Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Scenes from Al Hutler’s Visit to Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 7, 1956, Page 11
Some scenes from Mr. Hutler’s trip to Israel. In first picture Mr. Shlomo Eisenberg, Executive of the Jewish Agency and Mrs. Eisenberg and Moshe Sharret, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Sharret. Mr. Hutler is seen in center picture with Golda Mayers (sic, Meir) (Meyerson), new Foreign Minister and other executive directors. The great pipe factory at Ashkelon is shown in the third picture with Mr. Hutler and other Executive Directors who toured Israel on the United Jewish Appeal Study Mission.
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High Holidays and Israeli Kids Don’t Mix But Boys Town Youngsters Heed Shofar Call
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 8, 1956, Page 12
If most Israeli youngsters were to choose their favorite holidays, the odds are that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur would not be high on their list.
Not that they do not favor the period set aside for thoughtful reflection. But to the Israel teen-ager, the peals of the Shofar herald the forthcoming opening of school.
But to one group of Israeli youths, the fall holidays, signifying the termination of summer vacation and the start of school sessions, are anxiously awaited. To these youngsters — all student-citizens of Boys Town Jerusalem, the unique institution providing technical-vocational training as well as religious an academic education for gifted Israeli teen-agers — school really is different and exciting.
To them it means an opportunity to do something with their hands as well as with their minds. These boys, who are the symbols of Israel’s future, consider Boys Town more than just a resident school. They realize that Boys Town Jerusalem is the means whereby they will be trained to serve as the backbone of Israel’s economy. No one knows more than these boys of Israel’s critical need for trained artisans and technicians of all kinds – carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, welders, watchmakers and printers, as well as accountants and engineers — if the young country is to continue its growth as a modern oasis of western democracy in a barren Levantine desert of political feudalism and economic backwardness.
Tuition? Free, except to the few who can defray part of the cost. Boys Town Jerusalem is a contribution of American Jewish educators and philanthropists to the growth of Israel.
When after the cessation of hostilities in Israel in 1949, a group of American Jewish educators arrived in the Holy Land for the purpose of contributing Israel’s youth and to the growth and welfare of the Jewish State, they found that its boys, coming from diverse lands and cultures, urgently require preparation for productive living. They learned, too, that emergent Israel vitally needs a skilled and cultured citizenry for its continued development and advancement.
Their answer to these needs was the founding of Boys Town Jerusalem, a school with a modern progressive outlook, administered by American-trained educators and including a program stressing academic studies, technical-vocation al training, Torah education, and cultural integration.
With four-fifth of Israel teenagers receiving no high school education even today, the founders immediate steps were cut out for them. Boys Town provides gifted youngsters with an exemplary accelerated academic education, so that they will be intellectually trained and prepared to impart their knowledge to others. To assure their future livelihood and their positive contribution to alleviate Israel’s critical need for technically trained manpower, these boys are being trained in modern industrial skills of all kinds.
Convinced that the fourth “R” of religion is of primary importance in a truly comprehensive educational program in the Holy Land which aims to mold secure and happy Jews, Boys Town’s educators are distilling an intensive Jewish education stressing the historical, cultural and spiritual values of the boy’s land and their people.
The boys hail from both modern and backward countries in every region of the world. Thus this unique Israeli institution contributes immensely to solving Israel’s multi-faceted problem of fusing the incomprehensibly diverse elements of “returning Jewry” into its citizenry. Social anthropologists may well study Boys Town’s “cultural integration” of its various elements, to learn how youngsters from every part of the globe study, live and work together congenially, thus helping to create a modern Israeli culture.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 8, 1956, Page 12
The two jubilant ZBT delegates, Seymour Pomeranz and Sigmund Urbach, arrived (with youth’s enthusiasm) for their all-important convention to be held in Chicago. The anticipation that accompanies youth in its first visit to a big city, held the two San Diegans completely spellbound–this tension was not eased at the thought of meeting their “blind dates” later in the evening. Seymour was properly introduced to a beautiful Chicago girl and at the mention of his name, the Windy City lass said quickly: “Oh, I know you, we read the Guardian column back here!” (This true story, an unsolicited endorsement of the power of the printed word, is in the files of the Press.)
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The four Guardians assembled in the “Shvitz Bud” at the Mission Valley Club — it was relaxation time — but there was only one rub — one masseur that is; the group composed of Harry Farb, Yale Kahn, Lou Moorsteen and Lou Steiman fidgeted at the thought of waiting around doing nothing but shvitzing — then ingenuity took over — from out of nowhere there materialized a deck of plastic cards.
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Hi-Lites of the August 30th Meeting — Excellent turnout in view of the change of meeting time — guests included Bob Ross brought by his cousin, Harold Garvin; Dave Rubin and Harold Slaon both of Los Angeles hosted by Doyle Kahn–three veteran members — too long absent — helped swell the attendance — Harry Sugarman, Leo Beck and Dr. Freddy Hollander — Norman Smith, guest of Irv Kahn. Door prize donated by Eddie Bland and won by Harry Farb. Harry was immediately disqualified on a very fine technicality. — Dr. Hollander took possession of the prize, offering this logical explanation: “I paid for the ticket — Harry just talked.” The entertainment committee came of age with their presentation of Roberta Lynn, who in spite of a bothersome virus infection, gave a tremendous performance — certainly in keeping with the finest traditions of show business — this little Yiddishe maydel thrilled the very appreciative crowd.
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A Posse Raids A Minyan
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 8, 1956, Page 13
{2011 Editor’s Note from Donald H. Harrison: The following story is not correct. A posse did remove Moses Mannasse from a High Holiday service in 1859 at the Franklin Hotel but not to be a grand juror. The grand jury wanted him to testify in a criminal case. He refused because of the High Holiday, and eventually the posse escorted him to the courthouse two buildings away in Old Town. He continued to refuse to testify until after sundown, when the holiday was over.)
On Yom Kippur afternoon in 1859 a swift-riding posse of men drew up to a makeshift synagogue in San Diego, California, dismounted, forced their way in with drawn pistols, seized the tenth man of a minyan of Holy Day worshippers and insisted that he be sworn in immediately as a grand juror. The Jew was dragged away despite the pleadings of the worshippers that the most sacred Jewish day was being unnecessarily violated.
Incidents as dramatic as this run through American synagogue records which date back to the eearly 18th century. The history of American Jewry could not be gleaned without access to these minute books. Not all contain the vigilante tang of the West. However, all are of value, for they portray the inner life of the pioneer Jews who participated in the colonial wars, fought in the American Revolution and helped found these United States.
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Rosh Hashanah Message from Adlai E. Stevenson
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 8, 1956, Page 13
As Jews all over the world observe Rosh Hashanah this year, I am grateful for the opportunity to express my own hopes and prayers for the New Year.
This year, as we offer our prayers to God, we pray especially that peace and understanding may surround the brave new land of Israel and that the courageous citizens who have worked so diligently to carve out this new world may realize their fond hopes and dreams of peace and freedom.
In wishing a Happy New Year to all Americans of Jewish faith, I join with them in praying that the spirit of brotherly love — the endless seeking for peace, which are found in the ancient Hebraic teachings, can become reality this year for all men everywhere.
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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.