THE HAROLD H. SILVERSTEIN

EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLECTION

In memory of Harold H. Silverstein | Child Psychologist | 1925-1976 | Est. 1986 by his wife and children

Harold H. Silverstein, z”l, was born in Boston and graduated from Boston Latin School. He earned degrees in psychology from Boston University and Iowa State University, and received a Diplomate in School Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. He was a decorated veteran of World War II whose army unit liberated Auschwitz in 1945.

Mr. Silverstein was a school psychologist in Newton and maintained a private clinical practice in Newton. He helped draft the Massachusetts Special Education Act, the model for federal laws guaranteeing educational opportunities for children with special needs. He was the founder of the first Jewish special educational program, the Hatikvah program at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline.

Harold H. Silverstein’s personal and professional life reflected his love of home, family, tradition, and humanity. May his memory be for a blessing, and may the gift to The Rashi School in his name help future generations of young children learn and grow in the kind of supportive, caring environment for which he advocated. 

Newspaper article from the original dedication
Harold H. Silverstein Early Childhood Collection bookplate
Framed art in memory of Harold H. Silverstein in the Rashi office

The Rashi School is proud to rededicate The Harold H. Silverstein Early Childhood Collection. We are grateful to his children – Rabbi Jamie Stolper, Norma Freeman, and Ross Silverstein – for helping us enlarge and beautify the Collection for the benefit of our students. Housed in Grade 1 classrooms and in the school’s main library, the Collection includes print and digital media to enhance the educational opportunities of our youngest learners.

To support the Collection to benefit Rashi’s youngest students, please click the button below and select the Silverstein Library Collection Fund under the Gift Designation drop-down.

To learn more about giving to Rashi, please reach out to the Development Department.