Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
The School Board and the Bible (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 5
In re-reading “The World of Sholom Aleichem” by Maurice Samuels this week, it struck us that Jews in America have not come too far away from the old problems which faced European Jewry in the last century.
In those days the ghettoized Jew knew he had no rights and struggled to live within the oppressive forces of restricted travel, housing, schooling, etc. He wore his religion as a suit of armor “against the slings and arrows of misfortune.”
What brought this picture sharply into focus for us was the incident of the Gideon Bible and the School Board. The front page publicity, the telephone calls, letters from crack-pots, and the “rally” meetings really frightened a lot of Jews who normally could be counted upon to stand up and fight for the rights of others.
Some felt tht the distribution of Bibles to graduates on school grounds was not a big enough issue on which to take a stand. Others said that in spite of the fact that the law was clear and forbade distribution, it would be interpreted that we were against the Bible if we pointed out the law to the school officials. There were those who felt that our public relations with the non-Jewish community would be seriously damaged if we opposed the Gideons. They suggested that the wiser course would be to band together with other groups (of which there are many) and thus not stand out alone. Whatever course was taken, you may be certain the Jews would be singled out to be denounced by extremists, anti-Semites and those who wait for just such an opportunity.
The recent pronouncement by Attorney General Pat Brown made clear the intent and spirit of the law in California regarding distribution of religious literature on school grounds. Several years ago the distribution of Bibles was halted at Grossmont and National City High Schools through suits instituted by interested parties. At that time the climate of opinion allowed for a due process of law of our State, with overtones of emotionalism.
An overriding fear of Communism has driven many otherwise fair minded and clear seeing people to see dangers where no threats exist. In the present climate of opinion, the Bible is a symbol of anti-Communism. However, the antidote to Communism is not to flout the laws protecting our sacred heritage of freedom of religion and preserving the separation of church and state—but to safeguard these laws.
In our opinion the School Board officials by avoiding a decision, placed an unfair burden upon a minority group. It is our hope that inasmuch as the question will arise again in September that these officials will face up to their responsibilities , as have other groups in the nation.
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Heart Assn. Holds Annual Meet June 24
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 5
The annual meeting and no host dinner of the San Diego Heart Association will be held June 24, 7:30 p.m. in the Town and Country Club, Judge Ronald Abernathy, president of the Association announced today.
Guest speaker will be Lawrence Clark Powell, Ph.D., eminent librarian and teacher of speech at the University of California. His topic will be “Shake Well and Speak.”
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Letters to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 5
My dear sir,
Am submitting my poem to you as per our telephone comversation.
I am a Negro born in the state of Michigan, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Sims. My mother being raised in a Jewish neighborhood also speaks the Yiddish language. She has always taught us to love the Jewish people and we have always done so up until this very day. I assure you that it has been a great blessing to us.
After the State of Israel was formed, I was sitting in our living room thinking how I as a Negro could express my joy in their liberation in poetry. I picked up a pencil and started writing and this poem is the result of this occasion. The original copy, a 10 x 14 on cardboard, was sent directly to President Weizman A few months later I received a letter from the State of Israel by his private secretary, Y. Kimhi, thanking me and sending a blessing to my family from the Holy Land.
I trust you enjoy it as much as I did in writing it. May The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ever bless Israel and the Jewish people, for I am certain that they deserve it.
Respectfully,
Clayton T. Foster
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‘God Beless You Dear Israel’
By C. Thomas Foster
Tho persecuted for many years,
Your brave people calmly stood;
You wandered far way with fears,
But now you’re home for good.
The God of Faithful Abraham
Gave promise long ago;
That He would not forget you,
No matter where you’d go.
Tho pressed thru trials of every kind
And subject to distress;
Your people settled in their minds
Thru hardships they would press.
Until that day you would be free
And go back Home to stay
For in Palestine you longed to be,
You visualized that day!
Now Israel, you’re a Nation too.
You’re happy and we’re glad;
I see the Works of God, don’t you?
No longer are you sad.
Yes, Israel you now are One
Your dreams have come true;
Oh praise the Lord, for all He’s done;
Brave Israel, we’re for you!
May the blessing of the Mighty God,
Rest on you, day by day.
And keep you joyful as you go
About your work each day.
We Americans are real proud of you.
Our prayers for you shall be:
That God will Bless and Prosper you
And keep you Safe and Free!
