Ruby Bass, renowned philanthropist for State of Israel Bonds and the women’s division of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, died September 28 at the age of 91.

“She was ageless and elegant,” said Barbara Goldfarb, development director of Cleveland Heights’s Park Synagogue. Bass was a “lifelong” member for the synagogue for more than 50 years. “Ruby was so generous, and a true leader. She really inspired a generation of women to follow in her footsteps.” Park Synagogue is creating a permanent memorial fund in her name to support outstanding female leaders in the Jewish community.

Born Ruby Chertkoff in Ontario and having grown up in Cleveland, she graduated from Glenville High School before marrying Max Bass in 1938. While selling real estate, she raised four children and took leadership roles in the Jewish community.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Bass and her husband were stars on the dance floor as well as in philanthropic circles. A spirited ballroom and Latin dancer, Bass was known to strut down the runway doing the Charleston as she modeled the latest Israeli fashions to raise money for State of Israel Bonds. An active volunteer in the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Park Synagogue choir, she became Cleveland’s “Lion of Judah” representative because of her personal philanthropic involvement with the Jewish community. Bass was also a past president of B’nai Brith Women.

More than 500 people attended her funeral Sunday. Bass is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three siblings.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount