Selma Rubinstein

Selma August Rubinstein, a leader and active participant borough politics and her Jewish community in north Queens, New York, died in the early hours of July 8, 2012 in Columbus Ohio. Her vitality, humor, generosity and her ability to turn visionary ideas into realities will be missed by her family and many friend and relatives in New York and Ohio.

She was born in Brooklyn on December 13, 1921, the only daughter of Amelia and Simon August, and her childhood experiences in her parents’ Flatbush jewelry store were a strong influence throughout her life. A graduate of James Madison High School (1939) and Brooklyn College (1943), she married Bernard Rubinstein on October 23, 1944.

Mrs. Rubinstein became active in politics early, working as a neighborhood organizer in New York mayoral, congressional and City Council campaigns, ultimately helping to establish the Queens North Shore Democratic Club. Her proudest accomplishment was her role as co-founder and first president of the Queens Museum, which has flourished as a vital arts and educational institution. Mrs. Rubinstein received many honors for her public contributions, but her most valued honor was the designation of Woman of Achievement, received late in life, when she served as Sisterhood president of the Whitestone Hebrew Center.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bernard, three children, Jessica (Michael Mercier) Rubinstein, Henry Rubinstein and Shira (Eric Schechtman) Rubinstein; 2 beloved grandsons, Andrew Hollweck (Bomi Kim) and Aaron Mercier, and two great- granddaughters, Min and Bea, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews; she was pre -deceased by her brothers, Stanley August and Burton August.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Hadassah, and Whitestone Hebrew Center.