Ruth Hyman

Ruth Hyman passed away on Thursday just short of her 104th birthday. She was the youngest of six siblings all of whom pre-deceased her. Her parents Ida and David were founders of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Long Branch.

Ruth lived every day of her long and productive life to the fullest. She was a business person, An entrepreneur. A philanthropist.

She worked at Fort Monmouth as a supervisor first in the payroll department and then in the Technical Manual area. She said that she knew nothing about either but faked it until she learned on the job.

Simultaneously she directed her love of fashion to create a thriving clothing business. Somehow $3400 in capital translated into $2 million in inventory. She said that if she wrote a book it would be titled “Does it come in any other color?”

She loved to travel all over the world. Clearly her favorite was Israel. On her first visit she said she had breakfast with David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir and Bibi Netanyahu.

She was proud of being known as “The Philanthropist of Monmouth County. “ She gave generously to causes too many to name.

She was honored for her good works by so many institutions including receipt of the US Congressional Jewish Heritage Award at the US Capitol.

She was the President of her Hadassah Chapter for decades.

She donated generously to Congregation Brothers of Israel and to Chabad.

She had close friendships with the Rabbis Braun, Carlebach and Shapiro. In fact she was there in person only months ago in person to honor Rabbi Braun.

She loved family and friends and her caretaker Leila and her family.

Ruth said that her motto was PMA- Positive Mental Attitude. She used that so effectively to help make the world a better place.

May she rest in peace.