CELEBRATING THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE

WEEQUAHIC HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

We hope you enjoy reading our

44th edition / Spring 2020 Alumni Calumet

Newsletter

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ON THE INSIDE:

 Alumni Association 22nd Anniversary / Hall of Distinction Ceremony

 Remembering Hal Braff, Co-Founder, WHS Alumni Association

 2019 Alumni Scholarship Recipients

 Alumni Association, Vision, Goals and Accomplishments

 Ruby Baskerville, 1961, elected new Alumni Co-President

 A Son Pays Tribute to His Dad: Alvin Attles, Hall of Fame

 Weequahic High School’s new Allied Health Academy

 Victor Parsonnet, 1941, Inducted into NJ Hall of Fame

 Brian Logan, 1982, inducted into Newark Athletic Hall of Fame

 Larry Layton, 1963, Inducted into NJ Boxing Hall of Fame

 Jacob Toporek, 1963, Impact on the Jewish Community in NJ

 Two Weequahic Centenarians: Philip Agism and Thelma Gottlieb

 2019 Alumni Association Highlights

 Lenny Wallen’s Pleasantdale Kosher Market in West Orange

 The story of Mildred’s Corset Shop, originally on Bergen Street

 2020 Reunion Information and 2019 Reunion Pictures

 The Passing of Newark’s Mayor Kenneth Gibson

 “In Loving Memory” of alumni who recently passed away

 2019 Hall of Distinction Ceremony Collage Page

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Celebrating our 22nd Anniversary with Hall of Distinction Ceremony

On the evening of October 17, 2019, 250 alumni Hisani Dubose 1971 1970 and friends gathered at the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Weequahic High School Alumni Association and the induction of 20 distinguished alumni into its Hall of Distinction. Mary Dawkins, 1971, former Co-President, and Ben Wolfe, 1955, Board of Trustee, chaired the Warren Wilfredo Nieves

event. Nearly $23,000 was raised for college Grover, 1955 1966 scholarships and school activities. It was in 1997 when Hal Braff, 1952, and Sheldon Bross, 1955, founded the WHS Alumni Association, which has become one of the largest, most active, and successful alumni groups in the city of Newark, the state of , and across America. And, most of all, it’s the students at Weequahic who receive the benefits! Eli Hoffman Sadie Rous 2019 Hall of Distinction Honorees: 1956 Faculty

James Oliver David Horton, 1961 Schechner, 1946 Coach Burney Antoinette Baskerville- Hal Braff Steven Dinetz Adams Richardson, 1970 1952 1965

Remembering Hal Braff, 1952

(1934 - 2018) Carrie Jackson Jacob Toporek 1968 1963 Hal Braff learned early in life that being Jewish meant more than just religious observance. “Going to service was not sufficient” he said. “Make the world a better place, that is your responsibility.” That state- ment became the mantra reflecting his remarkable life. On December 1, 2018, Hal peacefully passed away following a long illness.

In a lifetime spanning 84 years, Hal’s Alturrick Paul Tractenberg personal and professional accomplishments Kenney, 1995 1956 were bountiful. A leader, visionary and humanitarian, he was passionate about his family, career, and volunteer endeavors. And he cared for people who lacked the oppor- tunity to improve the quality of their lives resulting from inequality and intolerance. Phil Yourish, the founding director of the Eleanor Lutzke Frederick Weequahic High School Alumni Association Lewis, 1959 Tyson, 1972 and a close friend, described Hal as “a kind, generous, thoughtful and dynamic individual, always available to help those in need. He WHSAA Co-Founder was a “doer,” not afraid to take on challeng- ing situations, and always addressed difficult issues creatively with enthusiasm and optimism. As a mentor, advisor and friend, he impacted the lives of others in so many wonderful and meaningful ways.” Stanley Nathan Weiss (Continued on page 6) Markowitz 1940 1955 3

18 Awards / $28,500 MLK Speaks to students at South Side in 1968 2019 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS $13,500 was also awarded to previous scholarship recipients

Tim Ajiboye-Kafor Amajane Crumbley Oluwasehuan Falayi Samuel Falowo Teyana Howard Nancy & Linda Joseph Falayi Edwin McLucas Fund Yada Mgmt. Class of 1964 Fund Marvin Gibson Fund Hilda Lutzke Fund Small Fund

Joyce Ikedife Lenore & David Shalom Jimoh Kadiri Mubaraq Jessie Obeng Emmanuel Timuri Scott

Beckerman Fund Hal Braff Fund Class of 1965 Fund Swede Masin Fund Ogbonnaya Reada & Harry Lewis & Dora Prag Fund Jellinek Fund

Not Pictured: Justin Thompson Class of 1963 Fund

Tyrel Pearson Ronald Griffin Fund

John Sopong Hassatou Sow William Ukoh Zeinab Yinusa Hannah Litzky Fund Ronald Stone Fund Class of 1967 Fund Gloria & Walter Hastreiter Fund

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ALUMNI CALUMET Since 1997, our vision ands goals realized beyond all of our expectations! is a publication of the WHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OUR VISION  Sponsored student trips to Paris, France; Editor, Layout & Design: Montreal; Washington, DC; New York City - and ski outings in NJ and PA. Phil Yourish, 1964 It was not from our differences, but Proofreading: from the traditions that we have in  Provide support for academic programs, student activities, athletic teams, and the common, that gave birth to the Dave Lieberfarb, 1965; Myra Weequahic High School Alumni . Lawson, 1970; Marc Tarabour 1963. Association in 1997 – a unique  Participated in the making of “Heart of Our thanks for articles and photos from opportunity to bring people together - Stone,” an award-winning documentary The Star-Ledger, NJ.com, San Jose Mercury News, and NJ Jewish News. people who seemed so far apart yet about the high school. Some of the articles have been edited. who have shared something signifi-  Provided the technology to broadcast the cant and precious: their lives were inauguration of President Obama to the

shaped in their Weequahic years. entire high school. CONTACT US  Celebrated the 75th birthday of the OUR GOALS high school with a grand affair. WHS Alumni Association P.O. Box 494, Newark, NJ 07101  To recapture the spirit and memories  Established the Weequahic High School of Weequahic High School that were Alumni Hall of Distinction (formerly (973) 923-3133 so meaningful to many of us. Hall of Fame). Email: [email protected] Website: WeequahicAlumi.org  To transcend the generational and cultural differences spanning ten RUBY BASKERVILLE, 1961

decades from 1933 to the present - CO-FOUNDERS: by bringing together our graduates, New Alumni Association Co President

teachers, administrators and friends Hal Braff, 1952 * for reunions and special events. At the Annual Meeting Sheldon Bross, 1955 of the WHS Alumni  To remember and honor those Association Board of Weequahic High School graduates Trustees in November STAFF/TRUSTEES: and staff who have made important 2019, Ruby Baskerville, contributions to the high school and a trustee for the past our larger community. Myra Lawson, 1970 10 years, was elected Executive Director  To utilize the resources of our alumni Co-President, replacing Phil Yourish, 1964 to support the current students at Marc Tarabour, 1963, Founding Director, Advisor Weequahic High School through following five years of scholarships, activities, tutoring, dedicated service. Officers: mentoring, cultural events, and job opportunities. Re-elected were Co-President, Karim Arnold, Ruby Baskerville, 1961, Co-President 1984, and Treasurer, Art Lutzke, 1963. Ben Karim Arnold, 1984, Co-President Wolfe, 1955, was elected as Secretary. Arthur Lutzke, 1963, Treasurer OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Benjamin Wolfe, 1955, Secretary In the Weequahic community, Ruby served for  Created a diverse organization in 1997 22 years as Founder and Executive Director of with nearly 10,000 alumni from 1933 Trustees: the Union Chapel AME Church Community De- to the present time. Yolanda Bogan, 1988 velopment Corporation, which provides activi- Mary Brown Dawkins, 1971 **  Set up a non-profit organization with ties for seniors and youth. Catherine Johnson, 1984 an alumni office/museum at the high - She is a graduate of Wilberforce University Brian Logan, 1982 school and a part time salaried director. in Ohio with a BA degree in Psychology and Craig McDaniel, 1979  Publish an Alumni Calumet newsletter, a year of study at the University of Hull in Keith Salters, 1985 an email Alumni Bulletin, and maintain England. She has an MA in Social Work from Corey Rogers, 2009 a website at weequahicalumni.org. . Marc Tarabour, 1963 **  Raised more than one-half million * Deceased ** Past President Ruby worked for the Essex County Department dollars for student scholarships and of Welfare and for Union Township as a School The WHS Alumni Association is activities. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization n Social Worker. She and her husband Clifton incorporated in New Jersey in 2001.  Organizes Homecoming and alumni have been married for the past 50 years and events on a regular basis. they have two children and five grandchildren.

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“Make the world a better place, that is your responsibility!”

