Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, April 15, 1955, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Actor Kirk Douglas is joined at UJF dinner by, from left, Mrs. Wm. Carter, Mrs. Bernard Arenson, Mrs. Milton Roberts and Mrs. Gabriel Berg

14 Percent Increase Reported in Fund Drive
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Pages 1, 3

With a determination by all campaign leaders and workers to obtain a minimum 25 percent increase, the 1955 Campaign of the United Jewish Fund was launched at the “Kick Off” Dinner on April 2.

Featuring Hollywood film star Kirk Douglas as the principal speaker, over 200 community leaders. present pledged $73,000 to give the Appeal an excellent send off.

Campaign Chairman, Max Rabinowitz, and his Vice-Chairmen, David Sapp and Edward Breitbard, announced that the $100,000 mark had been reached in the first two weeks of the Campaign. This amount represents a $24,000 increase over last year’s record of gifts from the same contributors or a 14 percent increase in the first $100,000 according to Rabinowitz.

The Chairman also stated that the Drive was moving on schedule with April 24 planned as “Magic Carpet Day.”  He urged everyone to make their pledge immediately so that the Campaign could continue to move speedily.

Though intensive campaigning was scheduled from april 18 to May 15 because of Passover holidays, Chairman Rabinowitz reports that the Business and Commerce Division and Professional division started immediately following the Dinner.

Chaired by William Colt and Harry Wax, “C” Week for business districts and trades has resulted in speeding the campaign. First divisions to report are Jewelry with Jack Spatz and Irving Schneider as Chairmen; Furniture, Ben Harris and Jerome Freedman; Downtown, Dave Stotsky and Robert Strauss; Food, Seymour Rabin and Maury Novak; Liquor, Zel Camiel and Yale Kahn.

The men of the professions have been working harder this year than ever before under the chairmanship of Dr. Joshua Rittoff and Dr. Walter Ornstein. Reports have come in from Physicians, Dr. Oscar Ravin, Chairman; attorneys, led by Norman Seltzer; Optometrists, Dr. Seymour Kuntz and Dr. Edward Markowitz. Accountants are working under the direction of Edward Baranov, and Dr. Richard Disraeli has been soliciting Dentists.

Edward Janowsky and Leonard Sherr began the solicitation of San Diego Teacher as part of this phase of the Drive.

“Incentive” groups now hard at work are Histadrut with Ruben Umansky as Campaign Chairman; B’nai B’rith Lodges and Chapters; and the “New Life” Club with Carl Friend as Chairman.

 “New Life” Club, a group of “New Americans” many of whom were aided to immigrate to San Diego through the Fund, have already contributed over $300 to the 1955 Campaign.

Commenting o the results already secured to date, the three leaders stated that the 14 percent increase should encourage the entire community to raise as quickly as possible the rest of the $220,000 so desperately needed by our health and welfare service.

The Campaign goal of $220,000 represents a $45,000 increase over the amount raised in last year’s Campaign.

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“It’s Our Baby” Says Women’s Div. of U.J.F.
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Pages 1, 3

“It’s Our Baby—Raise It Right” will be the keynote of the second Women’s Division luncheon to be held on Tuesday, April 19, in the Don Room of the El Cortez Hotel.

With $15,323 raised toward their goal of $35,000 the Women’s Division continues to move forward as the committee plan their “Join the Family” affair.

For women givers to the Fund of $25 and upwards, the luncheon will present a theme based on your link with the future, according to Mrs. Gabriel Berg, Chairman. Forty social leaders of the Jewish community will host the luncheon “’To Raise The Baby right” which promises to be a major social event of the season. 

Hostesses which have invited over 800 women to attend are:

Mrs. A.J. Bard, Mrs. Leo Beck, Mrs. Fred Belkin, Mrs. M.S. Berlin, Mrs. Alfred Bobrof, Mrs William Breitbard, Mrs. Earl Brodie, Mrs. George Burnett, Mrs. William Burnett, Mrs. Ben Carnot, Mrs. Sam Cohen, Mrs. Paul Cudney, Mrs. I.L. Domnitz, Mrs. Morris Douglas, Mrs. James Feuerstein, Mrs. Herbert Gordon, Mrs. Ben Harris, Mrs. David Horowitz, Mrs. Lewis Kipperman, Mrs. Edward Kitaen, Mrs. Al Lapides, Mrs. Bernard Lipinsky, Mrs. William Moss, Mrs. Max Nelson, Mrs. Paul Nestor, Mrs. Sol Price, Mrs. Seymour Rabin, Mrs. Sam Rassin, MRs. Herbert Reder, MRs. John Ruskin, Mrs. Sanfrod Sack, Mrs Norman Schulman, MRs. Wm. Schwartz, MRs. James Shannon, Mrs. William Solof, Mrs. George Solomon, Mrs. Ben Urbach, Mrs. Harry Wax, Mrs. Morris Wax, Mrs. Leonard Zlotoff.

