Posted on 08/15/23
Jerusalem, Israel - Aug. 13, 2023 - Bright. Independent. Feisty. These words were repeated over and over again.
Dr. Maxine Ribakow Miller, z'l, passed away on August 10, 2023, in Yerushalayim at age 104.
Memories of her days long ago in Baltimore and not so long ago in Yerushalayim came pouring in as the sad news of the levaya on Sunday morning in Eretz Hachaim Cemetery near Beit Shemesh, Israel.
"The most striking part of what I remember about Maxine or ‘Mackey’ as the family called her is that she was an incredibly kind person," reflected Rebbetzin Bayle Haber. "Her family was certainly considered a member of the Schwartz family. In the family relationship, her mother's brother Benjamin Rombro was married to Anna Schwartz. However, the relationships went way way back."
In her taped interview for the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Mrs. Gussie Poliakoff described how Sarah Ribakow (Maxine's mother) taught her how to do chessed, by taking her down to a very poor neighborhood in East Baltimore. Mrs. Poliakoff described how she was shocked by the living conditions, but had no time to dwell on it. Sarah kept her busy, bathing children, washing, cleaning, and serving the food she had brought. Just before they left Sarah slid some money under the tablecloth and then called the mother of the house. Speaking to her kindly, giving a few words of advice and encouragement, Sarah kept moving her hand back and forth on that corner of the table. When they left she told Gussie that was so she should look there and find the money.
Maxine herself continued the family tradition, as she was a thoughtful and benevolent woman as was her husband Alfred. They opened their hearts, homes, and generosity to family. In 1962 they gave their daughter Sarahh the choice of a formal bat mitzvah or a trip to Israel. Sarah chose Israel. The trip was so enthralling that the Millers decided to move to Israel for a year. Sarah enrolled in high school, her father worked in research and development. After one year, Dr. Alfred had some projects to finish so it became two years. Then, the decision was that Sarah finish high school before they leave. By then it was 1967, and the Millers stayed permanently.
Maxine and Alfred both earned PhDs in Chemistry, not easy for a woman to accomplish in those days. There are stories of "Aunt Mackey" successfully tutoring the Periodic Table to her nephew, a special yeshiva student who went on to become one of the gedolei Yisrael, and of the Millers putting the daughter of their ozeret through medical school to fulfill her dreams of becoming a dentist.
Maxine became very involved in AMIT, much as her mother had been committed to what was then Mizrachi Women of America. The AMIT Baltimore Chapter was named in memory of Sarah Ribakow z"l. Maxine was one of the original founders of the Chug Ayelet Jerusalem AMIT chapter founded in 1967, along with a few Jewish women who made aliyah after the June War. She served as the Israel Executive Chair from 1975-1986 and was honored at the AMIT Israel Dinner in 2013. At that time a 94-year active young woman.
Maxine, z"l, was AMIT International Vice President and worked closely with Sarah Shane, z"l, her lifelong friend who also made aliyah from Baltimore.
Memories recounted constantly remembered Mackey as a kind and loving person, with a quick smile. who was the first to acknowledge your presence with a smile. She loved to share stories of family and general history, Baltimore and otherwise. Maxine listened when you spoke as if she had nothing else to do but hear your questions or problems. She was not shy about correcting you, but never left one smarting. She felt the pain and loss of her younger family members very keenly.
As the volunteer photographer and co-President of Chug Ayelet as Maxine entered her 90s, I can affirm she was still witty and sharp, and would not appreciate being considered senior or elderly. Both Maxine and Sarah Shane would get on the bus and come to meetings, even after moving to living arrangements further away from the center of Yerushalayim.
A long-time AMIT officer and colleague Shirley Shein noted that she would call Maxine, z'l, before Rosh Hashana and Pesach, and each time she would say, "Shirley, so glad you called, I knew you would. How is your family?" Shirley added, "She was completely alert and engaging till this Pesach, and prior to Covid, she would attend the board meetings always making appropriate comments to benefit AMIT."
Hespedim at the levaya were offered by her grandson Ari Kahn, great nephews Baltimorean Larry Ribakow, and Pesach Zuravin and daughter Sarah Liron.
The family will be sitting shiva through Friday in Maxine's apartment at Nofei Yerushalayim, Jerusalem. Shiva hours are 10 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 8 pm; on Friday only till 5:30 pm.
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