97 Jewish Lives Saved; 625 Families Shirk Jewish Responsibility
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Pages 1, 3
Ninety-seven lives have been saved to date by San Diego Jewry through the Emergency Rescue Fund of the United Jewish Appeal, according to Dr. Walter Ornstein and Victor Schulman, General Campaign Co-Chairmen of the most successful Jewish drive in San Diego history. With $275,000 raised to date, only $20,000 is needed to successfully reach the community goal of $295,000.
At the same time the chairmen said, “The campaign will not be a success until the complete goal is reached.”
They pointed out that $295,000 would easily be secured if the 625 Jewish families of San Diego who have not as yet given would do so immediately. “Six million Jews died in the 1930s and early 1940s,” the chairman said, “because Jews of America did not give to save lives in those days. The same thing can happen again in 1957. The guilt of dead Jews will be on the conscience of those Jews who are in a position to save lives but refuse to assist their fellow Jews who are in need.”
Declaring that the response of those who have already contributed has been generous and, percentage wise, well above last year, they said that if all those people who have not yet given match the increases of those who have, this campaign will go well above last year’s totals in the next few weeks.
Of the amount raised to date over $97,000 is for the United Jewish Appeal’s Emergency Rescue Fund. Local goal is $120,000. All of this money will be used for the vital immigration and resettlement of Jews from Poland, Hungary, Egypt, North Africa and other lands to Israel.
The regular campaign of the United Jewish Fund has reached $175,000 for regular normal needs of the beneficiaries of the United Jewish Fund. These include local, national and overseas agencies with the bulk of the overseas money going to the United Jewish Appeal for its normal needs.
An additional $4,000 must be raised by the United Jewish Fund for its normal needs since the Armed Services Program is now being financed and continued by the United Jewish Fund through the San Diego Jewish Welfare Board Armed Services Committee, headed by Morris W. Douglas.
All division continue to work towards bringing in the $25,000 necessary to reach the goal. Isaac Domnitz, Marchers Division, still leads the field with the Women’s Division, led by Mrs. Lewis Solomon, the Campaigners Division, chaired by Abraham Sklar and Abe Abramson’s Pace-Setters Division close on his heels.
Contributions may be sent to the United Jewish Fund, 333 Plaza, San Diego 1.
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$400,000 Project A Reality
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Pages 1, 3
As contracts were signed and financial arrangements completed this week for the building of the San Diego Jewish Community Center, William B. Schwartz, President, urged those who still had unpaid pledges to the Center building fund to pay them immediately in full or partially.
This week, Schwartz said, the Center signed contracts with C.A. Larson Construction Company and with Arrvee Company for work to begin before July 1st. It is anticipated that the building will be completed on or about March 1, 1958
The Larson Company will be responsible for the complete construction of the building, according to the plans and specifications designed by George Lykos, architect. Though the swimming pool will be under supervision of the construction company, the Arrvee contract is separate from the general contract, Schwartz said. The Security trust and Savings Bank of San Diego cooperated in the financing of the Center Building program.
The contract calls for a 29,000 square foot structure to be built on 54th Street near University Avenue. This completes the Federation-Fund Master Plan for Community Buildings by bringing the Jewish Community Center to the same area in which the san Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged is located, and by bringing all Jewish community agencies into one building. The Center, Schwartz said, will actually be a Jewish community building. Current facilities of the Center are at 4056 University Avenue.
Sidney Rose, Building Committee chairman, said that the construction will be the first of a three-part plan. He said a gymnasium and auditorium are projects contemplated for the future.
MR. Schwartz announced that Maury Novak, a member of the Committee, will represent the Center as liaison with the contractor and the architect.
Schwartz also said that at the same time the building will be under construction, many committees of the Center will be meeting to plan for an expanded program; furniture and equipment for the building; an expanded nursery school; and many other phases of community center activity.
Albert A. Hutler is Executive Director of the center and Irving Mortin, Assistant Director.
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Rassco Names Leeds Western Director
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Pages 1, 4
Rassco Israel Corporation New York announces the appointment of Ben Leeds as Executive Director, West Coast, with offices in Los Angele.
Ben Leeds, long-time Southland resident and active professional social worker in Los Angeles communal organizations, brings to his new post years of experience in public affairs and related fields. He was until recently associated with the United Jewish Welfare Fund and the Los Angeles Community Chest.
