Dr. Toby K. Eisenstein

DR. TOBY K. EISENSTEIN (nee Karet) on August 4, 2024. Aged 81, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a renowned and prolific research scientist with over 150 scientific publications, a dynamic and beloved teacher of generations of medical, dental, and graduate students at Temple University’s Medical School. Beloved wife of Bruce for over 60 yrs; Loving mother of Dr. Eric Eisenstein (Debra), Andrew Eisenstein (Ricki), and Ilana Eisenstein (Dr. Thomas Scott); Devoted and proud grandmother of Evelyn, Miranda, Max, Eli, Noah, Margalit, Elliot, Ash, and Charlie. Toby grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and graduated from Girls High. She matriculated to Wellesley College and earned her Ph.D. at Bryn Mawr College in microbiology and immunology. In 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Bruce Eisenstein — they met while Toby and Bruce served on the joint social committee of Girls High and Central High School.

Toby was a pioneer woman in science. She embarked on her career in 1969, when women were a rarity in the scientific fields. She achieved both personal and career success in her 55 years as a Professor at Temple Medical School, where she focused on the development of vaccines for bacterial infections, and later in her career, co-founded the Center for Substance Abuse Research to investigate the basic science of how abused substances work in the brain to cause addiction and to suppress the immune system. In commemoration of her 50 years of distinguished service, Temple Medical School honored Toby by commissioning a portrait of her to be displayed at the University, describing her at the unveiling of the work as a “Temple giant.” She was revered as a role model and a leader in the institution and in her fields of study.

A devoted opera lover and classical music fan, Toby was a loyal supporter of the Academy of Vocal Arts and classical music in Philadelphia. She was a strong supporter of the Jewish community and served on the Board of Hillel at Temple University. Toby was a long-time member of the Germantown Cricket Club and an avid tennis player. She never stopped enjoying all that life had to offer. Her family was paramount, a source of pride and love.

Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral Services, Wednesday, 11 AM precisely, at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Funeral Directors Inc., 6410 N. Broad St., Phila., PA. Int. Montefiore Cem. Shiva will be observed at the home of Ilana and Tom, Wed. and Thurs. 6 – 8 PM. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Toby K. Eisenstein Endowed Fund to support the Center for Substance Abuse Research at http://giving.temple.edu/Eisenstein or The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 2890 New York, NY 10116-2890, or to the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, https://avaopera.org/join-support/giving/

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