BRAFF (Continued from page 1) are college graduates and are grateful for his assistance. Hal was born in Newark and raised in the He was an adjunct professor of negotia- Weequahic section, attending Weequahic High School, which he described as “one tions at Rutgers Law School, the University of San Diego Law School, of the best times in my life.” His love for his high school inspired him later in life to and at Peking University in Beijing. provide opportunity to the current students Hal was a Past President of Temple at his alma mater. Sha'arey Shalom in Springfield and developed a lifelong friendship with Rabbi Seymour Dresner. They both Hal and Sheldon Bross, 1955 marched in civil rights demonstrations in the South in the early 1960s. He also served as Counsel for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). For over 20 years, Hal and his wife Elaine, were master teachers for PAIRS, a marriage education course.

Hal was literally a Johnny Appleseed in Longtime Weequahic classmate and friend, the American Inns of Court movement, an Dr. Noah Chivian, said Hal Braff “was organization dedicated to teaching ethics, erudite, articulate, and totally committed civility, and professionalism to young to the many missions of repairing the lawyers. He established a network of 23 world he adopted.” Inns in New Jersey, as well as Inns across the country. In 1994, as a national officer, Hal and wife Elaine He graduated from the University of Hal received their highest award which Wisconsin in 1956, was an active alumnus, was presented to him in the United States and ardent Badger football fan. Returning Supreme Court. home, he received a law degree from Rutgers University in 1959. Hal was a member of the IOLTA Fund Board of the New Jersey State Bar Found- Hal practiced law for 59 years, first at ation serving as President. Among the Braff, Harris and Sukoneck, and then numerous awards he received, was the as Counsel to Margulies Wind, where he Daniel J. O'Hern Professionalism Award was a well-respected mediator. Bob conferred by the NJ State Bar in 2013 and Marguiles explained that “Hal lived his Richard K. Jeydel Award for Excellence daily life helping all comers. He was in ADR in 2015 from the Justice Marie selfless. He was the ultimate professional L. Garibaldi American Inns of Court. He and the consummate mensch, a man for was also recognized on the New York all seasons. He unconditionally gave of Magazine’s list of top lawyers. himself, his talents and love to all whom he touched.” He was involved with many other organizations including the boards of the Hal with Miss O’Connor,

In 1997, Hal and his friend and colleague, Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey his favorite WHS English teacher Sheldon Bross, established the Weequahic and the Mental Health Association of High School Alumni Association. He Essex and Morris Counties. served as Co-President for 18 years, and - Hal had varied interests including com the organization grew to be one of the munity theater, opera, religion, justice, largest and most successful high school politics - and the NY Mets. alumni groups in New Jersey. He is survived by his beloved wife of Sheldon declared that its greatest - 30 years, Elaine; his children, Adam and achievement “was raising more than one (Michelle), Joshua and (Jill), Zach, half million dollars for scholarships and Shoshana (deceased), Jennifer Gellman, student activities.” He added that “the Jessica Kirson (Danielle Sweeney-Kirson); word love was a part of Hal’s everyday 10 grandchildren; and his sister Susan vocabulary. He was one of kind! Every- Sayers (Gary). body loved Hal. You’re not going to find another person like him.” Donations in his memory can be made to the Weequahic High School Alumni Hal mentored two Weequahic students, Association which has established a Hal with students at Weequahic High Rayvon Lisbon and Corey Rodgers. Both scholarship fund in his memory. School’s 75th Anniversary Affair

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A son pays tribute to his Dad on the occasion of his induction into the basketball Hall of Fame By Alvin Attles III, The Mercury News, San Jose, CA - September 6, 2109

Al Attles is synonymous with the Golden My mother, Wilhelmina, worked full time State Warriors, and Friday night he will be as a schoolteacher (almost forty years). immortalized here as a member of the She also did the cooking, the cleaning, basketball Hall Of Fame. paid the bills, helped with homework, carpooled us to our various activities and Many people see only his accomplish- even taught me how to play basketball, as ments as a player, coach, and executive. more and more of my father’s time was All my life, my family and I have seen a spent at work. One day, my mother came Hall of Fame man. His wise counsel, his home from a full day to find my father unwavering loyalty, his great sense of napping. “What’s for dinner?” he asked. humor, his deep compassion for others. Rather than voice her displeasure about “One half of one percent of people looking her day in comparison to his relatively to play professional basketball will even short day, she instead took her frustration get the opportunity to try out.” out on the pots and pans in the kitchen. The racket she caused made my father get I remember this mantra from the time I up to ask her what was wrong. My mom was five years old, when my father would explained that her day was exhausting, and caution kids at his numerous basketball she was tired. My dad asked how he could camps to keep their heads in the books as help, and my mom suggested he help by opposed to betting it all on a professional  1955: Weequahic High giving her a break and cooking every now career. Although I never quite understood and then. the one-half-of-one-percent phrase, at five School graduate. years old I understood that my father was a My dad agreed and the next day, he practical man.  1960: North Carolina A&T promptly burned a can of franks-and-beans graduate. for dinner. It wasn’t good, but my mom “And ’ ate it like it was steak and lobster. Encour- have just won the NBA championship!”  1960-1971: NBA basketball aged by her reaction, my father soon The voice of the iconic Bill King rang out. player, Philadelphia and became the primary cook in our family. In our Oakland home, thousands of miles His steaks were tender, his gumbo was San Francisco Warriors. excellent, and his breakfasts were away from my father’s ultimate coaching triumph, I hugged my little sister, Ericka legendary. and did a happy dance with my mother.  1975: NBA Championship He hadn’t known how to cook, just as he We couldn’t share this moment in person coach, San Francisco hadn’t known how to coach when Franklin with my father, because the game was Warriors. Mieuli asked him to take charge of the played in Washington, D.C, and in 1975, Warriors. But he committed himself, teams did not fly families and friends to  His number 22 retired by learned and he became great. road games. North Carolina A&T. My father’s nickname was “The The family has always felt that my father’s Destroyer,” because of his willingness basketball contributions have been Hall of  His number 16 retired by to finish a fight. I’ve talked to the late Fame worthy. But it has been his standing the Warriors. Maurice Lucas, Lenny Wilkens, Oscar in our family that has always held the most Robertson and countless other players meaning for us.  2006: Honored at WHS from his era. To a man, they all said my

“Alvin, wake up! While you’re asleep, Alumni Fundraising Dinner father was not a man you wanted to cross. there is someone on the other side of the that raised $125,000 for His toughness stemmed from loyalty. As world trying to figure out a way to steal student scholarships. kids, my sister once told my dad about a your ideas and take your money.” boy who was messing with at her at school. My dad paid the boy a visit. I  2008: Weequahic High I heard that message on more Saturday won’t detail the rest, because I am not sure mornings than I can recall. I hated to hear School Alumni Hall of Fame. if my father is still protected under the it then, but I grew to understand, my father statute of limitations. was extolling the value of hard work.  2014: John W. Bunn Life- I remember attending an NBA all-star My father is a true example of hard work, time Achievement Award. game one summer at The Forum. I was 10 commitment and unwavering integrity. years old or so and ran around playing tag His career was built on maximizing his  2019: Naismith Memorial in the locker room with my cousins ability and working to become efficient in Basketball Hall of Fame. areas he wasn’t comfortable. It was the (Continued on page 8) same at home. 7

tracks.” “Yeah, dad.” “Leave all that. ATTLES (Continued from page 7) Those trophies and don’t mean anything. Get the family photo albums.” Bernard and Kevin. An armed policeman I ran and collected all the family photo spotted us running around and forcefully albums and put them in my car. Our house grabbed hold of me. My father was being didn’t burn; we were among the fortunate. interviewed some 20 feet away and saw the But my dad’s priorities even in a poten- guard grab me. He rushed from his inter- tially life-changing situation, left a deep view and was soon nose -to-nose with the impression on me. policeman. “Everybody makes a mistake.” This is my “Don’t’ EVER touch my son. Ever! father’s playful response when people ask Do you understand me?” he barked at the how he feels about being inducted into the trembling guard, who apologized and slunk Hall of Fame. My father is as humble as away. My dad never looked for trouble, they come. Although celebrities such as but he would fight for his family. Wilt Chamberlain, Jesse Jackson, and Bill Cosby were friends of his, he never took on The boy bothering my aunt found that out celebrity airs. the hard way. As did the policeman. And most famously, so did Mike Riordan of the I remember walking to the house one Washington Bullets. In Game 4 of the day to find Marvin Gaye sitting in our 1975 Finals, Riordan walked up to Rick living room. Marvin Gaye! One would Barry and shoved the Warriors star. think, such brushes with greatness might Riordan was looking to give his team a change a person. But it never changed spark, or worse yet trying to get Barry Al Attles. thrown out of the game for retaliating. “Work to make people respect you, even if It never happened because The Destroyer you can’t do something for them.” rushed to Barry’s defense, leisure suit and all. Dad got ejected, not Barry, and the My father is now 83 years old. He walks a Warriors completed the sweep. little crookedly, and he struggles with his memory sometimes. Although his role has - A little known story is that after winning greatly changed, we now happily assume the championship in ‘75, my father was a the role of caregivers to the man who has hot coaching commodity. Several teams given so much to so many. came looking to throw big money at him, hoping they would lure him away with Originally, we thought this piece was more than Mr. Meuli could offer. going to speak to his victories, his winning percentage, his accolades, and his achieve- My mother fielded many of the phone calls ments with the Warriors. But the more we from other NBA teams’ executives, and thought about it, the more we knew we watched the offers come in. But my father wanted to tell people about the things that never seriously entertained any of those make my father special to us. offers. He believed he owed the franchise that believed so much in him. He is an awesome husband, a great father, a super uncle, the best Pop-Pop, and a The bigger picture to my father was always one-of-a-kind friend. his family, and the Warriors had become his family. So instead of a substantial Friday, the basketball Hall Of Fame will financial increase and a promise of more confirm what we’ve all known all along. executive control in a new city, my dad I am excited to be in Springfield. I look settled for lifelong season tickets, a small forward to meeting so many idols from my salary bump and a familiar seat in his youth. I greatly anticipate my father office in the Oakland Coliseum. “What becoming immortalized. I can’t wait to see are the similarities between money and his Hall of Fame ring and Hall of Fame blazer. potential? You can waste them both.”

