Obituaries

Judith E. Robins
September 20, 1934 – January 7, 2019
Our matriarch left her family after a valiant battle against Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Born Judy Goldberg in St. Paul, Minnesota with twin sister and soul mate Rolla to parents May and Joe, Judy led an early life enriched with a deep abiding love for family and Jewish community. With their penchant for skits and love of summer camp, Judy and Rolla were well known as the “Goldberg Twins” of the Twin Cities. Judy went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a degree in education and married her husband of 63 years, attorney Mickey Robins. He was her second soul mate, who she met when she was just 15.
Whether hosting a temple youth group retreat or one of her legendary Passover Seders, Judy’s passion for her family was unmatched. Affectionately known in the family and far beyond as “Bubby” and “Auntie Judy,” she was the consummate cheerleader for all things big and small. Judy did anything and everything to ensure that her family knew just how loved and supported they were. And Judy’s expansive view of family included not just those who married, partnered, or friended-in, but their entire families as well. Her passing leaves behind countless people whose lives were deeply touched by her unparalleled generosity and inclusion.
Judy’s passion for her community transcended beyond family, having served on the University Synagogue board, including as congregation’s second female president. Her extraordinary forward-thinking leadership included investing in early childhood education and demand that intermarried families be fully embraced by the Reform Movement in the 1970s and 80s, cementing the synagogue’s role as an anchor in the Los Angeles Jewish community.
Predeceased in 2017 by Mickey and Rolla in 2016, Judy is survived by her children Cindy Robins (Mike Macartney), Lynda (Alan) Goldman, grandchildren Joe (Adam), Jacquelyn (Sam), and Matt, nephew Rabbi Howard (Debby) Jacoby Ruben, niece Gayle (Johnny) Javanifard, cherished grand-nieces and nephews Sarah (Dave), Daniel (Deborah), Naomi (Gabe), Maya, Malkah, great grand-niece Selah Meital, along with numerous cousins and friends in her native Minnesota and in California, which became the family matriarch’s home in 1971. The family requests that contributions in celebration of Judy’s life be made to University Synagogue (www.unisyn.org) or a cancer research organization of your choice. A memorial service will be held at Hillside Memorial Park on Thursday, January 10 at 1pm.