Ilana Rubenfeld

Ilana Rubenfeld
Ilana Rubenfeld
Born	August 20, 1934; Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine
	December 23, 2022December 23, 2022
🏳️ Nationality	American
💼 Occupation	Conductor, psychotherapist
Known for	Founder of the Rubenfeld Synergy Method

Ilana Rubenfeld (August 20, 1934 – December 23, 2022) was an American conductor and psychotherapist, best known as the creator of the Rubenfeld Synergy Method®, an integrated somatic therapy combining gentle touch and verbal dialogue.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Early life and education

Born in Tel Aviv to Leopold and Bluma Churgrin, Rubenfeld immigrated to the United States in 1939.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} She studied at the Manhattan School of Music and later the Juilliard School, where she trained in orchestral conducting, received the Frank Damrosch Award in 1960, and served as assistant conductor of the Juilliard Chorus and Orchestra.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Musical career and transition to therapy

Rubenfeld's conducting career ended due to chronic back and shoulder spasms. Seeking relief, she studied the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method, and Gestalt therapy, and discovered touch combined with talk unlocked deeper healing.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Rubenfeld Synergy Method

She developed the Rubenfeld Synergy Method® in the 1960s–70s, formalizing the first professional training program in 1977. RSM combines listening touch ("listening hands") and verbal awareness to release emotional and physical tension.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Teaching, awards, and legacy

Rubenfeld taught internationally at centers including the Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, and New York Open Center, and held academic appointments at New York University and the New School.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

She received the 1994 Pathfinder Award from the Association for Humanistic Psychology and a 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

She authored *The Listening Hand* (2000) and contributed to *The Handbook of Body Psychotherapy and Somatic Psychology*.:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Death

Rubenfeld died on December 23, 2022, in Medford, Oregon, at the age of 88.:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

References

External links

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