Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 3
By Julia Kaufman
Kai Wo Maru (Ocean King) — Second best to touring the world is meeting people from other countries. Not only do we get a new concept of these “strangers” but we see ourselves through their eyes, which sometimes changes our self-concept.
The Japanese sailing vessel, Kai Wo Maru, with its 35 sailing masts, stood out in sharp contrast to the modern ships and carriers in San Diego Harbor. I expected to be greeted on board by Errol Flynn with flashing sword. Instead my guides were two small, slim young men, Cadet Sadao Nakai and a friend, with whom I covered the ship fore and aft. They had completed four years at the Mercantile College in Kobe and were undergoing six months basic training on the ship in preparation for officers training. They had been taught English in Japan but never had an opportunity to put it to practical use, so our conversation was reduced to the simplest form. Every time I supplied the word they were groping for they beamed.
The cadets explained the difference between the jigger, mizzim fore and main masts… I learned that the Aft Bridge is used when sailing; the Fore Bridge for “crashing” or entering a Port … that Captain K. Sono, who has been master of the ship for ten years was “strict but very nice” … that all the fixtures on the twenty-seven year old ship were “primitive” except the two Diesel engines used to enter and leave Ports… the ship’s complement consists of 20 officers, 80 cadets and 40 seamen. I noted that the “Safety First” signs and some other signs aboard the ship were printed in English. It was explained that where are no corresponding names in Japanese for the parts of the ship or nautical terms, the English expressions and names are used. This was the second voyage of the Kai Wo Maru to San Diego, the last being twenty years ago.
The direct trip from Tokyo to San Diego took 48 days and was filled with enough excitement to satisfy any young man. They weathered a severe storm, with high waves sweeping the deck and dangerously tilting the ship. The vessel was held up by fog and another time becalmed for three days because there was not enough wind for the sails. While on the high seas, they found that climbing the high, slippery poles, in order to handle the sails, very hazardous work.
This was the Cadets first visit to a foreign land and I was happy to hear that they found the San Diegans “very nice.” They were impressed by Balboa Park and enjoyed the baseball games. However, they left without souvenirs because they found everything too expensive. One did get extravagant and bought a lipstick for his girl friend. Maybe they will find something “Made in U.S.A.” when they visit Hawaii — their next Port of Entry before returning to Tokyo.
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Star of David. Cecil Roth, well-known historian, gives the history of the shield of David in the June edition of Commentary Magazine. I am sure that many of my readers, like myself, have seen the six-pointed star in unexpected places. A number of years ago, when in England, I questioned the origin of a banner or flag hanging in Shakespeare’s church, in Stratford-on Avon, and could find no one to give an answer. According to Mr. Roth, “an ancient object bearing the Shield of David does not necessarily have to be of Jewish origin. The reverse is the case. The Mogen David became a recognized and quasi-exclusive (though even this is rather too strong) Jewish symbol only during the last couple of centuries. It was very common, however, and still is in the Moslem world. An old tray or vase bearing the characteristic intertwined triangles is therefore far more likely to be of Arab than of Jewish origin. Even the presence of Hebrew lettering is not always an indication of Jewish origin. The Hebrew letters have a high decorative value and some Arab brass-workers in Syria and North Africa keep a stock of punches which they use to round the edges of their manufacture without any regard to meaning. Life gets so darned complicated with knowledge.
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“Peace” Officers? Did you ever hear of the International Footprint Association? I didn’t, until I checked in at the New Heathman Hotel in Portland, where I stayed while waiting for the big day of my son’s graduation from Reed College. The Footprint Association is made up of peace enforcement officers, sheriffs and related occupations, They were having a convention in that city and after two sleepless nights due to their rowdiness which consisted in part of hanging on hotel doors and yelling ’till the wee hours of the morning, I complained to the Assistant Manager of the hotel. HI attitude was strictly “boys will be boys.” Next time I’ll choose a hotel where the Footpads are convening. They at least are quiet.
*I’ll save you the trouble of looking it up — Footpads are highwaymen who rob on foot.
