Ernest Rubenstein

Rubenstein—Ernest (“Ernie”), aged 94, died peacefully at his home in NY, NY. He is remembered for his devotion to the well-being of his family and friends, his commitment to the practice of law, his passion for justice, his enjoyment of history, music and hot dogs, helping people in need, and his formidable intellect and kindness. He was born on December 10, 1928, and raised in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Mae and Irving Rubenstein and the brother of the late Lillian Barrer and the late Roslyn Goldstein. He graduated from Princeton University in 1950 and Yale Law School in 1953 where he was Editor in Chief of the Yale Law Journal. He clerked for Justice Thomas C. Clark of the U.S. Supreme Court during the 1953-1954 term, during which Brown vs. Board of Ed. was decided. He regarded the day the decision in that case was decided as the most exciting one of his life. Thereafter he practiced law at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison for almost 43 years. Following his career at Paul Weiss he was a founding partner of Brera Capital Partners, a private equity firm, and thereafter served as a managing partner and member of the Board of Carl Marks & Co, LP, a privately-owned investment and financial services firm. Ernie served on numerous not-for-profit boards, including the Educational Alliance, where he was on the Board for forty years and was the Chairman and President for almost nine years, the Center for Educational Innovation - Public Education Association, the Yale Law School Fund, and several private foundations, including the Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation. He is survived by his wife, Tova Friedler Usdan, his children Jane, William (Lorinda Ash) and Susan (Lou Femenella) from his prior marriage to Phyllis Jacobs Rubenstein who passed away in 1977, his grandchildren Perri, Brett, Roy, Buzzy and Sara, his great-grandchildren Ella, Mia and Roman, his step children Jane Meroney (Bart), Rob Usdan (Amy Yenkin) and the late Karen Usdan, his step-grandchildren Sam, Rebecca, Cole, Dora, Addie and Matthew, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 9, at 11am at Temple Israel, 112 East 75th Street, NY, NY.