Tobi Rubinstein speaking at St. Thomas University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 13, 2026. Photo: Provided

Tobi Rubinstein – an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, author, and leading figure in the fashion industry – received an honorary degree from St. Thomas University (STU) in Miami, Florida earlier this month, and at the school’s graduation ceremony, she gave an inspiring speech about faith, success, growth, and purpose.

The Catholic university honored Rubinstein with an honorary degree recognizing her work connecting faith, fashion, education, and cultural dialogue. Rubinstein has been working in the fashion industry for over 40 years and is the founder of The House of Faith and Fashion, a brand that started as a reality series but then expanded into a lecture and radio series, live events, panel discussions, and runway shows.

Rubinstein has worked with brands including Victoria’s Secret, Nicole Miller, and J.C. Penney. She developed Crunch Gym’s activewear line and founded the men’s urban brand “Chedda,” which was designed specifically for K-Mart. Last year, she had her own TEDx event at St. Thomas University, titled “Faith and Fashion,” and at Paris Fashion Week for the Fall 2026 season, Rubinstein received a Fashion Icon Award at the Hôtel de Maisons, Karl Lagerfeld’s former residence in Paris. The late fashion icon Iris Apfel called Rubinstein “our honorary Fashion Rabbi.”

At STU’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 13, which was also Rubinstein’s birthday, she encouraged the graduates to “dream big, because anything less is an insult to God, because he made you great.”

“The path ahead of you might not be a straight line, but it will be filled with unexpected turns, bold leaps, and moments when all you have to stand on is your faith,” she added, before explaining that encountering failure provides an opportunity to focus on how it “refines you, builds you, and makes you grow.”

“You will be tempted to choose comfort,” she told the graduates. “But growth, purpose, and passion live outside of your comfort zone.”

Rubinstein also reflected on the significance of being a religious Jewish woman who is receiving an honorary degree from a Catholic institution.

“I am an Orthodox Jewish woman, a rabbi, a leader in fashion, author, and cancer survivor standing here receiving an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas University, a Catholic university, where I feel seen, safe, and understood,” she said. “A living proof that you are not limited by boxes. You can build bridges where none existed. You can create spaces that have not been in existence yet.”

“You can also rise above hate, especially the disturbing growth of antisemitism, and build a better world for all mankind through education and mutual respect for our commonalities and differences,” she added.

Rubinstein lastly encouraged graduates not to be fearful of chasing unconventional paths.

“Some of the paths you are called to take might not make sense to anybody,” she said. “Personally, [the brand] Faith and Fashion was not understood at all. But just because you’re not understood doesn’t mean it’s not important. Make them understand it’s important.”

Rubinstein told The Algemeiner that receiving the honorary doctorate from STU “is more than an academic recognition — it is proof that faith and fashion were never meant to live in separate worlds. When purpose leads creativity, style becomes a language of healing, dignity, and human connection.”

In November of last year, St. Thomas University hosted a fashion show by Israeli fashion designer Elie Tahari that honored female soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and supported Tahari’s initiative to provide clothing for wounded IDF veterans. The fashion show was co-organized by Rubinstein, who is an advisory board member of the St. Thomas University Fashion School.