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 5
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
Children at Work
By now the shouts of happy children have died down and the busy school custodians are diggin though their empty desks to clear them of any forgotten articles which the children might have neglected in their rush to start their summer vacations. The children themselves are just getting the school cobwebs from their “tired’ minds and are beginning to fall into the routine of two months away from books, teachers and the threat of grades.
That is, most of them are. Some, of course, are back at summer school They are part of the group of “Children at Work.” To them schooling is their lot for six or more weeks. Before they can enjoy a vacation they must “work” – at least it is work to them.
Work is of a different sort for some of the other children. Those of sufficient age are scurrying around the department stores, seeking work for the summer. Others try the dime stores, the concessions at the amusement center or zoo, or as ushers in the local movie theatres. But these are but a few of the many activities in which children at work find themselves. Others include mowing lawns, serving as baby sitters, packing the purchases in the food markets and carrying them to cars, and even going from house to house selling magazines.
Even the very young fry may be hard at work, although it is not as prevalent as before. Remember how we could tell the first sign of summer when the youngsters set up show with the orange crates, pitchers
and glasses. Lemonade was only a penny a glass in those days.
There are many pros and cons to the question of whether children should work. True, they need a vacation but the long vacations we have now were based less upon the needs of the children for a vacation and ore upon their need to assist the parent on his farm. Out of this, and with the decrease in farming opportunities, we find that children still get their long vacations without the pressing need. True, a vacation is advisable but there is a question in the minds of some educators as to whether or not we should modify our vacation schedule.
Whether the child should work depends upon his age, his need for maturity, the needs of the family for assistance, and whether the child has other social and emotional resources which would offer as much benefit to him as the opportunity to learn independence and something about the world of work. We all admit, of course, that even if the child does spend some time in work he needs part of the vacation period for relaxation and general enjoyment.
Yes, this is the period when children are at work. All will profit from the experience and perhaps from it many will again welcome the coming of the new school year.
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Local M.S. Chapter Wins Recognition
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 5
San Diego, June 13 – The National Multiple Sclerosis Society today announced that the San Diego Branch Chapter has been awarded full chapter status. The local society has earned this position because of the progress made in local research, rehabilitation, patient welfare and educational programs, according to Don S. Stone, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Ward W. Woods, chairman of the local chapter’s medical advisory board, urges all those afflicted or knowing of anyone who suspects M.S. to call the local society at BE-4-8388, or contact the office, Room 415, 1017 First Avenue.
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Deceased
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
Irvine M. Schulman, 68, passed awa on June 13th. Funeral services officiated by Rabbi Morton J. Cohn , were held at Benbough Mortuary. Entombment was at the Cypress View Mausoleum.
Born in New York, he moved here in 1911 from Seattle. He was a former director of Security Trust and Savings Bank here, a member of Blackmer Lodge F&AM; Al Bahr Shrine Temple; B’nai B’rith Lodge and Congregation Beth Israel.
Survivors are his widow, Flora; three sons, Victor J., Leon and Norman L.; a daughter, Mrs. Avalon Shannon and four grandchildren, all of San Diego.
The family wishes to express their thanks for the kindness shown them during their time of bereavement.
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Hyman Schwartz, 63, passed away on June 10h. Funeral services were held at the Lewis Colonial Mortuary; entombment in Sholem Mausoleum. Rabbi Monroe Levens officiated, assisted by Cantor Jos. Cysner.
Mr. Schwartz was a member of the North Park Business Club, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, the Men’s Club at Tifereth Israel Synagogue and the B’nai B’rith.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Schwartz, of San Diego; three sons, Arthur of New York, Sol of Los Angeles, and Gerald Selasko of San Diego; one brother, Isadore Schwartz of New York; two grandchildren.
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Tifereth Israel Men’s Club Hold Sixth Annual Roast Beef Dinner
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
On Sunday, June 26th, 1t 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Center, TIFISRA members, their wives and friends, will get together for their annual roast beef dinner.
This should be an outstanding treat for the lucky gourmets who attend, since the inimitable chef Lew Feller and his able staff of assistants (the seven mules) are going to prepare dinner.
Chef Fuller, who has cooked for some of the best heads in the country, crowned, bald, and knuckle, has promised to out-do himself, and states that guests need not bring baking soda, mints, or any other digestive aides. He, personally, will be responsible.
Dinner will be followed by a social evening, cards, etc., and reservations can be made by calling the Sjhule, AT-1-5529 or BE 9-904- or BE-9-9429.
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Council Women Set Area For Rummage
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
An innovation in the operation of the Thrift Shop for the Council of Jewish Women for the pickup of merchandise has been instituted this month under the direction of Mrs. Paul Belkin, Vice President in charge of Thrift Shop, and Mrs. David Sapp, chairman of the Project.
