Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 14
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
(Note: During Irving Stone’s tour of military duty, this issue of the column has been written by his wife, Rosanne Stone)
Be Yourself – In Atlantic City a few nights ago, a beautiful girl was crowned Miss America of 1955. Part of the contest included answering three questions presented to each finalist by the judges. One of the questions went something like this: “What would you consider of utmost importance in your role of Miss America?” Miss California, who later won the title, replied to the effect that she felt Miss America should not let her title change her, but should continue being the same person she was before attaining the crown. She also added a bit about people becoming famous and going “high hat,” along with other changes.
We liked her simple answer and the sincere way she had of expressing it. And somehow, although we thought all of the girls were Miss Americas in one way or another, we were happy with the final decision. We hoped this 19-year-old girl was truly expressing the qualities we find desirable and admire in American womanhood.
Today, in a rapidly changing world, we find it often a struggle to even know ourselves, let alone remain ourselves. One of the dictionary’s definitions of personality is “an integrated group of emotional trends, behavior tendencies, etc.” But we may very likely find from time to time that our trends and tendencies do not necessarily serve us too well in the many different, changing circumstances of today. For example, during one phase of our existence we may find that being distinctly individual is considered admirable and outstanding. Circumstances can change, however, and one day we discover that these traits may be considered as being “different” and even “eccentric.” The various social groups in our society all have different attitudes toward behavior and personality traits. So the growing, developing individual sometimes finds it difficult to know just how to be happy and to be accepted.
To “Be Yourself” and to be happy while accomplishing this is no easy task.
There isn’t room enough in this whole newspaper to enumerate the many and infinitesimal personality trait we all have. We can touch on three important character traits, however, which bring personal satisfaction and will aid us in retaining a major share of our individuality as well.
When we learn to accept others for themselves, our own chances of acceptance have increased greatly. When you are able to like Joe “just because he’s Joe,” you stand a greater chance of being liked because you are you. There has even been a song entitled “Just Because You’re You.”
Almost before we can learn to accept whole-heartedly, we must learn not to weigh one another too heavily in terms of judgment. In order to bolster our own faltering egos, we find it very easy to say, for instance, “Patsy must be a bad girl; she smokes cigarettes at 14 years of age.” When we learn to look further than her smoking and to say “Patsy must be unhappy or mixed up; she already tries publicly to impress others with cigarettes,” we start judging and we start understanding.
What may seem contradictory and yet can help greatly, in this struggle to be ourselves and to be happy, is the advice that we should never really expect to be accepted for ourselves alone. Only an infant or small child has that wonderful privilege of being loved in spite of everything. One of our rude awakenings in life is when we start hearing that grim word “responsibility” and we soon learn the meaning of it. We are responsible in seeing that we allow our personalities to grow and develop as much as possible. When we can be ourselves we make this development possible.
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Preparations Being Made for Jewish Community to Greet Mrs. Roosevelt
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 14
Leaders of the Jewish community were completing preparations for the visit of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt to San Diego o November 11.
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center, Mrs. Roosevelt will help celebrate Armistice Day by addressing the community at 8 p.m. in the Russ Auditorium on the subject of “America and World Leadership.”
Mrs. Jack Ritoff, was announced as general chairman of this outstanding feature of the forum and lecture series provided by the Center.
Members of the Advisory Committee selected by Edward Breitbard, president of the Jewish Community Center, are Rodin Horrow, Sol Price, Louis Steinman and Mack Esterson, Henry Price and Morrie Novak. Committees will be appointed in the next week including ticket sales, patrons and sponsors, reception, publicity, arrangements and program.
Breitbard stated that every Jewish organization in the community would be given an opportunity to participate and to share in this unique and major event for the Jewish community.
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Community Center News
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
Teen-Age Activity—There will be a Yom Kippur Dance sponsored by the Teen-Agers on Thursday, Oct. 7th, at the Jewish Community Center. Tickets must be purchased in advance as none will be on sale at the door. A committee is hard at work on plans now and it should prove to be a gala occasion. For further information, call the Center.
Holiday Closing – because of the Jewish holidays, the Center will be closed on the following dates: Rosh Hashonah, Monday, Sept 27th, 5 p.m. to Wednesday, Sept. 29th, 7 p.m. Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Oct 6th, 5 p.m. to Thursday, Oct. 7th, 7 p.m. Succoth, Monday, Oct. 11th, 5:30 p.m. to Wednesday, Oct. 13th, 7 p.m. and Monday Oct. 18, 5:30 p.m. to Wednesday, Oct. 20th, 7 p.m.
Junior Hi Activities – The Junior Hi Lounge group will continue to meet Monday nites at the Jewish Community Center and the new hours will be from 7 to 8 p.m. All 6, 7, and 8th grader are welcome to join the group. An admission charge of 10 cents covers the cost of refreshments.
A beginners ball room dance class will start on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Jewish Community Center. Four sessions are now scheduled for the following dates: Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 3 and Oct. 20. The fee will be $2.00 for the four sessions or $.75 per lesson for Center member. Fees for non-Center members will be $3.00 for the four sessions or $1.00 per lesson. All fees are payable in advance. The group will probably continue throughout the remainder of the year if sufficient interest is indicated. An excellent teacher has been engaged. The group will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. on the dates mentioned above.
