Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Oct. 19, 1956, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

United Jewish Fund Sets 23rd Annual Meeting December 8th

Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 1

The Annual Meeting of the United Jewish Fund will be held on Saturday, December 8, 1956, according to William B. Schwartz, Co-Chairman of the Committee making plans for this event.

The twenty-third Annual Meeting of San Diego’s central community organization will break with the tradition of the past by having a dinner dance in the Banquet Room of the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park.

Not only will the annual gathering carry on the business of the United Jewish Fund, including election to the Board of Directors, announcements of the distribution of the money raised in the 1956 campaign, and honoring of community workers and leaders, but there will also be a Victory Dance to celebrate the successful 1956 campaign in which over $204,000 has been raised, according to Schwartz.

Dinner and dancing will cost $3 per person. Invitations will be in the mail during the month of November.  Members of the committee planning the twenty-third annual meeting are Dr Walter Ornstein, Chairman; William B. Schwartz, Co-Chairman; Maury Novak, Henry Price, Mrs. Samuel Friedman, and Mrs. Abe Ratner.

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Labor Zionist Hold Annual Dinner October 29th
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 1

On Sunday, October 28, the Chaim Weizman Branch of the Labor Zionist Organization of America, will hold its Annual Dinner, in Tifereth Israel Center. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m.

A top notch program has been arranged with Mr. Albert Hutler, Exec. Director of the United Jewish Fund as guest speaker.  During his recent visit to Israel, Mr. Hutler took motion pictures in color which he will show this evening. The reports of everyone who have already seen these pictures have been enthusiastic.

Entertainment will be in keeping with the spirit of the occasion.  “Chef” Stan Yukon will prepare his specialty Swiss Steak.

Reservations should be in by Tuesday, Oct. 23.  Please  phone Philip Abrams, JU-2-4749,  or B. Veitzer, AT-2-7886.

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National Council of Jewish Women Sponsor Friendly Social Art Club
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 1

An event of more than usual interest and importance will take place on Sunday, November 4, at the Home for the Aged, when the Friendly Social Club will present a public showing of paintings and crafts executed by its members under the direction of Mr. Robert Imberman. The show has been arranged in cooperation with the Jewish Community Center, of which the club is an affiliate, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Hebrew Home for the Aged, and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Hebrew Home. Staging of the show is being handled by students and faculty of the Art Department of San Diego State College.  Art critics, city and county officials, and representatives of many community agencies are expected to attend.  Mrs. Herbert Reder and Mr. Phil Abrams are in charge of the event. 

The creative activity program for “senior citizens” is an important part of geriatric planning, and the Friendly Social Club, which represents the best in this type of planning, is a unique project in this city. For this reason, Center and Home officials as well as authorities in the field of geriatrics agree that public awareness of the success of  the Club’s art workshops may lead to increased use of such programs iwth other groups of older people.

Aside from the educational aspect of the show, local artists who have already viewed the work to be displayed state that many of the pieces have good artistic quality and are worthy of display on this basis alone.  It is hoped that it will be possible to send the show to other communities after its local premiere. A reception will complement the show, and the public is invited to attend.

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San Diego To Greet Distinguished Guests At Bond Dinner Oct. 23
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 1

Mayor Charles C. Dail and the City Council today announced they will hold a civic reception at luncheon Tuesday, October 23rd, at 12:15 p.m. in the Grant Hotel, where leading citizens will meet His Excelency Reuven Shiloah, State of Israel Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States.

Shiloah, who will address a city-wide banquet in behalf of Israel Bonds on the same evening in the El Cortez Hotel, is being tendered the luncheon in recognition of his outstanding service to the cause of democracy.

The civic luncheon, sponsored by a committee of leading citizens, will mark the first occasion in San Diego’s history which gives another country’s Minister Plenipotentiary the opportunity to meet in person the members of this community, both in and out of office, who have played key roles in the progress of this city.  Accompanying the Minister will be Dr. Avraham Biron, Consul-General of Israel to the 11 Western States.

Jack O. Gross, Chairman of the Tuesday night dinner at the El Cortez for the State of Israel Bonds, announced that the reception given by Mayor Dail and the City Council is indicative of the interest aroused here by Shiloah’s visit.

“Mr. Shiloah,” Gross stated, “is one of the world’s most eloquent spokesmen for democracy.  His purpose in being with us– to foster his country’s economic security through sales of Israel Bonds–appears to have found understanding and support everywhere.  The American public is awake to the fact that Israel is a democracy and that the situation in the Middle East requires that we do what we can now to strengthen that democracy.

Shiloah will deliver a major address at the Tuesday night dinner in the El Cortez.

