The Wheatley
School Alumni Association Newsletter # 253
Responses
to "Racism on Long Island" Essay; Several Graduates; and Three
"Pets."
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Liz Zoob (1965) Writes - “What
a profound and moving piece by Jill Lawrence in USA Today. Thank you for
publishing it.”
Diana Noble Rubinger (1966) Writes
- “As a proud parent of three graduates of Syosset
High School....from K-12….I note as follows:
I moved to Syosset in 1968. Our
community was built in the early 50’s, mostly consisting of your typical
split level homes. Syosset is located between Jericho and Plainview, and the
three communities are very similar. When we moved into Syosset, we were looking
for excellent schools, for a reasonable price. Many of the first generation
neighbors had moved to senior living and/or to Florida. This turnover made it
an excellent community for the next generation. For the most part, the women
were teachers, and the men were engineers, dentists, doctors, or, also,
teachers. We lived within walking distance of Conservative and Orthodox
Synagogues, and as our children attended Hebrew School three times a week,
this was perfect.
Syosset was about 1/3rd, Jewish,
1/3rd Catholic, and 1/3rd Protestant. Jews were NOT welcome in Manhasset or
Garden City, to name just a few communities. Syosset had excellent
recreational facilities, which were available to their residents. It was also
an easy 15-minute drive to Roslyn Heights (good to visit the parents).
Syosset was also home to a large
Korean population, along with other Long Island communities experiencing the
same demographic changes. Jericho is now almost 100% Asian; Syosset High
School is between 45-50% Asian. I don’t know the statistics for Wheatley or
Roslyn, but I am sure that they have also experienced changes. Syosset had
only a few African American students, like similar schools on Long Island,
Westchester, and many suburbs in the Northeast USA. The Asian students, after
elementary school, usually went to Korean schools after classes, where they
were taught math, science, and Korean culture. High School students tend to
stick within their groups, no matter what group. If you look at the names of
the Regeneron Semi Finalists, they are mostly Asian students. (Syosset and
Jericho did very well)
The policy of not showing homes to
African American families, or Jewish families, was unfortunately widespread.
Our parents were also limited to where they could find a house due to being
Jewish and price. They were also restricted by their religion when they
searched for work.
I am proud to say that living in
South Carolina has given me the opportunity to live in a community of much
diversity. On my block, we have 4 White Families, 4 Indian Families, 4
African Families, and 1 Jewish Family-us. We are Hindu, Catholic, Baptist, ......we
are a diverse block of people who look out for each other.
Parents make choices which they
believe are best for their children. Some Wheatley parents chose to send
their children to private schools for a variety of reasons. Some choose to
send their children out of state. Some parents choose homeschooling. It is a
choice that parents make, even if you live in a place where there are
excellent schools. (think about all the specialized schools in NYC).
So, the times, they are a changin’.
Diana Noble Rubinger-Retired Middle
School Science Chair
Jill Simon Forte (1967) Writes - I
was oblivious to the segregation that was happening during our formative
years, although around town, I heard many derogatory comments about anyone
who was not white. But, sadly, I didn’t grasp the damage that that could do
to our minds. I am happy to say that I never had a feeling of “us versus
them.”
I am sad to realize this happened so close to home. The Newsletter item was a
sad story that opened my eyes to what was happening in our communities when
we were growing up. It was wonderful to see that this particular girl thrived
and went on to make a mark helping others. Wow, Arthur, that was amazing!”
Laurie Schiller (1968) Writes - “Art
- a very powerful piece and very correct. Thanks for publishing it.”
Jeffrey Perrone (1969) Writes - “Thanks
for the 2022 article on racism on Long Island. Definitely an eye-opener for
me.”
Cara Eisenberg (1977) Writes - “Excellent
article by Jill Lawrence. Thanks for including it in the Wheatley
Newsletter.”
Barbara E. Schwartz (1981) Writes
- “Thank you for publishing this article about racism on Long Island. Our
school never educated us about race, so this essay is important.”
AJB Writes -
“A special thanks to Jill Lawrence for her powerful insights on the “
exchange” program. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for those
young black students, but these things were not discussed, at least not in my
classes - a missed opportunity.”
1966 - Rhona Schwartz - Deceased
(in 2016)
1967 - Art Engoron and David
Schwartz - “David’s two daughters, Courtney and Brooke, graduated from
Wheatley. He’s a lawyer and the outside coach of Wheatley’s phenomenal Mock
Trial Team. We ran into each other on East 46th Street in Manhattan and
memorialized the meeting thusly:
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1969 - Jeff Perrone - “I’m
still living in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a house in San Francisco,
sometimes in Berkeley, and mostly spending time in Healdsburg, CA, a bit
north of SF. I’m working on climate, democracy, and tech ethics issues
(including AI) more-or-less full time as a volunteer.”
1974 - Gregory Cave - Support for
the Shinnecock Native Americans
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Gregory Writes - “Above
is a letter to the Editor of Newsday about the plight of the indigenous
people of the Shinnecock nation. The people on the reservation are deserving
of a better quality of life, as well as joining the rest of America achieving
a successful capitalistic state, or should I say, ‘nation’?
They are also being challenged in
their attempt to open up a much-needed gas station and convenience store that
will be enjoyed and utilized by the traveling public.
Peace and love,
Gregory Cave
Jesse Samberg (1964) Writes - “I
couldn’t help contributing to the pet project. Henry and Charlie, and Gary.
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Art Engoron (1967) and
Nancy Strickman Stein (1973) at a Class of 1973 Reunion in Roslyn, New York
in 2023
1960 (Elaine Kent Abrams) - “Your
last email was so enlightening. Growing up in Roslyn Heights and attending
Wheatley provided me with a narrow education, as this article proves. Let’s
hope that change is in the wind.”
1965 (Jane Goldenberg Fire) - ❤️ “Thank
you to Arthur and everyone who contributes in any way to this ‘always a
source of joy and pride’ Newsletter. Best to All - Jane”
1965 (Clifford Montgomery) - “Thanks,
Art. Well done!”
1966 (Rick Jalonack) - “I
loved the topics. One of the best you've done.”
1969 (Jeffrey Perrone) - “Great
to read the Newsletter, as always. Thanks for all your work on this!”
1970 (Wendy Strickman Hoffman) - “I
love the Newsletters, and I look forward to them. Seeing old pals and tennis
buddies is a joy.”
1974 (Melanie Artim) - ❤️
1977 (Cara Eisenberg) - ❤️
1981 (Barbara E. Schwartz) - “Thanks
for all you do.”
???? (AJB)
- “As always, a thank you to Art for providing us with this Newsletter!”
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11568, and the people who administered, taught, worked, performed, and/or
studied there. Art Engoron, Class of 1967
That’s it for The Wheatley School
Alumni Association Newsletter # 253. Please send me your autobiography before
someone else sends me your obituary.
Art
Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967
thewheatleyschool@substack.com
Newsletter Author - Art Engoron
Webmaster - Keith Aufhauser
