Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Oct. 19, 1956, Part 4

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 7

By Julia Kaufman

“Dyed in the Wool” — You’ve met them — in fact, you might be one … the dyed-in-the-wool Republican or Democrat. After several people told me during the primaries about their family traditions and loyalties, I decided to check back into the history of both parties and find out just what significance the names hold.

The theory of the founder of the United States Constitution was that the nation would have no political parties. But parties began to develop even before the Constitution was adopted. From that date to the present there have been over 25 political parties with a confusing overlapping of names.

Democratic Party –Jefferson, whose principles were nearly the same as the present Democratic party, called himself a Republican as the opponent of Monarchy. The opposition at that time called Jefferson’s party ‘democratic” Republicans as a term of derision.  In 1828, 27 years later, Andrew Jackson was the first candidate to run for President under the “Democratic” Party as it is known today.  Democrats claim, however, a straight-line descent from the Democratic-Republicans of Jefferson through the Jacksonian Democrats to the present day.

Republican Party — The Republican Party, established in 1854, was known as the “radical party of its day. At times, efforts are made to trace the origins of the party back to Alexander Hamilton.  It usually is spoken of as stemming from the Federalists of the Hamilton period, through the Whigs of the Henry Clay era, to the present Republican Party… Horace Greeley even tried his luck as a “Democrat & Liberal Republican” when he ran against U.S. Grant in 1872.

When you say you are following your forefathers, who were Republicans, you may really be a Democrat under another name.

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According to a news report from the Canadian Press, some Vancouver Chinese still cling to the medicines of their ancestors. For rheumatism, kidney complains and the common cold, the following concoction is recommended: “Put dried snake or seahorse into a jar and pour two or three bottles of whiskey over it.  Chinese herbs are added and the mixture is allowed to stand for six months.” After a slug of this, I’m quite sure one would feel no pain.

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Blitz Diet — I have another story for the Coronet Magazine on their cottage cheese diet. I picked up a copy of the magazine in a motel room while on my trip and read about the extraordinary results of the diet printed in an earlier edition.  The article was complete except the final page which I was certain contained the diet.  If found another copy of the magazine and sure enough the diet was on the missing page.  I tore out the page and left the magazine.  I’m now wondering who picked up my copy of the mag and whether someone else is now looking frantically for the missing page.  This could go on forever.
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I watched the rehearsals of the Sisterhood Follies and was fascinated by the Svengali touch of Director Brooks Russell. He dances, sings, acts, interprets, inspires and actually seems to draw the dormant talent from his amateur subjects.  Each group is like a part of a large jig-saw puzzle and only one man — Brooks Russell — can put it together to form a colorful and entertaining show.

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Seen from the Press Box — I arrived early at the Stevenson rally and watched the crowd pour into the Balboa Bowl until every seat was taken. Lights picked up the color of the balloons which seemed to dance in the air to the gay music being played by the band on the stage. Hollywood celebrities kept the audience pepped up until the arrival of Adlai Stevenson, who entered impressively with an entourage of 60 national newsmen. Gov. Robt. R. Meyner, of New Jersey, Gov. Geo. M. Leader of Penn., Sen. Hubert Humphrey and Sen. Albert Gore.  The standing ovation, the enthusiasm of the large gathering, minus the glare of T.V. lights, seemed to sharpen the wits and inspire the honored guests.  Sen. Gore was so carried away that he almost became the keynote speaker, and apologized when he realized what he had done. At least 4,000 people left the bowl ready to give their all for their Party.  The Democratic leaders hope the feeling lasts until election day.

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Premier David ben Gurion surprised the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) recently by unexpectedly switching from Hebrew to Spanish.  He was speaking in honor of a delegation from Uruguay. The Premier also speaks Hebrew, English, Yiddish, French, German, Russian, Polish, Greek and Turkish.
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Lost — If anyone knows of the whereabouts of the Montezuma Gardens in San Diego please let me know.  I never heard of the gardens — found in the AAA Guide Book as something to see in San Diego –so I phoned the Chamber of Commerce, the Dept. of Parks and the Information Booth at the Plaza.  None of them knew of the gardens.  I did learn, however, that the Plaza de Panama is the strip running from the Museum of Art to the Organ Pavilion. I believe in being prepared in case I’m approached by a “stranger” in town.
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On my way to work this morning, I notice a mail carrier who had found the answer to barking and biting dogs. Strutting along at his side was his own pet hound.

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall — The Southwestern Jewish Press receives requests for the paper from many Easterners who wish to see what goes on here before pulling up roots.  Your press is a portrait of the San Diego Jewish community.

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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 7

Southwestern Jewish Press
333 Plaza
San Diego 1, California

Gentlemen:

During this week which celebrates the great contribution or nation’s newspapers make to all Americans, I wish to thank you on behalf of the San Diego County Chapter, American Red Cross, for your outstanding cooperation.

