Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
This Can Happen Only In America: The Methodist “Guardian of Israel”
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 7
By Harry Golden
In a small town in the deep South, the Jewish community, about twenty-five families, organized a congregation and made plans to build a Temple. The Christians of the town were enthusiastic. In addition, the Methodist minister offered the use of his church for Friday evening Sabbath services until the Temple was constructed. All of this happened last November. The Jewish members were grateful and began to use the beautiful Methodist church for their Sabbath services. One of the laymen, with considerable learning, acted as Reader, and once a month or so, a visiting Rabbi occupied the pulpit. The Methodist minister personally appeared every Friday evening to open the church, turn on the lights and greet each of the Jews with “Good Shabos.” About the third or fourth Friday evening, the Methodist minister took a seat in the rear of the church, picked up a Jewish prayer book and participated in the service. After that he may have skipped a week or two but along about January, he had become a ‘regular.” And honored guest. Well, sir after about five or six weeks of this, the Jewish members began to show a little nervousness. During the week the Methodist minister would stick his head in one of the stores and in perfectly good humor call out “Joe, you weren’t at services last Friday.” Joe smiled but his heart wasn’t in it. Thus under the “watchful” eye of the Methodist minister, the Jewish congregation achieved one hundred percent attendance, but every single Friday. Even when a fellow was out of town or actually sick in be he made sure that the Reader made the announcement from the pulpit. “Joe Landberg could not attend services tonight – he is in New York on a buying trip He’ll be back Tuesday.” And you can bet he’ll be there the following Friday night—early. But that is not the end of the story. As I witnessed the next development, I did not know whether to cry or laugh.
Along about April it gets very hot in that town. Most of the folks have cabins at the beach. The wife and children go down early in the week and the husband joins them Friday afternoon. The temperature begins to average 94 degrees in the month of May. On Friday nights it is always five degrees hotter. What to do?” Who would tell him? Finally a couple of fellows took the bull by the horns. “Dr ___, we have imposed on you long enough. We have met in your beautiful church for six months now. Enough is enough. You have been too kind.” “But your Temple is not yet finished,” said the Methodist; but the Jews would have none of it. “No, Dr., until our Temple is finished we’ll meet in our several homes.” The Methodist appeared to be a bit downcast, but everything seemed to be all right. On Sunday, the Methodist asked his Board of Stewards to remain after services for a special meeting. He said, “Look gentlemen, the Jewish Temple is only half finished, but the members feel they have imposed on us too much. Up till now they have been meeting here on my personal invitation. Let us make it official church business. That should make them feel better.” On the following Wednesday, the weekly paper carried the good news. The Stewards officially offer the use of the church until such time as the Temple is ready for use. The news of course came like a bolt out of the blue and for the next few days the twenty-five Jews kept walking back and forth to see what progress was being made on the new construction. But they weren’t even working on the roof yet.
For Rosh Hashanah the Temple will be ready, but nowhere else in the county will a congregation match the attendance record during July and August of this small congregation in the deep South.
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Cantor I. Dubner To Sing At Services
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 7
Cantor Israel Dubner will be heard “davening” fir the first time at the Beth Jacob Synagogue High Holiday services. His beautiful tenor voice and knowledge of Hebrew musical intonations has won him renown and will greatly enhance the listeners’ enjoyment of the prayers and chants.
Cantor Dubner was the soloist for the famous Hakibutz Hadati Chorus in Israel and served as Cantor of the Shaarei Zedek Synagogue in Tel Aviv. Those who have already heard him in San Diego were well pleased with his voice and delivery and expressed delight with Beth Jacob for obtaining him.
He will also serve as teacher and principal of the Hebrew School and promises a comprehensive and high level of Hebrew, Jewish and musical education. He can be reached at AT-2-6749.
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Local Leader Gets Jewish Welfare Post
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 7
NEW YORK – Milton Fredman, San Diego, has been named to the 1956 biennial national convention committee of the National Jewish Welfare Board (JWB).
This is a committee planning JWB’s next convention, to be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, April 5-8, 1956. The committee is composed of 200 Jewish community leaders from all parts of the country.
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Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 7
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Temple Beth Israel High HolyDay Services
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 8
Rosh Hashonah evening services at Temple Beth Israel will be held on Friday, Sept. 16th, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Morning services will begin at 10 .m. on Saturday.
Rabbi Morton J. Cohn will speak at the Friday evening services on “The Quest for Inner Peace.” His sermon on Saturday morn ing is entitled “On Being Jewish.” The augmented choir under the direction of Cantor Julian K. Miller will beautify the services with traditional Rosh Hashonah music.
Admission to the services is by card only. Non-members who wish to obtain seats may do so by communicating with the Temple Secretary, 2512 Third Avenue, Belmont 9-0149. Military personnel in uniform or showing identification cards will be welcomed most cordially as guests.
Shabbos Shuvah will be observed Friday evening, Sept. 23rd at 8 p.m. Rabbi Cohn will preach on “Judaism: The Hope of the World.”.
Yom Kippur will be ushered in with Kol Nidre Services at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25th. All who attend are urged to be in their seats early because no one will be admitted during the chanting of the Kol Nidre, which opens the service.
Rabbi Cohn’s Sermon will be on the subject “The Meaning of Sin.”
Atonement Day Services will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26th and continue throughout the day. At the morning serices Rabbi Cohn will preach on “My Kind of Judaism.”
During the Chidlren’s Service at 1 p.m. all children whose birthdays occur in August and September ill be called to the Altar for blessing. The Yizkor (Memorial) Service will begin at 3:45 p.m. and theconclusing service (N’llah) will begin at 4:30 p.m.
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Women Needed for United Success Drive
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 8
United Success Drive leaders appealed to women throughout San Diego yesterday to volunteer as doorbell ringers or office workers during the current campaign.
Mrs. Walter R. Broderick, chairman for the entire residential drive in San Diego, said more than 7,000 women are still needed to help in the block campaign.
The campaign calendar calls for completion of recruitment of the district chairmen by Sept. 22, and doorbell ringers by Sept. 30. The actual residential dirve will begin its block by block progress through the city on Oct. 10, Mrs. Broderick said.
Mrs. R.H. Alexander, chairman of headquarters volunteers, said women are also needed for all types of office work from telephoning through typing, sorting and addressing envelopes. United Success Headquarters is at 3535 Enterprise St.
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New Director To Speak To Hospital Women
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 16, 1955, Page 8
The over 800 members of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Donald Sharp Memorial Hospital will hold their quarterly meeting Monday, Sept. 19, 7:03 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Ohio Street.
Guest speaker at the meeting will be Dr. Aaron Raisin, newly appointed director of the hospital’s Heart Center. This center is sponsored by the San Diego County Heart Association.
At the meeting, reports on the Women’s Auxiliary newest projects will be given. These include arranging television for the hospital’s patients in their rooms, when permitted by the physician.
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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.