JUNE 13, 2025

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

Hi Weequafriends,  

CORRECTION:

The story about Al Attles in last week’s “WHS Note,” was printed in error under the name of "Paul Sullivan (55)." Rather, the author of the commentary was in fact “Paul Silverman," Class of 1955. 

Herman Rosenfeld (67) visits NYC and comes away with a Weequahic find:

My girlfriend Julia and I visited New York City for 6 days, with an extra day drive through the old Weequahic section and Newark. We stayed for the first set of days at the Hyatt Chelsea, on W24th Street. One day, we stepped into an intriguing looking vintage furniture store a couple of doors down, called Furnish Green. I was struck, as if by a lightening flash, after I noticed a series of black and white photos, with the notation at the bottom of each, “From the Newark Public Library, taken by a former music teacher and jazz aficionado in the 1970s.” I felt like Raymond in the “Manchurian Candidate,” looking at a card deck of Queen of Spades. 

There were over fifty or so of them, with kids and young people in front of and inside Weequahic High, active in political activities and even some famous jazz musicians. I bought two of them and brought them home to be framed. One included Vernon Ross, a junior Music teacher when I was at Weequahic. I recalled an interesting conversation with him in the room that housed the musical instruments. The other photo had a group of students in front of the high school. Pictures appear below.

I highly recommend folks to get over to Furnish Green, 132 1/2 West 24th Street, NYC, (917) 583.9051. Herman

W-Music scene receives extra comments:



Sheldon Bross (55)

Probably one of the best-known musicians to come out of Weequahic was Seymour Bernstein, Class of 1945. Seymour is a pianist who played at Carnegie Hall and resides in New York City and Maine. 

About 15 years ago, the actor Ethan Hawke met Seymour at a dinner party and decided to make a documentary about him. The film. “Seymour: An Introduction,” won several prizes and is wonderful. Seymour wrote several books and numerous pieces of music. He was considered one of the best piano teachers in New York coaching many professional pianists throughout the world. 

Seymour was once featured in a story in the NY Times Magazine by his student Michael Kimmelman, a pianist and music critic for the Times. My wife studied with Seymour for many years. He remains a very dear friend and still teaching at age 98. For much more on Seymour, Google him at https://search.aol.com/aol/search?q=seymour bernstein&s_it=loki-tb-sb. Sheldon

Regina Green-Wells (70)

Kool and the Gang performed at Weequahic High in 1968 or 1969. They went on to fame throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. This was one of my fondest memories. Regina

Carrie Jackson (68)

I am proud to present to you Jersey Bounce, my latest recording in my career as a jazz vocalist. These tracks not only showcase phenomenal musicians, but, after just a few bars, the listener is transported to an intimate supper club. The announcement of the album notes “The selections phrasing sets a distinct mood showing Ms. Jackson’s unwavering dedication to the artistic pursuit of jazz and commitment to her art and her ability to deeply connect with her audience…Here you will find cleverly crafted tunes by the Beatles, Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen and Bobby Platter, Al Green, and original music written by the producer/arranger Radam Schwartz, and more!” For more details, please e-mail info@cjayrecords.com. Carrie

JFK’s visit to Newark draws additional attention:

Laurie Alterman Myerson (59)

Re all the messages about seeing JFK, I, too, saw him in Newark while I was a student at Newark Rutgers. However, my most poignant memory involving JFK was the day of the actual assassination. I was teaching English to a class of seniors at Verona High School when the speaker system came on spontaneously and announcing that the president had died. Many young students literally burst into tears. It was an unforgettable moment in time. And the weekend that followed, it was as somber and silent as I have ever experienced. Laurie

Linda Krugman Holtzman (6/59)

I was a student at Rutgers Newark when JFK came to Newark. I was standing on the corner of Washington Street and Broad Street when he came down Broad. He was so handsome and tan! Kennedy was the first President for whom I voted. Linda

Mel Goldstein (57)

I was there. In fact, the Star Ledger published a picture of JFK in the 

limo. I was in that photo on the left-hand side near the rear passenger door. The excitement was electric! Mel

Jac Toporek (6/63)

A PDF highlighting three photos depicting President Kennedy’s Newark visit and motorcade on Columbus Day, October 12, 1962 can be accessed at (LINK TO PDF). For an interesting perspective commemorating the Kennedy assassination 50 years later via remembrances of JFK’s visit to Newark, see Star Leger article at Link to Article.  Jac

Elaine Hersh Krusch (6/50)

I remember going to the Mosque in downtown Newark and calling, “I like Ike” to support former General Eisenhower. Elaine

W-Streams of Thought:   

Jack Lippman (50)

Memories fade unless they are documented and become part of history. That's true of cave paintings, Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Dead Sea scrolls, and everything that has been preserved on papyrus, handwritten by monks, or in libraries since the invention of printing. I hope future historians have access to the “WHS Notes” through something more permanent than the e-mail messages we receive weekly. They must be archived somewhere so that the history of the Weequahic section of Newark is not lost to future generations, once individuals' memories are gone. The district’s existence as the setting for some of Philip Roth's novels is not enough. Perhaps the producers of our alumni newsletter should speak to someone at the Newark Public Library about this. Jack

Robin Botnick (66)

To Jacqueline Kaufer Klein (66), you write so beautifully. I am surprised you never wrote a book about your memories of the Weequahic way of life. If you remember, we lived down the street from you, 1167 Bergen Street. I think Henry, the guy that owned Henry's Sweet Shop on Bergen, lived between us. 

Regarding the LA fires, I was in Beverly Hills when the fire broke out. We could see the flames from our windows. Some people who were evacuated stayed with us. I have never seen anything like this in my life. The devastation was beyond words. The fire might have destroyed physical relics of the past, as you described in your comments, but one thing it could never do is destroy memories, as you also recalled in your writings. I am so sorry about your children’s loss of the house, but I am glad they are OK. Robin

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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