The Rubinskys of Brownsville, Texas by Guerta Geifman Rubinsky Guerta Rubinsky spoke at the TJHS Board Meeting in Brownsville in January, 2019 My name is Guerta Geifman 1, 2001. My mother, Pola (Perla) Rubinsky. I was born in Mexico City Schkolnik Geifman, was born on on January 12, 1934. I met the love of September 15, 1913, in Zhmerynka, my life, Simon Rubinsky, at a friend’s Ukraine. She passed away on June 3, home in Mexico City in 1958. He 2004. They immigrated separately to asked me out, but I was dating another Mexico City sometime after World nice Jewish man at the time so I told War I and met there at a Russian club. him I could not go out with him. He They were married on February 14, left the next day to go to Acapulco 1932. I was able to bring them to on vacation. Almost a year later, my Brownsville in 1980, where they were boss sent me to Monterrey, Mexico to very happy living until their deaths. organize an office. I was staying with My mother became a U.S. citizen in my godparents, Pedro and Fannie Po- June 1998. dolsky, who were close friends of my Simon’s parents were Bertha parents. Someone found out that I was (Basia) Sussnitsky and Joseph Rubin- in Monterrey and told Simon who, at sky. Bertha was born on November the time, was working as a manager of 28, 1907, in Kalvaria, Lithuania and Zale’s Jewelry in Harlingen, Texas. Si- passed away on July 7, 1989. Joseph mon drove to Monterrey with some of was born May 26, 1906, in Lubo- Guerta Geifman Rubinsky his friends, and we went out to dinner va, Lithuania and passed away on and dancing. The next day, he told me were married in a civil ceremony on November 8, 1984. Joseph and his he would like to get to know me better April 19, 1959, in Brownsville and brother, Albert, immigrated to Mex- and wanted me to go to Brownsville, had our religious wedding ceremony ico entering through the port city of Texas, to meet his parents and stay on May 26th at the Deportivo Israeli- Veracruz around 1925. Bertha later with them. By this time, I was really ta in Mexico City. joined them, but per the instructions crazy about him, but Mr. Podolsky We settled in Harlingen, where of her father, was not allowed off the said that it was not proper for me to go our three children, Nina, Melanie, ship until she was married. Joseph had alone with him. and Abraham were born. In 1967 we to quickly find two witnesses on the In stepped Mrs. Leike Sandler, who moved to Brownsville. Melanie who docks so that the ship’s captain could lived in Monterrey, and was a close is married to Javier Solis; Abraham marry them and let her off the ship. friend of Simon’s parents since their who is married to Lisa Joachim They immigrated to the United States days in Lithuania. She said she would Rubinsky; and Nina now live in around 1935 with their three children: go with us. Houston, Texas. We have two grand- Simon, Tobias, and Sarita, settling The next day, we drove to Harlin- children, Adam and Alana. in Brownsville, Texas. Joseph had a gen so Simon could check on the store Simon and I were happily mar- furniture store in Matamoros, Mexico and then we drove to his parents’ home ried for fifty years until he passed called Muebleria Matamoros to which in Brownsville. I felt very welcome the away on December 24, 2009. I still he would drive across the border on moment I walked into their home. It miss him very much. a daily basis. He was well liked and was nice and had an inviting Jewish at- My father was Marcos Tversky people affectionately called him Don mosphere. Simon and I went out every Geifman, born in Kiev, Russia on Pepe. Both my in-laws were active day and he introduced me to his friends. June 17, 1907. members of the Jewish community in We became engaged ten days later. We He passed away on September Brownsville.

Message from the President, continued from page 1 friends. If you have a chance, COME TO A MEET- The deadline for the November ING! You’ll be welcomed, you’ll be entertained and 2019 TJHS News Magazine you’ll discover the Jewish contributions to the fabric of Texas! See you October 25 – 27 in Baytown. is Friday, October 18.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - August 2019 Page 3