Compiled by Gail Umeham
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United Jewish Fund Head Outlines Plans for 1954 Campaign
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
Louis Moorsteen, newly elected president of the United Jewish Fund, announced that the 1954 campaign is scheduled to open on Monday, March 29. Selection of campaign leadership will take place during the early part of the month of February.
In 1954, the drive will lay emphasis on coverage of as many Jewish people in San Diego as possible in order to give every Jewish person the privilege and opportunity of joining with others in the great causes represented by the over 42 agencies benefitting from the combined appeal.
Great responsibilities confront the Jewish community of San Diego in 1954. “It is our duty,” Mr. Moorsteen said, “to continue the vast humanitarian programs of those agencies which carry on relief work in western Europe, Israel and the Moslem lands where our brethren continue to suffer persecution and deprivation. We also must aid them in reaching our shores in quest of a new life free from the suffering of the old world. We must do our part in supporting those institutions in our own country and in our own city that carry on welfare, educational, religious, and recreational activities. It is also our duty to help those agencies that are carrtying on the fight against bigotry and discrimination.”
Mr. Moorsteen continued, “that the Jewish community of San Diego must again understand the important role of the United Jewish Fund campaign in gathering funds for the beneficiary agencies and institutions. Were it not for this single campaign, our community would be beset by numerous drives which would be a burden in terms of manpower and actual campaign costs.”
Organizations and individuals are urged to support, with contributions and workers, the work of the United Jewish Fund and to respect the the campaign dates of March 29 to May 15. Volunteers will be badly needed. Volunteer your services by calling Belmont 2-5172.
New Temple Leader
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
At a meeting of the Board, on Feb. 1, Mack Esterson was elected president of the Congregation Beth Israel. Mr. Esterson has been active in Temple activities for a number of years and had served as membership chairman. He is a member of the board of the Jewish Community Center, the United Jewish Fund and the Federation of Jewish Agencies.
Other officers elected were Irving Friedman, vice-pres.; Dr. R. M Stone, treas.; Mrs. Jack Wyner, sec. New members of the board include Sylvan Baranov, Charles Silverman, Bernard Lipinsky, Robert Strauss, and Mortimer Rosenbaum.
Re-elected and held-over members are Mrs. Joseph Silverman, Rodin Horrow, Nathan Schiller, Nathan Baranov, Henry Weinberger, Murray Goodrich, Morris Douglas, Richard Lustig, Mrs. Maury Novak, and Ben Rubin.
Mr. Esterson stated that he thought that the new board of the Temple represented a good cross-section of the membership. He intends to establish an office in the new Temple House building where he will devote a number of hours each day to the problems of administration.
Council Urges End To McCarran-Walter Act
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
Revision of the McCarran-Walter Act “so as to reflect the traditional policy of the United States of providing a haven for the oppressed and persecuted” was called for by the Western States Region of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds at its annual Assembly held in San Diego last week.
More than 150 representatives from 16 Jewish communities in the area attended the three-day meeting. The delegates discussed and took action on major local, national and overseas problems facing American Jewry in 1954.
Adm. Baker Honored At Guardians Dinner Meeting
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
Admiral Wilder D. Baker, USN (Retired), was the recipient of the organization’s annual award as “Outstanding Citizen-of-the-Year,” Allen Ferer, president of the Guardians of San Diego, announced today. Admiral Baker was chosen by acclaim of the membership, from a group of eligibles prominent in local civic life.
“Our selection of the Admiral for this distinction,” stated Ferer, “was predicated upon his sterling performances for the civic good in the past, crowned by his great energy, leadership and inspiration that made possible the tremendous success of the recent Community Chest Drive.”
The award was in the form of an inscribed plaque, presented at a dinner of the Guardians Thursday, February 4th, in the Continental Room of the San Diego Hotel.
Previous recipients of the award included George Scott, President of the Walker-Scott Corporation; ex-Mayor Harley; and Judge Jacob Weinberger.
The Guardians, with a membership of 228 prominent local business men and civic leaders, is a contributing arm in the maintenance of the San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged.
Many prominent religious and civic leaders were guests of the organization.
