Debby Solomon (Simon)

Donna Gieser (Castele)

I wanted to thank Bruce again for suggesting and organizing our time together last night.  It was good to be there with my classmates, walking famiiar streets that we all know so well. It was a beautiful evening, and I felt a sense of reassurance, just listening to the trees rustling in the breeze as we walked down St. Johns Avenue.  Those who could not be with us physically were there in spirit, I know. The vigil was very well done and I believe the past couple weeks - between our reunion event, the shooting tragedy, and now the human response of the broader HP community, and our class specifically, has crystallized the knowledge and certaintly that we grew up in a very special place at a wonderful time.  And we are very blessed for that. Let's continue to support one anther and keep in touch.

Joel Schechter

I agree with Donna's comments. Thank you, Bruce. As we congregated on the steps of HPHS, I commented to my brother, Rick, that in my 4 years, I never entered the school using the front entrance!  As most of you have posted, the unimaginable happened in our idyllic community. In a matter of minutes, the lives of those in attendance at the parade and really all of us who either live in HP or grew up there have been shattered; but, our memories of better days will drown out the events of July 4. I certainly hope that those who have been injured, either physically or emotionally, will heal in the coming days and that those in power wake up and enact stricter gun laws.

Bruce Koff

Thanks Joel and Donna, for your presence and for your kind words. It was incredibly heartwarming to arrive at the high school and see my classmates congregating on those steps. Phil Berger asked if I would post the comments I shared yesterday at one of the makeshift memorials. Happy to do so: I cannot look down Central Avenue now without seeing one of those typical August afternoons long ago that you may well remember, the one where we made our inevitable pre-school-year jaunt to Chandlers for that next assignment book, then hopped up the street to Fells to grab the next appropriate size of school clothes, and maybe ducked sheepishly into Gsell’s for a tube of Clerasil and a bottle of StridEx. Or maybe you recall one of those crisp, bright fall pre-Homecoming Saturdays when hundreds of us snaked through the town past painted windows in a ritual of unbounded enthusiasm and good cheer. We all probably have similar visions of what normal looked like then, priceless photos residing in our mind’s eye of safety so deep and absolute that the word itself barely crossed our lips. Today, like a transparent, blood-red film, the events of July 4th, 2022 lie superimposed upon these wondrous snapshots of our childhood. Though this new lens will be lasting, our early memories are by no means diminished, Despite the horror and perhaps because of it, they offer inspiration. They remind us that what happened here on Independence Day in 2022 is not, and can never be, normal. Our childhoods were planted in better earth and nourished in a community of both good care and steadfast security. That was normal. That should be normal, so that every child feels safe enough to grow and secure enough to embrace the adventure of life. May our gathering here today inspire all of us to do everything we can to restore these conditions to our children and to their children. May we harness the power of our Highland Park childhoods to envision a better future for them and do the work required to achieve it, so that future generations will know it too and be forever safe and free.

Rose Hansen

Highland Park has been national news since July 4th and the vigil last night was covered by NPR in the SF Bay Area this morning, distressing me as I had to immediately afterward teach a Yoga class.  I have taken a hard look at the less-than-perfect aspects of being vulnerable in uncertain times, and it has made me unexpectedly emotional.  I hope that we will all continue to be motivated to fight against violence and injustice in our complex world.  I recall "sit-ins" and "peacenik" rallies in high school which made us feel like even as a teen without a vote, our voices could be heard.

Karen Meldman (Finerman)

I was unable to attend the zoom meeting tonight but felt great comfort in last night's meet up; as we walked from Highland Park High School up St. Johns, to the memorials.  Thanks ever so much again to Bruce Koff, who organized us and whose eloquent message was  greatly appreciated.  His  Grinell cap caught the attention of the artist Jacqueline von Edelberg, artist of Enough! She spoke with us for a few minutes.  While the unspeakably horrible events of  July 4 events will remain in our memories forever, the ties that bind us will help us through.   I wish peace for all. 

