Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staffSouthwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Pages 1,8
Jewish Welfare Agencies Hold First Annual Meeting
San Diego’s Jewish Welfare organizations will gather for a joint annual meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 1955 in the Don Room of the El Cortez under the sponsorship of the San Diego Federation of Jewish Agencies.
The dinner meeting will hear Julius Bisno, Executive Director of the Jewish Welfare Fund and the Jewish Community Council of Los Angeles and a noted community organization expert deliver the feature address.
Carl M. Esenoff, President, will summarize the work of the Federation at this meeting. Election of new members of the Board of the Federation as well as for the Jewish Social Service Agency, Jewish Community Center and Jewish Community Relations Council will also take place.
This year’s Annual Meeting will mark the completion of five years of San Diego Federation Activities. Formed in 1949, with Carl Esenoff as its first president, the Federation is the central planning , coordinating and financing body for a group of four vital local agencies: Jewish Social Service Agency, Hebrew Home for the Aged, Jewish Community Center and Jewish Community Relations Council. Funds for the operations of the Federation and its constituent agencies are provided through the United Jewish Fund campaign.
Mr. C.W. Carlstrom, local business executive and Civic leader who has been interested in the work of the Federation and who has assisted it in many ways will be honored at the Annual Meeting for his interest in assisting needy children of all races, creeds and nationalities in San Diego. MR. Carlstrom made it possible a few years ago for the Federation of Jewish Agencies to accumulate a fund of money to be used for Jewish children in San Diego.
A pictorial display by all of the local agencies will be on exhibit for all members of the Jewish Community to view. Reports of the activities of the Federation Agencies will be printed and reviewed at the meeting. Federation agencies last year were allocated a total of over $40,000 by the United Jewish Fund. The Federation itself is a factor in promoting economies in all the Agencies. It provides a wide variety of essential services to the constituents including a consolidated insurance program, all of which central services make for saving money for the local community. The Federation, in its primary function of planning and coordinat(ing) activities eliminates duplication, assures economical operation and distributes the available funds so as to maintain a balanced social welfare program.
*
Attention: All Aliens!
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 1
It is mandatory that you register during the month of January with the Department of Immigration and Naturalization. Every member of your family who is 14 years old or over must register and file his own form. Parents file for children under 14. If there is any question about this, or if you need help with the forms, you may go to the offices of the Jewish Social Services Agency, 333 Plaza, Belmont 2-5172 for assistance.
*
Jewish Center Dinner Set for January 8th
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Pages 1, 8
Vince Bennett, star of stage and screen whose comedy antics have spied many an important banquet from coast to coast is coming to San Diego, Saturday. He will be the principal entertainer at the dinner at the El Cortez Hotel which will open the campaign to raise funds for the Jewish Community Center of San Diego.
Bennett is probably one of the most famous of the “Ribbers” and has insulted everyone from presidents to kings. One of his most famous acts is to be introduced as a famous speaker who is supposed to talk in behalf of some cause. He winds up by insulting everyone connected with it.
Just what he will do at the El Cortez dinner is a secret. Sidney Posin, director of the Jewish Community Center and Irving E. Friedman are in charge of the event.
Rodin Horrow is chairman and will be master of ceremonies at the dinner. It will be in the Don Room of the El Cortez beginning at 6 p.m. Other leading personages in the Community Center movement are Ed. A. Breitbard, president of the Jewish Community Center and Maury Novak, Sidney Rose and William B. Schwartz, vice-presidents.
Principal speaker at the dinner with be Robert Levison, vice president of the national Jewish Welfare Board and past president of the San Francisco Jewish Community Center.
The campaign leadership is Headed by Harry Wax, chairman and Leo Beck, Morris Douglas, Rodin Horrow and Louis Steinman, co-chairmen.
The Women’s League of the Jewish Community Center is headed by Mrs. Sidney Rose, president and Mrs. Leo Beck, Mrs. Seymour Rabin, and Mrs. Bernard Lipinsky, vice presidents.
The Jewish Community Center has three acres of land on the east side of 54th Street, north of University Avenue on which they plan to build a Center. IT will contain a gymnasium, swimming pool, club room, arts and crafts, nursery school, library and general offices.
*
Hegland, Sankary Start Assembly Duties
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 1
Wanda Sankary, newly elected Assemblywoman from the 79th District today presented a resolution on the Assembly floor which was voted upon and concurred in bythe Senate, commending Mrs. Kathryn T. Niehouse, Mrs. Sankary’s predecessor.
Mrs. Sankary took her oath of office January 3rd, along with 79 Assemblymen, two others of whom are women, and 40 Senators.
The San Diego delegation has succeeded in obtaining desks together so that they are seated in one spot in the Assembly. The delegation, however, split in its vote upon the Speakership race. Sheridan Hegland and Jack Schrade voted for H. Allen Smith, whereas Wanda Sankary and Frank Luckel voted for Luther Lincoln, who won the Speakershnip by a vote of 41 to 38.
