MAY 9, 2025

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Hi W-Friends of the Weequahic Friendship Circle,  

George Golomb (64) recalls friend who passed recently:

Dr. Jeffrey Menkes (6/64) died on April 7, 2025 at the age of 78. He was very smart and very nice. Although retired on the date of his passing, Jeffrey had a career as an emergency room physician. He was a wonderful friend of mine since high school. He lived in Connecticut and we spoke often by phone. He was wise and had a terrific sense of humor. His obituary appears at Obituary for Dr. Jeffrey Menkes. George

Jacqueline Kaufer Klein (66) shares once more about family, Newark and the generational legacy:

 Always, when I think I have written my last little tale of my childhood in Newark, or of my last dream of the gazebo on Divident Hill surrounded by chestnut trees and forsythia in the springtime in Weequahic Park, another story comes alive.



I loved Newark with all of the places I have ever lived and visited. Those gritty streets were filled with magic. 

My wonderful son, his wife and children lost their home and all of their possessions recently in the Los Angeles wildfires. They escaped with flames on their home. No evacuation notices ever went out to their neighborhood.

Every home was lost along with seventeen lives, hopes, futures and dreams. 

I thank G-d every single night that they escaped. Among the things that my son most deeply laments losing, were the beautiful, deeply cherished heirlooms that came from my parents, handed down to me and which I gave to him, as well as to his sister and brother.

Lost was my mother's beautiful China that we used for every holiday. They included my grandmother's serving platters that held a century of briskets and roasted chickens served for Sabbaths. Blue glass cufflinks, the only things my son had from his father that he wore each High Holy Day, is also gone. 

And yet, for whatever has been lost or left behind, the beautiful, bright sparks of family and faith nurtured in Newark are being passed on. My children carry their names; they still hear the stories; the Yiddish word; the ethos and echoes that ran through all our families like golden streams of love and wisdom. Streams that I felt back in Newark and which continue to have a lasting impact. These were the same feelings and values my mother, father, uncle, and all of the people who surrounded us in our Weequahic neighborhood, were taught and learned still remain with us.

We may have lost the serving pieces, those tangible items we could touch and wear. But we still have those Weequahic family stories, memories, traditions, and teachings. And for me personally, I am certain my parents would “kvell” knowing that their grandchildren and great grandchildren still value them to this day. 

There is a wonderful line; "Walk like there are five thousand ancestors behind you ~ because there are." Even if we cannot hear their footsteps, I believe that if we close our eyes, we can see them and feel them! L'dor V'dor (Hebrew for from generation to generation). Jacqueline

Enid Hinkes (60) remembers two fallen Weequahic heroes:

I am pleased to share with you once more the tales of a pair of WHS graduates who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice. The attached document (LINK TO PDF) provides my full report on June, 1941 classmates, Leonard Resnick (6/41) and Jules Sachs. Below is a brief lead in.  

Leonard Resnick’s (May 19, 1922 – April 5, 1943) “Legend” entry read, “Varsity Track, Cross Country, Basketball; Class Council; Business.” He was the son of Hannah Sandler Resnick and Morris Resnick. The family lived at 31 Aldine Street in 1940. They had also lived at 209 Clinton Place. On July 4, 1943 he married Madalyn Thelma Kaufer Resnick; pictured below.

Jules Sach’s (December 10, 1923 – November 11, 1944) “Legend” notes read “389 Leslie Street; Senior Band 1-3; Bowling 8; Ping Pong 2-5; Jr. Social Se. 1, 2; Dance Committee 7; Legend Staff 8; CP; Newark University.” The entry also included a quote, “It’s only a friendly person who can boast many friends.                                                                                    

Jules was the son of Isaac and Dorothy Sachs. The family lived on 101 Leslie Street in 1940 and later at 389 Leslie Street. Enid

Thinking of times “W-ago:”  

Richard Pomerantz (Madison Avenue/Columbia 68)

My mom, Marilyn Weiner, was a 1942 grad of WHS. In 1959, we moved from 844 S. 11th Street, between Clinton and Madison Avenues to Maplewood. Had lived there from the age of 6 through 9. I am now 74 and living outside Philly. My mom married a doctor from Queens, NY. The block where we lived, 844 S. 11th St. was known as “Doctor’s Row” since 5 MDs resided on the block. My dad was a GP who, eventually, became a psychiatrist. The others were Wilner, Horn, Washington, LaRosa. Mom passed in 1991. Her brother Stanley and her 1st cuz, Art (Ace) Hirsch are both WHS alums.

Mom’s parents (my “Nana” and “Gramps”) lived at 235 Hansbury Avenue where I visited many times as a kid. My grandma actually went to Barringer Hich School, most likely Class of 08!  I only recall everything about the Weequahic area, since my grandparents lived right around the corner on Hansbury well into the 60s. I recall buying milk from the milk machine around the corner on Chancellor Avenue opposite the YW-YMHA. Also remember Syd's hotdogs or Stashes steaks? The Weequahic Diner? Enjoy reading about them in the newsletter.

From living in the Clinton Hill section of Newark, I recollect having a nice teacher in 2nd and 4th grade at Madison Avenue School, Mrs. Kananack, and a terrible teacher in 3rd, Mr. Warshawsky. I have a vague memory of Mr. Chorus(?) in 1st grade and Mr. Crosby(?) in Kindergarten. There was a strict Gym teacher there named Mr. Higgins. 

I recall the candy store called Irv's right on the corner of 16th Street. There was a pickle barrel in the store and it's where I bought my first pack of baseball cards. I'm sure I had the “Mickey Mantle rookie card” at one time. I remember riding a bus along Clinton Place, Watson Bagels on the corner of Clinton Avenue and 11th Street, and, on 10th, Temple Bnai Abraham, my initial Hebrew school B4 moving. Richard

Dan Mont (6/46)

A few issues back of the weekly newsletter, Jack Lippman (50) remarked about the street peddlers of many years ago, one being the "Sweet Potato Man." That man was my grandfather and his name was Aaron Kulicofsky. I used to take pride when he came by in his wagon and he would give me a big bag of sweet potatoes (FREE) for our family. His wagon was outfitted with very large metal drawers to bake his potatoes. 

As a side note, anyone left out there from the class of June, 1946, I would love to hear from you! My e-mail address is DanMont1928@gmail.com. Dan

Mel Rubin (56)

I appreciate the mention in the newsletter of Andy’s on Osborne Terrace which many of us used. It is the store where I bought my one and only bowling ball that I used for 50 plus years. The maximum allowable weight was 16 pounds. I wanted the heaviest weight so I purchased it at 16.3 and after drilling the three holes the weight was 16. I bowled in multiple leagues, several times a week until 72 when my heart said “enough with the bowling already.” 

We, the” Jokers,” purchased our club jackets from Andy. We had a picture of the comic book Joker on the back. The front had a deck of cards spread open and our names. We thought we were hot stuff. When I graduated, I gave my jacket to Jerry Lapidus (Irvington 57). 

Of course, my first tennis racket came from Andy’s. He and his sons were extremely helpful. I believe his son was a weightlifter, unlike me, who was a Syd’s hot dog lifter.  Mel

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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