Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 5
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
In the Spring, A Young Man’s Fancy….
Poets have a way of using words to create an expression of mood or feeling and music composers use a blending of notes to do the same thing. But, it does not take a poet or composer to cast a spell on some individuals which, while not caused by witchcraft, is powerful and mysterious. The seasons can do the job equally well and there are no knobs of a radio or the pages of a book to serve as an escape. One of the seasons, in particular, has become famous for the impressions it leaves on some of the younger male species.
In the Spring a Young Man’s Fan y is both the title of this column as well as the start of one of our more famous expressions. The fact that in both cases the subject of Love is the major premise should surprise no one. Why the Spring should be the time for young men to think of love has never been established, unless they come out of hiding when the winter is over. If our arithmetic is correct and statistics on marriage are accurate, then the three months until June, the so-called marriage month, should give evidence that we are prone toward short engagements.
Perhaps the busy school calendar with many social events during the last three months of the school year has something to do with it. Perhaps young men are so worn from the rigors of the severity of winter, California and Florida excepted, that their resistance is down and they are easy prey for cupid’s darts. Maybe the balmy days and nights have their effect, although these delights are more hoped for than realized in many parts of the country
It is interesting that Spring cleaning should come at the same time and whether there is any connection I do not know., Spring is also the time for huge does of molasses and here, too, the relationship with love seems far fetched.
Perhaps expected behavior causes a change of heart. Although young men can do little of what is expected of them, this may be the exception. Or, as seems most likely, some individual conceived of the idea that in the Spring a young man’s fancy turns to Love and without statistical evidence expounded on his concept sufficiently to make others believe him. Do you have any evidence to offer?
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It Happened on Passover
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 7
By Philip Goodman
“Chad Gadya,” the concluding hymn of the Haggadah, written in Aramaic, served to interest children as it is written in the same style as the nursery rhyme, “This is the house the Jack built.”
Another song of the Haggadah begins with: “Who knows one? I know one: One is the Eternal, wh is above heaven and earth,” and continues asking and answering questions up to thirteen. It is said that this was written especially as a children’s song, to keep them interested in the Seder toward the end.
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In the days of the Talmud, it was customary to make matzoh in different artistic shapes and figures. These forms were not approved by many authorities as it necessitated allowing the dough to stand longer which might cause fermentation. While the original purpose of perforating matzoh was to prevent it from rising, in many instances the perforations were utilized to form figures of animals and flowers.
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At the conclusion of the Seder service, each male Jew of Morocco places a staff and pack over his shoulder and rushes into the street shouting these words of the Haggadah: “In this manner our forefathers went out of Egypt, their kneading troughs bound up in their clothes upon teir shoulders.”
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Caucasian Jews observe the Seder ceremony with a unique custom. Several families assemble together in the home of the Chacham (Wise Man). In the midst of the service, an impressive dramatization is enacted… A knocking, made by one of the young men masquerading as a poor traveler from the Holy Land, is heard at the door. When no answer is forthcoming the young man calls and asks for permission to enter. Following a lively conversation in which the traveler gives evidence of the fact that he is a Jew, he is admitted into the room. He brings hearty greetings from the sages of Jerusalem and assures the gathering of the speedy redemption of all Israel.
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In the hills of Shechem, Palestine, the Samaritans, a small sect, who number less than two hundred and claim descent from the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, celebrate Passover today as it was observed thousands of years ago. On the eve of the festival they assemble on Mt. Gerizim, attired in long, with, flowing gowns and with due pomp and ceremony sacrifice the paschal lamb. A true description of the service as it is now enacted by the Samaritans is contained in the Bible itself. “They shall take to them every man a lamb, a lamb for a household… and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at dusk… and thus shall ye eat it; with your kins girded, your shoes on your feet and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste…
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Your Assemblyman Reports
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 8
By Sheridan Hegland
Member of the California State Legislature
I have received a number of fine letters and comments from my district favorable to the “No” vote I cast on the budget.
This proves that a number of people are concerned about increasing costs of government. During the last 12 months our population has increased in this state 3.2% But during the same 12 months our state budget, as passed by the Assembly, shows an increase of 9.4% In other words, cost of state government is increasing three times as rapidly as population.
There are a number of very fine people who support the 1970 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley near Reno. But I think it is time to look over expenditures very closely especially when five million dollars is asked for a recreational activity, in which so few will participate.
There are a number of good items in the budget including approximately $500,000 for research in the mental health program. Our state hospitals for the mentally ill are sadly overcrowded. We must face up to the very serious situation of mental illness.
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Visits Here April 19th
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 13
Senator Estes Kefauver, Democratic candidate for President, was recent winner in the New Hampshire and Minnesota primaries.
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San Diego First In Long Distance Dialing
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 13
San Diego people with dial telephones will be able to pick up their receiver and dial many of their own long distance calls to many sections of the country after the introduction of DDD April 15. Charges for these calls will remain the same.
You’ll be receiving an instructional booklet with detailed explanations of all phases of the program the first week in April.
The DDD cut-over marks the first time all dial telephone users in a metropolitan area will have access to nationwide dialing.
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(Who’s Wealthy)
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 13
Some of us can recall the day when a person who had to pay income tax was considered wealthy.
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(Marriage Bath)
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 30, 1956, Page 13
Marriage is like a warm bath. Once you get used to it, it’s not so hot.
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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, located just above the masthead on the right hand side of the screen.