The Temple Beth Abraham Keter Shem Tov Committee is pleased to announce that this year’s honoree is Robin Rubin. Robin and her husband, Larry, joined TBA in 1994, and as their son, Michael, was a toddler at that time, Robin was soon recruited to help organize the following year’s High Holiday Babysitting. During the 30 years since then, Robin has been active in the TBA community, contributing her time and efforts — in many small ways during those early years and in more significant ways in recent times.
After organizing TBA’s High Holiday babysitting for 2-3 years, Robin was the kitchen Paper Goods Coordinator for many years, the Sisterhood Financial Secretary for 2-3 years, the Sisterhood Programming VP two times, and is currently an at-large Sisterhood Board member. During those same years, Robin helped to set up numerous TBA onegs and kiddushes and generally offered her time and energy to synagogue events and projects, as needed.
In recent years, Robin has taken on larger roles. She has been co-chairing Sisterhood’s twice a year Rummage Sales, bringing in significant funds for Sisterhood and TBA and contributing to the Greater Nashua community. Robin ran two successful Mah Jongg “tournaments” at TBA, leading, after the pandemic, to a regular Mah Jongg group at TBA on Sunday mornings. Robin has also stepped up to the task of coordinating the Purim Mishlo’ah Manot, with her husband, Larry, coordinating the home deliveries. Robin and Larry also assemble and deliver welcome baskets to new TBA members. Robin also helps the Sisterhood organize meals for shiva homes after funerals. Robin and Larry are regulars at Thursday morning Torah Study classes.
Robin has been contributing outside of TBA, also. Pre-pandemic, she regularly helped in the pantry of the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter (NSKS). Currently, she coordinates weekly delivery of “day-old” baked goods from Shaw’s supermarket to Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, volunteers as a tutor for adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, volunteers as an English tutor to Israeli teens through a program called Israel Connect, and volunteers at American Red Cross blood drives. In May, she went to Israel on a weeklong volunteer/solidarity trip, because she felt that she needed to help there in some small way. Robin says that she finds purpose in helping others and her actions demonstrate this.
We feel that Robin beautifully represents the teaching of “Tikkun Olam”, repairing the world, and is worthy of the “Keter Shem Tov”, the Crown of a Good Name. Please join us at Shabbat services and the kiddush luncheon on September 7, 2024, when we honor her. Mazal Tov to you, Robin, and to Larry and Michael and Matthew, for this well-deserved honor. Yasher Koach!