MAY 3, 2024

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Hi Couriers of Weequahic News, 

Class of 1962 mourns recent losses of WHS classmates:

Leslie Goldman Pumphrey (6/62)

Just wanted to send my condolences to all my classmates on the loss of three of our Class of June 1962 friends. But I wanted to add a brief note about one of them, Mike Scher. At our most recent multi-class reunion, only a few of my classmates came up to talk to me. That wasn't surprising, because, like many others, I had been double-skipped into the June 1962 class and never really felt a part of it. But Mike Scher, whom I did not recognize, came up to me, introduced himself, and reminded me that he and I had been neighbors on Goldsmith Avenue when we were kids. Mike and I spent some time remembering the block and the people who lived on it. That interaction was wonderful and made me appreciate my journey to the reunion, as well as help me remember people and events I had long ago forgotten. What a lovely man!! May he, Larry Josloff, and Susan Handler all rest in peace. Mike’s obituary can be read at  Obituary for Michael Scher. Leslie [Stanley Rems (6/62) also provided notice of Mike’s passing)

Gail Greenfeder Saks (6/62)

Susan Handler Gibbs (1/62), who passed away a few weeks ago, was a warrior. I knew her in high school and then reconnected again through Gene Saks’ work in Cranford. She fought for all her friends and her students, and left no stone unturned if she was in your corner. She fought all her ailments with a smile on her face. Susie was a special friend and a special person. The world is going to miss her. 

OMG, I can’t digest all this. Between Larry Josloff, Susie and now Mike Scher, this is just horrible. Mike and I were friends since we were about 9. His family had a house across the street from us on McCabe Avenue in Bradley. In later years our connection appeared again when my husband was a teacher in Cranford and taught his kids and also played softball on competing temple teams. We would occasionally run into him on the beach in Bradley. 

Mike was always just a nice guy. Our condolences to his family. Gail 

WHS teachers recalled:

Jack Pinnas (57)

Dr Clarence Seltzer was our Physics teacher. He described his time in the ‘Ghost Army” during WWII when they would set up camp with loudspeakers and inflatable trucks and tanks as decoys to distract and deceive the German Army. A 100-year-old veteran just received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for his unit. Dr Seltzer performed demonstrations using electricity, once asking the class to sit in a circle and hold hands. He then shocked one student and that shocked us all until someone let go. I asked him if he was afraid of electricity; his answer was that he respects it.

Dr Benjamin Epstein taught Biology and later became principal of the school. One day he dissected a cow’s eye. He thew the lens towards me and said, “Catch this doctor,” which I did. It affected me to consider the study of medicine. Phillip Roth mentions Dr Epstein in his book Portnoy’s Complaint, as well as Goldsmith Avenue where I lived.

Mrs. Driscoll was my Homeroom teacher at the Weequahic Annex on Clinton Avenue. She made students volunteer to read the Old or New Testament each morning, which I felt was inappropriate. She eventually called on me. Reluctantly, I began reading Genesis, “In the beginning,” and didn’t stop. And she wouldn’t interrupt. Me and my fellow classmates were all late for first period. She threw me out of class. I was very upset and went to Mrs. Blum, my understanding Math teacher, who was able to allow me to switch to her homeroom. 

The Annex was on Clinton Avenue near Cohen’s Knishes. Mrs. Cohen catered my bar mitzvah, then later started making Kosher airplane meals for Eastern Airlines. They, then, sold kosher frozen foods nationwide, as did Tabachnick, the Bergen Street deli. We had our problems, but they were the “Good Old Days!” Jack

Jac Toporek (6/63)

Thanks, Jack, for the motivation to dig deep and try to recall some of my favorite teachers at WHS. Foreign Languages, of course, Simon Chasen. He has been written about so often, I will, without disrespect, to my second “fav” in “Foreign Languages,” Bernard Bauer (freshman French). As a 1957 immigrant from Montreal Canada, I was excited to hear him mimic a French-Canadian broadcaster reciting the morning news. His dialect was spot on. So, some may be wondering, why would a Montrealer take French (probably learnt some up North, no?). Same reason, a year later added Mr. Chasen’s Hebrew class to my schedule. Had a leg up and a track for a seemingly easy “A” in both courses given French and Hebrew lessons at the Peretz Jewish Public School my twin brother Norbert (6/63) and I attended before the move to the US

Cannot recall any of my Math teachers at Weequahic, perhaps cause did not make a great grade transition from Algebra to Geometry. Not sure I made it to Trig. But, if I had my druthers back then, Shelton Weil (my JV baseball coach) and Max Pollack would be choices. Mr. Pollack’s son Chuck was a classmate, but that would not have given me an inside track on a better grade.

Social Studies honors goes to Mr. Schulman (Lawrence) who made History fun and challenging. His students would likely recall his quirky remarks. “Look alive or get a five” was a caution to pay attention or get a negative mark on your class participation. Then there was the Friday Surprise, “Gee whiz a quiz!” Need I explain that one?

Science? Who doesn’t have a Mr. Martino story? He commented to me once when discussing my classwork, “You are a good student; you got a “C” in the class. Lucky me, LOL He signed my yearbook (joy), “Best Wishes G.C. Martino.” Jac

Fred Goldman’s (6/62) note on WHS alumni success applies to all received some commentary in return:

Jerry Krotenberg (1/60 & WHS faculty 1964-1970)

To Fred Goldman (6/62), I appreciated your comment on those of us who had a good run but did not become lawyers, doctors, CEO's etc. I became a teacher. I live by 2 quotes. The first one was over the main entrance to Newark State College (now Kean University,) "Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn." And the other, "I've seen the future, I teach."

Clark Lissner (6/63) (and Fred Goldman in conversation)

Fred has been one of the most prolific contributors to the "WHS Note." Most of his recollections are informative and entertaining. But the paragraph he composed in the most recent edition, in my mind, was so profound and "right on the money" in acknowledging a simple truth. While all of us weren't "Einsteins" and couldn't become doctors or lawyers, we could and did make "relatively" (see what I did there?) meaningful contributions to society. So, a shout out to Fred, and the rest of us, who used our education and upbringing in a positive manner. Clark

Fred

I all ways tried to be different, but TRUE to myself and others, in High school. We had a class of around 600 in June1962 and I finished 601. When growing up in Newark, there were a few of us that were great friends then and still are great friends now. Clark, you might know the names; Frank Argenziano (6/62), Mike Weisholtz (6/62), Richy Trechak (your classmate), Sy Yoskowitz (1//63). Our small group didn't care what you did as long as it was OK with the law. And still to this date, everyone in our group are all still married to the same women and we all get along together,  Fred

Clark

I worked with Frank A. one summer as counselors at a day camp in Mt. Freedom, owned by the Chancellor Avenue School Gym teacher Henry Horey. Argenziano was a great guy, and I remember really enjoying his company that summer. Wonderful to have lifelong friends, as I have with Nor and Jac Toporek (6/63). I guess we had some challenges growing up back then; but things seem really wacky these days. 

Well, after 70 N.J. winters, I'm down here near Charleston, S. Carolina for 8 years, where the temperature is higher and the taxes are much lower. Nice to hear from you, and keep those good memories of WHS coming to us in the weekly newsletter.  Clark.