Point Loma Program – A program at the Portuguese Assembly Hall, 2818 Addison St., for youngsters between the ages of 5 and 12 will be resumed on Friday, Sept. 24, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Activities will include Arts and Crafts, Games, Ballet and Creative Dance lessons. The size of the classes will be limited so that parents are urged to register their children early. Reservations may be made by calling the Center at Atwater 1-7744 or can be attended to at the Assembly Hall on Friday, Sept. 24. The fee will be $10.00 for ten sessions for Center members and $15.00 for non-members. All fees are payable in advance.
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Poale Zion Group Annual Dinner September 19
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
Due to unforseen circumstances, Professor Guy Davis has had to cancel his appearance at our second annual dinner on Sunday, September 19, in the lounge of the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park at 6 p.m.
We are very fortunate, however, to be able to substitute for him, Mr. Alex Berner who, too, has just returned from a round-the-world tour in the course of which he visited Israel.
Mr. Berner has a rich and varied background of organizational experience gathered in Israel, Canada and the United States. On his recent tour he represented the United Israel Appeal in Australia and New Zealand. He was the West Coast Director of the American Friends of the Hebrew University.
Reservations can still be made for this dinner by calling Cypress 6-4587, Atwater 4-3028 or Atwater 2-7886.
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City of Hope Aux
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
President Ethel Berwin asks that all members make a special effort to attend the first business meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 21. Luncheon will be served at 12 noon in Beth Jacob Center. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.
A Memorial Fund Luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 21, in memory of Founder Anna Shelley. Mark your calendars – more details later.
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Birdie Stodel Chapter, B’nai B’rith Women
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
Back to school and B’nai B’rith is the theme for the Birdie Stodel No. 92 membership luncheon to be held at the Beth Jacob Center on Monday, Sept. 20 at 12 noon.
Mrs. Robert Rivers, chairman and Mrs. Marcy Berwin, co—chairman are in charge of affairs. Mrs. Morrie Kraus, president, extends a cordial invitation to all. Phone BE-3-6909 or AT-4-8480 for reservations.
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Special Notice
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
The Aid to Israel Card Party scheduled for Sunday, October 10,1 954 by the Bay City B’nai B’rith Women has been postponed for a later date. Drawing for the Rotisserie will be held the night of the Donor Dinner Dance, October 24, 1954.
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Temple Sisterhood Breakfast Sept. 22
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
Reservations are now being taken by Mrs. John Ruskin, AT-1-6802, and Mrs. J.H. Gruenberg, AT-4-7256, for the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood’s gala “Breakfast with Sisterhood,” scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, at Manor Hotel.
Mrs. Sydney Goldstein is the over-all luncheon chairman in charge, with Mrs. William Richartz and Mrs. Jules Levin as co-chairmen. Mrs. Herbert Eber, Program Chairman, is providing an outstanding, all-new, participation show, with a Master of Ceremonies who is well known for both his wit and his work on the legitimate stage.
Those attending the September 22 Breakfast will also hear the first details to be released concerning Temple Beth Israel’s gigantic Ways and Means project, set for February 6.
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(Hebrew Home)
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
Application for admission to the Hebrew Home for the Aged may be made through the Jewish Social Service Agency, 333 Plaza, BE -2-5173.
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Beth Jacob Invites All Sisterhoods
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
The first meeting of the season for Beth Jacob Sisterhood will be held the evening of Sept. 20 at Beth Jacob Center. Members of Beth Israel Sisterhood and Tifereth Israel Sisterhood are cordially invited to be guests at this meeting.
New president, Esther Brisker, will outline plans for the year including the dinner and fashion show for husbands and wives scheduled for October 26.
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Cottage of Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
At the fourth annual open meeting of the Cottage of Israel, the following officers were elected for 1954-55: President, Seymour Gates; vice-president, Dr. Hy Parrell; Rec. Sec., Martha Feiler; Fin. Sec., Bess Borushek; Treas., Phillip Abrams; and delegates to the House of Pacific Relations, Rose Brooker and Bertha Veitzer.
Just as soon as all alterations are completed at the Cottage, the display committee will meet to set up plans for new displays and renovation of old displays and equipment.
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(Prosperity)
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
Don’t live in the past-no one has ever backed into prosperity.
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New Subscribers
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 15
H.E. Blakeman
George Swerdlow
Ernest Green
Josef Schwarz
Martin Green
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Tifereth Israel Religious School To Open September 19
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 16
Tifereth Isrel is extremely proud of its fine Religious School staff. All teachers are either of professional standing or with long experience. The Rabbi will serve as Principal of the School, and will be assisted by MR. Joe Gordon, who will be his Administrative Assistant. Mr. Gordon has been recently appointed Vice-Principal of the Crown Point School in Sn Diego. Members of the staff are as follows: Naomi Hirsch, Dorothy Tornheim, Helen Gordon, Rose Tokars, Minnie Price, Binnie Brooks, Robert Cohen, Sonny Demberg, Ralph Kress, Lester Tokars and Bernard Zavidowky. Cantor Cysner will direct the musical program of the school. Mr. Leon Elkind will teach the Hebrew class, and Freda Mallen will serve as School Secretary for the fifth year.
Our School system is under direction of the Education Committee, Mr. Sandy Alter, Chairman. Members of the committee include Gertrude Sarfan, Ruth Newmann, Sydney Smith, Freda Mallen, and Henry Bowman. All matters relating to the school may be directed to Mr. Sandy Alter, or the Rabbi.
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“Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a regular feature until we run out of history. To find stories on specific individuals or organizations, type their names in our search box.