CLASS OF 1939 $48,000 awarded at 2011 Scholarship Celebrates 72nd Reunion Celebration Dinner The roar of the thunderstorms and the pelting of hail couldn’t mar the joyous occasion that took place inside the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Irving- ton on Friday evening, June 17th. More than 100 people braved the inclement weather to attend the Weequahic High School Alumni Association’s 2011 Scholarship Celebration L-R: Mickee Gefner Lublang, Irving Newman, Dinner. and Frances Feitlinger Kasen Scholarship recipients and their families, along with Weequa- Excerpts from an article in the NJ Jewish News hic High School faculty, joined the Association’s Board of A rather elite crowd gathered at Pals Cabin in West Orange, Trustees in a tribute to scholas- on Sunday morning, June 5, 2011. Indeed, to qualify one had tic excellence. The Alumni to be a native Newarker, at or about 90 years of age, and a Association awarded $48,000 graduate of Weequahic High School, class of 1939. to 32 deserving students who Of the 400-odd classmates who left the school 72 years ago, each received a $1,500 scholar- many remained in contact - attending weddings, bar mitzvahs, ship for college or trade school. and retirement parties. And the 30 graduates who attended this Go to page 4 historical reunion filled the air with reminiscences, joyous times together, as well as of living through depression days, World War II experiences, and both funny and glowing stories of their Weequahic days. BRAFF &BROSS Testimonial Dinner The featured guest was 97-year-old Hilda Lutzke of Verona who, after beginning her teaching career at the school in 1937, a fundraising success taught some members of the class of ‘39. “Weequahic had a Weequahic honors duo remarkable faculty and its students were joyful to teach, respectful, and diligent in their pursuit of education,” she said. who linked past, present “Many of them progressed to admirable levels of success.” By Robert Wiener, For some of the attendees, age is not a limiting factor. Dr. NJ Jewish News Milton Luria announced that he had just retired as a physician after 53 years. Irving Newman recently wrote his first book, Two graduates of Weequahic “Living on House Money.” Dr. William Weiss, a national High School who forged a link authority on allergies, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. between Jewish alumni and cur- And Betty Krasner will soon be on her way to Tuscany for a rent African-American students were honored May 19th with a new adventure. testimonial dinner at Newark’s Go to page 4 Robert Treat Hotel. The Weequahic High School Alumni Association honored co- founders Hal Braff, a 1952 grad- uate, and Sheldon Bross, class of 1955. The Dinner generated more than $30,000 for scholar- ships and student activities. Since 1977, the association has been raising funds to finance college scholarships and other L-R: Milton Luria, Betty Shlappin Krasner, academic programs for and William Weiss HELP WANTED Women’s Day Conference ALUMNI CALUMET For Membership Drive This all-day event, now in its 3rd year, took place at the high school on April is a publication of the The Alumni Association is seeking an 8th. Ms. Ameenah Poole, a history WHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION individual who can assist with our teacher and former senior class advi- Editor, Layout & Design: upcoming three-month membership sor, coordinated the program with 13 drive. We are looking for somebody other women teachers/staff. with good computer, telephone and Phil Yourish, 1964 clerical skills; experience with data- Two keynote speakers, Dr. Gloria Proofreading: base programs; and knowledge of Boseman and Judge Tiffany Williams, Weequahic’s history. Work can be and professionals from a variety of Dave Lieberfarb, Hal Braff, Marc done at the alumni office and at home. fields engaged Weequahic's young Little, and Myrna Jelling Weissman Retirees are encouraged to apply. ladies in informative, interactive Our thanks for articles and photos Salary is negotiable. Call Executive workshops that provided information from The Star-Ledger, NJ.com, NJ Director Phil Yourish at (973) 923- and encouragement to empower them Jewish News, and our WHS alumni 3133 for more information. to make wiser choices for a successful and friends. transition from adolescence to wom- Alumni Support anhood in the 21st century. for student activities: Some of the topics explored were self- CONTACT US: esteem, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, WHS Alumni Association Skiing at Shawnee in PA etiquette, dating & domestic violence, P.O. Box 494, Newark, NJ 07101 teen pregnancy, healthy rela- (973) 923-3133 / (973) 303-5294 tionships, LGBT relationships and issues, suicide, mental [email protected] health, substance abuse, crisis www.weequahicalumni.org management, finances, nutri- tion, job readiness, and dressing for success. RECENT DONATIONS: Class of 1963; Class of 1945; Class of Men’s Day Conference 1939; Robert & Patty Bender; Beryl Lieff Benderly, 1960; Gerald For the past four years, Men’s Beatty, 1957; Ellen Kimelman Brown, Day has been a collaborative 1960; Bruce Cohen, 1955; Richard Organized by alumni Board member venture between Weequahic and Einhorn, 1950; Steve Dinetz, 1965; Vivian Simons, this was the 3rd alum- Central High Schools. This year’s Larry Josloff, 1962; Bob Masin; Patty ni sponsored ski trip. 37 students and program took place on April 7th & 8th Masin; Sharon Rous Feinsod, 1966; 3 faculty members skied, many for the and the theme was MANHOOD. Judith Seidman Gold, 1953; Susan first time, at the Shawnee Ski Resort On the 1st day, the program was held Schilling Grand, 1958; Arnold Ram, 1948; Richard & Ruth Shipman; in the Poconos on Friday, March 18th. at Weequahic. The keynote address was from Hashim Garrett, a motiva- Sanford & Rona Steinberg; Ben Wolfe, Vivian’s remarks: It was the middle 1955; All Peoples Day Celebration; tional speaker, who shared his story of Donations to Walter Hastreiter Fund; of March, but the temperature was in being shot several times and left for Donations in memory of Sandy Scheps; the 70's and although we were con- dead on the streets of New York. NJ Jewish Historical Society Metro cerned that it was going to be too hot, West; West Coast Reunion. it turned out to be ideal for beginner The workshops revolved around top- skiers and they all had an enjoyable ics such as manhood after graduation, time. Some took ski lessons and oth- career awareness, domestic abuse among teens, safe sex, overcoming A special thanks ers snowboarded. The students fell, to Ronald Parm for his got wet, got back up, and did not quit. anger, the consequences of poor deci- contribution to One student even remarked that "this sions, etiquette, and nutrition. $1,500 re-establish the Carolyn is the best time he has ever had". On the 2nd day, Central High School Parm Memorial Scholar- was the host and Principal Ras Baraka A small group of students progressed ship Fund in memory of his to a point where they took a last run spoke to the young men about the Mom who was a graduate from the top of a beginner’s trail necessity of becoming strong, and teacher at Weequahic. while the rest of us waited and educated, and productive men in today’s world. Activities for the day watched for their return through the ADDITIONS TO WHS ARCHIVES: picture window inside the main lodge. included poetry readings, free style When we finally spotted them cruis- rapping, dance, fashion, and athletics. Harold Ashby, Jr., 1969 ing down the trail we all smiled and Class of 1939 Continued on page 3 Linda Forgosh, JHSMW shouted with pride “They Made It!” 2 Norbert Gaelen, WHS 1944, Alumni Support from page 2 honored by Jewish Historical Honor Society Ceremony Society of MetroWest Organized by Ms. Regina Covington, an English teacher and advisor to the National Honor Society. In the early evening on May 12th in the South Cafeteria, the National Honor Soci- The Jewish Historical Society ety Induction Ceremony took place for 8 senior students and of MetroWest was proud to pay up to 15 more students who will be juniors and seniors in Sep- tribute to one of its founding tember. The ceremony is considered a rite of passage for board members – someone who Weequahic scholars. 75 parents, faculty and guests attended. has made a considerable contri- bution to the MetroWest com- Former Weequahic Board member Marjorie Barnes, 1985, munity, Norbert Gaelen, at its was the guest speaker. Lasting Impressions Gala on May 17th at the Crystal Plaza in WHS Students Meet Holocaust Survivors Livingston. Excerpts from an article in the NJ Jewish News Norbert believes strongly in the idea of maintaining a cultural On April 13th, a center for the Jewish communi- busload of Weequahic ty. He has actively supported a students led by their number of Jewish causes English teachers, throughout MetroWest as well as having served on the boards of Tamela Culp and UJC MetroWest, the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest., Robert Hylton, met and the JCC MetroWest. Other boards Norbert has served on in- Holocaust survivors at a clude the UJC Investment Committee, the JCF Professional Adviso- gathering at the Jewish ry Committee, and the JCF Executive Committee. Community Campus in Supported JHS from its inception Whippany. Norbert and his wife, Audrey, are long time major donors to UJA Altogether, some 100 students from three New Jersey high MetroWest, as well as Jewish Community Foundation Lester Socie- schools participated in the luncheon led by Paul Winkler, the ty members at the highest level of Benefactor. The Gaelens have executive director of the NJ Commission on Holocaust Educa- lent their support to the Jewish Historical Society from the time it tion and hosted by the Holocaust Council of MetroWest.