The whole membership of Council has been divided into geographical units and a pickup chairman has been designated for each area under the general direction of Mrs. Leo Dietrich, JU-2-3640.
A campaign is underway this month to contact every Council member to contribute any discarded clothing, bric-a-brac, dishes, etc., so that the shop which is located at 2205 Logan Avenue, may have continuous stock. In the event anyone is interested in contributing, the following women are serving in the following areas:
Close to Town: Mrs. W. Richartz, BE-9-5447 and Mrs. A. Rosenfeld, CY-8-2366; Mission Hills: Mrs. Edgar Levi, CY-5-6385 and Mrs. David Sapp, CY-5-4322; Middle East San Diego: Mrs. Hyman Gendelman, AT-1-3002 and Mrs. Rita Gerber, AT 2-6726; Kensington, Mrs. Ralph Cohen, AT 2-2677, Mrs. David Horowitz, AT-1-4127 and Mrs. Louise Feller, AT -2-7344; Talmadge: Mrs. Robert Zlotoff, AT 1-5673; East San Diego: Mrs. Paul Belkin, JU-3-8657; Mrs. Ben Lemson, JU-2-7628; Mrs. M. Pomeranz, JU-2-7855 and Mrs. Leo Dietrich, JU-2-3640; College area: Mrs. Stanley Hymes, JU-2-5391; La Mesa: Mrs. Wm. Schwartz, HO-6-5945; Loma Portal: Mrs. Clark Moore, AC-3-5726 and Mrs. G. Burnett, AC-3-1502; Point Loma, Mrs. Leo Levitt, AC-2-6538, Mrs. Wm Missler, AC-3-8706 and Mrs. H. Wolff, AC-3-1951; Coast Area: Mrs. Ted Schiller, HU-8-1100; Chula Vista: Mrs. D. Epstein, GA-2-6436; and Coronado, Mrs. Dave Ferer, HE-4-8487.
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“Golden Nugget Nite” Set for July 10
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
Beth Jacob Men’s Club will hold its annual “Golden Nugget Nite” at the Beth Jacob Center, 4473 30th Street, on Sunday, July 10, from 6 p.m. on. Proceeds of the affair will augment funds to meet the coming mortgage payment.
Highlight of the evening will be the various card games, amusement novelties and entertainment of every description plus the famous Beth Jacob kosher home-cooked dinner made by the Ladies Auxiliary and which has proven so popular in the past. Cost of the dinner will be $1.75 per person and will be a full course meal including such dishes as mother used to make like gefilte fish, kugel, delicious brust braten (roast beef), compote, and many other delicacies.
That evening someone will receive a 5-day all expense trip to Las Vegas for 2, including round trip air transportation. The lucky person need not be present and the donation is only one dollar. Tickets can be procured from any member.
Price of the dinner also entitles you to obtain a free opportunity to receive a valuable prize. In recent years this event has turned out to be the grandest in town for a good meal and an evening of fun. Plan to be there and bring your friends.
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(Dancing Waters)
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
“Dancing Waters,” a fabulous display of water, lights and music, will make its second appearance at the 16th annual Southern California Exposition and County Fair, June 24 through July 4.
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City of Hope Aux
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
Our Auxiliary is introducing a new policy this year – we are having one major fund-raising event – our Donor. We have dispensed with our Musical Concert and our Annual Picnic.
We are therefore asking all members and contributors to this most worthy cause to make their donations at this time. Funds are vitally needed to keep this world renowned Medical Center in operation.
If everyone could have heard Chet Huntley’s appeal on the June 12th Telethon, we feel sure that funds would be pouring in — San Diego fell far behind its goal on this T.V. Marathon. We know that many of you could not get Channel 5 and the lack of newspaper publicity in San Diego kept many people from being informed of this program.
Please send your donation to our President, Ethel Berwin, 4833 Canterbury Drive, San Diego 16, or phone Jeanne Camiel, CY-5-2566 or BE-4-9595 and I will come after them!
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Public Welfare Department Sponsors Booth At Fair
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 24, 1955, Page 6
“What your welfare department does” will be the theme for the display of the S.D. County Dept. Public Welfare at the Del Mar Fair. The booth’s cost is being met by voluntary contributions from employees who are also donating their time for planning and staffing it.
Fair visitors are invited to see the booth, ask questions, and learn for themselves exactly what services are rendered by this department.
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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.