Funeral Details

Rabbi Ralph Ruebner

January 11, 1944 - February 15, 2024

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Service

Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation
4500 West Dempster Street
Skokie, Illinois 60076
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Clergy

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill
Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation

Interment

New Light Cemetery
6807 North East Prairie
Lincolnwood, Illinois 60712
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Shiva

Party Room - Ground Floor
9643 Woods Drive
Skokie, Illinois 60077
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Sunday upon return from the cemetery until 8PM
and
Monday and Tuesday 4-8PM

Memorial Contributions

HIAS Chicago c/o JCFS
3145 West Pratt Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60645
www.hiaschicago.org
or
UIC John Marshall Law School - Ruebner Scholarship
315 South Plymouth Court
Chicago, Illinois 60604
www.jmls.edu
or
Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation
4500 Dempster Street
Skokie, Illinois 60076
www.ehnt.org




OBITUARY

Rabbi and Professor Ralph Ruebner
Beloved husband of Evelyn "Evie" nee Prauer. Loving father of Joshua (Mona Hamoui) Ruebner, Rachel (Robert) Chernoff and Dr. Rebecca (Dr. Samuel Sanders) Ruebner. Proud grandpa of Ethan, Rami, Benjamin, and Jonah. Dear brother of Dr. Michael (the late Audrey) Rubner. Cherished son of the late Maurice and the late Edith Ruebner. Dear brother-in-law of Susan (Prauer) and Edward Nadler; Jeffrey Prauer and Barbara Grossman. Dear uncle and cousin to many nieces and nephews and cousins. Friend to many.

He graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago, 1966, and The Washington College of Law, American University, 1969. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1969. He served as head of the Elgin and Chicago offices of the State Appellate Defender as Deputy State Defender. He represented hundreds of indigent prisoners on their appeals, including representation before the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. He joined the faculty of UIC John Marshall Law School in 1982 until 2015 as Professor of Law and the last seven years as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He was honored by the student body as Professor of the Year a number of times. He authored and co-authored a number of law books and dozens of scholarly articles in the field of Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Human Rights and the Rights of Older Persons. He traveled to the former USSR, Israel, Palestine, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam serving as a human rights advocate for individuals and civil society organizations. He served the Jewish Community as synagogue president, JCC officer, JUF commission chair, president of HIAS Chicago, and officer of The Decalogue Society of Lawyers. He was ordained as Rabbi in 2016.

Service Sunday, 1:30 PM at Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation, 4500 Dempster Street, Skokie. Interment New Light Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: HIAS Chicago c/o JCFS, 3145 W. Pratt Blvd., Chicago, IL 60645, www.hiaschicago.org or UIC John Marshall Law School - Ruebner Scholarship, 315 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604, www.jmls.edu or Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation, 4500 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60076, www.ehnt.org would be appreciated. To view the livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals-Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com

This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home or family's permission.


GUEST BOOK

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Dearest family,

I am absolutely heart broken and send you my deepest condolences. I met Ralph when I was a junior at UIC and he graciously allowed me to volunteer for his legal clinic. We worked on a clemency petition together that lasted for many years. He quickly became a profound mentor and father-like figure for me. In fact, my parents would often tell me to go to him for advice when they were not certain of the best path. I was always struck by his integrity, deep compassion for others, and kindness. When I took on a prosecutorial role, I will never forget how he told me to maintain compassion for others. He always gave me both professional and personal advice. I loved him deeply and he will be forever in my memory. Although I never met his family members personally, he always spoke with such devotion and pride. I am sending my love to you all. The world will never be the same, but I am comforted by the fact that he had left an imprint that dramatically improved the lives of so many, including my own. I am incredibly grateful and honored to have called him a friend, professor, and mentor.

Love,
Ana Petrovic

Ana Petrovic
February 16, 2024
Our thoughts are with the whole family.

NYC UES Sanders Family

Adam Sanders
February 16, 2024
Dear Ruebner Family,
My deepest condolences to you. I attended John Marshall Law School 20+ years ago and Ralph was my evidence professor. He was one of the best professors I had and a wonderful person. I learned so much from him. May his memory be a blessing.
Warm regards,
Stacey Kalamaras
JMLS '05

Stacey Kalamaras
February 16, 2024
He touched many lives with his light and knowledge. He was one of my best professors. He was equitable and fair. He will be missed!

Robyn Donaldson
February 16, 2024
He was a very outstanding gentleman, the best
he will be missed. Very sad… 😞

Eric Finkelstein
February 16, 2024
With deep sadness my ❤️ is very heavy, to let go is very difficult but in my memory know he will live on for ever. Ralph was my idol mentor father figure I needed in my life. Life as I know it will not be same rest in paradise my friend....I and Talitha love you.

Anselm Holman
February 16, 2024
From the Australian mispoche, Ralph, we will miss you. Shabbat will not be the same without your weekly cheery greeting.

We wish the family long life.

