NOVEMBER 28, 2025

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

APOLOGIES FROM THE WHSAA FOR SENDING A DAY LATE!

Hi Weequahic Era Historians,   

Sharon Gaidemak O’Neil (60) has changed e-mail address to gaidem62@gmail.com. 

Karen Surifman Gladstone (6/60) is now receiving e-mail at karenjoygladstone@gmail.com.

J. Paul Blake (68) shares comment on Class of 1968 Zoom reunion of October 26, 2025: 

We had 20 participants. Ended around 8:30 p.m. (start 7 p.m.) East Coast time. Myra Lawson (70), Executive Director of the WHS Alumni Association, gave a pitch for alumni membership and scholarship donations, and an update on school events/activities, marching band uniforms, Beth Israel construction, including the demolition of Maple Avenue Grammar School annex (sad to say).

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words, which were highlighted in the invitation, aptly described the feelings of Zoom participants. “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship." J. Paul

Cal Schwartz (6/63) highlights outing with classmates:

Continuing the energy and tradition. Five classmates from Weequahic HS, Class of June 63, met for brunch in East Brunswick. Topics diverse: New Jersey, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Weequahic, family, classmates, and, somehow, not much politics. Present, L-R, me, Jac Toporek, Nor Toporek, Bill Belfer, & Ira Melon. Toporeks and Bill also co-grads of Peshine, 1959. To be continued. Calvin

Barbara Daniels (57) clarifies comments on “obits” in the “WHS Note:”

I saw the response to my email about the obituaries. I did not mean disrespect to those that passed. I knew a lot of them, but I think it brought closer the reality of our own mortality. I am 86 now and it hurts to see so many people pass on. The one that hit home the most was Tony Handler as we went to grammar school together. His truly beautiful love story with Narda from the time he was 14 and she was 12 and they shared their love story through adversity and his 43-year fight to be with his family forever. Their love was strong and hat kind of true love is rare in our lifetime.  

 I know how precious every day is, I live one day at a time and thank God for each day. Grateful to enjoy each day. Hope all people feel the same. It’s so important to make the most out of each day that we are given. Barbara

Mel Rubin’s (56) note and Ronald Feldstein’s (6/64) inquiry about a Jewish restaurant on Springfield Avenue the name of which he did not remember received some related responses:

Michael Kerner (6/63)

To Ron Feldstein, the restaurant was called correctly as you remembered, the New Romanian Restaurant. My family visited to eat there many, many times during my growing up years from 1950 to 1967. As I recall, the visits were one of my oldest and happiest of memories. My father loved the place because he was born in Romania. He loved the food.

I, especially, loved the food. The chopped liver was extraordinary. Never had better and I am saying that considering my mother’s chopped liver was very, very good. The soups were amazing. The steak was extraordinary. 

Thinking about that restaurant brings back such wonderful memories which were “mostly” good. The reason I say “mostly good” is that when I graduated Rutgers in 1967, my parents asked me where I wanted to go to celebrate. I picked the New Romanian. The Tavern Restaurant, I believe, had already closed, but I could be wrong. We didn’t make a reservation because my father knew the owner. He was also born in Romania. When we got to the place, it was closed and boarded up. My father called the owner at home who told him that the previous Saturday night during the evening with the place completely filled up with customers, (2 floors buy the way) several citizens of the local community guns drawn came in, robbed everyone and locked the patrons in the meat locker. That was late May or early June 1967. One of the older experienced waitresses got them out. No one was hurt, only psychologically. The owner closed the business the next day. 

Anyone know who makes chopped liver like the New Romanian, let me know. Don’t tell me Samm’s Rumanian in New York City. Not even close.  Mike

Aaron Wolkstein (6/61)

The New Romanian Restaurant was on Clinton Avenue. I had my Bar Mitzvah Luncheon there. Aaron

Alberta Handelman (1/61)

To Mel Rubin (56) re "the cafeteria on Broad Street near Market that was kosher style," I think you mean the Saxony. As a little girl, I thought the Saxony was the most glamorous restaurant in the world! Alberta

Marilyn Silver Grossman (6/62),

The cafeteria was the Saxony. It was a take-off of Hoffman’s in Miami Beach.

I’m so old I remember them both. Marilyn

Mel Rubin (56)

To Marilyn Silver Grossman,

My wife Sharon, nee Segal (Weequahic/Hillside 56), used to work at S. Marsh & Sons, around the corner from the Saxony, when she was at Newark State College. Her favorite lunch was kasha varnishkas (bowties & buckwheat) and chocolate milk. They also had great corned beef. Mel

Re: Commenting on our W-memories:  

Shirley Ezersky Friedman (56)

To Mel Rubin (56), you really brought back the memories for me; had a smile on my face throughout reading your comment. So descriptive, so factual in description and the language and way we spoke was going back to the good old days. You even remembered Prince Street where my dad had a fruit and vegetable store right next to Prince Range to whom everyone went for new appliances. I believe the owner was Charlie Schultz. Thanks for a very interesting and humorous comment i loved it even the Schtick of salami! Shirley

Bernice Bateman Werner (Hillside 57)

Even though I was a Hillside resident, I was always in Newark. Born on High Street in a hospital now known as Saint Barnabas in Livingston; shopping on Bergen Street and at the stores on Broad and Market; eating at the Tavern, Stash’s, Portuguese food, as we said, “Down Neck,” and so many other restaurants! I could go on and on!

My father owned Hobby’s Deli in the 50s. Bernice

Alan Ginter (64/65).

To Gil Lustig: (1/61) in reply to his letter advising of the passing of Jake Davis (6/62), of course, many of us knew at least one of the Davis family children, Ann, Lee, or Jake and most of us knew all of them. Very sorry to hear that they all have passed. I knew Ann from the marching band. We would rehearse Saturday morning right in front of her house right in back of the Chancellor Playground. Memory is the only Paradise from which we can never be banished. Alan

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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