David Shafritz

Dr. David A. Shafritz was born on October 5, 1940 in Northeast Philadelphia. He graduated from Central High School in 1958 and then attended the University of Pennsylvania on an academic scholarship. While a student there, he majored in chemistry and played on the Lightweight football team. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in 1962, he remained at the University of Pennsylvania for medical school, graduating in 1966. While in medical school, he met the girl of his dreams, Sharon Klemow, and they married on August 16, 1964.

Upon graduating from medical school, Dr. Shafritz and his wife moved to Silver Spring, MD so that he could start a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. From 1968 to 1971, Dr. Shafritz served as a surgeon in the United States Army Medical Corps. He then took an academic position at Harvard University. In 1973, he was recruited by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served on the faculty as a Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology, and Pathology, including as emeritus, for over 50 years. He settled with his family in Larchmont, NY, where they became active and supportive members of the congregation at The Westchester Jewish Center.

Dr. Shafritz was a talented researcher and prolific author of over 150 scientific papers, as well as being an editor of a medical textbook on liver disease. Dr. Shafritz’s research examined the liver disease mechanisms, including methods for liver regeneration in diseases such as hepatitis. While at Einstein, Dr. Shafritz earned the title of Herman Lopata Professor of Liver Disease Research - an endowed professorship - and served as the Director of the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center for 28 years. In this role, he mentored countless medical students, residents, fellows, and graduate students, many of whom went on to have preeminent careers in the field.

Dr. Shafritz and family traveled the world extensively but returned every year to Hawaii and Israel. For over 45 years, Dr. Shafritz was a Visiting Scientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, collaborating with the country’s most notable researchers.

Dr. Shafritz is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sharon Klemow Shafritz, sons Dr. Adam (Megan) and Dr. Keith (Donna), grandchildren Emily, Justin, Matthew, and Riley, sister Sofia Winkler, cherished sisters- and brothers-in-law, and beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Mitchell, and his son, Gregory.

Donations in Dr. Shafritz’s honor can be made to The Weizmann Institute of Science or to the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.