Bev and Ian

Beverly and Ian Pryer
February 16, 2024
Ralph was a positive inspiration to all who met him. He was a mentor and second father to our daughter Mara. Evie planned our trip to the Marshall Islands where Mara was doing her World Teach Program. Rachel is her dear friend that has made a difference in her life. Ralph influenced and changed many lives. His work will never be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Leslie and Dan

Leslie and Dan Yamshon
February 17, 2024
My family met Ralph or "Rafi" as I called him when we came to America in 1989. He was always a kind, loving friend, who treated me like one of his kids. I always felt I could confide in him and that he was one of the closest people in my life. He will always be missed. ברוך דיין האמת

Eitan Divinsky
February 17, 2024
I am sorry to see the passing of Dean Ruebner. I was a student at John Marshall law school and graduated in 2011. I took his South Africa trip which was the trip of a life time for me. He was an inspirational Dean and was loved by many students, colleagues, friends, congregation members, and most important his family. He was so proud at the time to have his 1st grandchild. May his memory be a blessing. Precious moments last for ever.

Stephanie Lieberman
February 17, 2024
I am sad to hearing of the Dean's passing. I met him at John Marshall Law School as a student taking his South Africa Constitutional law class. Our trip was truly the trip of a lifetime. I remember him pushing a baby buggy on campus and how proud he was to be a bubbe. He was truly a mensch, He was beloved by his students, colleagues, congregation, friends, and most importantly, his family. May his memory be a blessing. Precious moments last a life time.

Stephanie Lieberman
February 17, 2024
Ralph was a wonderful friend and mentor at JMLS. He was an inspiration to countless students and professors over his four decades of service. He will truly be missed.

Timothy O’Neill
February 17, 2024
While I cannot be with you in person at this sad and difficult time know that my heart is. Ralph was a friend, mentor, colleague and inspiration, but more just a very special person. He will be greatly missed.
With love
Ruth

Ruth Siegel
February 17, 2024
Dear Ruebner family:

Sending my deepest condolences to all of you at this most difficult time. Through the years working with Evie at Kwik Travel, I frequently spoke to Mr. Ruebner. Two wonderful, warm individuals.

Sheila Jackowiak

Sheila Jackowiak
February 18, 2024
Rafi was my lifelong friend since we were 15 and 17 years old. I had the honor of knowing his parents and family well and visited him and Evie over the years in Chicago and San Diego, where I live. Always a positive influence on my life, he even shared his high school class notes with me and we attended each other's other's proms together. He was so kind, thoughtful, and bright, so proud of his rabbinical ordainment, research into his family tree, and his law career. What fun it was to see his mother when she came to San Diego every winter with her beautiful photos of Rafi's and Michael's growing families. When I visited my mother in San Diego, we visited Rafi's warm hearted father. His mother was convinced that Rafi's daughter looked just like her. Rafi's passing leaves a big void in my life but I carry his presence with me. I send love to my great friend and companion. brother Michael, Rafi's wife Evie, his "sweetie," children and grandchildren. His generous, caring soul will live on forever.
With love and precious memories, Nancy Hudak Rey;nolds

NANCY REYNOLDS
February 18, 2024
I will be missing Rafi’s Shabbat Shalom cards which I have been receiving for the past few years.
In my mind, Ralph Ruebner was a man of honor and integrity who made a great impact on all those around him. He is already missed.
Lydia S. Bond

Lydia Bond
February 18, 2024
May you be comforted amongts all mourners of israel and Jerusalem

Leah Katz
February 18, 2024
My deepest condolences to all the family. What a beautiful service to honor Ralph’s life and legacy.

I am one of those outsiders (the “Other”) who Ralph helped. As an untenured junior faculty member at John Marshall Law school, Ralph took me under his wing, offering me advice, encouragement, and wise counsel to help me succeed and thrive as a law professor and human rights scholar.

He was a great mentor to me and a cherished friend. May his memory be a blessing.

Sincerely
Cecil Hunt


Cecil Hunt
February 18, 2024
This is leah katz from kwik travel. We were do sorry to hear about your loss. We always respected your father for all his accomplishments and how your family was so close t on each other. Let’s pray that we should hear only good news ftom now on and there should be peace in Israel and the whole world

Leah Katz
February 18, 2024
Dear Mrs. Ruebner, Joshua, Rachel and Rebecca, sending you my heartfelt sympathies. Professor Ruebner was an incredible human being. He was a true Mensch. He has always been as I remember a pillar of the community, whether it be the president of Ezra Habonim on Touhy in Chicago or as Professor at John Marshall. He had always been so kind to my family and to me as well. I had the opportunity to see “Rabbi Ruebner” at my mom’s shiva in 2018. It was such a wonderful reconnect and it was at that time I learned he was now a Rabbi. I feel like becoming a Rabbi was inevitable and so appropriate. I am saddened to hear of husband and father’s passing. I was able to livestream the funeral and his presence will be surely missed but will live on through everyone’s lives that he touched. May Rabbi, Professor Ruebner’s name always be a blessing. May the memories always bring you comfort. My sincerest condolences, Susie Oppenheimer and family.

