But in the world of Chabad's mission: The late Rabbi Yisrael Rubin, the Chabad emissary for 52 years in Albany, New York, passed away at the age of 78, after participating in the Shemini Atzeret night prayers at his synagogue.
The late zt"l was born in 1958 to his parents - Rabbi Moshe and Mrs. Yocheved Miriam Rubin in Montreal, Canada. As a child, he studied at Chabad institutions in the city, and later moved to the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Montreal. He later moved to study at the Chabad Yeshiva at the Chabad World Center-770, where he was ordained to the rabbinate by the Ordination Committee of the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in the Rebbe's courtyard.
The late Ztz"l was known for the creative and innovative projects he led, publications and campaigns to encourage observance of the mitzvot. Among other things, while still a student, he published "The Torah Times", and upon arriving in Albany, he prepared special "Nash"k matches - to spread the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles.
Over the years, he has published many articles on relevant and fascinating topics, and has developed a unique approach in the field of education.
In 1940, he was one of the founders of the Maimonides School in Albany, and headed the school and the growing regional network of Shluchim and Chabad houses - until his final illness. Even during his illness, he continued to be involved in the activities of the Chabad houses.
He authored an in-depth Torah book dealing with two paragraphs in the Passover Haggadah, entitled "Marebeh Sefer," and also wrote another book of over 600 pages - "Torah Reflections," which, with God's help, is expected to be published soon.
Torah study and teaching were at the center of his life and mission, even in his final years and during his illness.
During his years of mission, he was greatly inspired by the "Letter of Departure and Return" that the Lubavitcher Rebbe sent on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Chabad in his place of mission.
He is survived by his wife and partner in shlichus, Rebbetzin Rachel Rubin Tebdel Chaim, and his children: Rabbi Mendel (shlichus at the University of Albany), Rabbi Abba (shlichus in Saratoga Springs, New York), Rabbi Yossi (shlichus in Clifton Park, New York), Rabbi Shmuli (shlichus at Union College, Schenectady, New York), Deborah Leah Mathles (Albany, New York), Rivki Cohen (Manchester, England), Rabbi Ephraim (Brooklyn), Rabbi Shimi (Albany), Moshki (Brooklyn), Rabbi Motti (Cologne, New York), and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters Rachel Zakles (Detroit), Esther Hanowitz (Montreal) and Sarah Yozevitz (Brooklyn).
His daughter Esti Cohen (Manchester, England) passed away during his lifetime.
His funeral will take place in Albany, New York, the place where he devotedly served the Lubavitcher Rebbe throughout his life.
