Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 7
(guest column by Irving Mortin)
Who reads the Southwestern Jewish Press? I didn’t know until my guest column appeared. not only were there two postcards, one letter and several phone calls but you should have seen the characters that spoke to me for the first time.
There are quite a few literate people who have lunch at the Bohemian Bakery. They don’t all stop after reading the pony sheets and funnies. Who would think of getting gas for the car and having the attendant say he enjoyed the article in the Jewish Press (11th and Market).
A mother saw me and with no how-de-do and in no uncertain words told me that her son is now five years old and she will bring his birth certificate to prove it when she registers him for our day camp. I never meant her when I wrote about the precocious four year olds. In fact, in all the anecdotes of the first column, I never mean you, dear read. No, it is the Other Fellow.
Another woman was just thrilled. She thought the closing lines, “A gezunt off zein kepela” was “so…ooo Jewish.”
Under the possibility of being further misunderstood and have no one talk to me, I will go on to another topic.
It is a health sign, nevertheless to know that someone else reads the Jewish Press.
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It seems that many spectator at the basketball game between the Israeli Olympic team and the University of San Diego expected some super human results. Some came to see a bit of Israel — and not a basketball game. As a basketball game, I thought the Israelis sloppy and not working as a team. The Catholic University team were hitting the basket from far and near. They were well prepared for the game.
However, some spectators seemed to think the game was somewhat of a disaster. How could they take the Sinai Peninsula and shake the Nasser empire so handily and lose to the University of San Diego. What we don’t realize openly are the emotions connected with anything Israeli. The game has nothing (or very little) to do with the independent spirit and the freedom-peace search of the Israeli people.
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The Center’s Day c
amp committee is exploring the countryside for a base for the 1957 camp season. This is due to the fact that construction of the new center building will be well underway this summer and the use of our own land will be denied us.
We discovered a bit of Americana Historica in our search. Bernard Arenson and Norman Gelman are the chairmen of the camp committee. We went to visit Holiday Ranch off Highway 80 about 7 miles East of El Cajon. The recreation facilities of the ranch were just fine. Behind the area used for recreation we found history in rock, tree, pebble and hill. An old stagecoach route follows the valley next to a small stream. On a promontory, the Indians built four rows of rock forts from which to attack the stage coach and defend themselves. In case of a counter attack, the Indians retreated into the brush and moved up a hill. Indian caves are well hidden among the rocks and brush of the high hill. The view is breathtaking. A lookout rock is marked with the use of human beings.
Next to the property is a fenced in cemetery of the old Flinn family, dating back to the 1700s (sic). (Flinn Springs is close by). Tall shade trees and a swimming pool are welcome sights.
After our investigation of the property and some of the Indian rocks we found out that the hill is called something like “Sleeping Woman” in Indian. I can see our children recreating the history over the summer months.
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Do you know what a guitar is? A banjo? A ukelele? A violin? A viola? I have had all these names put on my guitar. The times when I am introduced to a large audience by an otherwise knowledgeable chairman with, “Here is Irving Mortin and his ukelele” — makes me cringe with sympathy for the speaker.
Another present day development is that whenever I come out on a stage, everybody expects me to sing about dogs and shoes and wiggle my bottom ala-you-know-who. Why I was playing a guitar for fun long before anyone heard of him.
The worst kind of a guy at these song fests is the big one who sits in the front row center hiding the view of those behind. He crosses his legs, folds his arms across his chest and scowls as if to say, “Go ahead, I dare you to entertain me.” He sits like this all through the song fest–scowling. The big surprise –after I sweat him out–comes at the end when he comes over to me and says, “I enjoyed your singing–and playing the banjo.”
The danger in knowing a little about community singing or having any entertainment skills is that once the word gets around–you might as well quit doing anything else–everyone calls you for some entertainment. It is times like these that one realizes how many different Jewish organizations exist in our town–big and small. Of course, I can’t extend this hobby and pursue a career as a social group worker in the Jewish Community Center at the same time. I learned to say “no” to solve the clash of interest.
