Funeral Details

Aviva Rubin (nee Epstein), 91, of Evanston, passed away January 4, 2021. Aviva was preceded in death on December 23, 2020 by her beloved husband of 64 years, Harvey. Aviva is survived by her children; David (Rachel), Rachel (Sam) and Mimi; devoted grandmother of Julia, Ben and Alea; sister of Adina (the late Robert) Romain. Aviva was born in Jerusalem, while her mother was staying with her parents and siblings that immigrated there in the mid 1920’s. Aviva’s mother, Rebecca, had to leave the United States for several months while her husband, Rabbi Sholom Epstein, was awaiting the confirmation of his American citizenship. Rebecca traveled roundtrip via a steamship while awaiting her husband to become a U.S. citizen. Aviva grew up in the Midwest in Missouri and Iowa as her father moved between numerous synagogue congregations as his rabbinical career progressed. Aviva graduated from high school at 16 years old and attended college at the University of Iowa. After college she lived in New York for a year, pursuing graduate studies. Eventually she settled in Chicago, to join her parents and sister. Aviva had several careers during her lifetime. The first one was as a speech pathologist for Chicago Public Schools. Then she was a stay-at-home mother with her three children. The third phase of her career was at Northwestern University as an editor at University Publications. She loved her job at Northwestern, nothing was more satisfying to Aviva as wielding a red pencil correcting other people’s writing errors. An accomplish gourmet cook, Aviva was a devotee of Julia Child and was an avid watcher of her early television cooking shows. In addition, she was an incredibly skilled knitter and sewer, enjoying making sweaters and clothes for herself and her family. Travel after her kids grew up became a huge part of hers and Harvey’s life. She loved to research their trips far in advance to assure that no museum and historical sites were overlooked. She especially loved their cruise down the Nile, exploring the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, Prague, Spain and Portugal. Always a fervent supporter of equal rights, Aviva was an active protester and campaigner for the Equal Rights Amendment and local Democrat politicians in Chicago and Evanston. Memorial contributions can be made to the League of Women Voters, www.lwv.org/, or another charity of your choice. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, private graveside services will be held. Funeral service will be live streamed Wednesday 2PM, to attend the funeral live stream please visit Chicago Jewish Funerals website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.