Ellen Braunstein
Judge Paul Ribner, a decorated Air Force officer, respected Philadelphia jurist, and two-term national leader of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., died on July 17. He was 96.
Born on Aug. 1, 1928, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Ribner was six months old when his family moved to Philadelphia, where he spent the rest of his life. His father, Jacob “Jack” Ribner, a well-known furrier, operated a business and crafted garments for clients across the region. His mother, Sarah Goodman Ribner, was a homemaker.
His upbringing was rooted in Jewish tradition and community life. The family celebrated holidays, attended synagogue and instilled in him a strong sense of identity. As a young man, he served as a counselor at a Jewish summer camp and later remained active at the Germantown Jewish Centre, where he was a longtime member of the men’s club.
A graduate of Philadelphia public schools, Ribner was valedictorian of his high school class. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and earned his law degree from Penn Law in 1952. During his third year, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was appointed as a first lieutenant. He served at bases in Texas, Washington and Alabama, later becoming a judge advocate and legal advisor at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was promoted to captain during the Korean War.
After returning to Philadelphia, Ribner was appointed deputy attorney general of Pennsylvania. He later worked for the state’s Public Utility Commission. In 1971, Gov. Milton Shapp nominated him to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He was sworn in the following January and served until his retirement in 1998.
The swearing-in itself was emblematic of Ribner’s resilience and dedication. Just weeks earlier, he had been thrown from a horse while riding, shattering his shoulder. The hospital converted its cafeteria into a courtroom so he could be sworn in while still recovering from surgery, his arm suspended in traction.
Judge John Braxton, a colleague and friend, said Ribner earned a reputation as a fair and principled jurist. “He spent a significant amount of time hearing capital cases,” Braxton said. “He gave people a fair trial and believed deeply in the fairness of the law.”
Beyond the courtroom, Ribner gained national recognition through his work with the Jewish War Veterans organization. After leadership roles in the Pennsylvania department and Drizin-Weiss Post 215, he was elected national commander in 1974 and served two terms.
That same year, Gen. George S. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, made antisemitic remarks during a speech at Duke University. Ribner responded forcefully, demanding Brown’s dismissal and holding a press conference in front of the White House.
“He raised the issue repeatedly,” Judge Doris Smith-Ribner, his wife, said. “He traveled around the world speaking out about antisemitism, including in London, and Israel. He was deeply moved to fight injustice in all its forms.”
It reflected his broader commitment to confronting prejudice. “Paul was not someone who sat on the sidelines when he saw discrimination,” Smith-Ribner said. “He had a strong voice and felt a responsibility to use it, especially on behalf of Jewish service members.”
Although Brown was not dismissed, he later issued a personal apology. Ribner continued using his platform to speak out against antisemitism and to advocate for Jewish veterans.
As national commander, he also met with President Gerald Ford on multiple occasions, offering advice on draft amnesty and the possible pardon of former President Richard Nixon. Though Ford ultimately issued the pardon, Ribner had counseled him against it.
His leadership reflected a deep sense of duty to those he represented. “He had a passion for Jewish military men and women and their families,” Smith-Ribner said. “He felt it was his duty to speak up on issues affecting the Jewish community and Jewish veterans.”
Ribner’s reach extended far beyond politics and law. For five decades, he served as international president of the International Shotokan Karate Federation under Teruyuki Okazaki. He earned a fifth-degree black belt and officiated tournaments worldwide, retiring from the role in 2020 at age 91.
He also had a lifelong love of animals and once owned two horses. Despite a serious riding accident that nearly derailed his judicial appointment, he continued to enjoy equestrian outings and passed that passion to his daughter, Sarah.
Smith-Ribner said he delighted in teaching Sarah to swim, taking her horseback riding and encouraging her education. He beamed with pride as she excelled at Penn, Columbia Business School and the London Business School.
Behind those joyful moments was a father who believed deeply in discipline, character and doing his best.
“My sister-in-law said he was the kindest, funniest, most caring person she had ever met,” Smith-Ribner said. “I would agree with that. But he could also be very tough and demanding. He had high standards — and he expected others, including himself, to meet them.”
Braxton described Ribner as “a man of exactness” who valued both humility and conviction. “He enjoyed a good cigar, entertaining friends in his West Mount Airy home, and he loved his community,” Braxton said. “He took pride in his Jewish heritage and in his role as a father.”
Ribner was also known for his generosity. “He believed that if you had the ability to share, you had an obligation to do so,” Braxton said.
Throughout his life, he received numerous awards and commendations for his legal, civic and military service. He remained involved in the Germantown Jewish Centre and other organizations, mentoring younger generations and leading by example.
In every facet of his life — on the bench, in uniform and among friends — Judge Paul Ribner stood for fairness, integrity and public service. “He was determined to fight injustice wherever he saw it,” Smith-Ribner said. “He never backed down from doing what he believed was right.”
Ellen Braunstein is a freelance writer.
