Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 3
By Julia Kaufman
The diversity of entertainment in San Diego during the summer months is enough to satisfy everyone. For sheer spectacle there is “The California Story,” the colorful pageant being played in Balboa Stadium. Classical music lovers may attend the large outdoor symphony concerts in Balboa Bowl (Isaac Stern will be guests soloist on Aug. 13) and the intimate “Inside Music” performances at Hoover High which offer programs for the most discriminating musical tastes (tonight, Robert Gerle, violinist, and John Wustman, pianists, will play sonatas by Mendelssohn, Debussy and Brahms.)
The National Shakespeare Festival at the Old Globe Theatre is presenting three excellent plays. Both casts and audiences at the La Jolla Playhouse are “star-studded” and the current production, “Career” is well worth seeing. Starlight Opera brings to our city all the best of Broadway musicals (currently playing is “The Pajama Game.”)
For the explorers who like to discover “new talent,” San Diego County is the home of many little theatre groups… and what do you do with your time?
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I made my second trip to “Around the World in 80 Days” last week. This trip was taken via Capri’s luxury theatre. On my first voyage (made at a Portland, Oregon theatre) I was so overwhelmed by the scenic beauty and technical achievements, that I overlooked the cleaver character delineations, i.e., the Englishman, Phileas Fogg, who in every situation remains the detached onlooker, clinging to his own way of life. Contrasted with him is his little valet, Passepartout, who, believing, “When in Rome… etc.” goes native whenever possible.
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My readers will understand why I chose the following article for Press Notes. The subject is provocative and perhaps a better understanding may be reached if viewed objectively as a problem effecting rabbis and members of congregations throughout the country.
Hospital Chasing
By Armond E. Cohen (Rabbi Park Synagogue, Cleveland, Ohio)
“one of the earliest recorded mitzwot in the Jewish tradition is that of biqqur holim or “visiting the sick.” The Midrash traces the practice to the Bible. The three angels who appear before Abraham’s tent to herald the new of Isaac’s future birth became witness to Abraham’s hospitality and are alleged to have visited Abraham while he was recovering from the self-circumcision which he had performed at God’s behest.
In subsequent rabbinic literature, emphasis is frequently placed on the ethical value of fulfilling the mitzwa of visiting the sick friend. An interesting insight into the possible therapeutic value of a sick call is afforded by Rabbi Abba Bar Hinia who asserts in the Talmud that “everyone who visits a sick person takes a sixtieth of his illness away with him.” Quickly other enterprising scholars ask whether it would not be wise therefore for sixty persons to call at once upon the ailing and thus remove the illness in the course of one visit. The rabbi replies that, after the first visit, the law of diminishing returns operates and that each subsequent visitor can at best, remove only one sixtieth of the remaining illness. One might add the further precaution that sixty well-meaning friends descending at one time upon an ailing person might well make future calls needless.
When Jewish communities took form during the Middle Ages, the custom of visiting and helping the sick was already so firmly ingrained in the Jewish way of life that every Jewish community had a biqqur holim group to nurse the sick and, if necessary, to tide them over a protracted period of disability. The biqqur holim societies of our own day are therefore spiritual descendants of the symbolic angels of mercy who came to visit Abraham.
It is clear that the only purpose of visiting the sick was to help them and not to help the visitor. The emphasis was always on curing the sick, elevating his spirits, and giving him practical assistance if need be, such as food, clothing, medication. Nowhere is it remotely contemplated that the purpose of a sick call is to be considered in the light of good public relations for the caller.
It is likewise assumed that sick calls are made by friends, upon one another. One who is confined to a hospital bed or to his home for a long time may suffer from the feeling of being isolated and already removed from the world, forgotten by friends. He may thus lose interest in the world. The visit of a genuine friend is reassuring on this point.
Pastoral visiting at hospitals and homes must be regarded in an entirely different light than the sick calls of close friends. The pastor’s visit is of an official and professional nature. He comes as more than a friend, and if he comes adequately prepared for his mission, he possesses some background in religio-psychiatric training. His purpose is to use the psycho-religious instruments at his disposal to help the patient. Obviously he is not a doctor; but he is a religious counsellor with training in pastoral psychiatry such as will enable him to understand the nature of the illness, to appreciate the normal emotional disturbances frequently accompanying an illness, to address himself with his acquired insights to the spiritual and emotional support of the patient…”
Rabbi Cohen writes on what he calls the “evil of hospital chasing.” He claims that there is an increasing tendency today in some circles to engage in a kind of sick-call marathon. Hospital attendants report that cantors, rabbis, and sextons are bumping into each other in the halls of hospitals in their frenzied hurry to get to the room before a “competitor” gets there. And if it should be a prominent and rich citizen who is unfortunately confined, he is at once subjected to a veritable parade of representatives from local groups.
