5 minute read
Mark Rubin begins every day with gratitude
Every morning Every night THANK YOU
Mark Rubin begins and ends each day with gratitude
By Ellen Braunstein
What makes Mark Rubin, 83, happiest is knowing that “my family is well and safe.” The same can be said for his three sons who promised their mother right before she died that they would look after their father.
A retired food broker, Rubin lives in Courtyard Village, an active senior living community in Raleigh Hills, which is 10 minutes from downtown Portland. Since 2017, he is living life to the fullest surrounded by family and friends whom he helps without hesitation.
“I have been helping any way I can,” he said. Rubin stepped up twice when the 183-apartment community experienced a food worker shortage because of the pandemic. “They gave me an apron with my name on it and said, ‘We need your help tonight.’ I said, ‘I’ll be more than happy to.’ It’s my responsibility to watch out and make sure everybody’s OK,” even if it’s just to seat someone at dinner.
Rubin volunteers for many activities at Courtyard Village from leading bingo and trivia to building a sukkah on the lushly landscaped grounds. He also lights the menorah and leads Passover seders.
Not all has been idyllic since he relocated to Courtyard Village. When the pandemic struck and his wife died of Parkinson’s in May 2020, he was yanked from his apartment to be with his sons who were working from home. Rubin rotated from house to house for 50 weeks at his sons’ insistence. “When the pandemic was happening there were pictures in the newspaper of grandparents behind glass windows talking to their children and grandchildren. My sons said, ‘You’re never going to have that. You’re coming to live with us.’”
Courtyard Village immediately welcomed him back when it was time to return a year ago, he said.
Rubin grew up in Dallas where his parents instilled strong
Jewish values in their children. They attended Congregation Shearith Israel where his grandfather served as president. “It’s always been a hallmark in our family, our parents teaching us as kids about a great Jewish tradition.” He made memories on a visit to Dallas where he and his friends celebrated the 70th anniversary of their bar mitzvahs with a special service.
From Dallas, Rubin went on to attend University of Oklahoma in 1956. He met his wife, Leah, on campus and they married in 1959. He came to work for General Foods Maxwell House division in Oklahoma City. His wife, who had a degree in primary school education, got a job with Oklahoma City Public Schools. She also volunteered at the synagogue Sunday school and would do so in most places where they relocated with the company.
After 12 years of moves with General Foods, the Rubin family settled in their Portland home for the next 50 years. Rubin left General Foods Kool-Aid Division and bought into a food brokerage business, where he worked for 44 years.
Mark and Leah joined the Conservative congregation, Neveh Shalom. Rubin became involved with the synagogue, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Jewish Education Association, which is now the Jewish campus organization, Hillel. He went to minyan for twenty years at Neve Shalom on Tuesdays and led the services. His wife became the Neveh Shalom Foundation School director from 1974 until retiring in 2006.
He and Leah raised three sons who became businessmen. His oldest, David, is in the fabric and clothing industry. His second son, Dan, works as a vice president for an Italian Food Company. His third son, Gary, bought a parrot food business.
Rubin now has six grandchildren ranging in ages from 22 to 28. One graduated from University of Wisconsin and is working for the Jewish National Fund in Phoenix.
Rubin believes in exercise and a heart-healthy diet, instilled by his wife. The unexpected death of his younger brother convinced Rubin, then 35, to go to the doctor for medical screenings. Tests uncovered two blockages in his heart. In 1974, on Rosh Hashanah, he had his first of two open heart surgeries. The other was in 1989.
Rubin volunteers twice a week at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center where he underwent his heart surgeries. The cardiac rehabilitation program is “for people who have come out of heart surgery and want to talk to someone who has already been through it.”
His secret to a meaningful life is gratitude – “waking up every day and saying ‘thank you’ and going to bed every night and saying ‘thank you.’” On Fridays, he ushers in the Sabbath by saying the blessing over the candles. He also offers a blessing over the 14 Kiddush cups he has collected.
Thinking back on a life well lived reminds Rubin “of how fortunate I am, how lucky I am to be where I am today.”
Courtyard Village RALEIGH HILLS
COME AND SEE THE COURTYARD VILLAGE DIFFERENCE FOR YOURSELF
(503) 297-5500 www.courtyardvillage.com 4875 SW 78th Ave. • Portland, OR 97225
Why Courtyard Village
Courtyard Village is one of Portland’s very few socially active independent senior living communities – privately owned and locally operated. Here are a few reasons why our residents absolutely love it here: Superb SW Portland location in close walking distance to Fred Meyer, restaurants, dry cleaners, and more Optional Meal Plan (quality chef-prepared meals are not included in the monthly rent) Spacious Apartment Homes with large kitchens, full-size appliances (dishwasher, too!), and ample closet space Robust calendar of events, socials, and activities.
Expansive Transportation Service too! Affordable & Financially Attractive: Competitive monthly rent, no Community Fee, no “buy-in” investment, & no “2nd person” fee
Why Move Now?
There are so many reasons to downsize and embrace a new adventure here at Courtyard Village including the following: Mortgage Interest Rates are low, housing inventory is low, and the demand for housing is high. This is the best time to sell to receive well over asking price! Excellent Selection of apartment homes to choose from! Genuinely Kind & Helpful Staff and welcoming
Resident Ambassadors to ensure a pleasant and gratifying beginning to a wonderful lifestyle We Pay for your Move!