Linda Lauer (Deardorff)

As I read the many heartfelt posts on the website, I am reminded of the 18+ years I lived in Highland Park and the wonderful childhood we shared together.  Although I have lived in Oregon for the past 44 years, we return regularly to visit family.  Highland Park will always have a special place in my heart.  I want you to know that this  tragedy has affected me deeply also.  

My thoughts and appreciation are with all of you as we try to heal and work towards a better future.

Bonnie Garland (Guss)

Dear Friends and Classmates,

I haven't been back to HP much since graduation but it remains close to my heart.  I was devasted to read the news of the senseless act of violence that destroyed so many innocent lives.  It gives me comfort to see that those of you who are still in the area are working through this compassionately as a group.  May the passage of time help us all heal and I hope that there will be change to prevent acts like this in the future.

Lynne Wolf (Billing)

A big thanks to Lennie for organizing the zoom last night. I appreciate the effort to create a meaningful experience for those of us who couldn't be there in person. It was great for me to see people I hadn't since our 40th reunion or longer, and share our thoughts, concerns and feelings. We  were lucky to grow up in a very special place and our good memories will  stay with us always.

Joe Bartolai

First I like to thank Bruce for organizing our class gathering at the front steps of HPHS prior to heading toward downtown Highland Park. It was great to join up with other classmates as we eventually went our separate ways as the vigil concluded at City Hall. This cowardly act of violence became personal as my sister Jayne was rushed into Walker Bros. restuarant soon after the front entry door was hit. a few days later she was looking to delete some of the photos she had taken that day, only to find a photo she took of her dog Kaiser with Mr Uvaldo, a victim that died, 20 or so feet in the background sitting on a bench with his wife who was wounded, but survived. Jayne has been to counseling since, but like the rest of us she is HP Strong!, and all of us WILL get through this. My friend Ricky Pia joined me to give Jaynie hugs later that evening.....

Lennie Rose (Steiger)

Joyce Friedman asked me to share this article about HP from the New York Times.

Karen Shore (Markin)

Many thanks to Bruce for organizing Wednesday's bittersweet gathering.  Your words were a gentle reminder of our carefree childhoods in HP.  It was comforting to be among classmates that share similar memories of the special town we were all fortunate to grow up in.  Who understand that this "new normal" must change.  Hopefully someday our children and grandchildren will feel as safe and secure as we always did.  Healing prayers to all.

Karen Meldman (Finerman)

Many thanks to all who continue to use this space.  

The website will continue to be maintained, ad free, for all class related communications. 

Please submit any password reset requests,  email changes, name changes or information regarding deceased classmates  to hphs19711@gmail.com

Lauren Herzog (Schwartz)

I wanted to thank Lennie Rose and everyone else who made the zoom Circle of Healing come together last week.  Living so far away from Highland Park, and never having made it to the Reunions, it felt really good coming together with so many others during such a difficult time.

Clara Berman

My daughter and I are still feeling devastated about what happened on 7/4. Hard to find anything else to say. A friend recommended listening  to the Nimrod variation from Elgar's Enigma variations, and found the Bernstein version was healing to listen to. Perhaps there are others who may find the same. 
 

Thanks to everyone who stepped into help.
 

Lennie Rose (Steiger)

Just want to send out a Happy New Year wish. I miss the re-connections we made this summer through the best and worst of times. May this year bring you health and mishchief, love and satisfaction.

Debby Solomon (Simon)

Recently, my younger siblings and I gathered in HP to celebrate our mother's 95th birthday. I'd not been back for a visit since April- I won't rehash all of the heartfelt comments that were shared following the insanity and terror of July 4th- I'll simply state that I felt the same. I will share that I know of several who were injured... 