Rassco, with headquarters in Tel Aviv, was created in 1934 on the initiative of Dr. Chaim Weizmann. It was founded by the Jewish Agency for Palestine as a public instrument for settlement and housing in the Holy Land. Now 23 years later, Russco, Rural and Suburban Settlement Co., Ltd., has affiliated offices all over the world. IT is engaged in recruiting financial interest in the construction of buildings, apartments and commercial enterprises, and the sale of orange groves, all in Israel.
A San Diego committee held its initial meeting on May 29 at the home of Edmund Herman, active attorney and President of B’nai B’rith. HIs guests were Erich Roth from Tel Aviv and Ben Leeds, the new Rassco West Coast director.
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Confirmation Services To Be Held at Beth Jacob
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 1
Confirmation Services at the Beth Jacob Congregation will take place on Friday evening, June 7, at 8:15 p.m. A reception will follow the services.
The following members of the confirmation class will participate: Jerome L. Brookler, Marie L. Bursten, Carol E. Feller, Ganea Picaizen, Karen E. Prager, Daphne Rosenzweig, Edw.G. Thomas, David L. Weening, Estelle D. Weisman and Maurice J. Zabary.
The parents of the confirmants extend an invitation to their friends to join them in the service and reception following.
Rabbi Baruch Stern announced that certificates and gifts of the Holy Scriptures will be presented to the confirmants by Mr. Abe Abramson, Honorary President.
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Girls Invited
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 1
The Jewish Welfare Board Armed Services Committee of San Diego wishes to extend an invitation to single girls of Jewish faith between the ages of 17 and 25 to become Junior Hostesses for the Wednesday night dances held at Temple Beth Israel at Third and Laurel Streets, from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Further information may be obtained by contacting Mrs. Joseph Kaplan, Chairman Jr. Hostess-Sr. Sponsor Committee, at ATwater 2-5136, or meeting with her Wednesday evenings at the Temple.
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Winner of World Fellowship Revealed
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Pages 1, 4
San Diego’s participation in the National Jewish Welfare Board’s World Fellowship Program was climaxed this week with the announcement that Miss Sonia Weitzman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Weitzman, and Mark Ulansky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Ulansky, were judged winners in the contest that will take them to Mexico City.
Also judges as winners as alternate delegates were Jackie Sharpe and J. Alan Goldberg. Miss Jacke Wixen on honorable mention.
The World Fellowship Youth Congest was sponsored by the Jewish Community Center in cooperation with all of San Diego’ Jewish youth groups. The winners were picked at a city-wide World Fellowship Dance held at the Temple Center.
Proceeds from the dance as well as contributions from Yo-Ma-Co club, Beth Jacob’s Men’s Club, San Diego Section National Council of Jewish Women, New Life Club, and the Community Center’s Women’s League provided the necessary funds to send the two winners to participate in the World Fellowship Program in Mexico City.
World Fellowship Program is a joint program with the Jewish community of Mexico City in which teenagers from the Southwest and the Pacific Coast will spend 10 days in Mexico meeting teenagers from Mexico City, and participating in programs of mutual interest. The program in Mexico City will have four major workshops on “The American-Jewish Community: Its Growth Needs and Problems”; “The Mexican-Jewish Community: Its Growth Needs and Problems”; “The Role of Leadership in American Jewish Life”: “The Jewish Community Center: Its Structure, Program, Professional Staff and Career Opportunities.”
Miss Weitzman has been active in all the synagogue groups as well as the following organizations: Future Teachers, Hoover High Orchestra, California School Federation, Pan-American Club and the Hoover Ducateer.
Mr. Ulansky has been active in the B’nai B’rith, AZA, Beth Jacob Teens, Centre T-N-Teens, and the United Synagogue Youth.
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Women’s Division Breaks All Drive Records by Raising $51,000.00
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 1
The most successful division in the 1957 campaign this week became the most successful women’s group in the history of the Women’s Division of San Diego. Besides this it earned honors from the national United Jewish Appeal as outstanding in the country during 1957.
Reporting on results to date, Chairman Mrs. Lewis Solomon stated that Women’s Division luncheons, personal solicitation and telephone solicitation had collected a total of over $51,000.
“This represents an increase of over $19,000 above the amount raised by the Women’s Division during 1956,” said Mrs. Solomon, “and with many more pledges still to be secured, we expect the Women’s Division to show and even larger increase.”
