Jack Rudowsky (1/49) would like to keep the connection:
I would like to say hello to all my former classmates at Weequahic from the fabulous Class of January 1949. At age 90, I am still working; security guard at the Amalie Arena here in Tampa, Florida for the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games and at the Tampa Bay Buccaneer games at Raymond James Stadium. It is very stimulating to see all the crowds that attend these events, all sellouts. After all these years of working these venues, I have acquired my own personal fans.
All of my former classmates that are still around, would like to hear from you. I can be reached at rochelletsr@gmail.com. Jack
Ray Drake (1/50) recalls via “word association (Part I):”
On a day when you feel like reminiscing, try this word association mental exercise. Take a sheet of paper and a pencil and at random, write down words that come to tour mind and then go back and identify with short sentences what the word means to you. You will amaze yourself with your power of recollection. My list is shared, below.
Hawthorne Avenue-tavern between Bergen Street and Elizabeth Avenue that served the best ham and cheese sandwiches.
Weequahic Diner-best chicken livers, onions, tongue, pastrami on rye with Russian dressing and French fries at 3AM.
Sid's-hot dogs, knishes, French fries while sitting in Sylvia Price's brother Benny's Hudson car.
Bagels-from store on Clinton Place on way home from Roosevelt movie on a Friday night in George LaBar's mother's Nash.
Hawthorne Theater-on Friday nights while sitting in the middle section counting the girls with big boobs in sweaters who had no boobs 3 months earlier.
Thanksgiving football game-at Untermann Field watching game between Weequahic and Hillside High School. The Indians never won in four years. How Jack Lieberman intercepted a pass, looked around and threw the ball to the ground instead of running for a touchdown.
Tutti Lubetkin-best athlete on team
“Fufnick”-what we shouted from the stands to hit the opposing team.
"We are the boys of Weequahic High" - the first line in a cheer at football games.
Sagamores-the hall monitors during classes. "Show me your pass."
Study Hall-in the auditorium where someone would roll marbles on the floor from the back to the stage.
Max Herzberg's office-where Herbie Schoenwetter and Neil Feins spent awful many hours.
Doc Lowenstein's Latin class-when he threw a wire basket at Gabe Fisch at the annex.
Tommy Hennigan-lived on Mapes Avenue next door to Norm Krueger and did not go to Weequahic.
Bob Reichenstein-joined Herbie and Neil in the principal's office.
Irwin Holtz-lived in a red brick apartment house on Mapes Avenue and whose father sold life insurance.
Cameos-whatever happened to Paula Katz of 435 Clinton Place after she graduated from UConn?
Gym Class at the Annex-where we had to run around a city block. Sid Handler always won.
Mr. Smith of Maple Avenue School-appointed me as chief of the patrol boys.
Music Appreciation Class-on Fridays with Mr. Green as teacher at Maple Avenue School.
Myrna Schenkel-was a left-handed blonde in our class.
Harvey Tesman, Bruce Smith and Norm Krueger-the best athletes in my 8th grade class.
Look for Part II in the next edition of the “WHS Note” on February 25, 2022. Ray
Alan Ginter (64/65) responds to Jacqueline Kaufer Klein's (66) "Remembrances of Maple Avenue School:"
I have my own similar memories of Chancellor Avenue School (February 61). Virtually all of my dreams are populated by friends, classmates, teachers and playmates from those years. Even kids I haven't had the slightest thoughts about for 70 years are hanging around in my memory. The dreams are usually pretty lucid so I get to think about them for days afterward, very pleasant.
Schley Street and Chancellor Avenue are never far off from my reminiscences; it all kind of goes together. Probably why I never had room for Algebra. There ain't but just so much room up there.
You are right Jackie, especially in the face of current reality, it is all like a fairy tale magic snow globe. But it did happen. Just the way you describe it and more so. What saddens you, Jackie, is also what will trigger feelings of anxiety in me, that one day no one will be left to remember. Thank you to the Weequahic Newsletter. I have now been able to share those memories with others. Alan
Millman’s v Sabin’s in response to Jac Toporek (6/63):
Jeff Golden (6/63)
Sabin's hot dogs were grilled, Millman's were boiled. As a fussy-eater young child, I would not eat grilled hot dogs, so trips downtown or to the park with my father were topped off with a stop at Millman's. I'm not 100% sure about menu prices in the early 1950s because dad was handling the money, not me, but Millman's 1937 menu doesn't seem out of line with what prices were in the 1950s. Jeff
Herb Cohen (54)
Millman’s and Sabin’s may have had what Jac thought were great "dogs," but I have to nominate Rutt’s Hut off of Rt. #21 in Passaic They boil their dogs in oil and the wieners end up splitting lengthwise. They are called “rippers” and are the best. I have traveled the world over for business for over 40 years. If I find a hot dog on a menu, I order it for a quick lunch. I've had hot dogs in Europe, South America, Australia, Canada and Mexico. Nothing is as good as a RUTT’S HUT RIPPER. Herb
Sis Levine Gold (54)
I lived at 316 Meeker Avenue, so thanks for the Millman’s memory. Think it was right next to an overpass.
Did you sled ride down Meeker? We never realized how crazy dangerous it was coming down to Elizabeth Avenue. Well, you don’t know what you missed with the thrill of sledding down that big hill! Good memories. Sis
Jac Toporek (6/63)
Sis, never slid down Meeker. Cannot recall why, but probably the danger, although thrilling, you cited as all the cross streets to be passed, including Elizabeth Avenue at the bottom of the hill. Went to Weequahic Park or to RR embankment just before the underpass and Millman’s and Sabin’s on the other side of the tracks. No sleds used on the embankment; the poor man’s sled, large pieces of remnant cardboard. Jac
“W-Hoodmemories:”
Jack Cobin (Peshine/Linden 60)
To Trudi Burakof Slater (64), it was about a dividing line, I lived on Hunterdon near Renner. My best friend across the street moved one block away but right above Bergen Street and he went to Maple Avenue School and not to Peshine. Jack
Richard Schnur (6/63)
The Weequahic salad recipe can be found on the web. Found a number of related items at Click here for recipe. Richard
Esther Gordon (6/52)
Reply to Mel Lissner's (6/53) suggestion for a book (“Maybe all these weekly reminiscences can be turned into a book to let our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren get familiar with our generation.). I've already written that book you suggest. It was solicited and published in the U.S. and England in 1972 by Harper & Row, now Harper Collins) so "our children and grandchildren" and history will know about those "great days and great people of Newark."
The autobiographical novel, When Momma was the Landlord, is in the main libraries of New York and Newark, as well as historic archives and museums throughout the U.S. Under the patronage of Arnold Keller (6/52), a special soft cover edition was published for the dedication of the West Orange Jewish exhibit. A few copies remain; interested readers can contact me by email at egordoneditor@comcast.net. Esther
Warren Bratter (6/60)
To Rita Kravitz Rzepka (1/55) and all those interested in keeping our Mamaloshen’s (mother tongue) memory alive and making it more than just an oddity of our shared past, know that Aaron Lansky founded the Yiddish Book Center. It is located on the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. The Center is a repository for thousands of books, posters, pamphlets, recorded materials, and online classes. It also sponsors exceptional online events to help keep us connected with the world of ancestors. Last week, I attended an enlightening zoom session on Shakespeare and Yiddish. Here’s the link if anyone is interested in exploring this invaluable resource; Link to Zoom session. Warren
