Harry Gershenowitz

huffling across campus with an armload of books and newpapers, Harry Gershenowitz is still involved with the college and community.

A biology professor for 33 years, he has spent his retirement years as an amateur archaeologist and writer. In the last 18 months he has had seven articles published and is in the process of writing three more. The New York Times has featured his archaelogical finds and research in New Jersey Jewish history.

Trekking through the woods armed with a shovel, Gershenowitz searches for lost Jewish communities. He found an abandoned Jewish cemetery in Atlantic County and the nearly lost Ziontown in Gloucester County.

According to Gershenowitz, “These are just some of the adventures I have been having as official historian of Gloucester County.” County freeholders appointed him to that post, honoring Gershenowitz’s expertise in past and current events of the county.

As well as lecturing about his archaeological findings, he speaks on local radio and television about South Jersey wildlife. His friendship with the local Lenape Indians has helped with his research; they have shown him coyote and black bear tracks near Leesburg.

Gershenowitz is on campus every day doing research. “Rowan’s library is the best I have ever worked in. Everything I need is in that library and if it is not there, the enthusiastic staff will find it. I hope to spend the rest of my days researching in this wonderful library that has helped me write three books and over 200 papers.”

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