Susan Oppenheimer Schaff
February 18, 2024
Please accept my deepest condolences. I had the honor and privilege of having Professor Ruebner during my time at John Marshall Law School. He was one of the best professors and all around people. May his memory be a blessing and may his legacy live on through all who knew him.

Lana Zaretsky Blair
February 18, 2024
No words are adequate to say what Ralph has meant to me over the many years I have had the privilege to call him my close and dearest friend. His goodness to me in taking me into his home for holidays, sharing so many fun gatherings along with Evie, his wonderful wife and entire family were some of the happiest years of my life. His memory will live within the depths of my heart and sustain my life for as long as I breathe upon this earth. Goodness like Ralph's does not ever leave this earth. it is an eternal legacy that will forever live connected to his name because it came from the highest source we know. That source is Love, from which Ralph drew and lived his life so well upon. Farewell my friend and thank you. Always and beyond...

Roberta McKenna Byrne
February 19, 2024
Sincere condolences. I had the honor and privilege of having Professor Ruebner during my time at John Marshall Law School. He was one of my favorite professors and all around wonderful person. May his memory be a blessing.


Mindy Abern
February 19, 2024
Dear Reubner Family,

My dad, Alexander Tolmatsky, was a student of Ralph’s. Ralph had a profound impact on the life of my dad along with I’m sure countless other students. My dad grew up without his own father, and took to Ralph as a mentor and father-like figure. They had a strong bond - extending outside of the classroom into research and ultimately friendship. I believe Ralph was a guest at my first birthday party, back in 1995.

Ralph reached out and extended warmth and comfort to me when my dad passed away (and in the years that followed). I hope hearing from me highlights that Ralph’s kindness, warmth, and generosity spans not just into the generation of his own students, but ripples beyond to the generations of their families.

Thinking of you all and sharing warmth and love during this sad time.

Josh Tolmatsky

Joshua Tolmatsky
February 19, 2024
To the Ruebner Family,

Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I knew Ralph in high school ( SSHS 62 ) and college UIC/Navy Pier and Main Campus 1966 and participated in student government and other activities with him. I always knew he was destined to make positive contributions to society.
Although I haven't seen him in many years, I have followed his amazing career and accomplishments. I viewed his service on Zoom and learned even more from his son, brother and others. What a legacy he has left for us all !
Rest in peace my friend . You were truly loved and appreciated.
May His memory be for a blessing
Marguerite Hutchins (nee Shuchter)

Marguerite Hutchins
February 20, 2024
We were so saddened to hear of Ralph's passing. He and the Ruebners have been an important part of our family for decades just as the Prauers were an integral part of our Temple Ezra going back 80 years. My late mother was very close to Ralph's mother in her later years, visiting regularly until Mrs. Ruebner's passing. And Ralph carried the torch, working closely with my mom at Ezra-Habonim for so many years and regularly talking about the various goings-on at Ezra-Habonim. And as my mother aged, their relationship became ever closer with Ralph so graciously and lovingly calling my mom every week for 20 years or so. He truly became part of the family. My mom would relay every conversation to us, worried through Ralph's medical issues over the years, chided him for burning the candle at both ends and expressed her admiration for all that he had accomplished and continued to do. With all that Ralph had on his plate, he never loosened his connection with my mother and our family, even after my mom's death one year ago at age 102. And we were privileged to be on his Shabbat mailing list and recipients of his teaching which continued until his last days.

What a mensch in the truest meaning of the word. His funeral service was a loving, inspiring and altogether fitting farewell. He will be long remembered and his memory will surely be a blessing.

Alan and Beth Sender
February 20, 2024
We were very sad to hear of Ralph's passing. Ralph was very much a part of my growing up on the South Side where his parents and my parents became friends and were members of Habonim Congregation. He was someone I looked up to and respected. He was always kind and caring to our family and especially to my parents. After Ralph became an ordained Rabbi he attended my mother's 100th birthday and gave her a blessing which she cherished and will always be remembered. He was an extraordinary individual with a great many accomplishments but above all he had a keter shem tov and was a mensch of the highest order!! My his memory be for a blessing!!

Michael and Holly Rosenberg
February 27, 2024
Dear Evie,

Please accept my belated and heartfelt sympathy on your loss of Ralph earlier this year. He was a wonderful partner for you and his absence must be immense. I knew something was amiss when he did not respond to my email the beginning of this month. Still, since it did not come back I tried again. Today I was informed the second one could not be delivered. I looked for obituaries online and after some searching just watched his February funeral service. Listening to his brother's stories and then Josh were helpful in cushioning the shock. I pray that the care and concern of family and friends bring you some measure of comfort. Ralph was an amazing person who quietly left a lasting impression on all who knew him . Many of us now count ourselves fortunate to have that as his gift.

Susan Recknagel
October 30, 2024

Susan Recknagel
October 30, 2024