Reservations for the luncheon  may be made by calling any of the hostesses or Mrs. Naliboff at BE 2-5172.  You are invited to be a guest of the Women’s Division of the 1955 United Jewish Fund campaign.  “Every Jewish woman in our community who has any understanding of her responsibilities is expected to be present,” Mrs. Berg stated.  “This,” she continued, “is as much a woman’s responsibility as a man’s and we must do our share.”

Mrs. Berg said that if the second luncheon is as successful as the Big Gifts Women’s Division luncheon there is no doubt but that the Women’s Division will go over its mark of $35,000.  At the Gold Plate Luncheon which was held in the Franciscan Room of the El Cortez Hotel almost $14,000 was raised.

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Linda Solof Weds Bruce O. Witte in Candlelight Ceremony
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

On the candlelit, flower bedecked altar of temple Beth Israel, Linda Harriet Solof became Mrs. Bruce O. Witte. Rabbi Morton J. Cohn officiated the ceremony which took place at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 2rd.  “I Love You Truly” and “Because” were sung by Cantor Julian Miller.

Linda is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Louis Solof and Bruce is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Witte.

The bride, looking like a Dresden doll, wore a gown of white Chantilly lace over taffeta, with a foaming skirt of draped tulle between vertical bands of lace that ended in little nosegays, a pleated tulle flounce and Chapel length train. She carried her sister’s white bible with three white orchids and stephanotis.  Her finger tip veil of French illusion was held with a Queen’s crown of seed pearls and iridescent sequins.

Attendants were Janet Solof, sister of the bride, who was maid of honor and bridesmaids Susan Solof, Mrs. Robert Skepner, Judy Wulburn, Esther Lustig and Barbara Levin.  They wore sky blue tulle over taffeta gowns and carried cascade bouquets of white roses and blue delphinium.

Sheldon Sackheim was best man, and ushers were Mike Witte, Jerry Krasne, Irwin Schwartz, Murray Kaplan, Ronald Greenberg and Dave Tobias.  All wore powder blue dinner jackets.

A dinner for the bridal party, close friends and out of town guests followed the ceremony at the El Cortez Ballroom.  Later 600 guests attended a reception honoring the bridal couple.

The mother of the bride wore a gown of greyed blue net over taffeta; the groom’ mother wore a French blue Alencon’s lace gown over chiffon and taffeta.  Mrs. Julia Winsberg, grandmother of the bride, wore a Periwinkle blue lace gown; Mrs. Jennie Rubenstein, grandmother of the groom, wore a Wisteria blue lace gown over taffeta.

The bride wore a jeweled  white, linen dress, accented by black and white accessories for traveling. After the honeymoon the young couple will reside in San Diego. The bride attended UCLA, where she was a member of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority; the groom is a graduate of State College and served as president of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.  He is an electronics engineer.

Out of town guests from Chicago, Ill., were Mr. Ben Ehrlich, Mr. and Mrs Sam Aronberg, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Aronberg, Mrs. Jack Victor and Steven, Mrs. I. Ornstein, Mrs. Ben Rubenstein.  From El Paso, Texas: Mr. and Mrs. Milton J. Beinhorn; from San Francisco, Bill Jenkins and Joel Goldfus; from Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. A. Ehrlich, Mr. and Mrs. C. Ehrlich, Mrs. Ben Rosenthal, Gloria Rosenthal, Mr. and Mrs. J. Levy, Mrs. Weinstein, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Greenberg and daughter Merle, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Adler, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Miller; from Las Vegas, Mrs. Pauline Jenkins.

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Sandra Schissel Honored
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

A miscellaneous shower at the Mission Valley Country Club was given to Sandra Schissel by Mrs. Alan Geist, Bobbe Recht, Mrs. Sheldon Sackheim and Barbara Mallen.  Also honoring the bride with a shower on April 3rd were Mrs. John Ruskin, Mrs. Sid Smith, Mrs. Rudolph Hess and Mrs. Ray Bass. Forty guests attended at the home of Mrs. Smith.