In 1991, Oakland suffered a devastating But I know once we return home, he’ll just Hills fire. I vividly remember racing to my put the ring and blazer somewhere in the parents’ home under ashen clouds, sirens back of his closet. “It’s just stuff,” he’ll filling the air. I ran into the house and say. And we’ll just smile, because that’s asked my mom what I should rescue from so him. the house. Editor’s Note: The WHS Alumni My mom suggested I gather all of my Association proudly congratulates one of - father’s trophies and mementos, so I Weequahic’s outstanding alums who has grabbed as many as I could and began “given back” by helping to raise funds for rushing back and forth to the car. “Alvin,” scholarships for the current students at the my father yelled, stopping me in my high school. 8

NJ HALL OF FAME

Dr. Victor Parsonnet, 94, a cardiac surgeon and professor from Newark who achieved several firsts. By Devna Bose, Chalkbeat In 1961, the former director of Designed by Rutgers University, the goal of the surgery and surgical research at Inside their school building, students will learn to program is to prepare students for careers in the Newark Beth Israel Medical take blood pressure, analyze blood splatter, and healthcare industry through a curriculum emphasiz- Center became the first surgeon in give physical exams. Their classrooms have been ing science, human and organizational elements. the state to implant a permanent set up like clinics, with mock crime scenes and It will offer the opportunity to earn up to 22 college pacemaker. He was also the first patients. Science labs have been outfitted with credits with career oriented experiences. to perform a heart transplant microscopes and incubators. in 1985. More specifically, the Academy will Welcome to Weequahic High School, where In more recent years, he helped develop the da Vinci surgical a new allied health services academy will give  Provide appropriate patient-care while system, a robot that is used to high schoolers skills they can use in fields, such performing medical processes and diagnostic procedures in actual and simulated clinical insert probes through the abdomen as physical therapy, exercise science, and health or chest while a surgeon uses a administration. environments. remote control device from across the room. Students at Weequahic will soon train through  Use data acquisition software to monitor body a combination of in-classroom education, functions such as muscle development, reflex Dr. Parsonnet is a 1941 WHS grad off-site learning, and specialized courses to earn and voluntary action, and respiration. and was inducted into its Alumni industry certifications that could help them land Hall of Fame in 2008. He was internships in Newark and beyond.  Investigate how to diagnose, and optimize also an avid player, a patient outcomes using scientific principles pianist, and a patron of the arts,

Weequahic students will get support from Rutgers and evidence-based practices. who devoted much time and School of Nursing, Rutgers School of Health philanthropy to the NJ Symphony Professions, and RWJ Barnabas Health. The  Explore how to detect, screen and evaluate Orchestra, whose chairmanship he held for 12 years. academy is partnering with Science Park, a science the code in human DNA. magnet and one of the district's top-performing schools. Berkeley College School of Health Studies  Apply healthcare administration and health In Loving Memory is among several other local organizations providing systems management skills. additional support. Marc Abramson, 1960 George Austrager, 1954  Explore the many career options found Editor's Note: The new health program is using Larry Barsher, Jan 1952 in Allied Health through practical lab the classrooms that were once used for Home William Bash, 1956 experiences. Sandra Bass, 1956 Economics, cooking, sewing, typing, etc. Monroe Bierman, 1948 While in high school, students can earn stackable Leonard Birnbaum, Jan. 1953 The Allied Health Services Academy at Weequahic industry Health Science Career Certifications in David Breitkopf, 1945 High School will provide an outstanding opportunity Home Health Aide, Clinical Medical Assistant, Herbert Bresky, 1936 for students to attain real-world skills in healthcare Surgical Processing Technician, Phlebotomy Florence Brodsky Morgenstein, 1953 Harriet Brooks Flamm, Jan. 1961 that are aligned to industry standards. The program Technician, Patient Care Technician, Medical Gerald Coopersmith, 1944 will focus on students taking on the roles of Allied Insurance Billing Specialist, CPR / First Aid / Health professionals to solve real-world medical Veronica DiChiara, 1939 EMT-B / Basic Life Support. Elaine Epstein Blumgart, 1938 cases via project based learning. Sonia Ehrich Rosenberg, 1944 The four-year curriculum will focus on: It will include investigations into the delivery of Sylvia Fertig Levin, 1937 health related services pertaining to identification, Stanley Finkelstein, 1961 Human Body Systems in grade 9. Edie Finn Keller, 1958 evaluation, and prevention of diseases and Medical Intervention in grade 10. Martin Fox, 1941 disorders; dietary and nutrition services; and Biomedical Intervention in grade 11. Herman Friedman, 1951 rehabilitation and health systems management. and Capstone and Internships in grade 12. Martin Friedman, Jan. 1951 Leonard Garrett, 1952 (Continued on page 15) 9

The association’s record of accomplish- From Weequahic to ments over the past decade is remarkable. Newark Athletic Hall of Fame the State Capitol Federations and agencies received hundreds of thousands of dollars from How Jac Toporek, 1963, federal and state grants to help provide in-home services for the elderly, prevent- Brian Logan, 1982 impacted our Jewish community ing premature institutionalization. Work- ing with nursing homes, the association By Max L. Kleinman, helped prevent cuts in the Medicaid NJ Jewish News, May 8, 2019 reimbursement rates. Many hundreds of thousands of dollars were granted for security grants for agencies and synagogues, and training workshops were convened with the N.J. State Police and Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) security experts.

Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the State Association, New Jersey was one West Side HS Head Football Coach of the first states to allocate grants for needy survivors of the Holocaust with State Championship Coach in 2007. over $2.6 million committed. To build and nurture relationships with lawmakers, Weequahic High School over 30 legislators participated in associa- Head Football Coach since 2011 tion-sponsored study missions to Israel; State Championship Coach in 2016. participants included arguably the most If change is the only constant in our hyper- powerful politician in the State Capitol, Trustee, WHS Alumni Association ventilated lives, then change was necessary Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney Weequahic Fathers Club. for the circa 2007 NJ State Association of (D-Dist. 3). Jewish Federations. At the time the associ- Football captain, graduate, and ation was adrift, dabbling in too many Harnessing these relationships, the football coach at Kean University. issues with few effective results. association, led by Toporek, helped secure Newark Police Officer for 26 years. - legislation prohibiting the state treasury Led by President Roy Tanzman, then from considering contributions and board Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey services of out-of-state residents in executive director Stanley Stone, myself, determining state residency for N.J. tax and others, we simplified the State purposes. This was a critical win for the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame Association’s mission to focus on securing entire not-for-profit sector in New Jersey, the maximum number of public grants for as it enabled out-of-state residents to give our system of agencies and supporting and serve on boards of the state’s non- legislation on critical issues facing our Larry Layton, 1963 profits without their residencies being communities. questioned. And, more importantly, we chose the ...Most recently, New Jersey was one of right professional leader to lead the charge: the first states to enact anti-BDS legisla- Jacob “Jac” Toporek. Armed with two law tion, which prohibited the investment of degrees, Toporek had extensive govern- state pension funds in companies engaged mental experience, having served as in boycotts of Israeli companies. Governor Brendan Byrne’s appointments secretary and as chair of the Crime Com- As the State Association is dissolved and mission’s Victims Compensation Board. the new Jewish Federations of NJ takes the helm on July 1st, I wish its leaders As a lay leader, he served on the board of much success. However, it’s important to Larry is 2nd from right the former Jewish Federation of Middlesex remember the legacy of its predecessor County, UJA, and AIPAC Young Leader- organization. Beginnings are not created Lawrence “Larry” Layton was inducted into the ship Cabinets, and was the mainstay of the in a vacuum, but built upon the founda- NJ Boxing Hall of Fame on November 14th, pro-Israel Garden State PAC. He also tions of the past. 2019. He has worked as a licensed profes- descended from N.J. “nobility,” in a sense, sional judge in the boxing industry for over having graduated from Weequahic High And so I celebrate Toporek and all the lay 30 years. School in Newark. leaders and professionals who worked with him over these past dozen years. Like the Larry began his career in the Amateurs and During his 12-year tenure as executive Boy Scouts of America, they left the worked his way through the ranks. He was director of the State Association, Toporek “campsite” in much better shape than they one of the first to work in the NJ Correctional worked closely with partner federations found it. facilities as a referee and judge. He has been and its network of agencies to elicit the As Elie Wiesel reminded us, “Without judging with the NJ Boxing Commission, the most critical priorities. And then he went memory there is no culture. Without International Boxing Federation, and the World to work, always in collaboration with memory, there would be no civilization, Boxing Organization for over 25 years. He has colleagues. no society, no future.” judged over 22 championship fights. 10