You have reported our activities and our needs to your readers. You have told them about our health and educational services, safety, welfare, disaster, Junior Red Cross and other community services, and the International Red Cross.

You have helped us bring in the funds which have kept Red Cross service in step with our fast growing community and have aides us in keeping our services staffed with dedicated volunteers–nearly 20,000 in our country.

On their behalf and that of our staff, I thank you.

John Warlick, Chapter Chrmn., Sincerely

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Report From Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 7

By Albert A. Hutler, Exec. Dir.., U.J.F.

We visited Nahal Oz, the border kibbutz which has become famous through Edward Murrow’s television program, and thsi month’s issue of Coronet Magazine.  Nahal Oz is the story of the youth of Israel.  It is the mural of every border kibbutz.  Only four years ago this settlement, which in Hebrew means “River of Strength” was a desert. Today it is an important outpost. It faces Gaza, an Egyptian held strip of land five miles wide and 20 miles long, now swollen with over 200,000 Arab refugees of the 1948 war.  It is the western-most settlement in Israel; a fort run entirely by men and women between 19 and 21; farmer-soldiers trained for the double purpose of defending the frontier and settling the land. These young people, living as pioneers, plowing the land in the shadow of Arab concentrations just 400 yards away, show no tension — but there is a grimness, as signified by three watchtowers which they man after a full day’s work.  “This,” our guide said, “is our home.  If the Arabs want to try to move us, we are ready for them.”

It is here in the border settlement, throughout all Israel, on each of the borders one finds the secret weapon, the real reason why Israel will continue to exist.

Besides its border settlements, Israel has 250,000 trained volunteers and airmen who could be at their posts within 30 hours, because every able-bodied man under 50 and every physically fit woman under 35 is kept trained to fight with modern weapons. From his 18th birthday every boy must serve 30 months active service and every girl 24 months.

Any visitor who visits troops on maneuvers or at an air base is convinced that Israel’s army would stand up well to the Arab power’s alleged 350,000 men.

Hagannah veterans make up the army’s higher command while the Israel air force is largely commanded by officers who were trained by and fought with the Royal Air Force during World War II.

The real fear is from the air superiority of the Arabs–some 325 jets to Israel’s 24. Army and Air Force officers told us that if they could have one jet for every three of the Arabs, it would discourage aggression on the part of Egypt. Failure of Israel to get these jets would certainly encourage aggression.

An American, whether he be Jewish or Christian — must feel a great warmth for the people of Israel; a tremendous admiration for their mighty dreams and more than a little sympathy.  Sympathy because the nation is so small, so young and so surrounded by hate and dangers. But they are proud of their spirit and of their accomplishments. They make you feel proud to be a Jew.

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The Bond With Israel (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 7

His Excellency Reuven Shiloah, Minister Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the United States, will be in San Diego Tuesday, October 23rd, in behalf of State of Israel Bonds.

With the situation as it exists in the Middle east; with the United Nations attempting to solve the Suez crisis; and with the Arab nations threatening to “obliterate” Israel — the question arises: what important purpose brings Mr. Shiloah to San Diego at this time.

It is hardly enough to say that his purpose is to bring to this community the Israel Bond message in such fashion that we will substantially increase our investments.

Behind the fact it is the even more simple truth which gives us a perspective on the whole situation in the Middle East:

Israel’s Minister, great spokesman for democracy, is coming to san Diego because Bonds–Bond dollars–are the answer to Israel’s problem. 

Bond dollars build Israel’s economy. They free other funds so that Israel can build her defenses.  Every bond dollar we put to work today is a dollar at work for peace. There can be no more powerful weapon.

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“Lend An Ear”
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 7

As the candidates start to warm up in the political arena, the air is filled with invective stored up for the occasion. Accusations and denunciations fly heedlessly from both sides. Fact and truth are rudely shoved aside and replaced by innuendos, half truths, rumors and even slander.

In an attempt to woo the voter, visiting candidates and their supporters will tell you that “it’s time for a change” or “you never had it so good, so don’t change.”  naturally, this is an oversimplification and nothing as easy as that faces us in making up our minds on election day, November 6.

A candidate is rarely as black as his opponents paint him and neither is he as white as he pictures himself… no party is as good as it claims to be or as bad as the opposition wants you to believe.

To fall into the trap of condemning a candidate because he belongs to the other party is an injustice to yourself and your country. The Congressional record is full of example, where men of character have crossed party lines to uphold principles in which they believe. Voters may also, with similar justification, use their own good judgment in retaining or electing official in whom they have confidence, irrespective of their party affiliations

The practice of listening to both sides and hearing various shades of opinion and then making up your own mind would seem to be a sound policy for members of both parties.

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U.J.F. Urges That Pledges Be Paid
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 8

The United Jewish Fund today urged all contributors to the 1956 campaign to meet their obligation immediately by sending their cash payments in at once.

