Obituary for Steven Braunstein
Braunstein, Steven Jerome
Passed away on October 25, 2023. Steven was born on December 24, 1939 during a snow storm to parents Pearl Rosenberg and Sidney Braunstein. They named him well as his Jewish name was Shalom-Peaceful, Zaadok-Righteous. He grew up to be a strong man who exemplified the meaning of his name. Steven was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. but at an early age his parents moved to Providence, RI. There he experienced anti-semitic hazing at the elementary school and his parents enrolled him in a Yeshiva miles away. The family moved back to Brooklyn several months later and settled in Bensonhurst. Steven completed his education attending JHS and HS in Brooklyn and went on to Brooklyn College earning his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. He later took his Professional degree at St. Johns University. Steven worked his way through school traveling back and forth to the city working alongside his father. He entered the field of Education working himself up the ladder beginning as a Jr. H.S. Science Teacher. He transferred to P.S.17 , District 14 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and soon became an Assistant Principal. From there he transferred to P.S. 16 in the same District and was quickly voted in as School Principal where he served the school and community for 25 years. He was one of the longer serving principals. At 6'4" he towered over most people. One of his former pupils aptly put it when she said "Mr. Braunstein was very tall but never made me feel small." That student is now a High School teacher. He made changes to the school and instituted the E classes for Excellence. These classes were taught by teachers who were able to give extra to the youngsters however, he never forgot the rest of the children and brought exciting programs for all to share at the school. It was at he school that he met his future wife, Muriel Feldshuh. As the Library Teacher they worked as a team and he supported the many programs she planned for the school. Steven was meticulous and a man of many talents. He also loved sharing them. He was an enthusiastic Philatelist and from an early age collected stamps. He ran the Benjamin Franklin Stamp Club for thirty two years for children. He also ran a Young Astronauts Program because of his love of Science. Steven loved all kinds of music especially Opera, Classical, Pop and had quite a collection. In retirement he and his wife joined The Books for Kids Foundation and designed and set up fifteen small Library Centers for disadvantaged children in Housing Projects. They visited often. He wrote a topical stamp article quarterly for the UP-FRONT with STORYTELLING Newsletter which he and his wife distributed for free for thirteen years. Steven remained kind and those who helped him at the end of his life had the same opinion of this tall, kind, intelligent man. His wife was by his side until the end.
"Say not in grief that he is no more but live in thankfulness that he was."...Hebrew Proverb
The Feldshuh/Braunstein family had a private shiva, however, if you would like to leave a note that would be comforting. Donations can be made in his memory for any of the causes he contributed to. Here are a few suggestions: •American Heart Association •St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. *Center for Dementia Research *Leukemia & Lymphoma Society *Amrican Philatelic Society, Att: Youth Division
Passed away on October 25, 2023. Steven was born on December 24, 1939 during a snow storm to parents Pearl Rosenberg and Sidney Braunstein. They named him well as his Jewish name was Shalom-Peaceful, Zaadok-Righteous. He grew up to be a strong man who exemplified the meaning of his name. Steven was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. but at an early age his parents moved to Providence, RI. There he experienced anti-semitic hazing at the elementary school and his parents enrolled him in a Yeshiva miles away. The family moved back to Brooklyn several months later and settled in Bensonhurst. Steven completed his education attending JHS and HS in Brooklyn and went on to Brooklyn College earning his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. He later took his Professional degree at St. Johns University. Steven worked his way through school traveling back and forth to the city working alongside his father. He entered the field of Education working himself up the ladder beginning as a Jr. H.S. Science Teacher. He transferred to P.S.17 , District 14 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and soon became an Assistant Principal. From there he transferred to P.S. 16 in the same District and was quickly voted in as School Principal where he served the school and community for 25 years. He was one of the longer serving principals. At 6'4" he towered over most people. One of his former pupils aptly put it when she said "Mr. Braunstein was very tall but never made me feel small." That student is now a High School teacher. He made changes to the school and instituted the E classes for Excellence. These classes were taught by teachers who were able to give extra to the youngsters however, he never forgot the rest of the children and brought exciting programs for all to share at the school. It was at he school that he met his future wife, Muriel Feldshuh. As the Library Teacher they worked as a team and he supported the many programs she planned for the school. Steven was meticulous and a man of many talents. He also loved sharing them. He was an enthusiastic Philatelist and from an early age collected stamps. He ran the Benjamin Franklin Stamp Club for thirty two years for children. He also ran a Young Astronauts Program because of his love of Science. Steven loved all kinds of music especially Opera, Classical, Pop and had quite a collection. In retirement he and his wife joined The Books for Kids Foundation and designed and set up fifteen small Library Centers for disadvantaged children in Housing Projects. They visited often. He wrote a topical stamp article quarterly for the UP-FRONT with STORYTELLING Newsletter which he and his wife distributed for free for thirteen years. Steven remained kind and those who helped him at the end of his life had the same opinion of this tall, kind, intelligent man. His wife was by his side until the end.
"Say not in grief that he is no more but live in thankfulness that he was."...Hebrew Proverb
The Feldshuh/Braunstein family had a private shiva, however, if you would like to leave a note that would be comforting. Donations can be made in his memory for any of the causes he contributed to. Here are a few suggestions: •American Heart Association •St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. *Center for Dementia Research *Leukemia & Lymphoma Society *Amrican Philatelic Society, Att: Youth Division