TWO WEEQUAHIC CENTENARIANS Philip Agisim, 1937, celebrated his 100th birthday After the war Phil found a job with Colliers Magazine, utilizing his college developed at a hockey game at Madison Square Garden skills in research. After two years, Look Magazine came calling and offered Phil a By Phil's nephew, Gary Miller, WHS 1957 chance for browner pastures, guaranteed to turn green. In the middle 1950s, the brother of Phil's wife was invested with a college chum in an important pharmaceutical company in Manhattan; poised to acquire J.B. Williams, a major toiletry company in Connecticut and a small appliance manufac- turer, Landers, Farary and Clark. Based on Phil's overall experience, he was hired to run their in-house advertising agency named Parkson Advertising. Through Phil's ingenuity and knowhow, Phil Agisim, one of the first full term parents proud by helping his father in the he grew the success of their product lines, graduates of Weequahic High School family grocery business and succeeding in and eventually the overall company was (1933-1937), celebrated his 100th birthday school at the same time. Of all the birthday acquired by Nabisco Foods. Phil retired with Nabisco and planned a life of travel on January 19, 2019. His family gathered gifts Phil received on his 100th birthday, from many parts of the country to partici- he was most thrilled with an original copy and leisure with his beloved Blanche. pate in his noted achievement. Phil is a of his January, 1937 yearbook, compliments As the cliché goes, nothing happens as remarkable man as he still continues to of the WHS Alumni Association. planned. Les, their eldest son expanded his exercise, do pushups, jog and keep a fond investment firm and sought Phil's experi- eye out for the ladies. After graduation from Weequahic, Phil ence to help him grow the business. Nearly attended Rutgers, New Brunswick on a At a Madison Square Garden Rangers- forty years later Phil is still on the march, scholarship and married his bride of 70+ helping his son achieve success. A remar- Islanders game, Phil's 100th birthday was years, Blanche Tedlow of Maplewood. kable man has surpassed the century mark celebrated at breaks between the game. The two were inseparable until her untimely and is still going strong. He was given signed items by the players, passing. a team hat and team jerseys; one of which Phil Agisim, a man who got his start at had the number 100 on its back. They Phil served in the Army during World Weequahic High School, credits his alma noted his service to the country and War II and achieved the rank of Sergeant, mater with the educational opportunity to presented him with a mega birthday cake specializing in radar. During part of his launch his career in the right direction. commemorating the occasion. The event military career, Blanche followed him from was so touching that fans came out of the post to post until their first child, Les, Also, Phil was the first member of his family to graduate college. He is a joy stands to get their picture taken with Phil. became more than a figment of their imagi- nations. Their second son, Elliot, followed to his family, an honor to Newark and As a member of Weequahic's graduating a few years later. assuredly one proud alumni of Weequahic class in January, 1937, Phil made his High School.

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2019 Alumni $18,000 Beth Israel Grant $23,000 Raised From Alumni Association Highlights for Mural Restoration 22nd Anniversary Affair

Through ticket sales, donations, and the souvenir journal, the Weequahic High School Alumni Association’s 22nd Anniversary Affair and Hall of Distinction Celebration raised $23,000 that will be used for scholarships and student activities at the high school. For more than 30 years, Jacob Toporek, through the Class of 63 Association, has Weequahic beats Shabazz in been e-publishing the WHS Note every Annual Thanksgiving Day week - sharing the stories sent to him by Soul Bowl Football Rivalry different generations of alumni about Were you born at the Beth? The hospital, growing up in the Weequahic section of where many Weequahic alumni were born, Newark and attending Weequahic High is providing funds to help restore the high School. He now has more than 3,000 - subscribers. school's historic mural noted as "one of the most important installations of public

For the past year, the WHS Alumni art in New Jersey." Recently, the Newark

Association has been assisting Jac by Beth Israel Medical Center made a grant emailing the Note through Constant of $18,000 to the Weequahic High School

Contact, its bulk emailing service. The Alumni Association to be used for this

Note can also be found at the Alumni purpose. Association website. Moreover, the Class The Enlightenment of Man, a New Deal-era of 63 Association has raised more than In the annual Thanksgiving Day game. the mural painted by Michael Lenson, who $30,000 for alumni scholarships. Indians took the neighborhood trophy with was the director of NJ mural activities for the Federal Art Project of the Works a victory over rival Shabazz High School

1950 to 1990 yearbooks Progress Administration (WPA), was One of those upperclassman, junior are now digitized installed in the lobby of the high school in - running back Donovan Wadley, a 1,000 1939. Lenson also painted the murals at yard rusher, scored two first-half touch- Newark City Hall and at a few other downs, and several other players anchored venues in Newark and elsewhere. a stifling defense that guided the Indians to - A fundraising campaign, established a 14 0 victory over Shabazz in the annual Soul Bowl on Thursday morning at by the Weequahic High School Alumni Association and Michael Lesson's son, Shabazz Stadium in Newark.

Barry, to restore the mural is ongoing. It is Weequahic (6-5) had lost three straight estimated that between $45,000 to $55,000 shutouts to Shabazz, including the last two is needed. To date, Weequahic alumni Soul Bowls, 6-0 last year and 7-0 in 2017. have donated nearly $20,000 in addition to The Indians tightened the series deficit to the Beth grant. 18-17-2. If you would like to contribute, write a Wadley rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries check made out to WHSAA (write Murals to pace a balanced ground attack that had in the note area) and mail to WHS Alumni to toil to churn out 149 rushing yards Association, P.O. Box 494, Newark, NJ Through a grant received by The Newark against a rugged Shabazz defense. Mean- 07101. Public Library with assistance provided while, juniors DeAndre Harrison, Maxwell by the Historical Counts and Dylan Wadley, and seniors Preservation Committee, Weequahic Zaire Williams and Anthony Aponte High School's yearbooks, from 1950 to Alumni Association directed a defense that limited Shabazz to 1990, are now digitized. receives $25,000 105 total yards. Wells Fargo Grant Only a few yearbooks during that period of "We were gonna pound them, get them time are missing. Weequahic and East tired, then they wanted me to come in and Side High School were the first high With a $25,000 Grant from Wells Fargo, be shifty and score," said Wadley. "But I schools selected for digitizing yearbooks. couldn't have done it without my team. obtained by the WHSAA, the school will be implementing a new program called That's what got me in the end zone." To access these yearbooks, go to our . It will focus on providing website at weequahicalumni.org, go to the WHS Lift Weequahic prospects for 2020 look real students with cultural activities and MENU at the top, click PUBLICATIONS, good with approximately 70 percent of the academic support to develop competencies and select DIGITAL YEARBOOKS. This starting lineup returning. in communications, teamwork, sportsman- will take you to the NPL website where the ship, and service learning. The program is yearbooks are located in order by years. scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2020. (Continued on page 13)

