Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Feb. 8, 1957, Part 2

Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

By Julia Kaufman

‘Titles’ –Probably the most confused fields to the lay person are those of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. For that reason, the panel discussion sponsored by the Jewish Social Agency on “Titles” attracted a large attendance. If you are a “Lay in the Ark,” here are a few facts you should know about the men behind the couch.

The present requirement for a license to practice as a psychologists is a Ph.D degree, which includes a period of at least two years internship. The Psychiatrist, after receiving his M.D. degree, interns in medicine two years then serves a residency in psychiatry for three years. After working a number of years in psychiatry, he is considered qualified.  The Psychoanalyst, in addition to all the training demanded of a psychiatrist, must undergo an analysis of himself before he is permitted to conduct analytic sessions under supervision.  (The minimum supervisory hours are 200.)  Following this, he must present a thesis and pass an oral examination.  He is then ready for his graduation from an Institution of Psychoanalysis.

Good advice given by the men on the panel was that before you permit anyone to ask you questions, ask a few yourself as to the qualifications of the professional you are about to consult.  It is wise to remember that workers in psychology and psychiatry have no magic formula. Their only aim is to help the patient to become a happier person by self-exploration and an understanding of himself.

This, I didn’t learn at the meeting. Question: What is the difference between a neurotic, a psychotic and a psychiatrist?  A neurotic builds castles in the air, a psychotic lives in them, and a psychiatrist collects the rent.

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The Eddie Fisher Story — Jan. 26, 1957: “Just Debbie and Me and Baby Makes Three” plus a 15-year contract with NBC adds up to a very happy young man.

Prior to the Hadassah Presentation Ball, at the Del Coronado Hotel, I visited Eddie Fisher in his suite at the hotel.  He was seated comfortably in a chair, dressed in a red shirt, white sweater, black and white checked jacket, slacks and felt slippers with little white foxes stitched on them.  The informality of his dress set the tone for the interview. Newspaper, radio and television reporters were treated as though they were guests in his home. Each person was greeted with some pleasantry and offered liquid refreshments.

Unlike so many other popular actors and singers, Eddie is not lost without a sript.  His ad libbing, in his unrehearsed TV interviews, injected humor in what is usually a stereotype question, and answer period.  naturally, his favorite topic is his wife, Debbie, and his three-month-old daughter, Carrie Frances.

“Yes,” he spends as much time as possible with Debbie and the baby…”No” he doesn’t keep track of his benefit performances but he’s available for Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, etc. … “Yes,” he prefers live programs … “No,” he doesn’t try to be like Perry Como.  He quipped that he accepted Hadassah’s invitation because he wanted to some research for Debbie, who was considering a part in the “Reluctant Debutante.”

A pleasant surprise to everyone, including Hadassah members, was his spontaneous entertainment at the Presentation Ball.  He started off with a Yiddish song, which promptly endeared him to the older men and women in the audience, and then continued to sing popular songs for the younger generation. There is no doubt that Eddie Fisher left the Ball with at least 1,000 new fans, some of whom had autographed pictures and others (sigh) a kiss for remembrance.

Aside to Eddie: This is what I was writing when you asked “Vas shriebst du?”

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Dr. Louis Finkelstein, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, referred to the teacher Rab in his prayer at the Presidential inaugration ceremonies, thus causing interest in the history of the great scholar.

A bba ARicho, mentioned in the Talmud as Rab, was born in Kafri, Babylonia, about 175. After completing his education in Palestine, Rab returned to Babylonia and established an academy that became a center of Jewish life and learning.  Before his death in 247, Rab composed a number of prayers, including the Alenu prayer and other parts of the Rosh Hashonah service, the silent prayer on the evening of a holiday, and a prayer after the Sabbath.

