Norman Morton Chansky

Norman Morton Chansky passed away peacefully on April 30, 2021 in Haverford, Pennsylvania. He was 91. 

Norman was the devoted husband to his beloved Elissa Chansky (née Ellsas), who passed away in September 2020. Residents of Swarthmore for over 50 years, the couple were affectionately known for their daily walks through the borough, always hand in hand. Norman and Elissa began what would blossom into a beautiful life together in a time of loss and hardship after Elissa’s first husband, Harold Fisher, died of polio — leaving her with two young children. They went on to have three more children. Norman and Elissa lived in Swarthmore from 1966 to 2017. Norman had the deepest love for Elissa, who was the light and inspiration of his life. During more than six decades of marriage, he wrote many, many poems of his love and devotion to her.

Norman’s life began humbly in the Dorchester section of Boston. He worked hard, graduating from Boston University and Columbia University with ambitions of becoming a professor. After several short-term teaching assignments across the East Coast, Norman’s career path took him to Temple University where he thrived as a professor of educational psychology and statistics. And after several decades at Temple, he retired as Professor Emeritus.

Known to students and colleagues as an excellent and rigorous professor, Norman believed deeply in supporting each student that he encountered, so they could achieve their full potential and overcome whatever personal, societal, or institutional obstacles they faced. A former pupil once said, “Norman was an excellent and exacting professor without whose encouragement I would not have seen myself as capable of pursuing my dreams.” 

Early in his career, while working at North Carolina State University, Norman wrote his first book: Untapped Good: The Rehabilitation of School Dropouts, a scientific report which raised questions and shed light on false and dangerous biases made about students who do not complete high school.

Indeed, strong threads of social justice and a sense of service to others were woven into the life’s work of both Norman and Elissa — an inspiration to those around them. When Norman retired, he turned his attention more fully to inspirational writing and poetry. In 2000, a poem he wrote about Anton Schmidt, an Austrian who died saving the lives of hundreds of Jews in the Holocaust, was seen by folk legend and social activist Pete Seeger. Pete set the poem to music and sent it to Norman with a personalized note.

A reflective thinker to his core, Norman penned many books including: a Passover Haggadah, Spirit of the Psalms, Mantra, and his life’s work, the forthcoming 500-page history of the Jewish people, Soul of a People, which he completed in the last months of his life. 

Norman was also an avid gardener, lover of nature, and musician. He played the piano nightly, a comforting tradition in the Chansky household. Always fond of music, Norman would play hits like “Stardust,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and folk songs on the piano. He set prayers to music, and for many years sang in his synagogue’s choir. His simple and upbeat song, “Thank you God for Everything,” expressed his personal philosophy of living life in gratitude, a quality which was never more remarkable than in his final days — felt by all around him.

Norman had the deepest pride, respect, and admiration for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For Norman and Elissa, family was the greatest source of joy, delight, and contentment.

Norman is survived by his five children Linda Janidlo (Thom), James (Katherine), Keren Suberri (Moshe), Tamar Chansky Stern (Phillip) and Matthew (Lisa); his grandchildren Elizabeth Hunt (Ryan), Sara Preheim (Scott), Bethany Janidlo, Allison Burch (Bobby), Isaac, Gilad Suberri (Sarit), Kinneret Suberri (Alan Mitchell), Mer, Raia, and Emma June; and great grandchildren, Abby, Corinna, Tyler, Daniella, Eitan, Nadav, Arran, Rona, Eleanor, and Solomon; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, along with friends. And by Sophie Mulugeta Gordon who was treasured in their latter years by both Elissa and Norman. 

Norman was interred at Mount Jacob Cemetery in Glenolden. The service was conducted by Rabbi Linda Holtzman. All of his children were present either in person or via Zoom, along with many other family members and dear friends across the U.S. and in Israel. Donations in Memory of Norman can be made to: American Civil Liberties Unit (ACLU), action.aclu.org/give/join-the-aclu-multistep, and the Chester Children’s Chorus, swarthmore.edu/chester-childrens-chorus/gift.