History of the German Cultural Society and the German Language School Westwood
The story of the German Language School Westwood begins with Hermann Warth. He was a natural leader, energetic, engaging, persuasive, and practical. He was born in Untertürkheim/Stuttgart, where he earned the equivalent of an associate degree in agriculture. After coming to the US, he became a carpenter. Hermann met his wife Else, while attending night school in Hudson County. Else was from Plauen, Saxony. Like so many other immigrants in the 1920s, Hermann and Else arrived with a simple dream of a good life. Hermann was the driving force behind the establishment of the Deutsche Sprachschule.
As German was not offered in the local schools, the Warths felt that a language
school was needed - one that would reinforce the German their children learned
at home, teach them to read and write as well as about German customs and
heritage. Their sense of identity would thus be strengthened.
During the 1960s the Warths belonged to an organization called "Federation of
American Citizens of German Descent." While part of the Federation's function
was social, the organization also actively discussed issues, supported projects
of importance to German-Americans and co-sponsored German-American Day at
Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
After having started a German language school in Hudson County, Mrs.
Gackstaetter and Mr. John Lawror approached the Federation about opening a
German language school in Westwood. The idea was met with enthusiasm from the
members, especially Hermann Warth who became the project's driving force. The
Federation provided seed money for the first year of operations.
In 1965, instruction in German commenced at Grace Episcopal Church in Westwood,
under the auspices of the German Cultural Society. With their dream off the
ground, the school's founding members gave freely of their individual duties,
hired teachers, rented space, advertised and managed the books. Bill Lutze and
Hermann monitored the hallways, making sure that students went to their classes
quietly, and answered questions from parents. Pat Lutze and Else Warth also
aided teachers in their classrooms. Christl Schoeffel taught as a substitute
when needed. Trude Kratzer, originally from Solingen, taught folk songs and
organized the Weihnachtsfeier (Christmas party) and Abschlussfeier (end of year
program), which remain school traditions to this day.
During the 70s, Else and Trude divided responsibilities when Hermann became
ill. They ran the school together for several years along with Will Kratzer, an
accountant, who kept the financial records. Although the founders of the school
were not paid for their work, they were compensated by having the opportunity to
share their language and culture.
The first classes at the school included 35 children and 8 adult students.
They were taught by John Reed and Mrs. Zip. In the second year, 55 students
were enrolled and two additional teachers were hired. By fall of 1973, the
school had outgrown the space at Grace Episcpol and moved to Zion Lutheran
School. With expanded class levels, Irmgard Janke, Christine Gaulke, John Reed,
and Heddy Neufeld taught Kindergarten, beginners, intermediate, and advanced
students.
The German Cultural Society was legally incorporated in September, 1971 with a
constitution in place. At that time, the school became a separate entity from
the Federation. It attained non-profit status and was self-sufficient through
tuition and donations. In 1991, after 26 years of devoted service to the
school, Will Kratzer received the Federal Republic of Germany Friendship Award
at the German Consulate in New York City. This award symbolized the recognition
of the efforts of all of the founders of the German Cultural Society.
In 2005-2006, the German Cultural Society taught over 140 students with
both adult and children's classes. The school is registered with the German
Federal Department of Education and receives financial support from the German
Government. With this support, plus corporate and private donations, the school
is able to realize the dream of its founders and help spread awareness of
German Language and culture. The school continues this mission with principal
Barbara Lester, along with our enthusiastic faculty and board.
Our founders...
 Hermann Warth |
 Elsa Warth |
 Hildegard Warth-Kaufmann |
|
|
 Gertrude Kratzer |
 Bill Lutze |
 Pat Lutze |
 Dietmar Schoeffel |
 Christel Schoeffel |