The reason that the Speakership race was so hot and furious was that the Republican ranks were split, theDemocratic ranks were split, the Labor Unions were split, and as stated above, the team from San Diego, which will ordinarily act as a body, was split in half.
*
Lasker Lodge B.B. Holds Installation January 9
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 1
This Sunday at Mission Valley Country Club, the Lasker Lodge No. 370 B’nai B’rith will hold their annual installation of officers for the year 1955. Milton (Mickey) Fredman has been elected to serve as president for the year. Other officers to be installed are Dr. Milton Millman, 1st Vice-President; Marshall B. Zucker, 2nd Vice President; Edmund Herman, 3rd Vice President; Joseph Kaplan, Financial Secretary; Lawrence Rubinstein, Recording Secretary; Samuel Bennett, Warden; Hyman Kobernick, Guardian; Ted Brav, Jeremiah Aronoff, Harry Kessler, Louis Levitt, Edward Breitbard, Sidney Rose, Jack Spatz, all elected to the office of Trustee. Ralph Feldman, retiring president has been elected to the office of Chaplain. A pre-installation dinner is scheduled at the Mission Valley Country Club to begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
If you are planning to attend the dinner, please make a reservation by calling Joe Kaplan at AT 2-5136. Those who do not wish to dine but want to attend the installation service are requested to be present at 8:30 p.m. A dance will follow the installation.
*
Dr. and Mrs. De Sola Pool To Speak For Hadassah
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 1
The San Diego Chapter of Hadassah cordially invites all members and friends to attend a luncheon meeting on Wednesday, January 19, at 12 p.m. at the Temple Center, to honor our distinguished visitors, Dr. and MRs. David De Sola Pool.
Dr. Pool has the distinction of being the spiritual leader of the oldest congregation in the United States, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York City, founded in 1654 and now celebrating its tercentenary. In recognition of her untiring efforts on behalf of humanity, Tamra De Sola Pool was named the “Jewish Woman of Achievement for 1954” by the Women’s International Exposition. Dr. and Mrs. Pool are co-authors of “An Old Faith in the New World,” a 300 year history of the first American synagogue, published by the Columbia University Press.
Mrs. Gabriel Berg and co-chairman, Mrs. Elmer Wohl, have a capable committee consisting of Mmes. William Moss, Rodin Horrow, and Louis Steinman. Reservations are necessary and must be made with Mrs. E. Al Slayen, HO-9-4434.
*
March of Dimes (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 2
A unique characteristic of our American society is the value we place upon the life and dignity of each individual.
In many lands, the sight of the miserable and ill, huddled in alleys and doorways, is so common that it passes almost unnoticed. In the United States the life or death of a single person may become a matter of national concern … a little girl trapped in a well, a kidnapped baby, a child lost in the woods.
We do not attempt to put a price on a single life nor the value of mending it. We know that here we are dealing with the priceless.
Similarly, we refuse to accept the inevitability of disease and suffering. We band together and fight them. An outstanding example of this is the fight against polio – the March of Dimes.
In this fight, millions of men and women believing in their individual importance and in their collective strength, have joined hands in typical American fashion. They move forward with unfailing determination, buttressed by the satisfaction that is common to those who do battle in a good cause.
For the fight against polio… for the task of mending lives… give to your 1955 March of Dimes.
*
New Year Wishes (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 2
We wish the best for all our friends and supporters, who make possible the existence of a small, free voice in the ever-contracting world – to the United Jewish Fund for its never-ceasing effort on behalf of people, institutions and causes everywhere—to the federation of Jewish Charities, which is trying manfully to weld this community together –to the Jewish Community Center, now on a drive for funds to build a desperately needed place for cultural, recreational and educational programs for our expanding community – to Beth Israel, Beth Jacob and Tifereth Israel Synagogues for their efforts to make Judaism the focal point of Jewish life – to the any Jewish organizations, who labor so diligently in the fields of Public Relations, Aid to Israel and Community Welfare—to the many unsung and unheard of volunteers who serve the organizations all year round — to the too-few people who try to give our community a little culture to lift us out of the daily humdrum of living –to all those who try to make this city a better place to live in we wish the best for the new year!
*
Success Drive is Success (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 2
We’re proud of the community and the people who live in this great San Diego area.
We took on one of the biggest jobs this or any other community ever tackled, and we came through with a truly successful Second United Success Drive.
This is not editorial “we,” for thousands of us planned, worked and gave to bring about the community success. We all had a share in it, from the initial planning through the public goal setting, to the hard work and considered giving of the campaign itself.
Look at what we have accomplished:
We have raised $1,340,000, the greatest amount ever raised in a single campaign, and $53,000 more than last year.
