In 1987, a nonprofit educational organization in Jerusalem was established in his name, called the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Memory of Emil Greenzweig.

After graduation, he was conscripted into the Israel Defense Forces, and joined a Nahal unit based on Kibbutz Revivim in the Negev.

He taught mathematics and coordinated social activities at Maaleh haBesor high school at kibbutz Magen.

He was involved in many educational projects including role-playing games with the students on issues such as the Arab–Israeli conflict, labor relations, and the relationship between religious cults and the state.

Cohen, Grunzweig's closest friend was a young Palestinian man named Adeeb, who was also involved with the Van Leer Institute.

The protest was in support of the Kahan Commission's recommendation to investigate Israeli complicity in the Sabra and Shatila massacre.