by Mel Rubenstein
As writer of this column I’m proud to be associated to Elaine Rubenstein and have witnessed most of the explanation why she is Volunteer of the Month.
Elaine graduated from Nottingham Excessive Faculty (the unique Nottingham that was positioned between Westmoreland and Fellows Avenues) in 1951 and attended Syracuse College.
She started a profession within the area of promoting and advertising as a copywriter, then promoting supervisor at C.E Chappell & Sons, and later at Flah’s, till the beginning of her first baby. She continued working as a contract copywriter for a number of retail enterprise in addition to offering advertising and promoting companies for the household enterprise, United Radio Service.
Based in 1923 by Jacob Rubenstein, United Radio supplies service to the digital manufacturing trade, with three separate divisions focusing on automotive, communications and shopper merchandise.
In 1954, Elaine and her husband, Milt, established BeepCall which grew frequently for 40 years to develop into the oldest and largest paging firm serving Central New York. After Milt’s loss of life in 1986, she operated the corporate till it was offered in 1994.
Elaine was additionally concerned within the institution of WONO-FM, the primary classical music FM radio station in Central New York, in addition to serving to develop the primary mobile phone firm on this space, Mobile One.
Rising up simply after the good financial melancholy, Elaine devoted a lot of her time throughout highschool and school years working half time in varied fields. It was not till she entered the office full time that she was capable of flip her consideration towards volunteering in organizations that centered on what was vital to her – schooling, notably in scientific and medical fields, and in peace efforts by way of dialogue. Over time, she served on scores of boards, each domestically and nationally, together with the Group Basis of Central New York, Manlius Pebble Hill Faculty, Stone Quarry Hill Artwork Park, Crouse Hospital, Group Hospital, Temple Harmony Board of Schooling and the Temple Board, the Ferre Institute, the Jewish Residence of Central New York, and the Syracuse Jewish Household Service.
“Whereas on these boards, I served on committees which I felt had been efficient in rising the organizations whereas adhering to their missions,” she mentioned..
There are three organizations by which Elaine remains to be actively concerned and exemplifies her pursuits in schooling, science, and dialogue – the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Know-how (MOST), the American Associates of Neve Shalom/ Wahat al-Salam (AFNSWAS), and Interfaith Works of Central New York (IFW).
InterFaith Works supplies coaching courses for individuals within the immigrant neighborhood who’re eligible to take the required authorities take a look at. The necessities embrace understanding of the US authorities construction, historical past, and a few idea of the geography of our nation. The scholars are from many alternative international locations, together with Cuba, Ukraine, and Sudan. An authorized instructor administrates the category, together with volunteers who can help with correct responses to the required questions that could be requested.
By way of schooling, service and dialogue, InterFaith Works affirms the dignity of every individual and each religion neighborhood and works to create relationships and understanding amongst us. Their workers and volunteers present a mess of companies to the refugee neighborhood in Central New York. Elaine served on its board for a number of years and has appreciated the struggles that these individuals encounter so as to develop into United States residents. Till COVID-19 restrictions prohibited in individual courses, she loved the chance of volunteering to help with the citizenship courses at IFW. These courses are ongoing by way of zoom.
The seed for a Syracuse science museum interesting to all ages was planted in 1977 when the native chapters of the Junior League, the Nationwide Council of Jewish Girls, and the Know-how Membership of Syracuse (now Know-how Alliance of Central New York) acknowledged the necessity and joined forces. The Discovery Middle of Science opened its doorways on Nov. 15, 1981, in a storefront at 321 S. Clinton St. in downtown Syracuse. It was the primary hands-on science museum in Upstate New York.
In 1992, Elaine and her youngsters modified the title to the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum Of Science and Know-how, now known as the MOST, in reminiscence of Milt, and to perpetuate his imaginative and prescient for science schooling in our neighborhood. He had been fascinated by scientific rules, and he beloved to share his enthusiasm with others. The MOST opened to the general public on January 26, 1997 in its new location within the former Syracuse Armory constructing. It featured new hands-on reveals, the Silverman Planetarium, on the time the one public planetarium in Central New York, and the Bristol IMAX Omnitheater, the one domed IMAX theater in New York State.
By way of the efforts of the MOST Board of Trustees, the MOST Basis, and beneficiant monetary assist from donors, members, and guests, the MOST has develop into acknowledged as a pre-eminent science and expertise middle. Right here, individuals of all ages can discover the world of science by way of hands-on reveals, planetarium exhibits, and vigorous science demonstrations.
“Its schooling professionals present distinctive experiences for our Central New York faculty youngsters,” Elaine mentioned. “As our neighborhood navigates the unprecedented challenges of teaching college students throughout a worldwide pandemic, when curricula and classroom situations have modified—the MOST’s dedication to partaking, purposeful, and experiential STEAM studying stays as sturdy as ever.”
With distinctive digital studying applications, the MOST continues to serve the Syracuse Metropolis Faculty District by way of the Science Studying Partnerships, particular applications that assist college students fighting hybrid faculty schedules, and summer season science camp experiences designed with consideration to COVID-19 restrictions.
Keenly all in favour of dialogue and coexistence, Elaine has continuously visited and is a supporter of a novel village in Israel, Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (NSWAS), The Oasis of Peace, the place Jewish, Muslim, and Christian households dwell and be taught collectively serving as a laboratory for peace research. She served as president of the nationwide board of American Associates of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (AFNSWAS) for ten years and remains to be energetic on varied board committees. Elaine has been a long-time member of SAMED (Syracuse Space Center East Dialogue), which additionally has equal members of three communities who meet domestically to debate peaceable decision to the Arab/Israeli battle.
“There are such a lot of ways in which individuals in Central New York can volunteer to present assist and hope to so many,” Elaine mentioned. “I’m proud to be a part of this volunteer neighborhood.”
Elaine Rubenstein lives in Cazenovia and continues to be concerned in all issues good and significant.
To advocate somebody with a stellar report of volunteering to be featured on this column contact Mel Rubenstein: [email protected] or name 315-682-7162.
Submitted photograph
Elaine Rubenstein has spent a lot of her life volunteering and dealing to serve her neighborhood.