We have increased the numbers of people working in the campaign from 10,000 to 15,000 and the number of gifts to more than 185,000.
We have combine d three more agencies into the united appeal, thus eliminating three campaigns, and the Coronado Community Chest joined the Success Drive.
We have almost doubled the amount of support for vital Red Feather health and welfare services in two years.
And we have reinforced our national reputation as a community where people know how to get things done. We have discovered that there really isn’t any job too big for us when we work together.
We have united, and we have succeeded in the Community Cause!
*
As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 2
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
Signs of Maturity
Parents are confronted with a confusing problem early in the lives of their children. On the one hand, they catch themselves dreaming of the time when their youngsters will be self-sufficient independent beings. On the other hand, they look with askance and displeasure, with a touch of nostalgia, as they watch the children going their individual ways, wishing “for the good old days” when the youngsters looked to them for direction and support.
Although these signs of growing up may be a source of ambivalent feeling on the part of the parents, the signs of maturity may be less real than they are. There is more to maturity than the desire for independence, although this is one of the earliest indications. Esentially, maturity consists of both physical as well as psychological growth.
Growth involves a process which we call maturation. We mean, by this, that development which occurs either before or after birth as the result not of learning but of bodily changes determined by heredity acting over a period of time. For example, children will walk when they are ready and not because of training by parents. Physical changes in boys and girls appear because of their maturation process.
Psychological maturity is influenced in much the same way. We are expected to desire independence, in a small measure, even as early as the age of three. While maturity is expected at each age level in our development, in many individuals one or more signs of arrested maturity may appear. We can assume, however, that the proper undertaking of man is to move from immaturity toward maturity.
One sign of maturity is to be found in what we call the psychological age. This is a basic factor in intelligence and can be determined by psychological testing. At each age level we expect a child to succeed in ever-increasingly difficult tasks or to indicate greater comprehension of abstract concepts. Reasoning should be clearer and more direct. Unfortunately, the other signs of maturity do not readily lend themselves to psychological measurement.
Another sign of maturity is found in the ability to resolve emotional conflicts according to socially acceptable methods. The individual does not allow unresolved problems to follow him all through his life, too afraid or unable to come to grips with them. Essentially, then, a neurosis is one sign of immaturity. That does not mean that every immature adult is neurotic.
There are other signs of maturity. The ability to learn and to do the things in life expected for the individual’s age, the acceptance of responsibility, the completion of tasks, whether they be imposed on him or self-imposed, the ability to make social relationships and to function as part of a social group, the ability to give as well as to receive, all these are additional signs. Mere physical development is not enough to attain maturity. Signs of maturity are equally evident in behavior.
*
More About Three Hundred Years in America ~Jewish Contributions to American History
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 2
By Dr. Philip L. Seman, University of Judaism
We will in this chapter discuss the Jewish Community Center Movement; we think of it as an entirely new development, or as an invention of modern days. This is a mistaken idea, for as we look into past achievements as far back as Solomon’s Temple, we are confronted with the fact that there virtually was the first and the most comprehensive of community centers. Not only was this center beautiful in architecture, but it was most complete as far as its physical facilities were concerned for the social and religious functioning of the Jewish Community of Jerusalem and its surrounding territory.
Music and art, poetry and dancing had their being there. Jewish holidays were celebrated. There was no expression latent in the hearts or in the minds of any of the citizens and the community which did not find an outlet. IT was a real community center, for it expressed the life of the Jew outside his home. Nothing went on with the community without it first having the fullest opportunity for expression in the Temple.
After the first and second destruction, there was a lull for quite a number of centuries so far as this type of functioning was concerned. Later, however, with the development of the synagogue in the Middle Ages, the latter took the place, at least in part, of the community center. Outside of the religious function, the synagogue offered an opportunity for education as well. To be sure the education was very largely limited, if not entirely, to the study of the Talmud and other Hebrew lore.
The social and recreational life of the people, however, was also given large expression there. All the great holidays were celebrated with magnificence and splendor. The entire community would center within the confines of the synagogue and its environment. All of the cultural expression of the community found its being there. For all intents and purposes, recognizing the fact that the community was quite concentrated and all the Jews of the community were known to one another, the synagogue represented the finest expression of the Jewish community center. It meant to the members of the Jewish community what the New England town hall meant to the citizens of the respective communities in Old New England.
In the early days of this country, the synagogue functioned in the same capacity. One needs only to recall, as we have in previous chapters, the early history of the synagogue in Newport, R.I., to recognize the fact that in this community the synagogue was a community center, not only as far as the Jewish congregation was concerned, but was a focal point for the whole urban community, as was evident during the early revolutionary days, when for some time, in fact it was used as headquarters for George Washington (to be continued).
*
(Directional Situation)
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 7, 1955, Page 2
The man who finds himself down and out soon finds his friends are up and away.
*
“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.