APRIL 11, 2025

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Hi Commentarians on Matters Weequahic, 

TO ALL OBSERVING THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY, BEST WISHES FOR A “SWEET” PASSOVER. TO OBSERVERS AND NON-OBSERVERS OF PASSOVER ALIKE, MAY WE ALL HAVE BLESSING FOR THE YEAR BEFORE US.

Jac Toporek (6/63) and Wayne Lerman (60) relate news of the passing of long-time friends:

So very sorry to share the sad news of the passing of a long-time friend, Fred Buchsbaum (6/62). Although our paths may have crossed during those Weequahic years, the friendship developed in the 80s through mutual friends. Fred and his wife Sharon (Goodman; 6/65) and children have been dear family friends ever since. Lots of good times, shared experiences, and hijinks since then. He will forever be remembered via his legacy of devotion to family, good will to all, spirited humor and kind heart. Fred’s obituary can be accessed here (LINK to PDF). Jac

I bear unfortunate news of the passing of Judy Tiber Morris, a 1959, I believe, WHS graduate. Judy, who was a cheerleader at Weequahic, lived for many years in Holmdel, NJ and had a very successful real estate firm in Monmouth County. Judy was a longtime friend of me and my family. May she rest in peace. Her obit can be found at Obituary for Judy Tiber Morris. Wayne

CORRECTION from Gil Lustig (61):

Thanks for posting my offer of reunion videos. My g-mail address was incorrectly posted. It is gillustig7@gmail.com. Gil

Nor Toporek (6/63) shares pic and comment on mini-reunion of WHS classmates a few weeks ago in Highland Park, NJ:

From L to R; Hazel Dector Solomon, Riva Barnett, Vivian Barnett Toporek (Irvington 66; thanks for the photo), Jac Toporek and me. Much appreciation to Hazel and Riva for inviting the Toporeks to their periodic catch-up and reconnect lunch.

Lots of reminiscing about high school days, the nature of the neighborhood and our families and careers. But there was more in common than classmates. Hazel and Jac’s wife Vivian were congregant-mates at the Nye Avenue synagogue in Irvington where both their families attended; Congregation B’nai Israel. Hazel’s mom and my mom knew each other as residents of Federation Plaza in West Orange, a senior residence administered under the auspices of the local Jewish Federation. Riva and the twin Toporeks share a history of experiences with Montreal, Canada as the focal point. Small degrees of separations; the makings of “It’s a Small Weequahic World” story. Jac

Phil Yourish (6/64) provides link to recent article highlighting Weequahic High School’s designation as a historic landmark:

Darren Tobia authored this article noting the school’s historic designation and how it might be of benefit to the students now attending WHS and in the future. The article can be found at Link to Article. Phil 

Sara Friedman Fishkin (6/60) adds a personal “Bamberger’s parade moment:

My father worked almost 40 years in the furniture and bedding department of Bamberger’s. Just to say hello to him, I’d take the #14 Bus or walk from Rutgers, Newark. Ah, but Thanksgiving was really special because he worked the parade route. One November, in the mid-1950s, my mother placed me on the curb, possibly along the Clinton Avenue route, to await the float he would be aboard. I was probably 5 years old and although I tried to be patient, I was impatient and bored. 

The day took a dramatic turn when the Philadelphia Mummers, an incredible and “fantabulously” robed marching band, approached very little me sitting alone on the curb. I do remember howling in fright and thankfully being “rescued” by my dad who scooped me up and onto his float. From curb-side observer to proudly riding the rest of the parade with my dad did more than dry my tears. T’was an indelible memory too.

This summer, I will honor my father’s memory by taking my son and grandson on a special trip. We will journey to the World War I battlefields near Verdun where, in 1918, he fought with the American Doughboys. Sara

Hal Lipton (1/55) and Marvin Kaleky (Hillside 55) add to the recall of Hillside v Weequahic competitions:

I used to go to all the home basketball games of WHS when I was between ages of 8-11 or so. Mr. Lustig, Gym teacher, would let me into the games after asking if I was going to play on the football team when I got old enough. I always said, "Yes" and he let me attend the basketball games. I can’t remember is there was a fee to attend, but I did not have to pay in any case. 

We did play (and defeat) Hillside in basketball. I remember one game against them. It was a close game until we kept stealing their in-bound passes and scoring one basket after another. WHS scored something like 6 baskets in about 16 seconds. They never recovered from that flurry.  

I did not play football at Weequahic; baseball was my sport. We had a very good baseball team in 1954 going 14-7 that year. Even upset Thomas Jefferson in our first game of the Greater Newark Tournament. TJ was ranked number 1 and we were ranked Number 16. 

Before playing TJ some of us scouted them at one of their games. We watched their crafty left-handed pitcher pick off runners who were on 1st base. I spotted his pick-off moves, as well as his curve ball. In our game a Rupert Stadium, I was able to draw walks from him (twice) and scored runs each time. Weequahic won 6-5.  

I went on to make the baseball team at Syracuse University when I was a soph. Hal

Found the original program for the Thanksgiving game November, 26, 1953 of the two greatest rivals of the day, Hillside Comets and Weequahic Indians. The attached copy is the best I can do under the circumstances to share that day. Hoping that whoever sees will appreciate this memory from 72 years ago (LINK to PDF). Marvin

Hankering for the W-days back when….:  

Jack Lippman (50)

Sad to read here that the Star-Ledger has joined the Newark Evening News in the graveyard of printed newspapers. All that seems to be left in NJ are some Gannett-owned papers that WHS alums might read, led by the Bergen Record and the Asbury Park Press. And their days are numbered. That increases the value of social media such as this “WHS Note.”  

I remember many years back, when horse-drawn peddlers still worked the streets of Newark at least north of Meeker Avenue. One sold hot roasted sweet potatoes wrapped in old newspapers. Without such newspapers, your hands could get burned. Jack

Steve Bogner (66)

The post by Vivian Rosenberg (66) about teachers at Bragaw brought an interesting memory. My first job was a delivery boy for Shuster’s Drugs. Shortly before I left for college, I delivered a prescription to her home. Her mom took a liking to me and asked if I knew her daughter and called Vivian to the door. I was smitten and couldn’t get her out of my mind. Tall and attractive. Shortly thereafter, I headed up to Boston University. From there, I have a pretty solid life and I certainly hope the same is true of that young beauty from that long ago night. Steve

Vivian Rosenberg (66)

To Steve Bogner, so funny. My mother was always trying to get me married. It was embarrassing. Vivian

Herb Segal (59)

To Lew Kampel (6/60), I too participated in patrolling my post at the corner of Madison and Tracy Avenues, at the) end of the Avon Avenue School's catchment area. The real problem, in the pre-cellphone era, was knowing when to quit. My colleagues at the corner of Avon and Tracy used hand signals (a block away) to get my attention. At that point, I hustled past the Sornstein, Cohen, Bratter and Kuhn houses getting to the playground in time for a brief dismissal. In time to stow my belt (no badge) and then onto class. More ancient history, but, thanks, Lew. Herb 

The WHS NOTE is emailed to you by the WEEQUAHIC HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION for the CLASS OF 1963 ASSOCIATION and editor, Jacob Toporek.



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