Saul Hofstein

01/10/2002

Saul Hofstein, 85, of 17 Walden Lane died yesterday morning at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami while on vacation. Born in New York City on Feb. 20, 1916, son of Morris and Rose Schectman Hofstein, he received his master's degree in education from City College of New York and his master's degree and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work. During World War II, he co-founded the first military hygiene clinic at Fort Monmouth, N.J., where he was a sergeant major and chief psychiatric social worker. After Officers' Candidate School, he served in various military installations as a personnel consultant and chief psychiatric social worker. Hofstein developed and directed child guidance services at Jewish Community Services on Long Island. He established a private practice and taught part time at the University of Pennsylvania and Aldelphi University schools of social work, and full time at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York. A consultant of social planning at United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropy of New York, he helped develop programs serving families, drug dependents, the poor, homeless and mentally ill. He received the Arthur Lehman and Rose Horowitz awards for his contributions. A founding member of the National Association of Social Workers, he served on its Commission on Practice, local and national committees, was president of the Nassau (N.Y.) chapter, and attended delegate assemblies. After retiring to the Berkshires in 1984, he became a member of the Massachusetts chapter, joining its Berkshire regional council and representing the region for 10 years on the state chapter's board. He was president of the National Association of Jewish Family and Children Professionals, secretary and vice president of the National Conference of Jewish Communal Service and president of the Otto Rank Association. He was secretary of the Washington (Mass.) Council on Aging and vice president of the Hilltown Association on Aging. He was elected to the board of Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and served on its social services and long-range planning committees. A congregant of Temple Anshe Amunim, he was past chairman of its brotherhood. He served on the boards of the Stockbridge Chamber Concerts and the Becket Arts Council, where he was chairman from 1991 until 2000. He had published 47 papers and book reviews. He and his wife, the former Isabelle Stone, would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Susan Hofstein of Miami and Natalie Matus of Boxboro; his twin brother, Laurence Hofstein of Philadelphia, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1 at Temple Anshe Amunim with Rabbi Dennis Ross, spiritual leader at Temple Anshe Amunim, officiating. Burial will follow in the temple's section of Pittsfield Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 17 Walden Lane following the burial Sunday and on Monday; friends are also welome at the home of Natalie Matus, 127 Joseph Road, Boxboro, MA 01719, on Tuesday and Wednesday. If friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Temple Anshe Amunim, Dana Farber Cancer Institute or the American Heart Association in care of DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME, which is handling arrangements.

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Saul Hofstein

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Yesterday, while I was writing an academic paper, I reflected in my writing what I had, as a student at U of Pennsylvania, learned about being an effective psychotherapist from Dr. Hofstein. He was a marvelous teacher. For whatever reason, perhaps simply out of curiosity, I Googled Dr. Hofstein and sadly learned of his passing. He holds a very special place in my heart. His challenges for me to carefully investigate some of my assumptions about the place of the will in growth process led to my understanding essential principles in helping the mentally ill in mental hospitals. I shall never forget that wonderful man. Joel L. Sereboff, PhD. Invent4you@gmail.com
from: Dr. Saul Hofstein	on: 09-22-2011