MAY 23 • 2024 | 25 J N T he 1950s and 60s were a great time for Jewish kids to grow up in north- west Detroit neighborhoods. Neighbors were friendly and children played in their friends’ homes and backyards, and walked or biked to local stores with few restrictions. Two well-regard- ed neighborhood schools — James Vernor and Vandenberg —were essential to this close neighborhood feel- ing, and their alumni have held four reunions to reconnect over the years. (During those years, Vandenberg students transferred to Vernor for the ninth grade.) A 1950s-1960s reunion is planned for Friday, July 26, 2024. Reunion committee member Jules Goldman estimates that 70% of the Vernor student body was Jewish and 50% at Vandenberg. Vernor still oper- ates as a K-8 school at Pembroke and Lesure, part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Vandenberg, west of Vernor on Trojan Street, is now a charter school separate from the Detroit school system. During the 1950s and ’60s, both schools were crowded with baby boomers — the large number of children born after World War II ended. As a result, many classes were large (30 plus) and some students attended school in “portables” — tempo- rary classrooms adjacent to the school building to accommodate the overflow. Academic achievement was central to both schools’ strong reputations, and many Vernor and Vandenberg graduates have had very successful careers in the professions, business, education and other fields. While some graduates moved to other states, their reunions have helped Vernor and Vandenberg alumni stay in touch. The last reunion, held in 2019, attracted 225 people, Goldman says. This year’s reunion, which will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, July 26, at Santia Hall, 1985 Cass Lake Road, offers a buffet dinner with a cash bar. Prices start at $45 per person for paid reservations until June 25 and will increase to $50 and $55 closer to the event. Checks made payable to Jules Goldman should be mailed to him at 237 Winslow Circle, Walled Lake, MI 48390. The reunion committee includes Rick Stoler, Jules Goldman, Jill Goldman, Gary Rubin, Roberta Grodin, Jay Mellin, Richard Rubinstein, Myra Burnstein, Lois Freeman, Joe Burnstein, Steve Boodin, Karen Natow Disner, Michele Ribitwer, Jay Kozlowski and Tom Nanes. The group wants to reach as many alumni as possible and encourages transmission of their contact information and any questions to Jules Goldman at goldman237@comcast.net or by phone at (248) 770-4193. Vernor and Vandenberg Alumni Plan July Reunion SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Calling all students from the 1950s and 1960s. 24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110 Southfield, MI 48034 1-248-945-1111 24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110 Southfield, MI 48034 1-248-945-1111 What Is Your Plan?..... Call Us. We focus on Probate Litigation and Administration. Administering estates where everyone is on the same page. 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