Anita Greenstein

Family-Placed Death Notice

GREENSTEIN, Anita Dr. Anita Landau Katz Greenstein Born October 8, 1919 in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Greenstein was the daughter of Louis and Goldie Rosenbaum. She held a BS in Public Health, a BS in Education, an MS in Education, specializing in the education of emotionally disturbed children, an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a PhD in Child and Family Studies. Dr. Greenstein enjoyed many different careers in her lifetime. After graduating from High School she entered nursing school at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation she became Night Supervisor of Obstetrics. In 1939, America was preparing for war. Patriotism demanded that she respond and she became a second lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps stationed at Lawson General Hospital in Chamblee, Georgia. After moving to Syracuse, New York, she became director of Nursing at the Jewish Home of Central New York and later became Executive Director, a position she maintained for two years. She then worked in public health nursing for the city of Syracuse for two years. She later joined the faculty of Syracuse University in 1964 and taught as a full Professor until her retirement. Her classes on Death, Dying, and the Grief Process were consistently over enrolled. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Utica University and maintained an active practice as a marriage and family therapist. Among her many academic honors are membership in Sigma Theta Tau and Omicron Nu. She was a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and a Diplomat in the Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. She also served as President of the Mental Health Association of Onondaga County for two years and sponsored an all day workshop for professionals who were involved in caring for emotionally disturbed children. She also advocated on behalf of emotionally disturbed children before the New York State Legislature. She is probably best known for her workshops on "The Therapeutic Use of Self in the Communication Process" which she conducted throughout the country. In 1990 her high school Alumni Association presented her with the "Distinguished Fellow Award" and placed her picture on permanent display. Dr. Greenstein was also active in the Jewish Community. She was a life member of Hadassah and active in ORT and Brandeis Women. She served as President of Sisterhood at Temple Adath Yeshuren in Syracuse and was on the Rabbi's committee for Community Action. In Atlanta, she facilitated bereavement support groups for AA Synagogue. After moving to Florida, she was Vice President of Education at Temple Beth El in West Palm Beach, and later became President of the Central Conservative Synagogue. With Rabbi Richard Rocklin, she held an all day workshop on Death and Dying. She then volunteered to establish a weekly support group for those in grief, which evolved into three ongoing support groups which she facilitated. She also served on the board of the Jewish Day School. In her 70's, she commenced additional studies and became a Bat Mitzvah. Several years later, her granddaughter became a Bat mitzvah reading the same Torah portion as her grandmother. Dr. Greenstein was married three times, to Mr. Leon Landau, Dr. I Herbert Katz, and Mr. Benjamin Greenstein. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Richard and Elaine Landau, her daughter and son-in-law, Harriet Landau and Dr. Nathan Segall, her sister, Mollie Goldberg, her grandchildren, Debbie Landau, Andrew Bauer, David Ratz, Ann Matesevac, Rebecca Ratz, and Will Caldwell, her stepchildren Kenneth and Ginger Greenstein and Dr. Steve and Patty Greenstein, and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sign online guestbook at www. edressler.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Jewish Family and Career Services 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30338. A graveside service will be held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 12:30 pm at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770)451-4999