''Al" (Alex) Rubin
Elik hen Mottis v' Chaya

We will remember Al, Grandpop, Dad.

Al was memorable, unique, one of a kind, very unconventional and his own person. Our shared loss is difficult and profound because Al was such a constant, a positive presence and larger than life.
Al had a big heart. He loved people. He cared about everyone. He loved to kibbitz and debate on any topic at any time.

If there is a word, one word to describe Al, it would be
STUBBORN.

Although Al would claim that he was not stubborn ... he was just persistent and Tzippy might say something else...

Al was brilliant. He was a great teacher and a lifelong student and we realize how much Al taught us in terms of his giving, caring and loving.

He read non-fiction every day and believed that you could learn something new daily and he also learned from everyone and every experience. He loved making lists and his lists had lists.

Al was interesting and interested in everything and everyone. His passions included golf, softball (he was a pitcher), he loved shooting craps which he turned into a hobby. He even bought a crap table for his home in order to teach his children and grandchildren the art of gambling. He played the drums as part of a Klezmer group and entertained at Jewish weddings and he loved a good party. Al taught himself to drive and age 13. He loved business, sat on many boards and made friends wherever he went. He even invited a hitman to sleep on a sofa in his home.

Al was also a proud man... he was proud of his family, his Judaism, his business achievements despite a modest upbringing and he was proud of having been the last all male class to graduate from Southern HS. Al also made a point of keeping in touch and staying close with his classmates.

Yiddish was Al's first language and Yiddish had a major influence on his life. Not only was Al a beloved Yiddish teacher at Temple Emanuel but he felt that it was his mission to inspire others regarding the appreciation and love of the Yiddish language.

However, one cannot speak of Al alone without also speaking of his devoted and loving wife of 61 years, Tzippy. Yours is true love story. You first met when you were just 15 years old and Al was just 18. You met at the Jewish Yon Broad and Pine and he came over and asked you to dance. Since you had no filter even then, you said, "you have orange hair and you are so tall... no thank you". Al said, "One day when you grow up...I'm going to marry you."

After Al graduated from Temple University with a degree in Engineering, and he began at RCA. As fate would have it, just before your wedding. Al lost his job and you said, "this will never happen again, we will never work for anyone else." And so it was...

You worked hard together, you complimented one another, you supported one another and became successful. The secret of your 61 beautiful years is...

Al was always right.

You were always right.

He was the boss.

You never listened to him and you did whatever you wanted to do.

It was a perfect match and so it was...

Over your many years, you evolved into a real team, a true partnership, best friends, soul mates.

Tzippy, I can't even begin to imagine how much you will miss your life's partner.

And how Al loved you his children.

Ken (Judy), Robin and Susie

Dad never disciplined you...he let Mom do it.

Al simply adored you his grandchildren, Brandon and Meredith, Jordan, Dillon, Bekki, Alyson, Brittany, Jarrett and Daphna.

And great grandchildren Jacob, Benjamin and Sophia.

Your Grandpop was so very proud of you. He was proud of your accomplishments and prouder yet of the bright, sensitive and caring family that you are. Al felt your constant support, care, concern and love.

Know that Grandpop will live on in you, and through you and through all of your sacred stories and precious memories.

However I feel that one can best understand and appreciate a person by the way in which one copes with adversity, setback, disappointment, illness and loss. Al had more than his share of challenges but you might not know it. He always seemed to remain positive and rebound.

This time, it seemed different. His diagnosis of cancer was a life threatening one. Even two weeks ago, with advanced cancer, Al said, "I want a second, third, fourth opinion." He told me that he was not afraid of dying and what will be will be. Although he didn't want to die, he had too much to live for.

In the balance, Al led a full, fulfilling and purposeful life.

He lived ... and then he died. And we know that his bright light can never be extinguished.