Beloved Figure in the JCC Movement Dies
After a Long Illness
Leonard Rubin, executive vice president of
JCC Association, the umbrella organization for Jewish Community
Centers in North America, died on Wednesday, April 18, after
a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.
Rubin was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March
11, 1943, and received his bachelor’s degree from Kent
State University and his MSW from Case Western Reserve University
in Cleveland.
Rubin began his career in the JCC Movement
at the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland and was the director
of Camp Wise, the JCC’s resident camp. He later became
the director of the Tulsa Jewish Community Center. He came
to JCC Association, formerly known as JWB, in 1978 and worked
there for 28 years, helping the agency grow and developing
many of its well-known programs. A gifted professional, he
was mentor to hundreds of young JCC workers. Colleagues from
across the continent turned to him for his wisdom, insight,
and advice. Many considered him the “soul” of
the Jewish Community Center Movement. Rubin’s grace
and dignity throughout his long illness inspired all who knew
him. In 2005, Lenny received the Kochav (A Star) Award from
the Association of Jewish Center Professionals for his longevity
and extraordinary service.
Rubin was a member of Temple Beth El Mekor
Chayim in Cranford, New Jersey, and a past member of the board
of directors of Solomon Schechter Day School.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Laura, his
loving daughter and son in law, Michelle and Russ Silberglied,
and his three grandsons, Jared, Todd, and Corey. Lenny is
also survived by his brother, Marvin Rubin of Delray Beach,
FL. and his sister Diane Mars of Mayfield Hts., OH.
For those who wish to honor his memory,
donations may be made to the Lenny Rubin Israel Education
Fund c/o JCC Association 520 8th Ave NY, NY 10018.
###
JCC Association
is the leadership network of, and central agency for the Jewish
Community Center Movement, which is comprised of 350 JCC,
YM-YWHA and camp sites in the U. S. and Canada. JCC Association
offers a wide range of services and resources to strengthen
the capacity of its affiliates to provide educational, cultural,
social, Jewish identity-building, and recreational programs
to enhance the lives of North American Jews of all ages and
backgrounds. Additionally, the movement fosters and strengthens
connections between North American Jews and Israel as well
as with world Jewry. JCC Association is also the U.S. government
accredited agency for serving the religious and social needs
of Jewish military personnel, their families, and patients
in VA hospitals through JWB Jewish Chaplains Council.
Miriam
Rinn
Communications Manager
JCC Association
520 8th Ave., NY, NY 10018
212-786-5092
fax: 212-481-4174
send an e-mail
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