MARCH 1, 2024

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Hi Kindred Spirits of the Orange & Brown, 

Phil Schiffman shares news that his brother passed:

Murray Albert Schiffman, 82, of West Orange, NJ passed away on January 7, 2024. Murray was born on December 18, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, to his late parents Herman and Hilda Schiffman. He was a beloved husband to Barbara (nee Zagnit), who preceded him in death. He was also predeceased by his sister-in-law, Linda.

Murray had a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant in private practice until his retirement. He was a graduate of Weequahic High School (Class of 1959) and Rutgers University.

Murray was a dedicated member of Congregation Beit Shalom, where he found solace and community. He took great joy in being involved with the Post Polio Network. Despite contracting polio at the age of 8, he never let his disability stop him from the things he liked to do such as attending his grandchildren’s activities and attending New York Yankees games, as a life-long avid fan.

Murray is survived by his loving children, Neil (Eileen) and Wendy Goldstein (Scott), and his cherished grandchildren, Jonathan, Hannah, Lauren, and Brian. He also leaves behind his brothers Sidney (Marilyn), Larry, and Philip (Miriam) and many nieces and nephews. Philip

Steve Newmark marks a special occasion:

Our 60th New Year’s Eve Anniversary and first picture in 2024

North Palm Beach, FL. From Left to Right, Larry Novick (1/61), Robert Buddy Horn (6/6, me, Ronald Rosen (1/61).

Continuing the theme of remembering WHS athlete-heroes, classmates (6/63) Steve Epstein and Nor Toporek share sports-thoughts:

I was saddened to read in the various comments on WHS athletes about the passing of my classmate Ernie Bethea. He was a quality, hard-working young man, Always with a smile on his face. Ernie played both basketball and football

He left me with one of those small events in your life that you always remember.

The game was against favored No.1 Westfield at the Group IV State Basketball Championship. Ernie drove deep into the right corner, lined up behind the backboard and took a high arching jump shot that grazed the backboard and yet fell through the net. The basket starts a rally that took us to victory. Rest in peace, “Windy” and thanks for the fond memory.  Steve

As I watched the Rutgers-Indiana men’s basketball game recently, I was reminded of a memorable WHS moment. As the final second of the first half approached, the Rutgers’ point guard takes a jumper from almost half-court and beats the buzzer with a far-away 3-pointer. After cheering this “wow” basket, my mind raced back to a similar buzzer beater by a Weequahic hoops legend.

The year, 1967; the game opponents, WHS and Brooklyn’s Boys High. Location, Upsala College Gym? Newark Christmas Tournament? Sure, no team would beat us that year, but Boy’s High was always an exceptional group of young basketballers and, although not certain, we had never beat them in past games.

Well, as the half was concluding and, I believe Weequahic was leading, the Orange and Brown took the ball in from under their basket, dribbled up court. The final pass of the half came to Dennis “Moe” Layton, who, from almost the half court stripe let the ball sail high into the air. BASKET! ALL NET! BUZZER BEATER EXTRAORDINAIRE! If memory serves me correct, “Moe” made a similar end-of-time 3-pointer as the first quarter clock wound down. Boy’s High morale deflated. They recognized that with that amazing shot and basket (and the first), their fortunes for a victorious outcome were not very bright. Nor  

Merely mention of bakeries and baked goods in these nostalgic exchanges, and, “voila,” the memory-yeast rises up:

Nate Himelstein South Side (1/55)

In reminiscing about Newark bakeries, I vividly recall as a kid going to Prince Street and visiting the two bakeries Wrigler’s and Lehrhoff’s (picture, below). I clearly recall the delicious twisted rolls. Even now, my mouth waters when I think of that delicious bun, especially, from Wrigler’s. Nate

Lorraine Glass Davis (6/64)

Something that was mentioned in a recent Friday night special, planted in me a memory “seed.” Living on Jacoby Street in Maplewood in the early 70s, I used to walk to Mill Road near Stuyvesant Village to get the comforting baked goods like challah, rye bread, rolled onion rolls. I, especially, love the rye bread because of the delicious black seed. One day, I asked to speak to the baker and shared with him how much I loved those mysterious black seeds. He told me they were.

“Karnishkas” (not to be confused with varnishkas, as in Kasha Varnishkas [buckwheat & bow ties pasta mix]).

After talking with the baker for a while, he suggested that I bring a jar next time and he’d give me some. Of course, I went right back home to get an empty horseradish jar and he filled it right up. Like no one else, I could now sprinkle the black diamonds on an omelet? I felt very privileged.

No, I never did further research on the proper name of the seeds, but I am going by Karnishkas!” That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! But, would like to hear if any of our readers can provide further insights on the seeds. BTW, there was no expiration date on those treasures and I sprinkled them for many years to supplement the taste of several favorite foods.  Lorraine

Jac Toporek (6/63)

In light of reading a recent article in the NJ Jewish news article highlighting a 35 foot “Jersey-baked challah headed to record book,” (Link to article) I tried to recall where our family purchased challah for Friday night meals or the holidays. Since we returned late on Friday nights from working in the family-owned Spruce Street fish stores, it was too late for a formal “Shabbat” meal. On the table were Kaiser rolls purchased on the way home from Denburg’s Bakery just behind the Weequahic Diner.

On holidays, not 100% certain, challah was purchased probably at Migdal’s Bakery where my mom had an Israeli relative working trying to earn some money before returning to Israel. May have also look to Silver’s Bakery for challah, too. I am interested in hearing where others sought out challah for the Sabbath and holidays in our Weequahic days, whether some were home-made and who baked them if they were, and any other related “challah” memories of interest. Jac