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Robt. Imberman In New Post in Tucson
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 3
Robert Imberman has accepted the appointment of Executive Director of Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson, Arizona. He will leave July 15 with his family for his new post.
Mr. Imberman, a graduate of San Diego State College, was formerly U.S.O.-J.W.B. Area Director for San Diego. He also was Executive Director of Congregation Beth Israel in Sn Francisco and did Public Relations work for the S.D. Community Chest.
Mr. and Mrs. Imberman carried out a program for the aged instituted by the Jewish Community Center and the S.D. Hebrew Home for the Aged. The couple and their three children, Nancy, Larry and Margaret, are looking forward to visits from their San Diego friends in their new home in Tucson.
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No More Crying At Jewish Weddings
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 3
By Harry Golden, Carolina Israelite
Most of the joy of the old-fashioned Jewish wedding has been completely eliminated.
Only one thing remains. The groom’s mother is still the most important person at the affair. (In the Gentile world the bride’s mother is the big wheel). And if the groom’s mother takes her duties a bit too seriously, which is hardly possible, someone always says, “After all she is his mother.”
But in every other way the “tomm” (flavor) has gone out of it. There’s no dodkhan anymore. He was a sort of minstrel harking back to the Middle Ages, who combined the skills of poet, wit, master of ceremonies, composer, musician and philosopher. He called out the names of the uest as they arrived, giving proper honor to each one according to his status in the community. He had the guests laughing one minute and crying the next; but the crying was most important. The minstrel “bespoke” each of the four parents; then the grandparents; a bit of broad humor when he spoke to the groom; and finally his “instructions” to the bride for her new way of life; and at this moment the crying began, with a furtive glance here and there to see if someone important maybe was not crying. This was extremely impolite.
And the kids “under foot” making such a terrible racket. In those days they invited everybody: the neighbors, the landsleit, and the fellow members of the burial society. A long table with fine herring, potatoes, and all sorts of other good snacks. And you put the herring on a respectable piece of rye bread or pumpernickel. None of this fancy cracker business. On the other side of the hall was the “sweet” table with wine, honey cake, sponge cake, apple shtrudle, glazed fruits and candies.
Now the first thing you see when you see when you come to a wedding is a big fountain with fruit juice pouring out of six sprouts, all different colors. There is a twenty-five foot table with hors d’oeuvres, which include puny little objects they dare call — knishes.
It was a great honor to hold one of the four poles of the canopy under which the couple spoke their vows, but what have we today? A huge Cecil B. DeMille job, gorgeously decorated with flowers, and any minute you expect pigeons to fly out. The Cantor wears a very tall, heavily embroidered Yarmulka, which makes him look like Cardinal Spellman conducting High Mass at St. Patrick’s and this you have to see to believe — the glass which the groom traditionally crushes under foot (symbolizing the destruction of the Temple) is now put into a little velvet bag with a zipper, and it makes a fancy little “ping” instead of that good old-fashioned masculine “crunch” And then a girl (she’s a music major at Julliard) sings — “O Promise Me”; –So help me.
And the fine dances are no more, the circles bigger and bigger, and finally the old bubbe (grandmother) enveigled into the center and everybody laughing as she did her few little steps. Now they all dance the cha cha; and instead of shlivovitz (plum brandy) they serve “Haig and Haig”; “Pinch,” he says yet. And tip? Why Noel, that’s just not done! What a fine feeling in those days when the big soup plates were passed around for tips to the musicians and the waiters, and everybody watched with such pride as the rich uncle dropped the twenty-dollar bill. And of course the kids are quiet; each one looks like Freddy Bartholomew and they are all in a corner practicing the cha cha. Can you imagine what would have happened to those kids on Eldridge Street? It is all gone. Today the Jewish wedding hor d’oeuvres and all, is just another semi-annual Chamber of Commerce affair.
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Weinberger Lodge News
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 4
Monday, July 22nd, marks the date of the third annual B’nai B’rith Golf Tournament and dinner meeting at the Mission Valley Country Club. Marshall Zucker, general chairman of the affair, urges all members to call him immediately and reserve starting times and the names of the players he desires to play with. The charge for Golf only is $3.00 for the 18 hole course and the dinner cost, $3.50. Tee-off time for golf will be between 12 Noon and 2 p.m. Dinner will start promptly at 7 p.m.
