Mrs. Ruchie Stillman, a pioneering Shlucha and known event planner in California, passed away on Shabbos, 29 Iyar, 5783.
She was 75.
Mrs. Stillman was a pioneering shluchah to the West Coast in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Together with her husband Rabbi Yerachmiel obm, they served as Shluchim at UCLA for many years, impacting thousands of students.
For over four decades she was the organizer of hundreds of Chabad dinners and concerts. During its heyday, she was the co-producer of the Chabad Telethon. For many years she taught the Sefer Rus at the Bais Chana Chabad High School, and was a guidance counselor at Cheder Menachem.
A quiet-powerhouse, she was unassuming and humble. While she took little credit, she found ways to boost all those who came in touch with her, being a constant source of praise for their talents.
When it came to the events she planned, or the students she mentored, she paid attention to the small details. Running around at weddings in her sneakers, she was a master at keeping the peace between families at contentious weddings.
She always looked for the positive in people and events that happened around her, but she never took for granted that others may not be as upbeat as she was. She mentored many beyond the schools where she served as educator, and influenced them to make the best of their life situations.
She is survived by her daughter Shaina Friedman, Calabasas, California and her grandchildren.
She is also survived by her siblings, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Bukiet – Los Angeles, CA, Rabbi Levi Bukiet – Chicago, IL, Mrs. Chaya Bukiet – Crown Heights, Rabbi Alter Fishel Bukiet – Boston, MA, Mrs. Sarah Tzirel Kramer – Montreal, and Rabbi Shneur Zalman Bukiet – Miami, FL.
She was predeceased by her husband Rabbi Yerachmiel in December of 2020 and her brother by Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Bukiet.
The Levaya will take place today, Sunday at 4:00 pm at Mount Olive Cemetery, 7232 East Slauson Ave, Commerce, CA
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Ruchie was a most effervescent woman. What a tremendous loss to all who knew her.
This article does not even come close to the giant of a woman she was!
How she will be missed!
Losing this woman is an incredible loss to the world.
Her personality was was incredible. Loving, caring, energetic and so so kind. California will never be the same.
It’s so strange to write in the past tense..Ruchie was pure good, all ages loved her and she loved them back with such openness and generosity…she gave everything to whatever she connected with ….. the world was a better place because of her…Ad Mosai!!! Enough is enough
She was a true Shlucha, power house… we’ll make a tribute to her …
Really sad
She helped us with all our dinners in the kindest way!!!
She was passionate about everything in life, especially The Rebbe. She was a treasure, inspiration and role model. What a loss for Klal Yisroel! Her kindness, curiosity and love for Yidden was legendary.
Remember her from East Flatbush where we all grew up.
ת.נ.צ.ב.ה
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
I remember her in the 80’s she was an absolute live wire behind so many projects of chabad.
Her kindness and personality was something special.
Mrs. Stillman was my incredible, dedicated, loving high school teacher! Though she taught me just once a week, I felt like she really knew me and cared about me!
She was one of a kind.
She was greater than life Ruchie had a vision far beyond anybody’s understanding and grasp
So young.
Too sudden too fast.
She will always be remembered as kind, generous, elegant, intelligent, and most of all a true SHLUCHA
EVERYTHING ABOUT RUCHIE WAS LIFE! SHE WAS YOUTHFUL, CREATIVE, VIVACIOUS, DEDICATED B’LEV V’NEFESH TO THE REBBE AND HIS MOSDOS, KNEW HOW TO TURN ANY PROGRAM INTO A MEMORABLE, WOW EVENT, AND GENEROUSLY HELPED SHLUCHIM AROUND THE WORLD. SHE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT SMALL, AND THE VACUUM SHE LEFT BEHIND IS GREAT. WHAT A HUGE, HUGE LOSS!! AD MOSAI!! MOSHIACH NOW!!!
So Sorry to hear about Ruchie , she was amazing person kind, always with a smile she was a very special person. She will be missed by all. My thoughts are with the family. Leah Beck
I am in such sad shock!
I had no idea that she even ill!
We just wrote one another this past Thursday !
She was the first person I ever met at Chabad house, newly married.
She taught me Shmuel ha Navi A, she became a true friend and guide.
What happened, how?
I’m shocked!
Such a pure and Holy Soul!
I can’t believed it!!!
Baruch Dayan Ha Emet!
Such a true inspiration and guide!!
Now what ?
I really feel left alone.
Ruchie was an angel who walked the earth. The world will not be the same.
Ruchi was an incredible women who showered so much love and warmth on all those that knew her! Always caring for the welfare of others and giving so much of herself! She was a mother to so many!
We will miss her tremendously until Moshiach comes!
Mrs Stillman taught me in high school and more than her knowledge of nach, she truly truly cared for each student in the class. Doing things behind the scenes to make sure they were okay.
I’ll never forget that kindness.
I’m shocked to read this sad news. HaShem should comfort her daughter and son-in-law and the entire Bukiet family shey’ We got to know Ruchie 20+ years ago when she guided us to elevate our annual dinners to a new level, along the lines of the way she ran the telethon with such talent and flair. We’ve since learned her style and have shared it with other shluchim, and it has left its mark on every event we do. She surely has ah lichtige gan eden for the countless Kiddush Hashems and Kiddush Lubavitch she put forth. Sara and SM… Read more »
I worked with her remotely planning events, and her warmth and care was incomparable. She was exceptional and brilliant at what she did, and yet completely relatable and down to earth. Despite having a work relationship, I considered her a valued friend, and the world is dimmed by this loss.
Ruchie was a role model to so many. So saddened by this news. Ruchie and Yerachmiel o”h were an integral part of the California Shlichus landscape starting from the early years. They both were so loved. Later on she graciously presented her terrific Event Tips to my Shlichus Course seminary students at Bais Rivkah numerous times. It was never easy to find an empty spot on her busy calendar and when she would be in NY. Many of these students went on to arrange events of their own, inspiring many, based on Ruchie’s organizational advice and guidance. When she had… Read more »
I received this email from Ruchie just 2 weeks agoDeath is a mystery that we cannot truly understand. But we know that only the body dies, not the soul. And it is the soul of a person whom we love. Our connection with our loved ones is not with their physical presence, but their person, their love, their spirit. And that relationship never goes away. It just takes another form.The Rebbe once spoke to a mother who was inconsolable after the loss of her son. He said to her: “What if I told you that your son isn’t dead? Rather he… Read more »