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Six bundles of balloons, each with different color schemes, lined the stage, representing six different Newark high schools.

On Sept. 22, more than 70 residents of the 55 and over community gathered at the clubhouse at Concordia in Monroe to reminisce about their shared hometown in "A Newark Retrospective."

Marilyn Mix, who grew up in Newark, graduated from Weequahic High School in 1950, and taught there and at other public schools in the city, organized the afternoon program.

"I would like to welcome people from my era of the 30s, 40s, 50s and even the early 60s," Mix said in her opening remarks. The program, she said, would focus on the "heimish neighborhoods" in which the residents grew up. "I loved my block and I loved Newark. It will always hold a special place in my heart and mind."

During this period, Newark had a large and vibrant Jewish population with a peak of approximately 75,000 in 1940. The Weequahic section of Newark was the epicenter of Jewish life in the city, with an estimated 35,000 Jewish population at this time.

Residents reminisced about growing up in Newark as they shared stories about the schools, sports, entertainment, and, perhaps the most popular topic, food.

"Today we're going to talk about what we at Concordia always talk about: food," said Adrienne Fein.

Names of local butchers, restaurants, and bakeries were frequently mentioned, soliciting refrains of recollection from the vocal and enthusiastic crowd.

Several residents also sang songs and recited chants from their youth, with the crowd joining in as if hardly any time had passed since they last uttered the words. One Weequahic High School cheer captured the Jewish character of the neighborhood:

"Give a yell, give a good substantial yell, and when we yell, we yell like hell. And this what we yell: Ikey, Mikey, Jakey, Sam, we're the boys that eat no ham. We play baseball, we play soccer, we keep matzahs in our lockers. Aye, Yiye, Yiye, Weequahic High."

Not to be outdone, alumni of the rival South Side High School then countered with their own cheer:

"Bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, that's the lingo. South Side High is out to win today. It's bound to be a victory, so what's the use to play. Bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, that's the cry. Fight, fight, fight, with all your might, for dear old South Side High."

The program also recognized famous (and infamous) Newarkers from the era including novelist Philip Roth, professional baseball player and U.S. spy Moe Berg, former New York Mayor Ed Koch, and even gangster Abner "Longy" Zwillman.

Residents praised the tight-knit nature of the community, with several mentioning, for example, how backdoors were left unlocked and children were free to roam the city without fear for their safety.

"I'm listening to what everyone is saying and of course it brings back a lot of great memories," said Blanche Silver, a 1950 graduate of West Side High School. "Growing up in Newark was great -- the families, the neighborhoods -- it was wonderful."

Donna Gelesky, clubhouse director, said that the program had been in the making for more than a year, though she did not expect the event to be as popular and draw such a large crowd.

"Though we thought it'd be interesting, we never thought it would take off the way it did," she said. "I'm sure they've gone to reunions, but we have six schools represented here today. They all moved here and they can come together today and rekindle old friendships."

"This is exciting for me because I didn't realize that there were so many people in Concordia from Newark because when I walk around, what do I hear about? I hear about Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island," said Fein.

Many residents who spoke said that they were proud to hail from Newark.

"I talk to my kids and tell them about Newark and I'm so proud to have grown up there in that era," Paul Lipkin, a 1960 graduate of Weequahic, said.

Following the event, Mix told The Jewish State that she was surprised how many people were willing to share their memories about Newark, given that many were reluctant to speak when she had previously asked.

"Maybe it was the comfortable atmosphere -- that people were open to sharing their memories about growing up in Newark," Mix said.