William Colt, Fund Treasurer, stated that requests coming from the United Jewish Appeal, as well as from National Agencies, including the Joint defense Appeal and the National Welfare Board, make it imperative that the Fund forward cash immediately to these major agencies.

To date, the Fund has forwarded to the United Jewish Appeal for 1956 $81,143 in order to serve the urgent needs of Jews in North Africa and in Israel. “The immigration from North Africa now going on,” Colt said, “cannot continue without American funds to support it, and the work being done in the rehabilitation of newcomers to Israel will falter without additional funds.”

$121,606 have already been paid on 1956 pleges both for the United Jewish Appeal Special Survival Fund and the regular campaign. Every effort will be made by the fund Board of Directors to get the balance of some $80,871 in pledges converted to cash as speedily as possible.

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New Hair Styles Offered By House of Walter
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 8

Movie stars Eve Arden, Sally Forrest and Dorothy McGuire are only a few of the many celebrities of stage, screen and TV who come to Walter, famous stylist of California, at the House of Walter, 1028 Broadway.

One of the first prize winners in hair-styling when he opened his salon ten years ago, Walter has taken the lead here for original styling.

Walter emphasized that two color will be outstanding this winter: “the reds and the silver.”  He declared that 75% of all women now wear color in their hair.  He added that the coming trend will be a softer looking, more feminine coiffeur– the hairline to be “collar length.”

The House of Walter, with the quaint pale pink shutters and charming interior invite you to have a new, captivating hair-do. But–do call first- BE-9-1369.

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As The Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 8

By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant

Criminal Behavior — The three major items on the front pages of our morning newspaper are politics, the foreign situation and crime. While the first two are interesting and have sufficient psychological material to warrant separate columns, this issue shall be devoted to the last, that of crime. It stimulates reader interest not only for the crime itself but also because we wonder about the criminal and what causes him to act the way he does.

Criminal behavior has been defined legally as any action that is contrary to legal regulations. That definition does not fit our needs because it offers no consideration for the motives or reasons for the crime. When we do examine criminal behavior we find the same psychological factors playing a part as in any other behavior. Most authors on the subject of crime agree that criminal behavior is a form of adjustment, brought about by the pressures and tensions of existence, many of them frustrating.

The big difference in criminal behavior is that the adjustments made lie outside the realm of the law.  For example, shooting another person in a war situation is within the law but doing so because of fear of detection in civil life or as retaliation for some real or imagined aggressive act in one’s everyday life is considered criminal behavior.

There is no definite criminal type.  Many studies have attempted to show that there are factors in the appearance, background and intellect of criminals which indicate that they possessed certain potentialities for that type of life but this has not been proven. Present studies appear to show that criminals have a certain pre-disposition which make them physiologically insufficient, that is, lacking in certain factors of bearing, growth and development.  While many criminals are of low intellectual capacity, many others are numbered among those rated high in intelligence.

Climate has been a factor in creating crimes, especially those of crimes against persons, such as aggravated assault and rape. Where the insufficient person is placed in situations of high personal tension and frequent conflict of loyalties, crime may result. Environment plays a part and has a high training factor in the creation of a criminal. As yet there is no indication that the motion pictures, radio, television, the newspaper, and the comics are factors in the production of the criminal type.  Finally, it has been found that the age of maximum criminal activity is between eighteen and twenty-eight.

Many crimes are caused by fear, such as the fear of being considered inadequate or the fear of detection. The latter is especially true of crimes against persons.  Like all fear, people will do one of two things, either take flight or turn and fight when flight is impossible.

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Templers Begin New Year Activity
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 8

The meeting of October 10th saw the Templers Club of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue elect new officers for the ensuing year. Those elected to executive offices were: Ira Fishbein, President; Elaine Silverstein, Vice President; Phylane Sherman, Treasurer; Deana Cooper, Recording Secretary; and Elsie Schoen, Corresponding Secretary.

The Templers have planned an open meeting for October 24th.  For those who wish to attend there will be a beautiful colored sound movie on Mexico City and Acapulco entitled “Million Dollar Holiday,” with guest speaker Marion Perlov.  Miss Perlov, who has traveled around the world and just recently returned from a four month tour of Mexico, will relate on some of her most interesting experiences of her trip.

On October 28th, the Templers are sponsoring a Halloween Party and Dance to be held at the Pig and Whistle Banquet Room on Fourth Avenue.  For reservations and information call AT-1-5682.

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New Manager for Telephone Company
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 8

Claude E. Dickinson today was named telephone manager in the San Diego business office, district manager Russell Kliegel announced.

Dickinson has almost 11 years with Pacific Telephone, starting as an installer in San Diego.  He held various supervisory positions in the San Diego accounting department before coming to the business office for training late in 1955, Kliegel said.

In his new post he will administer the operations involving 61,000 BElmont and COngress telephones in metropolitan and South San Diego.

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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.