Alan Rubin Interview 08/09/2025
Alan Rubin Interview Transcript:
NATASHA: Hello, I am Natasha Fearon and I'm here with Alan Newman?
ALAN: Rubin.
NATASHA: Rubin. At the Park Slope Old-Timers Reunion at 4th Street and 6th Avenue on Saturday, August 9th. Can you please spell your name for me, sir?
ALAN: A-L-A-N R-U-B-I-N.
NATASHA: What is your relationship to Park Slope or to Brooklyn?
ALAN: I've taught here over 20 years, and I still keep in touch with all the guys. I ran the night center where everybody played basketball. Plus I was a teacher for a lot of these people. And I keep in touch with a lot of them.
NATASHA: Do you have a particularly powerful or important memory of Park Slope or Brooklyn you'd like to share?
ALAN: It was always pleasant to be here. I remember when the kids used to go out for lunch in the park. The night center was a lot of fun. Those guys were like my brothers because I just played ball with them, I wasn't like to try to be in charge of everything, but I was just one of the guys and I enjoyed that.
NATASHA: Why did you decide to come to the Park School of Old Timers reunion today?
ALAN: To see all my old friends. I consider them like sons to me, some of them. I've been friends with my friend Jose here and Jonas almost 50 years.
NATASHA: What are some things you think more people should know about Park Slope or Brooklyn based on your own experiences?
ALAN: Park Slope is a close-knit community, a lot of people that are artistic and just old school good people, and they keep the neighborhood still beautiful.
NATASHA: What are your hopes for the future of the neighborhood and/or Brooklyn?
ALAN: Well, I hope it stays very much similar to what it's been all these years. I don't want it to change too much. I mean, it changed a little from the time I started teaching, but a lot of the people that I know are still here, and I like that. It's good to come back and see them.
NATASHA: Thank you.
ALAN: My pleasure.