idea of Syril's passing . She and Lenny were very close friends of our family. My Dad will be extremely sad to hear this. I remember Lenny and my Mom playing doubles and no one ever beat them at Hillcrest Cabana Club. She joins my Mom (Jackie) in heaven.
Cherie Sappia
September 7, 2014
We miss our dear friend. Condolences to the family.
Sue and Hank Weinberg
Hank Weinberg
December 20, 2012
We are saddened to hear of the loss of Mrs. Rubin. While we didn't know her personally, we know her son (Dan) to whom we express our deepest condolences.
Gary and Bobby Mass of CCI
Gary & Bobby Mass
November 18, 2012
Dear Muriel,
So sorry to learn of Phi's passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Love, Judy and Rusty Sandler
November 14, 2012
Very sorry for your loss. You don't know me but my mother, Maria (Joseph) Rizzo took care of Mrs Rubin's children. Leslie happened to be my parent's flower girl when they married in 1959. Our condolences to you & your family.
Elena Rendine
November 14, 2012
Robert and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Denise Del Grosso
November 13, 2012
To all the Rubin Family You were truly blessed by having your mother so many years. Follow her examples and her life and that will be her legacy to you. I shall be thinking of all of you and hoping you realize your good fortune to see her having lived such a full, complete, and gratifying life..
Alene Fishbein, Toby's aunt.
Alene Fishbein
November 13, 2012
Mrs. Rubin always struck me as being a very caring and unassuming individual who treated others with both dignity and respect, no matter who they were. She was always friendly and pleasant, especially when she interacted with the children. I was very saddened to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. This is really a tremendous loss for the community and she will be truely missed.
K Czepiel
November 13, 2012
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