The rehearsal dinner will be held  April 16th at the Temple House.

The wedding will take place at “Temple Beth Israel on April 17th.

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Ruth Brody Betrothed
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

Mrs. Chas. M. Brody of Jersey City, announced the engagement of her daughter, Ruth, to Philip Kraft, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kraft of San Diego.

Miss Brody is a graduate of New Jersey State Teachers College and teaches in San Diego.  Mr. Kraft attended S.D. State College. The young couple plans to be married early in July.

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Bar Mitzvah Boys
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

Services for the Bar Mitzvah of Michael Richard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Julius L. Brown, will be held on Friday evening, April 15th at Temple Beth Israel.  A reception will follow the services in Temple Center.

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The Bar Mitzvah of Jeffrey Martin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Lipinsky, will take place on Friday evening, April 22nd, at the Beth Israel Temple. A reception will follow the services in Temple Center.  Friends are relatives are invited to attend.

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Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

Mr. and Mrs. David Levy left for Denver on April 12th to attend the wedding of their niece, Ruth Betty Mann, to Louis Shoen.  On their return trip, they will visit friends and relatives in Salt Lake City.

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Jane Cohn, an honor student at S.D. High School, received a $3,000 educational scholarship from Geo. A. Scott Dept. Store. Jane is the daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Morton J. Cohn.

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Another charmer was added to the TWA staff when Jean Gordon, daughter of Mr. and MRs. Bob Gordon, went into training as a stewardess.  Jean left for Kansas City last Saturday and all her friends wish her a “happy landing.”

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New Yorkers visiting Alan and Nancy (Bloom) Geist were Mrs. Grayce Geist and Mrs. Sheldon Bernstein, mother and sister to Alan.  During their six weeks stay they were houseguests of Mr. and Mrs. Sol Bloom.

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2nd Lt. Arthur Belenzon, son of MR. and Mrs. Max Belenzon, has reported for training with the Air Force at Lackland Air Base near San Antonio, Texas.

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Sisterhood Sets Happy Day Fund Luncheon
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

Honoring those who have filled their Happy Day Fund Banks and those who have become Sisterhood members during March and April, Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood will present a gala luncheon and Fashion Show in the Temple Center on Wednesday, April 27, at 11:45 a.m.

Under the very able direction of Mrs. Abe Sklar and her Co-chairmen, Mrs. Charles Silverman, an exceptionally fine luncheon is planned. Featuring styles as new as tomorrow, the Gladys Scott Smart Shop will present a show with fashions…suitable for all tastes and occasions.

While newcomers to Sisterhood who become dues paying members during March and April will be the guests of Sisterhood, all others may attend by presenting a filled Happy Day Fund Bak or a Happy Day Fund donation in the amount of five dollars.

Reservations are being accepted now by Mrs. Sklar, CY-8-6740 or Mrs. Silverman, aT 2-6945, or any Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood officer.

Classified
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2

Wanted – Single gentleman or two men to share two bedroom apartment near Manor Hotel.  Phone day, 10-5 eve, after 6 p.m. GR 7-1566 or CY 5-9808.

Women Wanted – Several girls to address, mail postcards. Spare time every week. Write Box 161, Belmont, Mass.

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Calendar

Southwestern Jewish Press, April 15, 1955, Page 2
 April
16th –Sat – “Marital Problems” –Discussion – Couples Club – T.I.F. Center
17th-Sun – 5 p.m. –“Family Night” –Tifereth Israel Sisterhood – T.I.F. Center
19th –Tues—Women’s Division Luncheon –U.J.F. – El Cortez
29th—Wed., noon – Accessor Fashion Show – Luncheon – Hadassah-Temple Center
20th– Wed, 8:30 p.m. – J.W.V. Auxiliary Installation – War Memorial Bldg.
27th – Wed, 11:45 a.m. – “Happy Day Fund” – Luncheon – Fashion Show – B eth Is. Sisterhood – Temple Center
27th – Wed, 12 noon – Bay City B.B. –Installation – Luncheon – Mission C.C.
30th – Sat eve – Annual Spring Dinner Dance – Beth Israel Men’s Club – Recruit Depot

May
1st—Israeli Day Celebration – Cottage of Israel
8th –Yomaco Bowling Party – El Morocco Club

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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.