Merokean earns ‘Achievers Award’

Jane Rubinstein, an artist and retired art teacher from Merrick, was one of a handful of women to take home an “Achievers Award” this year at the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women’s gala on May 6 at the Fox Hollow in Woodbury. The center recognized Rubinstein for her charity and community work.

For years, Rubinstein has decorated windows throughout Merrick’s downtown in return for businesses’ donations to the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation, a heart-health related charity named for a late Merrick teenager. Susan Helsinger, Gruen’s mother and the organization’s founder, nominated Rubinstein for the award. Rubinstein has also donated artwork for libraries, schools, hospitals, a theater and fundraisers for various causes.

Last year, Rubinstein was crowned Ms. New York Senior America, and she spends time speaking and performing at senior venues around the state.

In an email, she said she was “overwhelmed with this honor,” and thanked her “family and friends, the LICBPW, Susan Helsinger, and … sisters from Ms. New York Senior America” for their support.