MAY 30, 2025

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

Hi Tellers of the tales of District Weequahic,  

Judi Wodnick Chait (62) discovers news of loss of former teacher and recalls:

I was saddened to recently read in the NJ Jewish News about the passing of Judith Berson, a French teacher at Clinton Place Junior High. We were fortunate at that new school to have many young teachers who were energetic and fun. Mrs. Berson took us on a class trip that has stayed in my mind all these years. We went to NY to dine at a French restaurant; I think “Louis Quatorze.” Of course, we ordered in French. Then we went to see the opera Carmen at City Center.  

Many years later, I met her and was amazed she had remembered me. We had a wonderful conversation discussing our lives and adventures. She lived an eventful, long exciting life until the age of 91. Judi

Greg Tannenbaum (Union 82) seeks an assist:

I know this is a long shot, but I was trying to see if anybody may have some pictures from the past of my father Jerry “Tank” Tannenbaum (59) playing football or of the football players from WHS. If there are any archives I can search, please contact me at gtankkt64@gmail.com. Greg

Jac Toporek (6/63) reaches out to harvest your memories of summer in NJ as WHS alumsters and friends experienced them:

Memorial Day ahead and like so many of us, thoughts turn to the Jersey Shore past and present. Bradley Beach “always on your mind?” Oh, those youthful experiences, toes in the sand, the feeing of the waves well after being back in the dwelling for that evening meal, the strolls on the boardwalk. We have been through many of those cherished memories in the 26 years of publishing the “WHS Note.” Cannot believe that there are not so many more memories and recollections of summer at the Jersey Shore out there amongst us Weequahic faithful just waiting to be shared. Yes, this is an invite to all subscribers to our weekly newsletter to recollect, and after a few minutes of memory euphoria, send your Shore thoughts to the “WHS Notes” editor at whsalum63@aol.com.  Jac

Jack Rudowsky (1/49) calls it a day:

After working for over 80 years, I have finally decided to retire. I have recently worked at the Amalie Arena here in Tampa, FL for 12 years; it was a very pleasant place to work. I was getting hugs and kisses from my great fans as they entered the facility to see the Lightning play hockey. The other Security members became very good friends. 

Recently, my wife has had a very serious health condition which has led me to move to a retirement community in Valrico, FL which provides a great many activities for us and programs for my wife to participate in that helps her in many ways. 

I wish the very best to my fellow graduates, who must all be in their 90s. To the remaining members of the class of January, 1949, wishes for good health and continued best pf times in the future. Jack 

Adding their voice to those who have indicated appreciation for the reports of Enid Hinkes (60) on WHS’ fallen heroes.

Larry Orlans (1/58)

It made me feel very proud to see that our graduates continue to recognize those Weequahic students who gave their lives for our country. Thank you, Enid Hinkes (60) for sharing your reporting. As an Air Force veteran, those who have served our country, whether in combat or not, deserve to never be forgotten. Those who did not survive any of our wars, especially so. Larry

Harlene Gelman Horowitz (6/58)

Thank you, Enid, for your passionate reporting. I loved being a cheerleader with you at Weequahic; I was captain at the time you were on the squad. Even though we never won a football game the three years that I was on the squad, we had a great time at football and basketball. Certainly, made up for all of our losses. Enid had great spirit and I was happy to have known her back then. Harlene 

Mel Lissner (53) 

To Enid and Jac Toporek (6/63; Editor of the “WHS Noate”) whose family lived at the 225 Meeker Avenue apartment house along with my family and was my brother Clark’s friend and classmate, before you lived there Jac, Jerry Bernstein, who was killed on Normandy Beach in WWII, lived there with his parents. He graduated Weequahic, I am guessing, around 1943. Could Enid find any information about him?

Herb Segal (59)

Having been in an Army uniform for 31 years (Colonel, US Army retired), four as a cadet and 27 on active duty, including time in Vietnam, I, too, applaud Enid's diligence. Might I suggest that there were Weequahic faculty who served bravely in World War II (I believe Leo Pearl was one) and returned home. What do we know about their service? 

Please also permit me a rant about "Thank you for your service," a phrase in my mind now relegated to a scripted response during commercial transactions. Thanking a service member killed in action "for your service" doesn't seem right to me. I lost two close classmates in Vietnam and can't imagine myself using that phrase to describe their ultimate sacrifice. Herb 

Dwelling on the W-recollections:  

Ira Grindlinger (66)

Thank you so much, Jac Toporek (6/63), for forwarding Neil Rothstein's (6/59) email to my brother Arthur (6/63) and me about our sister Sybil’s passing.

I don't know if you knew Neil back in our high school days (he is a few years older than you, Jac) but he is a great guy. Neil was indeed very close to our family; on multiple levels. He was a student of my father (Phys Ed) at Maple Avenue School. He dated Sybil for a little while and he got to know both of our parents very well. Neil was a swim coach for both Arthur and me. He was Weequahic's Assistant Swim Coach in the very successful 1962-63 season when Art was a senior and co-captain of the team (along with his classmates Bobby Stein and Jim Mogul). I was a freshman on the squad. Prior to that, Neil was my summer coach at Fabyan Cabana Club. 

Sybil and Neil both worked at Skyline Swim Club in Jersey City (which was part-owned by Weequahic gym teacher and long-time WHS swim coach Leo Pearl). Lastly, for a few summers I was a camp counselor and Neil was the camp director at a couple of different swim clubs in Newark’s western suburbs (Spring Garden Country Club in Florham Park; Mountainside Swim Club in West Orange).

I have not spoken to Neil in years, but I think of him often and I will definitely follow up on his thoughtful email. Thanks, again. Ira

Herman Rosenfeld (67)

Just a short comment in response to the note from Lee Wymisner (64) about Art ‘Skip’ Clarke’s (64) passing was really touching. Skip spent his early years growing up on Renner Avenue, just below Osborne Terrace. He was one of the older kids on our block. He, Barry Siegel and I spent a couple of fun winters shoveling snow to raise money for a model motoring set that we played with for hours and hours. 

I lost touch with Skip when he went to high school and I remained one of the kids at Maple Avenue School. Over the years, I learned that he lived in Colorado, the same state in which my sister lives. Good to catch up with his life history via his obituary, but sad that I never was able to say hello before he passed. BTW, Barry also moved to Colorado. Herman 

Steve Bogner (66)

I have to correct the post by Robert Cipriano (1/63). Frank Checorski was indeed a fine basketball player at Hillside but he never led them to a State title. They did win their sectional title his senior year, but lost in the State semifinals. 

Mel Witherspoon graduated from Central in 1962 and then attended Gannon College in Erie, PA. The 1963 Hillside team was led by the great Bill Schutsky and did lose to Central in the State Tournament. Central had several fine players led by the late Drayton Bembry. Steve 

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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