To date the division has raised 60% more than it raised in 1956 and some $12,000 more than the Women’s Division raised in 1948, the largest year it ever had.
“The 50,000 lifeline that the Jewish women of San Diego declared as their goal has been achieved,” Mrs. Solomon said. “Fifty lives are going to be saved because Jewish women believed in ‘plus giving.’ They are going to be saved because my co-chairmen, Mmes. Irving Alexander. Morton J. Cohn, Herbert Eber and E. Al Slayen worked so hard and with such tremendous energy; and because all of the women workers and women leaders did such an outstanding job.”
Mrs. Solomon urged all women who had not as yet given to mail their “plus gift” no matter how big or small, to the United Jewish Fund, 333 Plaza, San Diego 1.
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Beth Israel Confirms Class of Twenty-Five
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 1
Congregation Beth Israel will usher in the Festival of Shovuos with the ceremony of Confirmation on Tuesday evening, June 4th, at 7:30
The ceremony will feature the beautiful cantata, “The Law God Gave on Sinai.”
Members and guests are reminded that the doors will be closed at 7:20 and late-comers will be seated in the balcony.
Following the service a reception honoring the Confirmants will be given in the Temple Center by their parents.
This Friday evening, May 31st, will be observed in the Temple at 8 p.m. as Consecration Sabbath. Rabbi Cohn will deliver his Confirmation message to the class ont he subject, “The Last Word?”
Members of the Confirmation Class are: Robert Brandenburg, Marjorie Brown, Barbara Brudno, Gayle Burnett, Alan Douglas, Ronda Esenoff, Ilene Heiman, Leonard Heumann, Frankee Hutler, Lynn Jacobs, Steven Kerper, Nancy Lustig, Carolyn Myers, Karen Platt, Beverly Rose, Marcia Ruskin, Debra Shulman, Joyce Schwartz, Ruth Schwartz, Nancy Silverman, Irwin Siskin, Jenny Smollar, Melvyn Stein, Jay Sugarman and Janet Woolf.
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Noted Author To Speak Here June 6
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 1
The Chaim Weizman Branch of Labor Zionists will present the noted lecturer, Mr. Bazallel Sherman, Thursday, June 6, at 8:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Hotel.
Mr. Sherman is the distinguished editor of the magazine, “Jewish Frontier,” and is a noted writer and philosopher in Jewish circles. He will discuss the situation in the Middle East today.
Dora Richlin is chairman and invites the entire community to hear an informative talk. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be served.
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Buchner-Jacobs To Be Wed in L.A.
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Buchner announced the forthcoming marriage of thier son, Dr. Edward Byron Buchner, to Nadine Beverly, daughter of MR. and Mrs. Max L. Jacobson, of Beverly Hills, on Sunday, June 2, at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in North Hollywood.
The groom’s brothers, Hanson Buchner, of Arlington, Va., and Dr. Harold Buchner and family, of Oklahoma City, will attend the wedding. Attending from San Diego will be his parents, his sister, Mrs. John Ruskin and family, Messrs. and Mmes. David Freed, B.W. Nathan, Elmer Wohl, Maxwell Kaufman, Harry Felson, Leon Ruskin, Dr. and MRs. David Miller and Mrs. Wm. Lowenbein.
After their honeymoon the young couple will reside in San Diego where Dr. Buchner, a specialist in internal medicine, will open his office.
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Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 2
Mrs. Lewis Solomon of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, was among outgoing Sisterhood presidents honored during special ceremonies at the tenth annual Pacific Southwest Conference of the National Women’s League, United Synagogue of America, held in Los Angeles.
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Estelle Weitzen wished to thank her friends for the kindness shown during her stay in the hospital and at home.
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Beverly Kitaen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Kitaen, will be sailing June 25th for a two month tour of Europe with Dr. Ernest Wolf’s groupo of State College students. She will visit fifteen countries.
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Because of her sister’s illness, Mrs. Ann Peckarsky left earlier than usual for her yearly visit with her daughters in Milwaukee. She will stay there for the summer.
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Lots of excitement in the Paul Belkin family these days. Daughter Bonnie was elected president of the student body of Horace Mann Junior High School last week. Mother Dorothy is busy making plans for visiting friends and relatives in Toledo, Ohio; Buffalo and New York City before flying from there on June 25th with the State College European Tour group.
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Dr. Richard Disraeli was chosen “Mr. Optimist” at a recent testimonial dinner in hi honor by the Midtown Optimist Club of Hillcrest district. He was also elected president of the group.
