Sanford Rosenzweig

Sanford Rosenzweig, a psychotherapist with decades of contributions in the mental health field, and proud father and grandpa, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning in his home in Wayland, Massachusetts, where he had lived for over 60 years with his beloved wife, Rosie.

He was 95.

Sandy was as thoughtful and warm as he was generous, and was sought out by his patients, friends and family for his wisdom on how to live a meaningful life, see the best in others and reach their potential. He continued his therapy practice until a month before his passing. He was most content in an intimate conversation with Rosie, around the table with his relatives or by himself, watching the snow or rain fall in his backyard.

Sandy was born in Brooklyn in the Jewish neighborhood of Flatbush to Anne (November) z”l and George Rosenzweig z”l, and grew up with his sister Harriet (Rosenzweig) Alter z”l. His parents gave him the Hebrew name Shulem, which means peace, and his mother once told him that it was up to him to make calm, which he tried to do for the rest of his life. As a young boy, he took nightly walks with his father, a tradition he continued for decades with his own children and grandchildren. He served in the Army during the Korean War, received his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and his Master’s at Wayne State University under the G.I. Bill, before earning his Doctorate in Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington.

He was a free thinker and proud Jewish hippie with a strong sense of social justice, attending the March on Washington and Esalen Institute. Before opening a private practice in the 1970s, he led research on how stress on a pregnant mother can physically impact her offspring. He was an unfailing optimist and provided care to patients regardless of whether they could pay. He loved telling stories from summers at Rockaway Beach, shooting pool in Brooklyn, the University of Michigan co-op, his Army service, working as a farmer, meditating with gurus, and encounters with enlightenment. He read presidential biographies and reflections on worldly religions, and once testified on behalf of the Boston Hare Krishna, who threw him a party for his part in their successful legal defense.

His favorite role was as a husband, dad and grandpa. He brought his kids camping, made the perfect scrambled eggs, cracked jokes, always showed up to his grandsons’ games, shows and graduations, and loved taking them to Fenway Park and gathering with his extended Rosenzweig family for Shabbat dinners and holidays. “The best thing that ever happened to me was my family,” he said repeatedly in his last days.

He is survived by his wife Rosie (Friedman) Rosenzweig of Wayland; his daughter Elizabeth Rosenzweig of Newton, Massachusetts; his son and son-in-law Ben Rosenzweig and Edward Clarin of Hoboken, New Jersey; his daughter and son-in-law Rebecca (Rosenzweig) and Robert Askinasi; and grandson and granddaughter-in-law Max Kinchen and Molly Miranker, grandson and partner Lev Rosenzweig-Ziff and Michelle Breton, grandson and granddaughter-in-law Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff and Carol Silber, and grandson Zachary Askinasi.

Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth El, 105 Hudson Road, Sudbury on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM followed by the burial at North Cemetery, 60 Old Sudbury Road, Wayland.

Shiva will begin Wednesday from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm at Rosie and Sandy’s home. Will continue Thursday from 7:30 am - 11:00 am (shacharit at 7:30 am), 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm (maariv at 7:30 pm) at Elizabeth’s home. Continuing Friday from 7:30 am - 11:00 am (shacharit at 7:30 am), 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Elizabeth’s home. And continuing Saturday from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (maariv at 7:30 pm) at Rosie and Sandy’s home. Additional details about shiva times for Sunday-Tuesday will be updated soon.

Livestream: https://www.bethelsudbury.org/jewish-living/livestreaming/