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Jack Lippman’s “chick” reply to Larry Koenigsberg’s (64) note re: W-Wikipedia received comments (including from Larry in response):
Arnie Kohn (56)
My significant other, Faina, is a Russian emigree. The suffix "chick or "check" is quite Russian. Inanimate objects, have those suffixes; like soup is soupchick and a car is carchick. People are addressed with the suffix “ishka.” Fanishka is Faina and I am Arnishka. Her favorite cousin is Bayacheck; her best friend is Leoracheeck. Her Russian friends, some of whom are not Jewish, use the same tradition. Arnie
Jac Toporek (6/63)
I was told by many that the real pronunciation is “wee-kwoi-ick.” My cousins who visited us from Chicago back in my WHS days loved to call the high school “Weekawaka.” Any other weird pronunciations heard out there by alum chums? Jac
Larry Koenigsberg (64)
Re the "Wee-qua-chick" pronunciation, some sources offer the following, as for instance this from the “Newarkology” website: Newarkology Link:
Everything relating to Indian history in New Jersey is legend, but the name "Weequahic" is derived from a Lenape word "wee-qua-chick," means "head of the cove." According to tradition, the cove of Weequahic Park, now the lake, was the border between the Hackensack and Raritan bands of the Lenni-Lenape.
Weequahic is the only neighborhood in Newark with an Indian name. The neighborhood was named after the park, not the other way around. When Weequahic Park was developed, what is now the Weequahic district was farmland that had only recently been annexed to Newark. I hope this helps! Larry
Them “Weequahic Times:”
Eliot Braun (1/64)
A Weequahic memory was prompted recently when I was listening to a short story by alumnus Philip Roth. He described a class in high school called "Occupations." I remember very distinctly that in my first semester at Weequahic in February 1960 (last class to end mid-year), we had such a course. If my memory serves me correctly, the teacher was Ms. Finklestein.
One of the tasks was to take what I believe was called The Kuder Preference Test. It was a booklet of several pages where individuals were asked to choose answers to questions with multiple choices by punching out holes with a metal stylus. There were, of course, no correct answers as the object of the test was to choose answers that would indicate students' aptitudes and, perforce, preferences. I have no idea what the test suggested for me, but I am willing to bet it was not accurate.
Another requirement of the course was to interview a person in a profession or particular field of interest that one would like to pursue in life. I was fascinated by archaeology and, accordingly, I wrote to the Museum of Natural History in NY City requesting an interview with an archaeologist. I received a positive answer and in May of that year I indeed took the #107 Bus to NY. Went to the museum where I interviewed Dr. Gordon Eckholm. I don't think the interview was especially important, but I believe the course was.
After emigrating to Israel in 1969, and after my army service, I began studying archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1974. I've been working at it since then and can safely state that it remains my passion. Much of what I do is research and publishing. I fully admit that my studies at Weequahic gave me a good basis for writing and an appreciation for the liberal arts. One outstanding teacher I remember in English was Janet McKenzie. Eliot
Dennis Estis (65)
Tell Asriel Strip (1/54) that Harry was Harry Boodish and his wife was Lilian Boodish. That pretty daughter of his was Barbara Boodish. All three of them and Barbara’s husband lived at 300 East Westfield Avenue (Sovereign Arms), in Roselle Park on the second floor. I lived down the hall from them for about 3 years. They were good friends. Dennis
Asriel Strip (1/54)
Dennis (Estis), great to have this old memory filled in. The Boodish family were nice and hardworking people. That jogged my memory to recall a kosher restaurant next door. I was amazed at how many “travelers” stopped n for a meal. I had no idea that people went out for dinner until I left home for college (Ohio State). I remained in Ohio and reside in suburban Columbus. Asriel
Wayne Lerman (6/60)
To Esther Gordon (6/52), so surprised to read your e-mail concerning 48 Demarest Street. You are so right with your memory. My family lived on first floor till 1967 when we moved out. My sister Phyllis, not Wendy (64) passed in 2008. On the first floor, left side, was Marcia and Jerry Schindleman. Yes, Belle Stern who lived, I believe, on the second floor was best friends with my mom Fannie.
The Steel, Bernard and Martin lived top floor; their mom was Anna. Lost track of them. There was a Richie Sobrano who lived in that building. The Schanermans were our landlord. Great building for stoop ball.
Olson Grocery was across the street. We were located one block from the Hawthorne Annex and Silver’s Bakery. There was also a great candy store corner of Dewey and Nye. All in all, it was a great neighborhood and provided great memories. Wayne
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