Temple Screens Film to Aid Newark High School

Heart of Stone, a documentary about Weequahic High School in Newark, was screened this past Sunday at Temple Emanu-El in front of an audience of about 300 people, a quarter of whom are Weequahic alumni.

Hal Braff, co-president of the school's alumni association, introduced the film at the temple, which was written and directed by Beth Tony Kruvant. He said, "This is a movie that is about poverty—but not poverty in Somalia—poverty in Newark."

The film focuses on the prevalence of gangs inside Weequahic and the efforts by principal Ron Stone and the alumni association to maintain a safe, orderly, and educational environment. "The path out of poverty is education," Braff said in the movie.

According to the film, Weequahic is located in the territory of the Blood street gang; however, both Bloods and Crips attend Weequahic. The situation has led a dangerous environment inside and outside the building, as students wearing blue are flying the Crips flag behind enemy lines.

Stone is quoted in the documentary as saying that there is a "gang infestation" inside Weequahic High School.

The film also introduces the audience to specific students of Weequahic. We meet Sharif, a member of the Bloods but who is also an ally to the administration because of his intimidating size and ability to communicate; Rayvon, who has gone from foster home to foster home, but despite the adversity he has faced was accepted to Seton Hall University.

Weequahic, which is now attended by mostly African-American students, was predominantly Jewish between the 1930s and '50s, changing as the demographics of Newark changed.

"More PhDs came from WHS during that period," the film said, "than any other high school in the U.S."

Many of the alumni from those years are now actively trying to restore Weequahic's reputation as one of the best high schools in the country through the alumni association. In the film, the association gave $40,000 in scholarships and took students on a ski trip as well as a trip to Paris.

According to Braff, the film has won awards and has been reviewed terrifically. After the film, Braff ended a truly inspiring evening by inviting the audience to visit weequahicalumni.org for information on how to donate. He said, "If one of these kids makes it because of aid that one of us provides, what could be better?"