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Highlights (Continued from page 12) Weequahic alumni and a team from A sandwich named the Newark fire and police departments. Moreover, there was music by DJ Rock The “Weequahic” at Hobby’s Alumni sponsor student Anthony, performances by the Weequahic outing to see To Kill A marching band and cheerleaders, a slide Mockingbird on Broadway show of WHS alumni scholarship recipi- ents, and activities for neighborhood kids. The highlight of the day took place on the basketball court in the Coach Les Fein Arena when WHS alum, Naeem Gayles - 2008, made the winning shot to give the alumni a 69-68 victory in a nail-biting contest where the lead kept changing How did this happen? A couple of years throughout the game. ago, Phil Yourish and Marc Tarabour, of the WHS Alumni Association, asked Marc The alumni coach was Derrick Butler and and Michael Brummer, the owners of the the players on the Weequahic team were: iconic Hobby’s Deli in Newark, if they would name one of their sandwiches On October 16th, more than 30 students Hakeem Bryant - 1998 Weequahic after the high school. from Mr. Hylton’s English class attended Ike Annele - 2001 an afternoon showing at the Shubert Alsharick Bennett - 2001 And they did! The Weequahic sandwich is Theatre in NYC of the play To Kill A Donnell Bey - 2001 listed Number 1 on the menu. Their mom, Mockingbird, based on the classic novel Andrew Jones - 2001 Rona LaLinga Brummer, is a Jan. 1951 by author Harper Lee. It was an outstand- Joe Perine - 2001 Weequahic grad. Wonder if that might have influenced them. Thank you guys. ing performance enjoyed by all. Sadique Gaddy - 2002 Rasheed Huggins - 2003 New electronic drum set for Dashawn Eagle - 2005 HBO, , the Music class purchased by Jashon Mixon - 2006 and Weequahic the WHS Alumni Association Dajuan Jenkins - 2007 Naeem Gayles - 2008 Abdullah Crosby - 2012 Messiah Stewart - 2012 Salhudine Simmons - 2013 Taj Jones - 2015

More Banners for the Coach Les Fein Arena

The sign above was used by HBO in the filming of the miniseries based on Philip Roth's novel, , at Weequahic High School this past summer. The Plot Against America is a 6-part miniseries written by David Simon and Ed Burns - currently showing on

Alumni HOOPS Contest HBO. Roth's story imagines "an alternate American history told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey, as they watch the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who becomes president and turns the nation toward fascism." The actors in the miniseries are Winona Ryder, Zoe Kazan, Morgan Spector, John The Weequahic High School Alumni Association contributed to the purchase Turturro, Anthony Boyle, Azhy Robertson, - and Caleb Malis. On Sunday, June 9th, the Weequahic of additional banners for the 2000 seat High School Alumni Association Coach Les Fein Arena at the Ronald G. Although the HBO filming crew is gone, Stone Community Gymnasium, that was sponsored an alumni fundraising event the Weequahic sign remains on the lawn at the high school's gymnasium. It opened in 2010. near the entrance of the high school. featured a basketball game between

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Lenny Wallen’s, WHS 1955, Pleasantdale Kosher Mildred’s Corset Market in West Orange, closes after 63 years Shop opened on By Johanna Ginsberg, NJ Jewish News, 12-27-2017 Bergen Street Pleasantdale Kosher Meat & Poultry But mostly, they joked. Goldinner told in 1947 Market, a presence in West Orange since Wallen she’s worked at the store for so By Johanna Ginsberg, 1954, will close its doors by the end of the long “because you’re a lousy boss, Lenny.” - - month. Owner Lenny Wallen, almost 80, Mignone said he remained because “I NJ Jewish News, 06 05 19 said that even though it wasn’t by choice, it guess I kind of liked it here. We’re like was necessary. “It’s very sad,” he said. a family. We have arguments and discus- “But it’s about time.” sions, but we’ve all been through a lot together. We go to each other’s parties and bar mitzvahs and everything.” Customers, too, have become part of their lives, including some who attended the funerals for Wallen’s parents and later his wife, and the funeral for Goldinner’s husband. There are few stores left where a Wallen started working at the store in woman of a certain age whisks the 1955, after he graduated from Weequahic customer into a curtained room, whips High School in Newark. His father, out a tape measure to confidently Joseph, who had opened the store the measure the bust, and then, voila, previous November just across the street Late in the afternoon on Dec. 21, the returns with the perfect bra. Since at from where it stands now on Pleasant shelves were still filled with fresh meat, least 1947, Mildred’s has been one of a Valley Way, showed him how to tie roasts and Mike Mignone, a butcher who has handful of go-to places offering and manage various cuts of meat. Even worked at the store since the 1970s, was “everything for underneath it all,” as though he said he didn’t have a great love cutting fresh turkeys while Ruthie the store reportedly once advertised. Goldinner, who has been wrapping the for the profession at first, he “grew into the meat and cooking all the prepared foods business.” But at the end of July, Mildred’s will since 1985, took orders over the phone. go the way of the peignoir - the once For decades, he had other gigs on the popular nightgowns with matching side - his love for sports led him to serve as But the dry goods on the shelves were robes usually in sheer fabrics like referee/umpire for , , and dwindling, and Wallen said they won’t be chiffon - when current owner Suzanne soccer games. In the early years, Wallen restocked before the store closes. Much of Passero, 71, of Bayonne, closes the recalled, his mother, Miriam, taught young, the frozen inventory was reduced in price. doors forever. newly married women how to cook the

Some longtime customers are mourning the meat they bought in the shop. “Now I The shuttering marks yet another loss. Sharon Edelberg, who has shopped at sell to their children and grandchildren,” severing of the local Jewish com- Pleasantdale since she moved to town in he said. “I have three generations of munity’s ties to businesses that began 1995, stopped in. She turned pale after customers.” in Newark. Mildred’s Corset Shoppe hearing the news about the closing from opened on Bergen Street in the The shop moved to its current location, in a Wallen, and for a moment, was speechless. Weequahic section of Newark in the strip mall next to Mark & Julie’s Home- “I’m shocked! I seriously don’t know mid-20th century. Other recent Essex made Ice Cream, in the 1970s and started where to go for my meat now. Don’t get County institutions gone forever selling pre-packaged meats, as well as deli me wrong, you deserve to retire,” she told include the menswear store Sam’s, and groceries. His parents continued to Wallen when she recovered from the news. closed in 2018, and the Helen Hirsh work behind the counter, taking orders and Store, which specialized in swimwear Noting that her most frequent purchase chatting with customers. and lingerie, sold to Great Shapes in there is the ground turkey, Edelberg headed 2001. Both were Newark originals that over to the refrigerated shelves and quickly “Back then, everything was done by hand,” moved to the suburbs with the Jewish scooped up all but one of the packages of he said. Now, there are machines for most community. ground turkey. “I don’t want to be a of the butchering, although in the back of the shop there is still a metal runner, now chazer,” she said. Incorporated in 1947, Mildred’s opened rusted out, where the meat used to hang for a second location in Livingston by As they worked in the back of the shop, cutting. 1955, according to an ad in the West Mignone, Goldinner, and Wallen shared Essex Tribune, and boasted two loca- stories from the past six decades, from Over the years, the kosher butchers in the tions in a 1958 ad in The Jewish News, the car that drove right through the front area have closed one by one, leaving just one of NJJN’s previous iterations - window one Father’s Day (the driver put Pleasantdale Kosher and Maple Kosher “Exciting new figure flattery from the her foot on the gas instead of the brake, Meats in Vauxhall. None are Glatt kosher, country’s leading manufacturer of according to Mignone) to their 1997 though Cedar Market, a kosher grocery store in Teaneck, has plans to open a girdles, bras, etc.” mention in , which called the store’s cooked chickens “the branch in West Orange sometime in 2018. (Continued on page 15) most flavorful poultry in New Jersey.” (Continued on page 15)

