OCTOBER 27, 2023

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

Hi Posters of Weequahic Postems:   

Alan Gross notes passing of his mother:

My dear mother Rhoda Beckerman Krauss (43) sadly passed not long ago. We are deeply saddened. She maintained a deep pride in attending the famed Weequahic High School. It remained a part of every day of her life. I want to say thank you again to the WHS Alumni Association for their kindness and courtesy in 2016 in facilitating the donation of my mother’s beloved piano to Weequahic. This meant everything to her, and us. We will always be grateful to you and the Alumni Association. Alan

Highlighting WHS Alumni author:

Calvin Schwartz (6/63)

My second book, “There’s a Tortoise in My Hair: a journey to spirit,” did get its first review by Kirkus (link, below), a “GET IT” recommendation. What blew me away is comparing me to John Irving (“World According to Garp”) and Mordecai Richler. I knew I had something here., especially through the last eight months of intense editing. Yes, lots of Weequahic, Rutgers, Newark, Jersey in the book. This novel begins in Newark, Maple Ave School and Weequahic. Of course, it’s fiction so there are no real names, but some of my WHS classmates are included. 

The Kirkus Review can be found at Kirkus review link. The book is availalbe on Amazon.com.  Cal

Fran Katz Sekela (6/54)

Cheers to another celebrated author Helen Lippman (65)! Everyone needs to read this hard to putdown book. “To Newark with Love.” She’s an awesome 3rd generation Newarker deeply focused on recreating the best possible ups

and downs from her childhood experiences with exceptional exciting encounters and into today’s rebirth. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for some of our past Weequahic community to challenge the romance of moving back and to enjoy the renaissance of today’s city life? I’m anxious to visit and to see for myself my former Newark with love. Fran

Bob Steinberg (66)

I read the posting on June 23rd about one of my classmates, Howard Rosenof, who described his recently published book “Engineering Your Career.” I not only knew Howard well as a brilliant student with a flair for science and technology. I was aware that he was one of the few teenagers involved as a ham operator. Over the years, I ran into Howard at trade shows since we were in similar industrial worlds. My company Sage Metering has been manufacturing gas flow meters to help industry and the environment, and Howard has been a credentialed and influential engineer.

It is no wonder that as an author myself (“The Triple Play of Business”), I decided to purchase Howard’s book, which guides would-be engineers how to approach the challenges of an engineer’s life. I want to applaud Howard for an extraordinarily thoughtful, well researched and highly informative book. It no doubt would be a great aide to any student contemplating an engineering career. Congratulations, Howard. Bob

Highlighting the benefit of “Joint Classes Reunions:”

Jac Toporek (6/63)

The Joint 60th Reunion of the Weequahic Classes of 1962-1963-1964 disproved the theory that "you can't go back." Well, we did and did so with good Weequahic vibrations, shared experiences, memorable memories, warm camaraderie, hugs for long standing friendships and a mutual joy and blessing to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our Weequahic High School graduation. Thank you and appreciation for the hard work of our Reunion Committee. The Committee and the 142 alumni registrants held the Weequahic banner "oh so high" on October 14, 2023 at the Delta Somerset Hotel.

Pictured, below, during set up prior to reunion are Joint 60^th Reunion Committee members;

L to R – Pic 1 [Nor Toporek (6/63), Marc Tarabour (6/63), Celia Litt Salzman (6/63), Calvin Schwartz (6/63), Phil Yourish (6/64), Jac Toporek (6/63)]:

L to R - Pic 2 [Nor Toporek (6/63), Irwin “Ussy” Steinlight (1/63), Cooki Wax Gulkin (6/62); Bonnie Zunk Vogel (6/.62); Marc Tarabour (6/63)].

Not pictured, Jeff Friedman (1/62), Diane Chin Rue (6/63), Yvonne Pearson Bennett (6/63); Craig Wilson (6/62); Lou Bodian (6/64)]. 

Myra Lawson (Executive Director, Weequahic High School Alumni Association)

The Weequahic High School Alumni Association extends our thanks to the Classes of 62, 63 and 64 for the recent donation of $735 raised during their Joint 60th Reunion on October 14, 2023. We are very appreciative of your generosity! Myra

Evelyn Margulies Yudowitz (52) authors a follow-up on her prior request for assistance in locating a WHS friend and, in doing so, provides insight into the benefits of our Weequahic “WHS Note” network and the readiness of alumni to be there for each other: 

Thank you so much for posting the photos and story about me and Joan Oppenheimer Chait (53) and our search for Barbara Jean Miller (53). Since the posting, I received many emails from fellow classmates and other Weequahic Alumni giving me an update on Barbara. Unfortunately, she passed away last May. She also married Sigmund “Ziggy” Habermann, a fellow classmate, after reconnecting at a WHS reunion.

Below my note are the emails that I’ve received in response to my outreach via the weekly newsletter. One photo was taken in June 1947 of me on the right with Barbara on the left. The other is of Barbara and her younger sister Judy from August 1945 holding cats,

Looking for Barbara has been very rewarding since I’ve been able to reconnect with several classmates, but still has a sad ending.

Evelyn

Evelyn Goldstein Fusella.

Barbara and I had remained friends since high school. We graduated in 1953. Barbara married Sig Haberman quite a few years ago. She lived ten minutes away from me here in Florida. We both moved here in 2005. I saw them in March and sadly three weeks later she passed away. Sig has moved into an assisted living. I haven’t spoken to him in a while but I will see how he is doing.  Evelyn 

Gayle Brody Jacobs (6/52)

I, too, would like to connect with Barbara. I was a cheerleader with her. She had a younger sister Judy Mark, but I don’t know where she is either. Gayle

Judie Seidman Gold (6/53)

Saw your request for information about Barbara Miller. She died in May and was living in Florida. She was married to Ziggy Haberman, having become reacquainted at a Weequahic High School Class of June 1953 reunion. Might have been our 25th. Very bright, beautiful classmate. Sorry to pass on sad news. Judie

Sharing those memories: 

Elaine Hersh Krusch (50) 

I’m probably too old to remember most of the names on this week’s newsletter. It’s still wonderful to read about those who were and/or are part of my neighborhood and my life. Irwin Holtz and his wife were friends and neighbors. He passed away about a year ago and his wife, who had been ill for a long time, died shortly after. Thanks again for what the “WHS Note” does to keep these years alive. Elaine

Arnie Kohn (56)

Netcost, a Russian supermarket on Tennant Road in Manalapan, NJ has the best rugalach and poppyseed (mun) pastry i have had in a long while.

Arnie 

Sharon Rubinstein Forsyth (6/59)

Thanks for your post, Myron (Borden 1/52). It brought back fond memories of my brother's friends. I guess, looking back, I probably had kind of a crush on some of you. LOL. Yes, my brother Allen, as you stated in your comment, is still actively practicing medicine at age 89! He's amazing and the best doctor I've ever known. I live in Florida, too; in Port St Lucie. Thanks again for the memories. Always enjoy your musings. Sharon

Steve Care (66)

To my sister Suzanne Care Cummins WHS 65-67), I knew Harold Ashby, Jr, (as Marcus Little (69) and you noted, WHS’ first African American Class President) pretty well and so did most of his1966 graduating class. At the time you were at Weequahic, most of the different classes didn't socialize that much. You were an exception; you spent time with my classmates and those of the June, 63 classmates of Jac and Nor Toporek, as well. Just as a point of information Harold was well liked and respected by most of the students in the 1966 graduating class. Steve