BARBARA AND HAROLD HERSHMAN:
Very Active New Residents
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
Harold was raised in Queens, first in Flushing
and then in Jamaica Estates. He attended
Stuyvesant High School, commuting every
day into Manhattan and home again. New
York University followed, where he majored
in Political Science. As a member of the NYU
swim team, he continued his subway traveling,
this time to Brooklyn, to practice for the swim
meets.
NYU Law School was next, after which
he set up a private law practice with a fellow
NYU classmate that lasted for 60 successful
years. He had offices in Queens, Manhattan
and Long Island. Harold was a member of
the Queens County Bar Association for over
50 years, where he was Chairman of the Civil
Court Committee, was a Civil Court Small
Claims Arbitrator, sat on the Supreme Court
Medical Malpractice Panel and organized and
led programs to Washington, DC, for Supreme
Court Admissions. He is now retired and truly
enjoying his new status as a retiree.
Barbara was born in New Jersey but was
raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, population
then 24,000 people. Walking back and
forth from home to school twice a day was
standard. Her first school experience was in a
one-room schoolhouse where she moved from
row to row as she reached the next grade level.
The family moved to Fresh Meadows,
Queens, in time for her to enter high school.
She attended Jamaica High School where she
was placed in speech class since no New Yorker
could understand her strong southern accent.
While in that class she made a close friend who
turned out to be Harold’s cousin. Barbara was
invited to Harold’s college graduation party
and, after a walk around the block together
that evening, a match was made that has lasted
for 63 incomparable years.
WHAT DID BARBARA DO?
Barbara was an elementary school teacher
and administrator on Long Island and is a
recent retiree. She began her college courses
at Michigan University. After her marriage to
Harold she completed her studies at Adelphi
College. The couple lived in Whitestone.
Barbara’s teaching career began in Albertson
where she taught kindergarten for a number
of years. She then remained at home as she
and Harold raised their four amazing children
(no prejudice there). When she returned to
work she taught classes from K-5. She ultimately
became the Head of School at Westbury
Friends School. It was from this position that
she retired.
The couple lived in Plainview for over 50
years. Harold was active in local and school
board politics. Also, active on Temple committees
and a hands on, enthusiastic supporter
of their children’s many and varied activities.
Barbara was an active participant in the PTAs
of their children’s schools. She became the
first woman President of Temple Beth Elohim
in Old Bethpage.
WHAT CAREERS DO YOUR CHILDREN
FOLLOW?
Our three sons became lawyers but did not
practice with their father. Our daughter became
a cardio-pulmonary therapist and a consultant
for drug testing programs. Our in-law children
are lawyers, decorators, business executives,
and realtors. We are blessed with ten grandchildren,
all beautiful/handsome, intelligent,
capable, and caring. We love to spend time
with each and visit them often.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LEISURE
ACTIVITIES?
Over the years we have traveled extensively:
Europe, Asia, South America. One of our
favorite adventures was a trip to Vietnam and
Cambodia, where just crossing the street was
an experience. Harold loves sharing stories
about our trips.
We are long time members and supporters
of the NYC Ballet and the NY Philharmonic,
spending many evenings at Lincoln Center.
We spend many Saturday afternoons enjoying
the “Opera at the Movies.” In their apartment,
Alexa can often be heard serving up concerts,
opera, and Frank Sinatra.
WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO NST?
We are here for a little more than two years.
We live in Building 3 with the best staff ever!
We are active participants in the gym and exercise
classes as well the variety of programs held
in the VIP Room and theater. Barbara enjoys a
steady mahjong game. Harold is an active member
of the Men’s Club and sometimes a strong
voice in their Current Events meetings. He
also likes sharing lunch with the Red Roosters,
where stories from the past are fair game. They
both belong to the University Club, learning
something new at each session.
Every Saturday morning they can be found
with friends walking the Arcade and then
having breakfast at Buffy’s. They also made
additional NST friends when they joined the
Social Dance Class.
“We tell all our friends how thrilled we are
with our choice of a new home here at North
Shore Towers. Each time we reenter the apartment,
Harold is heard to say, “Another day in
Paradise.”
Seldom do we have new members of our community make friends and join groups as
quickly as the Hershmans. Soon after unpacking, they joined NST clubs, befriended their
neighbors and attended most of the evening events. This affable and genial couple came
from very diverse backgrounds and yet, after a short courtship, is enjoying a marriage of
60-plus years. You’ve undoubtedly seen them in the Arcade, VIP Room, gym, or card room.
The Hershman Family l-r: Kenneth, Douglas, Barbara, Harold, Janet, Scott Kenneth,
Douglas, Barbara, Harold, Janet and Scott
4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ February 2020