Rubinstein served as spiritual leader of Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo from 1982 to 1991.
Netanyahu came to Rubinstein’s synagogue Sunday to pay his respects and to inspect the damage the 120-year-old building sustained in an August fire, which destroyed most of the roof. The interior of the Spanish Moorish Revival building also suffered extensive water damage.
During a visit to a Conservative synagogue in New York last spring, Netanyahu had vowed to attend a Reform service here some time this year.