Responses to “Racism on Long Island” Essay

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.”

Graduates

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:

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

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

WildCAT Pet Gallery

Jesse Samberg (1964) Writes - “I couldn’t help contributing to the pet project. Henry and Charlie, and Gary.

From the Archives

Art Engoron (1967) and Nancy Strickman Stein (1973) at a Class of 1973 Reunion in Roslyn, New York in 2023

Fan Mail

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!”

The Official Notices

All underlined text is a link-to-a-link or a link-to-an-email-address. Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then clicking on the text that pops up will get you to your on-line destination or will address an email.

The Usual Words of Wisdom

Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 248 Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletters (and much other Wheatley data and arcana) at our website:

The Wheatley School Alumni Association Website

Also thanks to Keith is our search engine, prominently displayed on our home page: type in a word or phrase and, wow!, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous Newsletters and other on-site material.

I edit all submissions, even material in quotes, for clarity and concision, without any indication thereof. I cannot and do not vouch for the accuracy of what people tell me, as TWSAA does not have a New Yorker style fact-checking department.

We welcome any and all text and photos relevant to The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568, and the people who administered, taught, worked, performed, and/or studied there. Art Engoron, Class of 1967

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 253. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary. <sp