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War Hero To Speak at Sabbath Services

Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Pages 1, 7

Ben Kaufman, Medal of Honor recipient

Ben Kaufman, National Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. and the only living Jewish holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor from World War I, will highlight  the first Sabbath Eve program of San Diego Post 185, J.W.V. on Friday, October 26, at 8:00 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 30th and Howard. 

Later in the year Post 195 has programmed services at Temple Beth Israel and Beth Jacob Synagogue, also featured by outstanding Jewish national personalities.

Post Commander LeRoy Seckler promises the night to be a memorable one in San Diego for Brotherhood of Jews and Christians. Representatives of all local veteran and fraternal organizations and civic leaders have been invited.  The Post Auxiliary will host the Oneg Shabbat following the services.

Chaplain Elihu Rickels of the 11th Naval District and Past State Commander Harry Apelman have planned a full day of visitations at the local naval and marine installations.

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Jewish Welfare Board Regional Conference To Be Held in Frisco
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 1

“The Western States Regional Conference of Jewish Welfare Boards is being held in San Francisco, November 10-12.  This is a joint meeting involving the totality of Jewish Welfare Board services to the American Jewish community,” said Mr. Morris W. Douglas, Chairman of the San Diego USO-Jewish Welfare Board Armed Services Committee.

Delegates to this conference from San Diego are Mrs. George Katz and Mrs. Sidney Newman.

There will be separate meetings and work shops dealing specifically with matters of concern to those interested in the Armed Services Division, USO work, and the Jewish Community Center fields.

The Western States Regional Conference, comprising the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Western Texas, contain some 150 or more military installations and veterans’ hospitals currently being served through the volunteer structure of USO-JWB programming.

Keynoting the Armed Services Division work shop series will be Chaplain Elihu H. Rickel, Assistant District Chaplain, 11th Naval District.

Scheduled as discussion leader for an Armed Services Division work shop is Mr. Milton Fredman, Vice-Chairman, Jewish Welfare Board, Armed Services Division, Sixth Army Area, who will moderate a panel discussion on pre-induction orientation.

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Allocations Comm. Hold Open Hearings on October 21st
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Pages 1,3

Distribution of the monies raised in the 1956 campaign will be the topic for discussion at the Allocations Committee Open Hearing to be held this Sunday, October 21, in the State Ballroom of the San Diego Hotel, Dr. Joshua Rittoff, Allocations Chairman, announced today.

More than 12 national, Israel and Overseas Health and Welfare Agencies will be represented at the Open Hearing, and will make their official request before the members of the Allocations Committee and all those in the community who are interested. Organizations which have indicated that they will be present at the hearings, which will begin at 10 a.m., are:

United Hias Service, Yivo Institute, American Jewish Congress, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish War Veterans, Hebrew Union College, National Community Relations Advisory Council, United Jewish Appeal, National Jewish Welfare Board, Union of American  Hebrew Congregations, Hebrew University, Technion, Jewish Committee for Personal Service.

Dr. Rittoff stated that his committee had been working towards the Open Hearing, and had made a careful study and analysis of all of the requesting agencies.  Over 75 Overseas and National Agencies have requested money from the 1956 campaign and every consideration will be given to their appeal.

The public is invited to attend the meeting which will begin at 10 a.m. and finish at 3:30 p.m., and to attend the luncheon at 12:30 p.m.  All events will take place in the State Ballroom of the San Diego Hotel.

Members of the committee who will make the recommendations to the Board of the United Jewish Fund are:

Dr. Joshua Rittoff, Chairman; Mrs. Jack Binderman, Edward Breier, Isaac Domnitz, Mrs. Louis Feller, Stuart Ferer, Stanley Foster, Carl Friend, Martin Gleich, Arthur Goodman, Alex Maisel, Dr. A.P. Nasatir, Mrs. Abe Ratner, Herbert Reder, Mrs. Milton Roberts, william Schwartz, Abe Sklar, Mrs. Leo Smollar, Dr. R.M. Stone.

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Abraham Sklar

Gets Appointment
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 1

Abraham Sklar, well-known San  Diego merchant and Jewish communal leader, has been appoiinted to the National Council of the Joint Defense Appeal, it was announced by Philip E. Hoffman, chairman of the Council.

Joint Defense Appeal is the fund-raising arm of the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith,, the nation’s oldest and largest community relations agencies combating anti-Semitism and strengthening harmony between all races and faiths.

Mr. Sklar is a former president of the B’nai B’rith Henry Weinberger Lodge No. 370 of San  Diego. He is a member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce.

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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.