FEBRUARY 14, 2025

TO RESPOND WITH A COMMENT OF YOUR OWN, PLEASE CLICK ON WHSALUM63@AOL.COM.

Hi Image Makers of the Weequahic Scene,  

Lew Wymisner (6/64) advises of loss of a classmate:

My classmate Michael Goldberger, better known as “Bear,” passed away on Tuesday, January 21. His obituary can be found at: Obituary for Michael Goldberger. Bear was born on December 21st, 1946 in Pfarrkirchen, Germany, to the late Daniel and Dora, both Holocaust survivors from Poland. He emigrated to the United States in 1947 with his parents and his late sister, Anna Palasnick. 

His nickname “Bear” was given to him by a group called "The Guys," who along with him grew up in Newark and graduated Weequahic in the Class of 64. He was a Supervisor for Essex County Welfare for more than 30 years. In addition, he was an award-winning Editor-in-Chief of The Citizen newspaper in Elizabeth, NJ for 20 years. Also had a syndicated film column, Popcorn, for over 40 years, which appeared in The Westfield Leader. “Bear” was also frequently involved in the New Jersey Hot Dog Tour. 

Surviving is his devoted and loving wife of 47 years, Joanne, his daughter Erin, and her husband Andy, and his grandson Alphonse. Lew

Dr. B. Jumu'ah, Ed.D, (72/WHS Alumni Association Board Trustee) provides perspective on community connection alumni share to Weequahic High School and invites others to do so as well:

I would like to share an Islamic perspective correlated to contributions/ideals and how such has impacted positive change for today’s WHS students, staff, parents, families, and community. It is also a perspective and that is the root of the WHSAA and the desire for so many graduates of the high school to give back and support the institution that was one of our personal building blocks. My belief is we all have grown in understanding (spirituality) which is needed to get the job done.

As we continually strive for success and model for all, we must recognize the progress achieved over the years. The WHSAA has built and continues to maintain an elite reputation for excellence and charity. Through endeavors of hard work and allegiance, our team collaborates with diverse groups of individuals to ensure our future generation receives what is needed to succeed academically, socially as well as emotionally. Such accomplishments are achieved by way of relying on interfaith mechanics and interfaith partners from all walks of life. 

Modeling via moral and ethical guidance, cushioned in kindness, the WHSAA team focuses on the interfaith commonalties that bond us and not the diversities that stand to divide us. As a united front, it is our team's ability to think on a higher level; incorporating critical thinking as a means of avoiding the "I " syndrome while exchanging such for the "we" in morally guided leadership. All of the above are crucial elements that has delivered us from the past to the 21st century and permits us to work today to build productive leaders in our WHS students (and others) who stand ready to assume their roles as transformational leaders within a global society.

Kudos to our alumni for maintaining and holding fast to the spiritual guidance given to us. It is the true understanding of our diverse religious beliefs that guides us to work together.

I, along with other alumni, look forward to hearing from graduates from all classes, 1930’s through the present day, about your experiences growing up in the neighborhood we all loved and to this day feel remains so much a part of our Weequahic family. Dr. B. Jumu’ah

Jac Toporek asked about Newark parades and the responses came:

Nate Himelstein (South Side 1/55)

My recollections of the Bamberger’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are that it was quite an event. It came down Central Avenue to West Market Street with bands and floats and many of their employees in costumes and make up. The parade ended with Santa Claus and concluded on Washington Street. Santa would enter a Bamberger’s door on Washington Street and then climb out of a second floor window unto an overhang and address the crowd. 

At the conclusion, Bam’s would open the drapes of the four windows on Halsey and Market Streets below the Bamberger’s clock allowing all to view a beautiful Christmas display with moving figures and music. Nate

Phil Tischio (6/61)

Yes, there was an evening Thanksgiving parade that didn’t end up at Weequahic Park, but was held there. All the floats were painted with special paint that glowed in the dark. The only thing I can’t remember whether at that time it was either a Bamberger’s parade or a Macy’s. Sigh, old age. I do remember it was beautiful and exciting. Phil 

Allan Sapolnick (6/62)

There were two Bamberger’s Thanksgiving parades in Weequahic Park in the mid 1950’s. I remember watching them go down Elizabeth Avenue. Allan

Rich Kalfus (Hillside 6/67)

To answer the question that you asked in the last “WHS Note,” yes, Bamberger's did have a Thanksgiving Parade in Newark for 80 years. What you probably remember, like me, are the last few years when the parade was moved from Thursday, Thanksgiving Day to Wednesday, Thanksgiving eve. There was one year, 1955, when it was in downtown Newark with street lights off to allow the glowing ultraviolet lights on the floats to stand out at night. Starting in 1956 until Bamberger's ended these parades in 1958, they were held in Weequahic Park. 

I remember my mother walking with me and other moms and kids down Bailey Avenue in Hillside to North Broad Street across Elizabeth Avenue to the entrance of Weequahic Park. The couple of years I went with my mom it never felt cold even though it was a November night.

Read these articles for more information; Link to NJ.Com article and Link to Additional Article on Newark Memories. Rich 

John Golden (WHS 59/Millburn 62) sends a late response to Fred Goldman’s (6/62) inquiry about French fries and adds a reach out:

I vividly recall in 9th grade at lunch break buying delicious French fries in a small greasy brown paper bag from what I think was Hot Dog Haven. It was located a few blocks north of Weequahic High on the same side of Chancellor Avenue. For the best hot dogs, Syd’s was across the street. Later, rivaled by the Cheese Dog at Don’s Drive-In on the Short Hills-Livingston border on South Orange Avenue.

Love to hear from any Maple Avenue classmates of June 1958, first photo below, or Temple B’nai Abraham (June 58) Confirmation Class. I can be reached at johngolden45@gmail.com. John

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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