Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Regional Board Member Cheri Rubin discusses her passions for music, dance, family and being involved with ADL.

 

How did you first become involved in the ADL? How are you involved now? 

ADL Regional Director Scott Levin, Regional Board Member and Past Board Chair Stu Pack and his wife Robin Pack served as ADL representatives on a task force I co-chaired for Colorado Ballet, Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project.  They were amazing to work with, and subsequently I was invited to join the Mountain States Regional Board.  I’m co-chairing the upcoming Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program.  I also booked the music for last year’s National Commission Meeting. It was the first year this event has had live music at the receptions and I loved that our regional board and staff, as hosts of the Commission, supported doing this.

What do you do in your professional life?

I retired several years ago from the reinsurance business where for 25 years I ran my own life and health intermediary.  We were small but mighty with national clients primarily on the two coasts.   I now divide my time between the boards of ADL, Colorado Ballet and Evergreen Music Festival, the latter of which I lead. I also tutor Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, am directing Congregation Beth Evergreen’s upcoming Purim shpiel (play) – A Rat Pack Purim –  and I book and market my teenage daughter’s jazz combo Franny & the Jets.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I was a pretty good pianist as a kid and for a while I wanted to make it as a professional musician.  After receiving my MBA, I went on the road for a couple years with my all-girl band, Sweetheart.  I learned that it’s a pretty tough career path and I wasn’t cut out for it.

Where were you born? From where do your ancestors hail?  

I was born in Dayton, Ohio and spent my wonder years in Oak Park and Southfield, Michigan.  Of Ashkenazi Russian and Polish descent, I’ve been to Ellis Island and found the trail!

What’s your favorite holiday? 

That would be Sukkot.  For several years we had a sukkah, but up where we live (near Evergreen) everything always blows away on day one, so our home sukkah days are behind us.

What’s your favorite food? 

Like my mom of blessed memory – anything treif (non-kosher)!  Lobster is at the top of the list.

What are you reading? 

Right now I’m in the middle of The Rabbi Sleeps with the Senator.  The last 10 years that Steve Foster was Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanuel, I had the monthly privilege of sharing the bimah with him as the keyboard player for Shabbat Unplugged, which he pioneered. Almost always, his wife Joyce attended that service.  It’s been fun for me to gain new insights into the characters of two people I very much respect and got to know a bit.

What’s a special place you have visited?

We love to travel as a family.  My favorite vacation was a week-long sailing trip we took around the smaller Greek Islands on a tiny yacht.

What’s one thing every person should know or experience?   

Parenthood, if possible. I had a “miracle baby” at age 42 and she has been the joy of my life.  I was fortunate to raise her with a wonderful man, Alan Rubin.  I count my blessings.

What teacher or class stands out to you the most in your education and why? 

About twice a month for 14 years Temple Emanuel Cantor Regina Heit worked with me to up my vocal game, and she also taught me to chant Torah.  She is an extraordinary teacher.

What are you passionate about personally? What can’t you stop talking about? 

Everyone who knows me would say that this would be my daughter.  I just chalk it up to marketing the band.

Where can we find you when you’re not working? 

At salsa dance classes at La Rumba or practicing in our little home dance studio.  I’m taking private dance lessons and will be competing in my first ballroom dance competition on April 1!

What would be impossible for you to give up? 

Texas Hold ‘em poker on my tablet.

If you had to teach something, what would you teach? 

For several years, until a full-time theater/choir teacher was hired, I directed after-school plays, talent shows and Glee club at our local middle school.  I miss my kiddos and would like to get back into that.

Tell me a story that immediately pops into your mind that was a defining or significant moment for you.   

A few years ago we went to Eastern Europe on a roots trip; my father-in-law was a Holocaust survivor from what is now Ukraine.  Because of our family history, we were permitted to go spelunking in the Priest’s Grotto, a cave in western Ukraine where 38 Jews took refuge for over a year.   Having this three-hour extremely physical, sensory experience in the same cave in which these 38 very determined Jews survived the Holocaust was a defining moment for all three of us.

Why do you choose to make a financial investment in ADL? 

Because the work we do not only fights anti-Semitism, but also works to ensure fair treatment for all minorities.  This is the best path to strength, creativity and peace.

Complete this sentence: For me, the ADL is …

…somewhere I go for intellectual stimulation. The board meetings and events are outstanding.