My sister, Alisa (a professor at Columbia) and I had planned the celebratory weekend menus, so we drove to downtown HP to buy groceries at Sunset. I suggested that we visit the downtown memorial. I was dreading it, but also felt I needed to go. My husband, sister and I were truly moved by the experience--there was an overwhelming feeling of "Highland Park Strong." 

We had the opportunity to talk to a first responder and to the artist. I urged my sister to write about it, and she did! I'd like to share her article (she is an '74 HPHS grad)- and encourage those who visit HP to see this fluid, meaningful memorial (before weather or the city determine that it needs to come down!)

 As the Jewish new year approaches, I wish everyone a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful new year!

Debby (Solomon) Simion

https://hyperallergic.com/762605/highland-park-artist-helps-her-community-transform-grief-into-action/

Laurie Solgon

Thanks for the New Year's greetings, memories, and information about the artist and first responder.  Occasionally I look for updates online to the July 4th event since I live far away in Arizona so don't see news about it unless I actively search for it.  I so enjoyed seeing everyone at the reunion and it brought back such great memories growing up in HP.  I'm currently listening to the Anderson Cooper podcast "All there is" which is about  grief, heartbreak and how we process the death of loved ones.  It brings me back to that event even though I don't have any connection to anyone physically affected.  At this time of the Jewish New Year, hug your loved ones and enjoy them.  Happy New Year!

Shari Brenner

Thanks Lennie for wishing all of us a Happy New Year. I wish the same to you and everyone in our class of "71" who celebrates this special holiday. I appreciate your extra efforts in organizing the special healing circle in memory of all the lives that were lost and the affect on all survivors who reside in Highland Park. 

John Rosenbaum

Our friend Wes Wenk is undergoing heart valve replacement surgery today.  Please keep Wes and his family in your thoughts and prayers.  

Thanks,  John

David Axelrod

Jist wanted to thank Karen Meldman, Kerry Wolfe, and all those who put together the "Class of '71 Turns '71" reunion last weekend.  It was great seeing classmates, and a good time was had by all.

Julie Anixter (Shadur)

Dear HPHS Classmates...

Sorry to have missed the reunion and all of you who attended.

I have been thinking a lot about the role of role models... and the many wonderful ones we grew up with (Ruth Esserman, Barbara Greener, Eric Braun, Phyllis Sabold, Margot Grimmer, Ravinia!) and the ones you've become!

So, inspired by Deborah Schneider, I've started a Substack on Role Models, and one of my first profiles is about the singular Debbie Reinisch. 

Thought you might enjoy it!

https://substack.com/@julieanixter/note/c-245890450?r=653zp&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web

Best to all,

Julie Anixter

Elizabeth Lipski (Lipski)

I, too, am sorry to have missed the reunion. Life is busy (new grandbaby, friends visiting, stepson visiting with grandkids, gardening, etc.) Looking at the list and the pictures, there are so many of you I would have loved to reconnect with. 

Julie spoke of mentors. For me, it was Mrs. Sara, one of our English teachers. I did an independent study with her and went to her home one night a week to talk about existential theory from novels I was reading. She taught me also about astral travel, Tarot cards, and was a great advisor to me about life. 

Mostly, I remember growing up with so many of you. The classrooms, the parties, the laughter, the music, the tears. 

LIfe has been like a river, carrying us along. We think we have a plan and some of you may have had one that worked out. Mine has been quite an adventure. More beautiful than I could have planned. I hope that our adventures continue to unfold.  

love to you all. 

Laurie Solgon

I had so hoped to come to the reunion..  Unfortunately, I'm a couple weeks away from my 2nd hip replacement so far this year.  Walking isn't fun currently. Thanks to all who shared photos and rememberances. None of us are getting any younger but I still see so many of our classmates in those faces albeit a little greyer.  I wish I could have joined you.  Here's to the next one and hoping that we're all still around for the 60th.

Wishing you all good health,

Laurie Solgon

Karen Meldman (Finerman)

Steve Borenstein and Rick Brody wanted to share this memory with the class.  Thanks to both of you!