By Ellen Braunstein
Stanley “Tsvi” David Grosswald, a Philadelphia-born Jewish educator, decorated U.S. Army and Israel Defense Forces captain and lifelong Zionist, died on July 30 of complications related to Parkinson’s disease. He was 84.
Grosswald devoted his life to education, military service and the Jewish people, whether in Philadelphia classrooms, on the battlefield in Vietnam and Lebanon, or during his years in Israel. “His legacy would be for his love of family and his love of Israel,” said his cousin Cynthia Cardonick.
A graduate of Temple University, Grosswald earned degrees in political science, criminal justice and education, with certifications in Hebrew, English and social studies. He taught at Northeast High School and Montgomery County Community College, worked with foreign-born students at Temple, and taught criminal law at the Institute for Security and Technology. From 1973 to 1983, he also worked as a computer systems engineer in both the U.S. and Israel.
“He was brilliant,” Cardonick said. “When I looked through everything that I have of his — his awards, his diplomas, how he was honored — you have to know he was brilliant at everything he did.”
Born in 1941 to Benjamin and Sara Freedoff Grosswald, he was raised on Levick Street in Northeast Philadelphia in a close-knit Jewish household. His father’s family, originally named Sterling, immigrated from Romania and changed their name to the German Grosswald to avoid discrimination at Ellis Island.
“Jewish tradition shaped his life from the beginning,” Cardonick said. “The family was always very close. We spent time together down at the shore and always came together for celebrations.” As an adult, Grosswald led the family Passover Seders.
His deep connection to Israel defined much of his life. After making aliyah in 1977, he lived in Israel for several years and returned annually. “He went every year for at least a month,” Cardonick said. “He kept up with what was happening in Israel every day, whether he was there or here.”
Grosswald served as a reserve captain in the IDF and acted as a spokesperson to the international press. “He represented Israel to the world’s press in Lebanon, the Galilee, Yehuda and Shomron,” Cardonick said, citing a letter he had left her. “He was telling American Jews exactly how Israel has been fulfilling its necessity to maintain the peace and sanctity of its people.”
His military career began in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of captain and served in Vietnam. His honors included the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was a graduate of the Infantry Officer Candidate School, Russian Language School and Naval Defense Intelligence School. After his move to Israel, he continued serving with the IDF beginning in 1979.
His passion for teaching and Zionism often overlapped. At Northeast High School, he organized trips for students interested in learning about Israel. “That was very important to him,” Cardonick said.
Grosswald published in several journals, including the National Hebrew Pedagogical Journal and the National Military Intelligence Journal. He received fellowships and grants from Brandeis University, the Hebrew Teachers Institute and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, along with multiple honors from Temple University, including a four-year full-tuition scholarship from 1959 to 1963.
In Philadelphia, he maintained ties to the Orthodox community, taking a leadership role at Young Israel of Oxford Circle. He was also deeply connected to extended family in Israel. “He used to go every summer and spend time with the family there,” Cardonick said.
Though he had no children, Grosswald remained closely bonded with Cardonick’s family.
“That was the only thing I was heartbroken about,” she said. “He didn’t have a wife or children. But he had the family. He was never truly alone.”
Even without a family of his own, he poured his care into the people around him — relatives, friends and especially his students. “He was warm and caring,” she added. “And I’m sure he was wonderful to his students.”
Ellen Braunstein is a freelance writer.
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