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A gold key, an inscribed dictionary and certificate awards were presented to Sidney Geraldine Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Fox, of Detroit, who recently won a national essay contest. Proud grandmother is Mrs. Paul Merkowtiz, who has twelve other grandchildren.
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Bon Voyage — Music lover Dora Friedman will leave on June 4 for a “musical” tour of Europe, with Gilbert Back’s Station Wagon Tour (Mr. Back is a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a teacher at S.D. State College.) The three months’ tour will cover eight countries. Mrs. Friedman will travel to Quebec by station wagon where she will sail to Europe on the SS Homeric on June 15. She will attend the Salzburg Festival, operas in Bayreuth, Germany; Rome and London. She will visit the Swiss, Italian and Austrian Alps all via station wagon.
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Mr and Mrs. Ed Schwartz leave on May 31 to attend the American Bar Convention in London. They will sail on the Ile de France. While in London they plan to attend a royal reception at Buckingham Palance where the Prime Minister will address the visiting lawyers. The itinerary includes eight countries during their two months’ stay, and a return by the SAS Polar Flight.
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Suzanne Hutler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hutler, was one of fifteen freshmen women students at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., to be elected to the sophomore women’ honorary society, the Sophomore Commission of the University, according to an announcement received from the University.
Residing at the Macmillan Hall Women’s Dormitory, Suzanne is an art major on a four-year scholarship. Her election to the honorary society was based on both activities at the University and scholastic standing.
Suzanne will return home about June 2 and plans on working this summer as a counselor at Camp Jaycee.
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Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Olf and daughter, Florine, are leaving on May 30 for Corvallis, Ore., to attend the graduation on June 34d of their son, Nelson, from Oregon State College of Engineering. He will also receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
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Mrs. Cecile Oglesby will receive her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California on Friday, June 7th at Berkeley. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Oglesby, her parents, will leave San Diego on the 5th to attend the ceremonies. Miss Oglesby attended the University of Colorado before going to the Berkeley campus; she will return to San Diego with her parents for a few weeks, prior to going East this summer.
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Ben Harris wishes to thank his friends for considerations shown after his recent surgery. He is recuperating in his new home at 5092 Campanile Dr.
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Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Greene and thier baby daughter are spending some time with grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Brenner, before taking up their residency in San Francisco.
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Bay City Women Plan Buffet Supper
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 2
The Bay City Chapter of B’nai B’rith are honoring their paid-up membership with a Buffet Supper on Monday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m., at the Tifereth Israel Center.
A gala evening is planned, featuring games, a surprise contest and a door prize.
The dessert is being supplied by Mrs. Irving Small in honor of the recent marriage of her son, Lt. Arthur Small.
Chairmen for the affair are Mrs. Murray Samuels and Mrs. Max Felsman. They will be assisted b Mmes. Bernard Kessler, Jack Meyers, Sam Cohen, Victor Millman and Sanford Sack. For reservations phone Mollie Samuels, JU-2-7051, or Rose Felsman, AT-1-1196.
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Cradle
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Orlansky announce the firth of a son, Cory David, on May 21. Weight, 7 lbs, 13 ozs. Cory joins his two brothers, Gary Martin, 7, and Robert, 4.
Paternal grandparents are Mr. and MRs. Sam Orlansky and maternal grandarents are Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Addleson. Great grandparents are Mr. and MRs. Louis Addleson.
The Bris was held on May 28 at the Orlansky home with Rabbi Monroe Levens and Cantor Joseph Cysner conducting the services.
”
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Introducing Toni Marlene Esterson, who bowed into this world on Saturdya, May 25, weighing 6 lbs., 2 ozs. Toni is the first child of Howard and Carol Esterson.
Maternal grandparents are Dr. and MRs. M. Schuman; parternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Mack Esterson. Greatgrandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bernstein. All reside in San Diego.
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(White Elephant)
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 2
Don’t buy a white elephant. Check first with your San Diego Business Bureau, whose sole purpose ios to protect the public and increase confidence in business.
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Beth Jacob Ladies Aux.
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 2
The Ladies Auxiliary will hold a traditional Shavuoth Dinner on Sunday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Beth Jacob Center. A real treat of home cook food will be served, followed by a social hour. Yo are invited to bring your friends.
Co-chairmen for this dinner are Lena Penn and Jennie Bloomfield.
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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.