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Labor Committee To Sponsor Jewish Artists
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
The Jewish Labor committee will sponsor a group of artists who have appeared in any cities of the United States, portraying in short synopsis the history of 300 years of Jewish life in America.
Beginning with the first Jewish settlers in 1654, the attempt of Governor Peter Stuyvesant to expel the Jews from New Amsterdam, and numerous highlights of the activities and contributions of the Jews to the glorious history of this country will be depicted.
“Gut Yom-Tov, Yiddin” is the title of the dramatic musical portrayal of Jewish life in American which is directed by the talented artist, Israel Weliuchansky and his supporting group—Masha Benya, unique interpreter of Yiddish and Hebrew songs; Charlotte Cooper, accomplished actress and comedienne; and Pola Kadison, outstanding pianist.
The colorful program will consist of songs, humor, drama, and music, which will be presented in San Diego on Sunday evening, March 7th, at Beth Jacob Center. The cooperation of the San Diego Jewry in making this event a successful affair will be appreciated.
] For further information and reservations, call Ben Beiunberg, BE-2-5524; Mrs. Ira Gordon, BE-3-3648; or Herrman Sunabend, AT-1-7380.
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Philip M. Klutznick To Honor San Diego with Visit
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
For the first time in many years, San Diego will be honored with a visit by the president of the Supreme Lodge of B’nai B’rith, when Philip M. Klutznick, B’nai B’rith’s newly elected dynamic president, comes to San Diego on Tuesday, February 9th.
Highlighting his short visit will be a luncheon given in his honor by Jewish community leaders at the San Diego Hotel in the new State Ballroom at 12 noon.
Mr. Klutznick will also speak to B’nai B’rith leadership of San Diego after the luncheon and will leave San Diego in the early evening.
The 46-year-old Klutznick was elected B’nai B’rith President last May, as climax to one of the most meteoric careers in the history of American Jewish life.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Klutznick received his law degree from Creighton University and was admitted to the bar at the age of 23. He had already distinguished himself by being the first National AZA debate champion and Grand Aleph Godel (International President of AZA) at the age of 18. He was president of Omaha Lodge of B’nai B’rith at 23—the youngest in Omaha’s history.
An ardent Zionist, Klutznick was president of the Omaha Zionist District and was on the National Board of the Palestine Economic Corporation. He was also chairman of the American Housing Committee for Israel at the request of Prime Minister Ben Gurion.
Morrie Kraus, past president of Lasker Lodge and member of the Executive Board of the District B’nai B’rith, is chairman of the planning committee for Mr. Klutznick’s visit. Albert A. Hutler will act as chairman for the luncheon on Tuesday. Reservations may be made either through Mr. Kraus or Mr. Hutler by calling Belmont 2-5172.
Hadassah Presents “Faith in Freedom”
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1
“Mrs. Stanley Strimling, Education Chairman, announced this week that “Faith in Freedom” is the theme for Hadassah and the monthly meeting to be held on February 17th at noon in Temple Center. It will be highlighted with the appearance of the following prominent civic leaders, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn of Temple Beth Israel, Alexander Marshall, head of the Great Books Foundation of San Diego County, Rembert James, political analyst of the San Diego Union and Paul White, nationally known radio commentator.
The entire discussion will be in panel form and Mrs. Irving Alexander is assisting Mrs. Strimling in presenting the program.
Hadassah’s Public Relations Chairman, Mrs. Sidney Goldhammer, has sent invitations to thirty leaders of local organizations to be guests of the organization that day. The entire community is invited.
Reservations for luncheon are necessary and may be made with Mrs. Walter Parker at Juniper-2-7941.
Youth Aliyah Dinner—Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah Dinner on February 22nd will be a social highlight for San Diegans when Ralph Edwards of Hollywood will present a “This is Your Life” program featuring the life story of a prominent Hadassah member. Dinner will be served in the Continental Room of the San Diego Hotel at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. preceding the festivities. Reservations are necessary and will close on February 10th. Dinner will be $2.50 per person. Reservations may be made with Mrs. John Ruskin, 4208 North Talmadge Dr., Atwater 1-6802.
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“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a daily feature until we run out of history.