The Round-The-World project is going along in high gear with reported sales during the first 2 weeks of over 100 tickets. This project, which is so vital to the strength of our lodge requires your wholehearted support. At the last meeting a report was made of the San Francisco Convention which just ended. Mickey Fredman spoke for an interesting half-hour explaining the intricacies and developments of this particular convention concerning the potential success of our own Eddie Breitbard’s bid for Third Vice Presidency of the District Grand Lodge. In his analysis, he felt that Eddie’s chances for success in this race are better than they have ever been, and that he is the strongest candidate available.
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Center Building Continues to Rise
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 4
The $500,000 Jewish Community building being erected on the site at 54th Street near University avenue by the Jewish Community Center continues to grow. According to Maury Novak, Center liaison with the contractor, and Sid Rose, Building Committee Chairman, this week will see the outline of the 28,000 square foot building which will rise on this site.
Right now there is a great deal of speculation about the gigantic hole which has been excavated by the contractor. No, the swimming pool is not that big — the Center is not building a lake for boating, but part of the hole is for the Olympic size 72 x 40 pool and the children’s wading pool, that will be a feature of the new Jewish Community Center.,
The gymnasium, lockers and health club will fit into the balance of the hole when the second phase of the building program is begun.
“Payment of pledges made in the Building Fund Campaign is essential at this time so that all construction bills may be met promptly,” Schwartz said.
Contributions and payment may be sent to the Jewish Community Center, 333 Plaza, San Diego 1, California.
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Only Last Period Open for Day Camp
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 4
With the first two weeks of the eleventh year of Camp Jaycee, the Jewish Community Center Day Camp–completed, the Day Camp continues to give over 150 youngsters a camping experience right in their own back yard.
The second period of the day camp will highlight the Fiesta theme, in keeping with the opening of San Diego’s Fiesta Del Pacifico. The Spanish and Mexican atmosphere will prevail during this period and will be climaxed by a parent’s day on Friday, July 19, at Holiday Ranch.
Beginning at 1 p.m. until 1:45 there will be a demonstration of dancing, arts and crafts, swimming, singing and other things which the campers have learned during this period. There will be no charge for admission to Holliday Ranch.
Bernard Arenson, Center Chairman of the Day Camp Committee, announced that Registration was closed for Camp Jaycee until the last session starting August 1. He urged everyone who wants their youngster to have this very worthwhile camping experience to register now for this last period. Camp Jaycee is open to all boys and girls from 5 to 12 years of age.
The Jewish Community Center is a Red Feather Community Chest Agency and a member of the San Diego Federation of Jewish Agencies.
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(Used Cars)
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 4
Buying a used car? Drive it before you buy it, your San Diego Better Business Bureau warns. Above all,, know your dealer.
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J.W.V. Aux Begins Poppy Sale Aug. 14
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 4
There will be a Poppy Sale on Wednesday, August 14 by the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary No. 185. Funds will be used for work the Auxiliary does at the U.S. Naval Hospital, and Aid to Israel. Members working three hours or more on the Poppy Day Sale will be invited to a buffet supper at the home of Lil Yukon and will also received credit towards the Donor Luncheon. President Silberman urges as many members as possible to participate in the Poppy Sale.
There will be a meeting of Poppy Workers on August 7th at 2 p.m. at the home of Lil Yukon, 4704 59th St.
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Fox Lodge News
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 12, 1957, Page 4
During the summer months of July and August the Fox Lodge will hold only one meeting a month the second Tuesday of each month.
At our last meeting the Fox Lodge donated $25.00 to the Henry Monsky Fund.
On July 14th the Fox Lodge will be host to a Lox and Bagel Breakfast for the boys at the Naval training Center, all Brothers who want to help be at Gate No. 7 at 9:00 a.m. P.P. Stanley Yukon is chairman of this affair.
Come to the Fox Lodge Picnic on Sunday, July 28, at Flinn Springs. Soft drinks and ice cream will be furnished.
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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.