small world dept. — The San Diegans who braved the storm to attend De Paur’s Opera Gala were rewarded by a stimulating, musical evening.  After the concert, we offered a lift to four New York musicians who were trudging along in the rain.  In the five minute ride to the hotel, I learned that one was  a distant relative of the Saul Chenkins and another lived in Astoria, L.I., and knew a friend of mine who lived in his apartment building. The other two musicians?  They just went along for the ride.
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Elder Wise Men — Israel’s 70-year-old Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion has agreed to sit for one of NBC Television’s portraits of “Elder Wise Men.”  The film was scheduled to be made in Jerusalem on January 30.  Ben-Gurion will be the 20th wise elder to be filmed in the series. Some of the “elders” already telecast were Dr. Louis Finkelstein, Pablo Casals, Frank Lloyd Wright, Carl Sandberg, Herbert Hoover and Jawaharlal Nehru.
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The Cautious Swiss — A law in Switzerland demands that lead pencils must be pre-sharpened when they are sold.

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It was called to my attention that the Hoover High School Cardinal has a column called “Kaufman’s Kapers” by Julie.

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Im leaving for Mexico tomorrow.  Hasta la vista!

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Bay City B.B. Women To Hold Donor Dinner Mar. 3
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

The Bay City Chapter of B’nai B’rith will hold its seventh annual Donor Dinner Dance on Sunday evening March 3, 6 p.m. at Mission Valley Inn.

President Rose Schwartz reports that the decor for the evening will be a “Lucky 7” theme.  A prime roast beef dinner with all the trimmings will be served. Earl Fisher’s orchestra will supply the music for dancing, with entertainment by the Betty Jane Dances with vocalists Herb Gross and Marco Thomas.

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, Feb 11, at 8:30 p.m.  Members are reminded to bring their banks for the “Break the Bank” ceremony.

For the past six years, B’nai Brith’s women ‘s chapters have sponsored the Brotherhood Week essay contest in the city schools. This year among the judges at a luncheon and essay screening will be Miss Kathryn Steffan, S.D. Union Tribune; Mrs. Natalie Edwin Head of Children’s Dept. of the S.D. Public Library; Mr. Gene Fuson, S.D. Tribune Staff.

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L.A. Philharmonic To Play Here Feb. 14th
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

Dr. Eduard Van Beinum, the internationally known maestro who this season assumed his duties as permanent conductor and music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, will make his San Diego debut with the orchestra, Thursday, February 14.

The concert, to be held in Russ Auditorium at 8:30 p.m., will be the orchestra’s second in its local 1956-67 series.

Sharing the spotlight with Van Beinum will be John Browning, the 23 year old American pianist, also making his first San Diego appearance.

The young keyboard artist will be heard in Beethoven’s “Concerto in G Major for Piano and Orchestra.” Under Van Beinum’s direction, the orchestra will offer Cherubini’s “Anacreon Overtur,” Piston’s “Symphony No. 2” and Wagner’s “Overture to Tanhauser.”

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Tifereth Israel Sisterhood

Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

The February meeting of the Tifereth Israel Sisterhood will be an evening one, on Tuesday, Feb. 12th in the Synagogue, 2930 Howard Street.

Highlight of the evening will be an original skit prepared by Lillian Weiss, entitled “You Are There.” It will be performed by members of Sisterhood. A musical program will also be offered.

For the social hour to follow the meeting, Mrs. Herbert Solomon, Circle Captain and her committee are preparing a delicious refreshment table.

Mrs. Lewis Solomon, Sisterhood President, has invited the newly organized Clairemont Sisterhood and their husbands, as guests at this meeting.  She also extends in Sisterhood’s name a cordial invitation to the husbands of our members to attend this evening meeting.

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S.D. Hotel Has New Manager

Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

Norman Kaufmann has been appointed General Manager of the Hotel San Diego, according to announcement made by Bert Fisher, owner. For the past five years, Mr. Kaufman has been employed at the Pickwick Hotel as General Manager.

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(Bottom to Top)
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

Sometimes it takes a man’s bottom dollar to hoist him to the top.

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Anti Semitism Rise In Europe
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

Two young men walk into a crowded restaurant in the heart of Warsaw, exclaiming, “We want to kill a Jew.”  They attack a man they mistake for a Jew and beat him unconscious.  Most patrons watch in silence.