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To this day, post-mastectomy fittings In Loving Memory cont. from page 7 PLEASANTDALE (Continued from page 14) comprise 50 percent of the business, according to Passero. Other specialty Richard Gillman, 1948 Mel Glucksman Frank, 1955 While he acknowledged that the influx of services include sewing cups into dresses Gerald Gohd, Jan. 1944 Orthodox shoppers who only buy Glatt kosher and selling garments known as “shapers” Sanford Gold, 1953 meat “didn’t help,” he said, a bigger issue is and “all-in-ones,” as well as tops for that people can buy their meat at ShopRite and Phyllis Goldstein Weingarten, 1956 underneath suits, and “tons” of strapless Allen Goorwitz Garfield, 1957 Costco. “Can you imagine? You can walk into bras, Passero said. ShopRite on a Saturday and buy kosher Bernice Gotkin Poll, 92 yrs. Howard Gottlieb, 1960 chickens,” he said, recalling, “Years ago, a Passero, formerly an ultrasound techni- cian, knew nothing about lingerie when Hugh Henig, Jan. 1946 person had to buy their chopped meat, chicken, Barbara Herbstman Isaacson, 1952 liver, everything from a butcher. Now they get she bought the business. Suffering from Judith Horwitz Wolf, 1964 it elsewhere.” back and eye issues, she sought a career Raymond Jackson, 1970 change and thought owning Mildred’s Myron Katz, 1948 But what really sealed the store’s fate, Wallen was perfect. It involved limited travel as said, was Hurricane Sandy in 2012. From a Anita Klein Straussberg, 1949 lingerie shows took place a few times a Burton Klein, 1946 financial standpoint, the store never recovered year in New York City. Slotnick even Natalie Klein, 1955 from the insufficient insurance that left him with stayed on to teach her everything, from Charlie Klestadt, 1962 $80,000 in losses after being shuttered for eight how to fit bras to tips for stocking Howard Krusch, 1952 days. merchandise. Heidi Lambek, 1964 Wallen said that at its peak, he sold about eight Sanford Lampf, 1940 A full 90 percent of women are wearing Robert Lapidus, 1950 times the goods he sells today. In those days he the wrong size bra, according to Passero. Nancy Leon Herman, 1949 had a larger staff. “I had four butchers, two meat “Every woman is different, and every Ruth Lerner Smith, 1957 wrappers, two cashiers,” he said. Today it’s just bra is different,” she said. “Over time, Carole Levine Rothman, 1944 Wallen, Mignone, Goldinner, and Natalie you know your bras, and you know your - Saul Lemkowitz, 1960 Silveira, the cashier. A relative newcomer customers.” What Passero has loved - Linda Lieb Tieger, 1962 she’s only worked at Pleasantdale for 19 years most is interacting with her “very pleas- Sandra Lipkin-Russack, 1955 Silveira said, “I’ve been here half my life. It’s ant” customers. “I’ve enjoyed socializ- Duane Little, 1970 the end of a chapter.” ing with them,” she said. Irma Loeb Kenter, 1954 Charles Arthur Lubetkin Still, their customers remain loyal. Aviva Over the years, she acknowledged, styles Lillian Mantell Freundlich, 1949 Tucker brought a bottle of champagne earlier have come and gone, from thongs and - Karl Maling, 1952 in the day to mark the moment. “I’m heart contour bras to, well, peignoirs. “We Harvey Morganstin, 1954 broken,” she said in a telephone conversation used to sell peignoir sets for brides,” she Harold Osman, 1952 with NJJN. She said she’s shopped at the store said. “We used to sell tons of them. No Renee Paul Kaplan, 92 yrs. since moving to West Orange 26 years ago. more. They don’t wear them anymore. Roberta Pilchman Lynn, 1956 They were beautiful.” Now it’s baby Doris Pogash, 94yrs. “They taught me how to cook. They’re like my dolls, satin slips, and two-piece sets. Juliette Quattlebaum-Green, 1973 family. It feels like there’s a death in the family. Marvin Reichenstein I’ve been coming every week for years and years Online retailers have cut into her Norton Rice, 1943 and years and now poof. “I told them I’d business significantly, she said. But Joel Rinsky, 1956 become a vegetarian after they close.” two other details led to her decision to Beverly Grossman Robbins, 1948 close Mildred’s: First, her two sons Arthur Rosen, 1962 don’t want the shop, and secondly, the Doris Rothseid Dresdale, 1941 mastectomy side of the business has Norma Schactel Stein Silverman, 1954 Milton Schaeffer, English teacher MILDRED’S (Continued from page 14) become mired in paperwork required by Medicare. Passero appreciates the need Marta Seagull Schreier, 1951 Irene Huckman, daughter of the original for licensing and store inspections, but Nancy Seelenfreund Zinberg, 1953 Bernice Sigmon Slade, (46/47) owner, ran the store for 20 years with her remembers simpler days without the hassle of certification. Alvin Simon, Jan. 1949 mother before starting her own uniform Seymour Simon, Jan. 1943 business in Livingston, and then returned after Sanford Shapiro, Jan. 1943 10 years to run the store when her daughter, On a recent Monday, one customer greeted Passero warmly as she came in Frances Siminoff Feld , 1947 Lynn Slotnick, took over. In the 1980s, a Melvin Stempler, 1946 series of ads in the West Essex Tribune hailed and expressed sadness that the store is closing. She and the rest of Passero’s Judy Tallerman, 1950 three generations in the business, but Slotnick’s Carl Tasch, 1950 daughter never took ownership. customers who come from nearby towns of Caldwell, Short Hills, Verona, Charlie Tenner, 1968 Summit, and faraway places such as the William Thomas, 1970 In 1995, Slotnick sold the business to Passero, Pearl Wachs Lazar, 1936 marking the end of the family’s involvement. Jersey Shore and Florida, will have to find somewhere else where they can Steven Wallerstein, 1963 At that time, the store had sewing machines Sandy Warner Luftig, ,Jan. 1951 and seamstresses who could custom fit anyone; head to the room behind the curtain to be Marty Wasserberg, 1956 a large part of the revenue even then came measured, and have someone fit them Seymour Weiss, 1948

from breast forms and bras for women who with the perfect bra. Marc Wiener, 1966 had undergone mastectomies. Doris Wolfe Goodman, 1939 Olga Wus Burns, 1961 Dolores Yadkowsky Dakelman, 88 yrs Leo Zuckerman, 1950

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a coach, father, teacher and mentor. In RITA K. WALDOR, 1948 In Loving Memory 2016, he was honored by the Father’s Club - and the Field House at Untermann Field Shared ‘heartfelt love’ for BURNEY LEE ADAMS was named after him. Jewish community, generous

Coach Adams is survived by the love of donor, active volunteer Teacher and Football Coach, 1968 to 2002 his life, Marlene. He was the devoted Excerpts from an article by father of Maxine (Keith) McNair, Cindy Johanna R. Ginsberg, July 10, 2019 Ross, and Anthony Adams; cherished grandfather of Kile McNair, Sharon, Samaada, Soraija, Sayyid, and Gladys Ross; great-grandfather of Saleem Ross; and Donald Bradley, dear and devoted brother/best friend for over 58 years - and an extended family of over 4,000 students.

GERALD GREENSPAN WHS 1959, Indian basketball star who played in NBA Burney Lee Adams, Weequahic’s legend- ary football coach, passed away in January Rita Waldor, 89, of South Orange, whose 2019 at age 81. name is synonymous with “giving,” died July 5, 2019. Coach Adams grew up in Savannah, Georgia. After high school he served in In April, the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ honored her with the the US Military as a paratrooper and then attended Florida A&M University, where President’s Bamberger Award in recogni- tion of her leadership, philanthropy, and he played football. In 1962, he was named - Team Captain, made the Southern Inter- dedicated service to the Greater Metro scholastic Athletic Conference First Team West community. It was the last of many and was an All American Nominee. philanthropic awards she received, includ- ing federation’s Muriel Walter Volunteer After college, Coach Adams signed of the Year Award in 2009. In 2008 she with the professional football team, the Gerry Greenspan, 77, passed away at home was the local recipient of the National - Hamilton Tigercats in Canada. However, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. Women’s Philanthropy’s Kipnis Wilson/ his football playing career ended with a Friedland Award from Jewish Federations Born and raised in Newark, Gerry spent serious leg injury. He came to Newark to most of his life in Livingston, before of North America. visit his brother and was offered a teaching moving to Florham Park three years ago. Rita’s husband, Jerome Waldor a 1945 and coaching position. He coached at A graduate of Weequahic High School and WHS grad, who died in 2005, was a Weequahic for 34 years, 30 years as Head - Coach. University of Maryland, Gerry played with retired two star major general in the Air the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers from Force and founder of the Waldor Agency, He built up a football program at the high 1963 to 1964 and was honored by the an insurance business. In the early 1990s school which was second to none. He was Newark Athletic Hall of Fame and the he served as president of United Jewish a great motivator, respected and admired MetroWest Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Federation of MetroWest, a precursor to by his players, students and the communi- today’s federation. Gerry was the loving father of Jamie ty. In the early 1970s, he along with the Together they were founders of the Lester Honorable Don Bradley with the late and Jill Greenspan, devoted grandfather of Taylor, Sydney, and Lindsay, and Society (for endowments of $100,000 and Judge Irvin Booker founded the Father’s up), members of the Achim Society (for Club to offer opportunities and experiences cherished brother of Barbara Drucks and Adele Harris. annual giving of $100,000 and up), hosts to his players beyond football. of major gift events in their home, leaders He made history when he hired the first on of missions to Israel and around the world, and advocates on behalf of Soviet Jewry in the field female football coach. Because of their success, the WHS football program the 1980s. was featured in both the NY Times and the They created in 1992 the Waldor Memo- Newark Star-Ledger and many schools rial Library on the Aidekman Family modeled their programs after Weequahic’s. Jewish Community Campus in Whippany; the library was dismantled in 2014. A Coach Adams was also the visionary for long-time member of federation’s board of “The Soul Bowl,” the annual Thanksgiving trustees and major gifts cabinet, Rita was Game rivalry between Weequahic and instrumental in establishing the Women’s Malcolm X Shabazz (formerly South Side) Philanthropy’s Lion of Judah endowment - high schools, which draws thousands of - for gifts of $100,000 and up was a alumni. longstanding board member of Women’s

He retired in 2003, but remained a role Philanthropy, and helped establish the model for many students for whom he was Jerry Waldor Institute, an endowment in

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1964. He earned a BS in physics and a MALVIN SUMKA, 1943 WALDOR (Continued from page 16) Masters of Engineering in radiological health from and a Made impact on her husband’s memory for leadership Ph.D. in Medical Physics from the development programs in Greater Metro- University of London's Institute of Cancer generations of students West. She also served on the board of the Research. JCC MetroWest in West Orange. In his long career as a medical physicist, Waldor’s many other interests included he worked as an Associate Professor of bridge, tennis (she apparently had a great Radiology at NYU Medical School, as backhand), collecting and displaying chief radiotherapy physicist at the Cancer antiques, and dogs. A founder of the Institute of St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Jersey Animal Coalition, a no-kill shelter Centers of Brooklyn and Queens, and did in South Orange, she helped lead its cam- clinical research at the Lenox Hill Heart - - paign to build a state of the art facility. and Cardiovascular Institute. Waldor also had a passion for gardening In recent years he specialized in designing that was ahead of her time, said her son radiation shielding for medical facilities, Peter, who recalled that they had a “giant with over 650 projects completed. A lead- compost heap” in their South Orange back- ing advocate for education of flight crew Malvin "Mal" Sumka died on Aug. 30, yard when he was growing up. For some members and frequent flyers, he was the 2019, surrounded by his devoted family.