My best sing-song audience consists of three boys — 4 years, 2 years and 8 months. Only the oldest can sign recognizable songs. The other two kvitches. Yet the delight that comes to theier faces as we ll join in is a marvel to behold. I had to buy a ukelele and a “mouse-guitar” just to protect my guitar from overzealous, hot little fists.
Julia, I am glad to see you back from your Mexico trip. I’ll be happy to read your column next time.
Irving Mortin, Ass’t Executive Director, Jewish Community Center.
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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 7
Dear Sir:
Please accept our deep appreciation for responding so generously to the March of Dimes appeal. Your sympathetic understanding and support of our program will help to bring our ultimate goal, the complete eradication of polio, closer to reality.
You have come forward to help provide the necessary aid that is so urgently needed. Your participation demonstrates your faith and confidence in the March of Dimes, and makes you a part of the historic fight against polio; a vivid and dramatic illustration was the development of the Salk vaccine.
Due to your fine assistance, it will be possible to continue the excellent care of hundreds of polio patients in San Diego County.
Your heart -warming response was most gratifying.
Sincerely yours, Fred H. Rohr, Campaign Chairman
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Dear Max and Julie:
Thanks so much for giving us front page space for our Installation. You have been very generous with us and we greatly appreciate it!
City of Hope Auxiliary of San Diego, Ethel Berwin, Pres.
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Sir:
We wish to thank you most sincerely for the space and publicity you gave us for the recent Conference held in San Diego.
You helped us to aid Israel, which we appreciate.
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(Nature of habits)
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 7
Habits are either bobbers or sinkers on the sea of life — they either hold you up or hold you down.
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Purim (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 7
Although the Biblical Story of Purim is supposed to have occurred many hundreds of years ago in Persia, it has a message for us today. The holiday is the annual recollection of the story of a bigot who was bent on the destruction of an entire people.
Our own generation has seen many tyrants like Hamen who were ruthless killers–Hitler and now Nasser. In many parts of the world the Jews today face terror and death by mad leaders who revel in vileness and violence. The entire Arab world is being inflamed by irresponsible leaders who plot to deprive helpless human beings of life and liberty in order to gain more power.
As we, the American Jews, celebrate Purim, we look hopefully for the Mordecais who will refuse to bow down to injustice and who are willing to risk their own security for the sake of those who are wrongly oppressed. The heroism of Esther and Mordecai should stand as a beacon-light to all those who struggle for the advancement of human decency and for the fulfillment of ideals of human equality.
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The Red Cross (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 7
The annual Red Cross drive deserves everyone’s support in San Diego. With the slogan, “On the Job–When and Where It Counts,” the world-wide organization has proven over the years that it serves all the people regardless of race, color or creed.
There should be no need to repeat the fact that in any disaster, flood or emergency, the Red Cross can be counted upon to help with funds and manpower. People have come to look upon the Red Cross as the one volunteer agency they can always rely on for help in any situation. Their work with the Armed Forces, the hospitals, Blood Banks, and disaster areas have made them indispensable in every part of the United States.
We urge everyone to give and give generously to the Red Cross during the month of March. The need is great — it always is.
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Last Chance
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 8
Tomorrow is the last day for joining the San Diego Civic Musiuc Assoc. at a special rate of $7.00 for a 7 concert series.
A bonus concert will present Leontyne Price, soprano, March 12 at Russ Auditorium and new members may attend free. Phone BE 4-8431 for information. No membership accepted after March 9.
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“Queen Esther” Will Be Chosen At Pioneer Women’s Ball March 9th
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 8, 1957, Page 8
The annual Purim Ball, sponsored by the Pioneer Women, will be held March 9, Saturday evening, at 8:30 p.m. in Beth Jacob Auditorium.
Young ladies from seven organizations will compete for the title of “Queen Esther.” The organizations represented will be the Council of Jewish Women, Cottage of Israel, City of Hope Jr., Havevah Club-Tijuana, Jewish War Veterans, Daughters of Israel, and Hadassah.
The judges who will select the Queen are: Dr. Peter Lee, President House of Pacific Relations; Miss Mary Fay, formerly on the Board of Education; and Robert L. Stephenson.
Dancing and refreshments will be featured in the auditorium, decorated as a cabaret.
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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.