A Polish reporter witnessing the scene throws a heavy ash tray at the attackers.  And when the reporter departs he is attacked by ten men and beaten unconscious.

1937?  No 1957. The incident was reported in a dispatch from M.S. Handler, published in The New York Times, January 9.

The resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe has grown intense in the past two years.

Item: Five leaders of the West Berlin Jewish community receive letters declaring: “We are back/  It is time Germany was free of Jews.” — The Times, Dec. 4, 1954.

Item: The secretary of the Poujadist group in the French National Assembly resigns because of anti-Semitism among the forty-nine legislators representing his party — The Times, April 18, 1956.

Item: The Morgen Freheit, Yiddish language Communist newspaper of New York, rebukes the press chief of the Soviet Foreign Ministry for his attitude toward a report of anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union. The Freiheit also complained about the absence of publicity in the Soviet Union about the persecution of Yiddish writers. — Morgen Freiheit, September 16, 1956

Not to mention the mass deportation of Jews by Egypt, the ceaseless anti-Semitci diatribes by the Arab League, and the anti-Semitic terror in Tunisia.

And at precisely this moment we read another piece of somber news: the nomination of Lt. Gen. Hans Speidel for a top NATO command — The Times, Jan. 1, 1957.  The nominee was Field Marshal Rommel’s Chief of Staff on the western front in 1944. With the later disclosure that Paris considered the prospective appointment “logical,” his selection is considered a certainty.

Let us not forget the visit here of Saud, the Arabian slave-trader who was so warmly greeted by our government. Is a deal in the making?  Is Israel to be forced to make further sacrifices?

How does the Jewish community react to these developments?  Organized Jewry has protested the anti-Semitic outbreaks, to be sure. How effective these protests will be depends to a large extent on the active support of unorganized Jewry.

Or shall we be cowed into silence, afraid to make our voices heard, hoping that somehow things will right themselves. Sort of brings back memories.

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Directors Pledge Full Contribution To Fund

Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

A resolution calling on all directors of the United Jewish Fund “to make the fullest contribution possible in keeping with their leadership of the Jewish community of San Diego in the 1957 campaign” was approved (by action ) of the Board of Directors.

The resolution submitted by the Campaign Planning Committee, headed by Dr. Walter Ornstein and Victor Schulman, General Campaign Co–Chairmen for the 1957 Drive, was as follows:

WHEREAS, the Directors of the United Jewish Fund are profoundly stirred  by the critical humanitarian needs overseas which press for the strongest action without delay; and

WHEREAS, the Directors likewise understand the necessity for the continuation of meeting the needs at home — in the United States and in San Diego; and

WHEREAS, the Directors of the United Jewish Fund are in accord that this total responsibility requires a most generous outpouring of support from the Jews of San Diego in far greater sums, even beyond the gains achieved in 1956, and

WHEREAS, this calls not only for the immediate mobilization of campaign organization and manpower and immediate enrollment of campaign leadership, but calls for maximum giving and maximum support led by those who are Directors of the United Jewish Fund, and

WHEREAS, the example set by the Directors of the United Jewish Fund and the leadership of the Jewish community now in giving is the essential key to the success of the 1957 campaign.

The Directors of the United Jewish Fund herein assembled on this 9th day of January, 1957, hereby resolve and agree that:

They will pledge their fullest support, both financially and physically, on behalf of the 1957 United Jewish Fund Campaign and the United Jewish Appeal Rescue Fund; and

That they will make the fullest contribution possible in keeping with their leadership of the Jewish community of San Diego.

The Fund Board also elected seven of its Directors to the Executive Committee, according to Milton Y. Roberts, President.

Of the thirteen candidates nominated for the seven vacancies, the following were elected:  Mrs. Gabriel Berg, Alex Maisel, Dr. A.P. Nasatir, Maury Novak, Dr. Joshua Ritoff, William Schwartz and David Stotsky.

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Please Help!
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 8, 1957, Page 3

Middle-aged Jewish man alone in this city is badly in need of blood donors. Please contact Jewish Socail Service Agency, BE–5172.

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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.