40 years, beginning around 1965, she had author of The Invisible Passenger: Radia- He is survived by his loving wife of over a flower business with partner Gloria tion Risks for People who Fly. He was 63 years, Myra (Diener) Sumka, and his Einhorn, called GloRiTree Studios. They certified by the American Board of Medi- four kids, their spouses, grandchildren and did floral arrangements and plantings from cal Physics, a Fellow of the American great-grandchildren. out of their homes. Association of Physicists in Medicine, and Mal was born in 1925 in Newark, N.J. The Waldors were long-time members of a Fellow of the Health Physics Society. He left Weequahic High School to enlist Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills. A gifted musician, Robbie played oboe and in the US Army and fought in Europe Rita K. Waldor, the daughter of Gertrude English horn with the Riverside Orchestra, during World War II. In his early years, and Max Kaden, was born Aug. 23, 1929, the Doctors Orchestra Society, and the Mal was a dedicated Boy Scout and and grew up with her brother, Melvin, in Mannes College of Music Community became Scout Master of Troop 96 in the Weequahic section of Newark. She Orchestra in New York City. In the past, Newark’s Weequahic section for 13 years. graduated from Weequahic High School Robbie was a producer and program host He loved to teach kids and Mal became a and studied zoology at George Washington on Capital Radio in London, England and teacher in the Parsippany School District. University (GW) in Washington, D.C. for many years was part of the live radio team at Pacifica Radio in New York City, During his tenure (1960 to 1988) he was Rita is survived by her sons, Marc (Nancy WBAI-FM. a high school math teacher, director of Long) of Manhattan; Matthew (Lori Olans) vocational education where he launched of Newton, Mass.; and Peter (Jody Miller) He also served on the board of the the district's first work-study program, National Hemophilia Foundation. A of Telluride, Colo.; nine grandchildren; director of data processing where he and one great-grandchild. talented photographer and extensive created and ran the district's first-ever traveler, Robbie visited much of the world computer center, and a Parsippany Hills and, in the face of serious lifelong medical High School computer teacher. ROBERT BARISH, 1964 challenges, lived a life of great courage, energy, and joy and shared his many gifts Mal inspired his students to come to Physicist, Musician, Author, and accomplishments with and for the school before school hours to work with Photographer, Radio Personality benefit of so many. him on a cutting-edge project in 1963 and 1964, building a digital electro-mechanical A person of great intellectual curiosity and computer. In 2016, after more than 70 passion for many endeavors, Robert Barish years of teaching and volunteering, at age shared his knowledge and generously 91 he decided it was time to retire. This supported the education of many young past year Mal was inducted into the people. He will be greatly missed. In his Hall of Fame. memory, a donation can be made to the National Hemophilia Foundation or to Mal was an active member at Lake a charity of your choice. Hiawatha Jewish Center and Pine Brook Robbie was predeceased by his beloved Jewish Center and was a past president of parents, Naomi and Louis Barish, and by Men's Club. One of his great joys was staying connected with his lifelong friends Robert John Barish passed away at home his beloved sister, Maxine Barish Halem. from Weequahic High School. He was an in Manhattan late August 2019. According He is survived by his loving family, brother, Larry (Sharon) Barish of Madison, honored committee member of the Sunday to his brother Larry, “Robbie lived a full Morning Group. and remarkable life, refusing to allow Wisconsin, nieces and nephews, Lauren struggles with hemophilia to define his (David) Barish Handelman, Daniel Above all, Mal Sumka was a family abilities or limit his accomplishments.” (Michele) Halem, Amy (Eric) Halem man. His legacy no doubt will be that Gottesman, grandnieces and nephews, and he nurtured, taught, led, loved, and was Robbie was born in Newark in 1946 and cousins, and his companion, Kelly Sixt. loved dearly by his family throughout the graduated from Weequahic High School in decades of his life.

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As a student at Rutgers, Alvin was a news Magazine in North Carolina and for In Loving Memory reporter and the assistant sports editor. He Savannah Literary Magazine, maintained a also had his own column, Al's Alley. Alvin radio interview show on WSOU-FM in KEON LAWRENCE, 2006 was also an avid theatre goer, taking South Orange and won a Fellowship to the advantage of the proximity to Broadway, Virginia Creative Arts Center. seeing 64 shows. WHS Basketball Wizard She co-founded the Newark Writers A few years ago, Alvin donated four years Collective, founded the Frances E.W. of his Calumet collection to the WHS Harper Literary Society and the WE.B. Alumni Association archives. DuBois Reading Circle at The , and was a member of the Al's biggest assets, though, were his kind, Harlem Writers Guild. helpful nature, his sense of humor, his amazing memory and his loyalty to his Her book, Encyclopedia of the Harlem family and his friends. He will be sorely Renaissance (2003) won several honors. missed. Rest in Peace, dear friend. I love And, during the late 1980s, she inau- you. gurated and edited an independent publ- - Keon Lawrence, the former Weequahic ication: Testimony: A Journal of African High School basketball star, passed away American Poetry. In partnership with the SANDRA WEST, 1964 Weequahic High School Alumni Associa- on November 27th as a result of a virus. He was 32. Librarian, Author, tion, she published Libraries, Land- marks,& Literacy, a commemorative book- and Community Activist Lawrence is survived by a 7-year-old son, let of memories of the Weequahic Branch Muhammad. “I'm very saddened and Library written by Weequahic Alumni for sorry to hear the news," former Seton Hall the 85th anniversary of the branch in 2014 coach Bobby Gonzalez told NJ Advance Media by text. "He was a very nice kid When she returned home to NJ in 2003, she worked as an Instructor at Rutgers, in deep down with a good heart and great - smile and engaging personality." the English and African American Studies departments. She also worked at The Nicknamed the Human Pogo Stick for his Newark Public Library where she initiated acrobatic dunks and athleticism, Lawrence the Sandra L. West Book Collection, starred at Weequahic High, where he consisting of black classics at the earned first team All-State recognition by Weequahic Branch Library, served as

The Star-Ledger and was ranked among manager of the James Brown African the Top 101 players nationally by Sandra LaVonne West was born on Jan 16, American Room, and was curator of the

Rivals.com. He averaged 31.2 points as a 1947 in Newark to Willie Andrew West library's Black Studies programs. senior in 2006 and scored more than 2,000 and Ruby Ester Marie Jackson West, both career points in his high school career. now deceased. In 1964, she graduated Sandra was also a community person. She from Weequahic High School and in 1988 was President of the Chadwick Avenue - The 6-foot-2 Lawrence played for the from Rutgers University in Newark. Block Association, inaugurated the West Milton Neighborhood Garden on Chad- University of Missouri and Seton Hall University. His highlight was a 25-point In the late 1970s, Sandra worked as a wick Avenue and Hawthorne Place, was a journalist for the City of Newark's Infor- member of two political action commit- performance during ESPN Big Monday telecast at Kansas. In recent years, Keon mation newspaper during the historic tees, and was a member of the South Ward played basketball in Europe. administration of the city’s first black Police Community Relations Council. She mayor, Kenneth A. Gibson. She also received several awards and citations from worked as a technical writer for the Newark Municipal Council for her work. ALVIN MILLER, 1967 Montclair Board of Education, then as typesetter, and Theatre Reviewer for Although she dearly loved and believed in By Ken Music, 1967 Aquarian Newspaper. Newark, she was fortunate enough to have seen a bit of the world. She traveled to Alvin Miller passed In Savannah, GA where she lived for 6 ½ Senegal, West Africa, Barbados, Bermuda, away on August 9, years, she was an assistant editor for The Aruba; Bahamas; Haiti; Jamaica; Mexico; 2019 at the age of Savannah Tribune, and a staff writer in Brazil, Cuba, and South Africa. Yet, her 70. He was a public relations at Savannah State College/ favorite place in the world was Harlem. person with a big University. In Richmond, VA where she

heart who was spent an equal amount of time, she taught Sandra married twice. From her first always willing to English at Virginia Union University and marriage Ghana Jane Whiteurs was born,

help others. at Virginia Commonwealth University and now Ghana-Imani Hylton. Surviving wrote for both of their alumni magazines. are her sister, Ivy Patricia West Davis; While a student at Weequahic, Alvin son-in-law, Wilfred Charles Hylton; three played on the junior varsity and varsity Moreover, she free-lanced for magazines grandchildren, Adanna Marcela, Zuri football teams (#65). He also sang in the and newspapers such as Metro-Newark, Andrew, Osaze Charles; and nephew school’s chorus, the All-City chorus, the Essence and Emerge and won an Honor- William Hayes Davis, Jr. Rutgers-Newark chorus and, in his senior able Mention for her short story, Boogie & year in high school he sang at Carnegie Sarah Leigh, from Ebony Magazine. She Hall with American Youth Performs. wrote short stories for Obsidian Literary

