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By the turn of the 20th Century, it was becoming apparent in Tacony that this paternalistic, primarily English village was giving way to a more pluralistic society. Over a quarter century had passed since Henry Disston began to implement his plan for an orderly industrial town at Tacony, and waves of Irish, German, Italian, African-American, and Jewish families began to settle here. Although this influx of new Taconyites weakened Disston's concept of paternalism, it cemented ethnic and religious diversity in the neighborhood which continues to this day.
The bulk of Tacony's Jewish population did not emerge until the 1920s. However, several pioneering entrepreneurs paved its way by opening several businesses along the main thoroughfare of the day: Longshore Avenue. In addition to Guggenheim's Dress Shop, Myra Zier's Shoe Store, and David Brees' Ladies Shop, the Rubin Brothers Department Store was a prominent Jewish-owned retailer during the early part of the 1900s.
When it was constructed in 1905 at the Northeast corner of Longshore Avenue and Hegerman Street, the Rubin Brothers Department Store had already been in operation in Tacony for nearly eight years; increasing its patronage steadily by providing quality goods at rock-bottom prices. The new 26 ft by 90 ft two story brick building was regarded in 1906 as "one of the best, if not the finest, business properties in Tacony" by the Tacony New Era. In profiling some of the leading businessmen of the day, the paper went on to describe the business as "having been characterized by fair, square, honorable dealing and a conscientious effort to please and satisfy its patrons, and few businesses here today enjoy to a greater degree the confidence and respect of the people of Tacony... The business is regarded as a reliable, progressive, and successful dealer." The new showroom featured the largest variety of its day in clothing, hats, shoes, dress materials, and furnishings.
On December 17, 1896, Hymen Rubin was born to Esther and Joseph Rubin (one of the Rubin Brothers who would soon become leading retailers in the Tacony community). Although he dropped out of high school, Principal Alvin Snook from Frankford High School persuaded young Rubin to return to school and served as a mentor for him. Heeding Mr. Snook's advice, Hymen went on to become president of the student assembly and editor-in-chief of its yearbook. Unlike most sons of successful Jewish businessmen in the neighborhood, who would join the family business, Hymen Rubin chose to study law. He later returned to Tacony to establish both personal and professional roots.
Hymen Rubin graduated from Temple University's Law School in 1919. At 23, he organized the Forty-First Ward Savings and Loan Association to aid returning war veterans for the purchase of homes. Later known as Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan, located at 6958 Torresdale Avenue, the building housed the banking institution on the first floor with Rubin's living quarters above. Fostering the virtues of thrift and debt-free home ownership throughout sprawling Northeast Philadelphia, Rubin was an active part of the institution for over fifty years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Tacony Building and Loan Association, housed at the Southeast corner of Longshore Avenue and Tulip Street at the Trust Fund building.
Hymen Rubin married Miriam Magil Rubin, a descendant of the Chief Rabbi of Lithuania. Her father, Joseph Magil, was a Philadelphia publisher of biblical translations and Hebrew works distributed worldwide. When the Rubins settled in Tacony, only about twenty-five Jewish families called the area home. In 1925, Miriam Magil Rubin established the first Hebrew religious school in Northeast Philadelphia. The Tacony Women's Hebrew Association conducted classes three days a week on the second floor of the Tacony Trust Company building.
With experience gained from assisting with a Hebrew school operated by her father, combined with the desire to learn heritage and take part in community, Miriam believed and often said, "the cause is greater than the individual." It is said that she could be seen pushing a baby carriage with two small children beside her, knocking on doors of Jewish families and business owners to spread the word of a need for a center of Jewish learning and worship for their children. A small congregation eventually formed, which for several years conducted services in homes above the stores of Jewish merchants.
By 1936, the building which had formerly housed the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at the Northeast corner of Walker Street and Tyson Avenue became available after the Church built a larger facility on Cottman Avenue. This one-story building, originally constructed as an ACME Supermarket, became known as the Northeast Jewish Community Center and was issued its charter that same year. Modestly adorned with a Star of David, set in stained glass above the doorway, this building served as home to the congregation until 1952, when a larger building was constructed at the Northwest corner of Algard Street and Tyson Avenue. Re-named Temple Menorah for its prominent exterior, the new building could hold 484 members; nearly five times the capacity of the original building, known as "The Shul." In honor of its founder, the building's auditorium was named the Miriam Magil Rubin Auditorium. In 1954, Miriam was chosen Mother of the Year by the Menorah Chapter, B'nai Brith Youth Organization.
On October 26, 1974, Hymen Rubin died at his residence on Torresdale Avenue at the age of 77. He was appropriately memorialized in December, 1974 by members of the OCJCC, who stated, "He never lost his cool or raised his voice in anger... He had the heart to sense one's anguish and reckon with one's perplexity... A man of integrity himself, Hymen Rubin always looked for it in others. He searched for it in society and with it all he was a man of simplicity, a man who lacked any measure of ostentation. Because he cherished these virtues, he constantly appreciated them in others... He was blessed with an artist's soul, loved beautiful things, music, and nature. Anyone who visited his office must remember the fresh flowers which adorned his desk every day, and must also remember the orderliness and systematic arrangement of his scheduled affairs."
Miriam Magil Rubin resided at 7007 Gillespie Street and remained a significant part of the Temple Menorah. She served on the Board of Jewish Education of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley for 25 years. In 1973, she was the recipient of the Humanitarian Award of the Oxford Chapter, B'nai Brith Women. Mrs. Rubin was also active in a multitude of civic causes including the United Fund, Deborah Foundation, Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens, NAACP, ACLU, and the American Technion Society. She was also known amongst some Taconyites as more than willing to provider her competent accounting and notary public services for little or sometimes no compensation. Miriam Magil Rubin lived to be 79 years old, succumbing to Leukemia at Graduate Hospital on January 7, 1977.
It is difficult indeed to imagine the cultural and civic landscape of today's Tacony without the influence of Hymen and Miriam Magil Rubin. Their love of faith, love of family, confidence in fellow man, and dedication to serve all of them would make both true role models in any era. We in Tacony should be thankful for all that they gave to better this community. By enshrining their names in our hearts and in our minds, may we always remember that an optimistic approach and sincere dedication to a given cause is all one needs to truly succeed.
