OCTOBER 28, 2022

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

Edwards-Batson, Barbara(6/63)-- batson2019@gmail.com (change)

Kronberg Freeman, Jean(Maple/WHS 62/Nevada 66)-- freejean@gmail.com (new)

Weintraub, Andy(6/57)-- andyweintraub@frontiernet.net (new)

To Steve Epstein (6/63) on his note about kids of means at Weequahic:

Susan Weinberg Simon (Hillside 60)

My husband Marvin Simon (57) lived in a cold water third-floor walk-up. He slept on a couch in the living room. No bedroom, no dresser. Escaped to the army. He was your cousin and I think lived next door. Marvin worked in a furniture warehouse. I was told Steven's dad owned that furniture store. Susan

Alan Ginter (64/65)

Now, for something more mundane and just to stir up old rivalries, in response to Steven's comment about the kids from Chancellor Avenue School not being "stuck-up." Someone was apparently mistaking us for the kids from Maple Avenue School whom we thought, wrongly as it turns out, were the wealthier and more "stuck-up." Over the years, Lorraine Glass Davis (6/64) has vehemently disagreed with me and has never hesitated to set me straight on the matter. Alan

Beth Zucker Fischbein (Colonia 74) seeks info on grandparent’s store:

My mother Eileen Buckner Zucker graduated WHS in January, 1948. My grandfather, Harry Buchner, had a candy store in Newark in the 40s and early 50s. Would love to know what it was called and where it was located. Could have been called Harry’s? Beth

Jac Toporek (6/63) comments on WHSAA’s 2022 inductees to the Weequahic Hall of Distinction:

As a prior inductee to the Hall of Distinction, I certainly appreciate the recognition bestowed upon me. Yet, when I look upon the individuals inducted along with me and upon those whose accomplishments and dedication to the legacy, tradition and lore of Weequahic High School that grace the list of Hall of Distinction honorees to date and in the Class of 2022, I am once again reminded that that the alumni of WHS benefited from teachers and guidance placing us on the path to making a difference and bringing clarity and meaning to our own personal lives.

Looking forward to participating in the Hall of Distinction Virtual Awards Program (see Website Link below) scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2022 (7:00 PM). The event will also be celebrating Weequahic’s 90^th Anniversary. Proud that my June 1963 classmate Calvin Schwartz wrote and will narrate the opening segment, a video perspective of WHS’ 90 years. I invite all readers of the weekly “WHS Note” to join me for the virtual gala.

As with my fellow inductees, I am not familiar with all of the 2022 inductees. But, in reading their bios, like members of the Hall before them and to follow in future years, they all have brought “honor to Weequahic High” while striving and succeeding in benefitting the world around them. However, there are a few among the 2022 HOD nominees with whom I have crossed paths and am delighted that they were selected by the WHSAA to be honored.

Another classmate of June 1963, Dr. Harold Weintraub who unfortunately passed at a young age, as I recall was a very bright high schooler who loved sports, especially basketball and baseball. We were teammates on WHS’s JV baseball team under the supervision of Coach Shelton Weil. Although there are number of good memories that linger of the various paths Harold and I crossed, Harold left a most indelible impression on me, literally. I actually have a scar inside my mouth from past stitches thanks to a collision in the outfield with Harold during a gym class softball game. I also collided with him during a gym class basketball game where I ended up with a good size lump on my right eyebrow area. To be honest, never spoke to Harold after graduation, but was his career, accomplishments and selflessness are truly inspirational.

Phil Yourish (64) was unknown to me during my WHS years, but his leadership and guidance as Executive Director of the Weequahic HS Alumni Association helped to build the symbiotic relationship that developed between the WHSAA and the Weekly “WHS Note” I edit. Thanks for the many years of assistance and friendship.

Larry Lerner (52) was about to complete his term as President of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations when I was hired as its Executive Director in 2007. Larry has a long bio of community activism not only for the Jewish community, but as an advocate for the rights of all citizens. I was honored to partner with Larry on a number of advocacy efforts.

Benjamin Perlmutter (42) (although not known to me personally, our interest and activity on behalf of causes of benefit to the Jewish community and Israel did at times did overlap, he as a pillar of the community and I as a developing young leader.

Welcome to the Weequahic Hall of Distinction honorees of 2022. Your record of service and dedication are gratefully acknowledged. And, to all who read the weekly “WHS Note,” please tune into the HOD award ceremony the evening of November 10. Jac

To register and to see more about the honorees, please visit the website and click on their photo.