“The way to restore dignity and value and spiritual content to a pastoral visit, is for the laymen to be made to understand the nature and purpose of such a visit. Another way is for self-respecting ministers of religion to educate their people in the field of pastoral counseling. A third way, is for ministers of religion properly trained for their role by both religious and psychological grounding, to make it clear that they’re ready to serve with the best of their abilities all who desire their help, and that the services will not be thrust upon parishioners but only will be offered when they are invited. A polite call to the minister from a member of the family is all that is necessary. Those who will not trouble to call him will not be very receptive to his services.
“In the reconstruction of a sound Jewish community life, let the proper practices of biqqur holim be re-established!”
(Note: Locally there are well over one thousand families being serviced by three Rabbis, covering the San Diego County. There are nine hospitals throughout the county necessitating trips in one day from Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa to Scripps in La Jolla.)
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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 3
Dear Sir:
The City of Hope owes you a debt of gratitude.
Your magnificent cooperation during our June fund drive made it possible for us to consistently keep the public informed of the aims and purposes of our free non-sectarian Medical Center. You further enabled us to acquaint the community with our three-point program of patient care, research and postgraduate medical attention in the catastrophic diseases.
Thanks to your generosity, our campaign achieved a high measure of success. As my last official act as retiring president of the City of Hope, it is my pleasure to express to you our sincere appreciation of your splendid effort.
Sincerely yours, Victor N. CXarter, President
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Fund Committee Hears Agencies
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 3
As the United Jewish fund reached a record figure in the 1957 campaign of $282,650 toward its goal of $295,000, the Allocation Committee, chaired by Robert Spiegel, began work last Wednesday with hearings on several of the beneficiary agencies. Representatives of Overseas and Israel organizations and of several other requesting agencies were heard by the full Allocations Committee. The second hearing meeting for the balance of the major agencies will be held on Tuesday, August 20, Spiegel announced. Recommendations will be made to the Board of Directors of the United Jewish Fund no later than the October meeting, according to the chairman.
At the same time Dr. Walter Ornstein and Victor Schulman, General Campaign Co-Chairmen, announced that a “Thank You” meeting and reception would be held on Thursday, September 12, at Temple Berth Israel.
Honoring all of the workers in the 1957 campaign, the meeting will also include the presentation of awards to outstanding workers.
“The United Jewish Appeal is sending a part of their ‘Good Will Tour’ to San Diego for this occasion,” Ornstein and Schulman said, “to thank the Jewish Community of San Diego for a job well done.”
Immediately following the “Thank You Workers” evening a solicitation of approximately 200 families who have not as yet made a contribution to the United Jewish Fund 1957 Campaign or the to the Emergency Rescue Fund will begin. In an effort to secure at least another $17,000 in order to reach $300,000 over 50 selected workers will contact each of the families who have not as yet done their part.
Contributions can be made by forwarding them to the United Jewish Fund of San Diego, 333 Plaza, San Diego 1.
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Where Does Saud Really Stand?
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 3
King Saud and President Nasser are now apparently collaborating to destroy British influence in Muscat and Oman, a hot, barren and hilly sultanate about the size of Utah which strategically commands the entrance of the Persian Gulf.
Two years ago, Saud gave sanctuary to the religious and rebellious Iman Ghalid bin Ali, who has now renewed his revolt against the Sultan Said bin Taimur. A 1951 treaty sanctions British control over the sultanate’s foreign affairs, and RAF jets are attempting to suppress the insurrection.
Those economic determinists who hold that the flag follows the oil drill will interpret the clash as a struggle between the British controlled Iraq Petroleum Co., whose subsidiary holds most of the as yet unproved oil concessions in Muscat and Oman, and the American oil combine which has contrived to install Saud in Pennsylvania Avenue as U.S. Protégé 1. In London, bitter British conservatives have been asking whether Saud is sending American machine guns and land mines to the rebels.
If the struggle continues and spreads it could, indeed, determine the eight-year British-Saudi conflict over the Buraimi Oasis, crossroads to the oil rich sheikhdoms. If the oasis remains British, their oil companies will exploit it. If Saudi Arabia gets it, Aramco will exploit it. Thus, loss of Muscat and Oman and Buraimi could lead to the liquidation of British oil holdings in the Trucial States and fabulous Kuwait—a disaster to the British economy, which cannot afford dollars for oil. This is the grim possibility if Nasser now incites Saud into an all-out conflict to drive the British out of the Arabian peninsula. Paradoxically, the British chose this very moment to wind up their oil business in Israel, yielding to the Arab League’s anti-Israel boycott –an act of appeasement which will them neither respect here nor surceases from Arab harassment there.