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everyone, no one more so than Gibson. Then Kenneth Gibson came the riots. Leading in 'A DIFFICULT TIME' Newark's 'trailblazer' mayor passes away - The election of a black mayor then seemed First African American to lead a major Northeast city almost inevitable. Even more white voters were leaving Newark and certain influential By NJ Advance Media staff whites realized the city needed a black leader. Ken Gibson, Newark's first black mayor - "Ken Gibson is part of Newark's history. and the first African American to lead a He led the city during a difficult time, major Northeast city, died March 29, 2019 worked hard to find common ground among at age 86. Propelled to leadership after the the city's diverse population and his contri- Newark riots tore apart the city in 1967, butions laid the foundation for Newark's Gibson helped establish a foundation for recovery," Essex County Executive Joseph black political power. He served as the city's DiVincenzo Jr. said in a statement. "Ken mayor from 1970 to 1986. was a true Newarker who influenced me as a public servant and, most importantly, he was "Mayor Ken Gibson was our beloved, unflappable, trailblazer hero who never a friend." sacrificed principles for political expediency. In the 1980s, Gibson's political ambitions With that warm and friendly cheeky smile, expanded statewide. He ran for the Demo- Ken was a man's man," former Mayor cratic nomination for governor in 1981 and Sharpe James, who succeeded Gibson said. 1985, but lost both times. Soon, he found "He wore Newark with honesty, integrity and himself in trouble. In 2002, Gibson pleaded courage on his sleeves. As my friend, confi- he freely admitted borrowing from former guilty to tax evasion based on charges that he dant and mentor, Mary and I will miss him City Hall spokesman Donald Malafronte - bribed Irvington school officials to get a dearly." Gibson became famous for saying, $5 million contract to manage the district's

Gibson was married to his wife, Camille, for “Wherever the central cities are going, $50 million school construction project. He 15 years. He leaves behind four daughters Newark is going to get there first," was also accused of overbilling the district in and a brother. Gibson's first wife, Muriel, a the process. Gibson vigorously defended nurse, died in December 1983. "He always which became a rallying cry for those who himself and was never convicted of a crime thought that if you could help somebody, would fix the ailing city. By the time Gibson relating to his time in office. He received then that's what you should do," Camille departed City Hall in 1986, he was the long- three years of probation.

Gibson told NJ Advance Media. "That's est serving mayor in the city's history. Speaking to NJ Advance Media in 2017 what he thought being the mayor was. He "He cultivated a vision of what Newark during the 50th anniversary of the Newark was very happy to do that." needed during a difficult time," the late city riots, Gibson said he was seeing the city's

historian Clement Price once said of reputation finally recover. "The city's rep Newark's current mayor, Ras Baraka, said Gibson. "He stands among Newark's most really got to be bad because of the disturb- Gibson "set the stage for every African American elected official in this state. We important mayors in the 20th century." ances in '67. Trying to overcome that is very stand on his accomplishment and grow from difficult. It never goes completely away. It Born In Alabama his challenges," gets better, though," he said from his home. Born in 1932, Gibson grew up in Enterprise, Elected in 1970, just three summers removed Alabama. He came to Newark with his His wife said he may be remembered as a from Newark's devastating 1967 riots, family when he was 8 years old. He lived in historical figure, but he was a sweet man at

Gibson served for 16 years, during an era the Central Ward with his mother, a seam- heart. "I think he was probably the best, that was difficult not only for Newark, but stress, and his father, a butcher. While sweetest and nicest man that anybody could for American cities in general. And while he attending Central High School, he picked up know and love. He was a good father, a was sometimes faulted for lacking the dyna- extra money playing a saxophone in a local good husband," she said. "I haven't spent a mism of his successor in City Hall, Sharpe band. day without that man in 40 years. I just don't

James, history later came to view Gibson as know how I am going to get through it, - He later attended the Newark College either." a competent and well meaning civil servant who stabilized Newark's finances, improved of Engineering, now the New the health of its citizens and fought the good Jersey Institute of Technology, fight during difficult times. and worked as an engineering aide for the New Jersey State "In the aftermath of the Newark Uprising, Highway Department. He then began working as an engineer Mayor Gibson restored stability, promise, - and pride to a city that needed all three," for the Newark Housing Auth Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. ority and began getting a taste for politics as the treasurer of the A Spokesman For Cities United Essex Civic Association. He became a national spokesman for the He would quickly rise to local plight of America's cities, appearing on the prominence, running his first cover of Newsweek magazine and becoming mayoral campaign in 1966. He the first African-American elected president lost but finished with 15,000 of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 1976. votes - a total that stunned Although the quote was not originally his - 19

ALUMNI SNAPS

Florida All-Grades Reunion 2020 REUNIONS

Class of 1965 55th Reunion October 3, 2020, 7 pm Hilton Garden Inn Class of 1959 / 60th Reunion Springfield, NJ Contact: Dennis Estes - [email protected]

Class of June 1960 60th Reunion October 18, 2020, 11 am Old Mill Inn Basking Ridge, NJ Contact: Harold Klein - [email protected] Class of 1969 / 50th Reunion

Class of 1979 / 40th Reunion WHSAA 22nd Anniversary Event

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Burney Adams WHS Football Coach. Antoinette Baskerville- Richardson, 1970 Teacher, Newark Chief Education Officer. Hal Braff, 1952 Attorney, Co-founder WHS Alumni Assoc. Steven Dinetz, 1965 - President, Chancellor Antoinette Baskerville Richardson Frederick Tyson Foundation; Leader in Communications.

Steven Dinetz Hisani Dubose, 1971 Author, Filmmaker Warren Grover, 1955 Author, Co-founder Newark History Society. Eli Hoffman, 1956 President, Jaqua Foundation. James Oliver Horton, 1961 Professor, Author, African- American History Scholar.

Warren Hisani Hal Carrie Jackson, 1968 Sheila Oliver Grover Dubose Braff Jazz Vocalist, Music Producer. Alturrick Kenney, 1995 Essex County Surrogate, Newark Deputy Mayor. Eleanor Lutzke Lewis, 1959 Social & Consumer Justice Alturrick Kenney Advocate. Stanley Markowitz, 1955 Professor, Peace & Social Paul Justice Activist.

Tractenberg Eli Hoffman Jacob Toporek Wilfredo Nieves, 1966 Burney Adams Educator, College President. Sheila Oliver, 1970 NJ Lieutenant Governor; Speaker, NJ Assembly. Sadie Rous, Faculty Social Studies Teacher. David Schechner, 1946.

Attorney, Synagogue Eleanor Historian, WHS Alumni

Carrie Lutzke Sadie Trustee. Nathan Jackson Lewis Rous Weiss Jacob Toporek, 1963 David Schechner Director, State Association of Jewish Federations; Editor WHS Note. Paul Tractenberg, 1956 Founder, Education Law Center & Inst. of Education Law & Policy. Frederick Tyson, 1972 Scientific Prog. Director Stanley Markowitz Nat. Inst. Envirm. Health Serv, Wilfredo Nieves Nathan Weiss, 1940 President, Kean University; Author. 21

VISIT THE WEEQUAHIC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WEBSITE WeequahicAlumni.org

JOIN OR RENEW YOUR Legacy Bricks enhance ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP the entrance at WHS! The first installation of 200 inscribed bricks is in Alumni - $25 place on the sidewalk leading up to the front entrance Orange & Brown - $50 of the high school. If you haven't already done so, please consider Ergo - $100 inscribing your name and the names of others in Sagamore - $500 Weequahic history.

Legend - $1,000

Check:: Write check to WHSAA and mail to:

WHS Alumni Association P.O. Box 494 Newark, NJ 07101 Credit Card: Call (973) 923-3133

22 years of

providing To purchase a brick, go to opportunity to http://www.polarengraving.com//weequahicalumni the students at or call (973) 923-3133 (100 bricks are needed for the 2nd installation) Weequahic Buying a brick supports scholarships High School and student activities at the high school!

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