Dr. Ike Herschkopf
I only lived full-time in Kew Gardens for three years, but six decades later, I still marvel at the impact it had on my life. Rabbi and Mrs. Rosensweig, Rabbi and Mrs. Besdin, Sigi and Grace Weil, Leon and Symma Miller, et al, attended my medical school graduation and even my wedding a decade after I moved out. They all remained dear friends their entire lives.
Sometimes, those moving into a neighborhood later in life (I was a sophomore in Queens College) can appreciate it more than those who grew up there, taking it for granted. My last few years in Washington Heights before moving there were terror-stricken because of the pervasive crime and neglect.
These past few months, attending the Shivas of Howard Miller and Grace, both of which turned into affectionate Kew Gardens reunions, reminded all of us our memories of Kew Gardens are pertinaciously indelible.
When our synagogue contingent marched annually in the salute to Israel parade, we sang a song Youth Director Al Adler composed: "We're from Kew Gardens, jolly old Kew Gardens." It seemed silly then, but, in retrospect, it was more accurate than we realized.
Thinking of my years in Kew Gardens still brings a smile to my face.