2022 WHSAA Hall of Distinction Website

Elliot Gourvitz’s (6/63) artwork received responses:

Iris Lauer Talesnick (53)

Your painting is so nostalgic. And I love it the neighborhood highlights like Sabin’s, Untermann Field, Park Theater, Rubin Bros. Pharmacy, Indian Pizzeria, Kartzman’s, 2 Guys. I’m sure when I look again, I will see many other places. Thank you. You are very talented. Iris

Paul Felsen (67)

You MUST include the Bunny Hop. Paul

Jacqueline Kaufer Klein (66)

What a nostalgic collage created by Eliot Gourvitz. A labor of love! I looked at all of I; so delightful, and I especially loved the little Dugan's truck! When the truck would come down Lyons Avenue. past my mother's store, she would run out and buy a box of cupcakes for us to eat together at the sewing machine. I still remember the taste of the chocolate and strawberry icing. Such a happy memory! Jacqueline

Stu Schnitzer (60)

Is The Beth in the picture? Stu

Esther Gordon (6/52)

Bravo! I'll buy one! Meanwhile, a memory came to mind of entering Rabbi Sky's. He is on the phone, laughing his head off while reading to someone from a book he'd just gotten in titled "Loxfinger." It was a spoof of the James Bond spy thrillers. The hero was Israel Bond, whose number was “Oy Oy 7.” Esther

Carol Soltanoff Davis (Chancellor/ Union 70))

Elliot, that is an amazing creation! If you decide to make it a jigsaw puzzle, I'm in! Carol

Steve Rohde (WHS 64; Early Adm NCE 63) is car-minded from W-days:

I have been reading the WHS Note now for many years and really enjoy it! The materials on the various places in Newark and Bradley Beach do bring back fond memories!

The other thing that excited me back then (and continues to) is cars! I haven’ heard anyone mention Woolsey Street that runs between Chancellor and Lyons Avenues. Back in the day we used to drag race on that “strip.” I remember racing fellow WHS graduate Marc Scher (6/63) one night. The police caught us and I still recall Mark saying, “I was only trying to pass him!” Those were the days!

After leaving WHS in 1963, I got a degree in Electrical Engineering (1967) from NCE and then moved to Pennsylvania where I obtained my MS (1969) and Ph.D. (1970) in Mathematics from Lehigh University. I mention these because the math background that I got at WHS was outstanding. MAP and teachers like Mr. Pollack and Mr. Seltzer were great!

After getting my degree, I moved to Michigan accepting a job in General Motors Research Laboratories where I worked for 32 years! It was fun.

I look forward to hearing from WHS folks: rohdesteve@gmail.com. Steve

Anita Wasserman Banks (55) shares thoughts on her father:

I missed the live Zoom program from the Newark Public Library discussion the last book in the Philip Roth Book Club, "American Pastoral." It was a discussion of the book, not a showing of the movie, which was so sad I couldn't even see it a second time when It was on HBO recently. But I finally watched the recording of the discussion that I missed live and was disappointed. I don't know what I was expecting, but I found the story so moving, I can still feel the pain of the father seeing what has become of his daughter and the life she is living as a Jain. The discussion was concerned more with the political aspect. 

Bob Masin, son of the Swede, also wrote a book about his father (Swede: Weequahic's Gentle Giant," Weequahic's Gentle Giant). Swede married a Weequahic cheerleader, a more understandable pairing than a Miss America contestant. Bob and I exchanged emails after reading that his father was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame but unable to appreciate the significance due to a deteriorating mental state. I shared that my dad had the same sad ending, inability to appreciate the honor bestowed when he was inducted in to the NAHOF. I tried to take a picture of my dad holding his trophy and said, "Smile daddy," but he couldn't. He had forgotten a lifetime of achievement.

My dad, Isadore Wasserman, “Mr. Wasserman” to his students and as Director of the Bergen Street Playground. Friends called him “Izzy” and he was also known as “Wassy” most of his life. He graduated from Central High in Newark and Panzer at then Montclair State College where he was well known as a gymnast. Dad was considered professional,” not “amateur,” by the Olympic Committee because he was teaching, so, his dream of trying out for the Olympics could not become a reality. But, his support for the Olympics continued throughout his life and he went with the team to as many games as he could. He was a trainer for the fencing team in the 1948 Olympics in London and marched with the teams in many games. My father also coached the U.S. Gymnastics Team for the Maccabee Games in Israel one year that I know of, maybe more.

My father was 92 when he died. Some Weequahic graduates have submitted stories about knowing him from the Bergen Street playground. He also taught Phys Ed at Newark schools, but no one has ever commented about that. He always believed he discovered Connie Francis; she sang in some programs he set up at the playground.

I would not have known about the stories from Arnie Kohn (56) and others if it weren't for the weekly newsletter. And I would not have been reunited with an old friend who read something I submitted about Roth in the newsletter. So, thanks to the "WHS Note" for keeping us connected. I'm sure no other high school anywhere has a newsletter to remind the graduates of the food we loved, the great teachers and all the memories we shared. Anita