Rose Lubin

​

Everyone lucky enough to know Rose knew how special and unique she was: full of light and joy, with a warm, open heart.  The world is no longer the same, without Rose.

​

Staff Sergeant Rose Ida Ruth Elisheva Lubin HYD was born and raised in Dunwoody, a suburb of Atlanta in the state of Georgia, USA. Rose was a fervent Zionist, a strict vegan, and a talented singer. She was courageous and colorful, with an irresistible smile.

​

Following her high school graduation, Rose came to Israel in order to achieve her lifelong dream. She began at a Hebrew Ulpan in Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, and then officially made Aliyah. She joined Gar’in Tzabar, a program for lone soldiers, on Kibbutz Saad. 

​

In March 2022 Rose was inducted into the Israel Border Police where she served as a combat soldier in the “Lions” Battalion in Jerusalem’s Old City. 

​

Rose was a hero Oct 7, 2023.  Off duty, she joined the rapid response team at Kibbutz Saad, saving hundreds of lives.

 

At 8:30 am on the 22nd Cheshvan 5784 (November 6th, 2023) Rose was killed by subsequent wounds in a terrorist attack while defending the Old City of Jerusalem.  You can now see at the exact spot where this tremendous life was taken, a plaque on the entrance to the Shalem Police Station that overlooks Herod’s Gate (also called the Gate of Flowers). 

 

Background

​

Rose Lubin was born on 27 Kislev 5763 (December 1st, 2002) in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in Dunwoody – a peaceful suburb of metro Atlanta. Rose was the first child born to David and Robin, and became older sister to Alec, Joseph, Lily and Isaac. Rose attended area public schools and received an orthodox Jewish education at Beth Jacob Preschool, Greenfield Hebrew Academy, Congregation Ariel, by attending youth group, Camp Nageela and community activities. From an early age, Rose stood out among her peers due to her unique, colorful personality. She was a rare blend of deep sensitivity, extraordinary emotional strength, and contagious joyfulness.

​

Rose’s world was diverse and knew no limits. She had many talents – she wrote poetry and plays, was a talented illustrator, and loved to perform as an actress and singer. She was extremely creative and loved to be among people. Alongside this artistic, sensitive aspect of Rose’s personality there existed great physical and mental determination. She excelled in sports. She was a State Champion in her high school wrestling team; she was a lead cheerleader as well as a social justice warrior who never missed an opportunity to stand by those who needed support.

Rose’s deep love for the people of Israel and the state of Israel was obvious from a very young age. When she was just a young child, Rose declared that her big dream was to go to the Land of Israel and join the IDF.  Upon graduation from high school, Rose chose to make her dream come true. In April 2021 she landed in Israel and began studying Hebrew at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu.

​

When her Ulpan program ended, Rose made a brave decision – to remain in Israel, make Aliyah and become a Lone Soldier in order to serve her new country.  In July 2021, she joined the Gar’in Tzabar program and in August moved to Kibbutz Saad. 

 

Rose’s first steps in Israel were the beginning of an amazing journey towards fulfillment of her dream, her love of Israel, and the need to serve her country – which led to her induction into the Israel Border Police.

 

Rainbow of Characteristics

​

Rose loved everything about the arts—except technology. She was a playwright, a poet, a writer, and an illustrator. She could dance, sing, and act. She loved people, nature, and animals. Rose embraced life in all its colors, and she herself was a beautiful collection of seemingly opposing qualities. Rosie was tough, yet deeply sensitive. She was exciting and spontaneous, yet capable of sitting down and organizing an entire week's meal plan. She was deeply dedicated to her religion, yet accepting of others. She was a rainbow of characteristics.

​

WHY ISRAEL

​

Rose made Aliyah on her own as a teenager. She learned Hebrew, trained as a soldier, and became a Magav police officer. In a speech she gave, she explained why:

​

“Generations dream to arrive in Jerusalem, and we have the honor to protect her. There are generations of my family who could have been here today if there was an Israel during the Holocaust. I feel an obligation to them to fulfill the opportunities they didn’t have.”

​

Those were Rose's reasons for joining. She understood that life was not simply about discovering what you were capable of—it was about using those gifts in service of something greater than yourself.  Her mother once asked her, “Are you going to go to college?” She answered, “I don’t know if that is the route I’m going to take. I want to live a life of service, and I’m going to begin in Israel.” And that is exactly what she did.

​

On October 7, 2023—Simchat Torah—Rose was off duty. But when Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israel, 20-year-old lone soldier Rose Lubin sought permission to join the Rapid Response Team of Kibbutz Sa’ad, the community near the Gaza border where she lived.  She immediately went to help defend her community. While guarding a gate, Rose helped protect Kibbutz Sa’ad and the hundreds of people fleeing the massacre at the Nova Festival. For 17 hours, she fought alongside others defending the kibbutz until she was called back to Jerusalem to resume her duties with the Border Police. With Rose and the Rapid Response Team standing guard, the terrorists were successfully prevented from infiltrating Kibbutz Sa’ad.

​

I asked Rose after that Black Sabbath Oct 7th if she would like to come home and she said "Ma, there is no other place I would rather be than right where I am."  I responded, Rose, you could die!

and she said "Ma, If not me, it will be someone else."