(Courtesy of Teaneck Historical Society) As Teaneck nears its 125th birthday, a local writer has produced a lovely present for those who want to learn more about the township’s rich and diverse past.
On Jan. 27, Arcadia Publishing Company released the newest in its series of local-history books chronicling, in words and rarely seen pictures, the story of Teaneck—starting from its original Lenni-Lenape Indian inhabitants through a century and a quarter’s worth of events, people and decisions that have shaped the Teaneck of today.
The book, “Images of America: Teaneck,” was written by local author Jay Levin, who writes that Teaneck is a “community of myriad distinctions; exemplar of successful municipal management, ‘model town’ deemed worthy of emulation, college town, and in the 1960’s the first majority-white community in the United States to voluntarily integrate its school system.”
The book is sponsored by the Teaneck Historical Society in cooperation with the Teaneck Public Library. A book sale and signing with Levin is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, in the Teaneck Public Library.
The Teaneck Historical Society considers publication of the book its first major achievement as well as a project that has helped bring many of Teaneck’s longtime residents and key institutions together in a common cause. Soon after its founding in 2016, the Historical Society contacted Arcadia Publishing and helped recruit Levin to compile and write the book.
In addition to highlighting many of the township’s milestones, the book also includes background about many of Teaneck High School’s prominent alumni, including General Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff under President George W. Bush; former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali; film critic Leonard Maltin; and singer-songwriter Phoebe Snow. It also mentions the contributions of Paul A. Volcker Jr., chairman of the Federal Reserve and son of Teaneck’s first township manager; and David Stern, former commissioner of the NBA for 30 years, both of whom recently passed away.
The 128-page book is available for sale locally at the township clerk’s office in the municipal building, the Teaneck Public Library, and at Brier Rose Books, at a special discounted Teaneck price of $20. Profits from those local sales of the book will go to the Teaneck Historical Society, which was founded three years ago with support of Age-Friendly Teaneck.
The regular cover price of the book at Barnes & Noble Bookstore or online through Arcadia Press will be $23.99.