History-wise, the U.S. has a mere sentimental interest. About 125 years ago, a New Hampshire sea captain went to Muscat to negotiate one of our first commercial treaties in the Orient. But Muscat becomes a danger zone if it is the scene of a Nasser-Saud rapprochement, and if the Cairo-Moscow axis succeeds in embroiling the U.S. and the U.K. Obviously, the sooner this revolt is disposed of, the happier Washington will be.
Feted by President Eisenhower, supplied with arms and a $25 million gift from the American taxpayers, Saud was to have become the Arab leader best qualified to challenge Nasser and to focus Arab eyes pm the danger of communism. But Saud may not accept the role cast for him by our diplomats and Aramco press agentry.
Saud is now advised—and agitated—by a clique of palace mercenaries who hate the British and the Israelis more than they hate communism. He has begun to accept jets from Egypt. He insists that the Arabs will close Aqaba to Israel shipping. His communiques do not indorse the Eisenhower Doctrine. On the contrary, he preaches Nasser’s positive neutralism.
Can the U.S. predicate a foreign policy on the cupidity of an absolute monarch, responsible to no one?
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Weinberger Lodge Holds Picnic Aug. 18
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 3
Members of Henry Weinberger Lodge, B’nai B’rith, their families and friends, are urged to attend the first Lodge outing on Sunday, August 18, at Lindo Lake Park, from 11 a.m. to evening.
Irv Mortin, Jewish Center Director, Sam Bennett and Morrie Wax promise an eventful afternoon for kids and adults alike. Lots of fun, lots of games, all topped off by a softball game between the A.Z.A. Boys and the AKs of B’nai B’rith.
Chairman Herb Reder will supply ice cream and cookies for all. Cold drinks will be available. Lindo Lake is a beautiful picnic park, containing dance pavilion, rides for the little ones and game facilities.
Directions to the Park: Turn left at Magnolia Ave, in El Cajon. Continue through Lakeside. Follow signs to Lindo Lake Park.
“Round the World” seems to be a popular theme these days. Anyway, Al Kaye, chairman of the ticket committee for our lodge, is thinking that the current publicity is giving him a great boost. So far, there have been over 200 tickets sold for the round-the-world trip. Every member owes it to himself, his lodge, and his family to buy one of these tickets… You might win, you know.
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Homes Are Sad as Camp Jaycee Ends
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 3
There’s a sadness in the air around many San Diego homes this week as both parents and youngsters contemplate the end of the eleventh season of Camp Jaycee, the Jewish Community Center’s Day Camp. When the Tepee Village, located at Holiday Ranch, is broken down and the young Indians silently steal away to their home reservations, they will leave with fond memories of eight weeks of an enjoyable summer.
Led by a staff of twenty three outstanding Counselors, over 200 young boy and girl campers between the ages of 5 and 12 participated in the program and activities that they and the staff planned. With only one more week remaining in the camp season, plans are already being made for the 1958 day camp, according to Bernard Arenson, Day Camp Chairman.
In the summer of 1958 it is anticipated that Camp Jaycee will be located at the Community Center building and playground, with complete use of the new Olympic-size swimming pool and the children’s wading pool. Besides the use of the rooms in the building, the Day Camp will make use of Colina Del Sol Park facilities, including golf course, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and tennis courts.
And so another year in San Diego’s pioneer Day Camp will come to a close next week, but Arenson said that there will be camping programs all during the year for all age groupings at the Jewish Community Center.
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Hegland Appointed to Education Code
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 4
SACRAMENTO (Special)—Assemblyman Sheridan Hegland of La Mesa has been appointed to a Joint Interim Committee on Revision of the Education Code.
The appointment was made by Speaker Luther Lincoln. The Joint Committee will be formed by three Assemblymen and three State Senators.
Hegland said that among objectives of the Committee would be elimination of obsolete sections of the law, reconciliation of contradictory sections, and proper enforcement provisions.
“I hope we’ll be able to put some of the Code, at least, in simpler words so it can be more readily understood,” Hegland said.
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In Pajama Game
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 4
Polly Puterbaugh and Gene Clarke play the romantic leads in “The Pajama Game” at Balboa Park Bowl Thursday through Sunday at 8:30 p.m. as Star-Light’s contribution to La Fiesta del Pacifico. The recent smash musical, which ran for more than three years on Broadway is loaded with popular songs, breath-taking dances and fast-paced comedy, presented in the original New York sets and costumes.
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Broadway Hit Next At La Jolla Playhouse
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 4
A Broadway star’s arduous but triumphant climb to fame is candidly enacted on the stage of La Jolla Playhouse this week in absorbing, exciting, fresh, play, “Career” much to the enthusiastic delight of those who have seen it since it opened Tuesday night. The play was written by James Lee.
The New York success is being equaled in La Jolla, and credit goes to John Swope—who incidentally is the first theatrical producer in the world given the rights to this play outside New York—for having put together a strong cast under the direction of an inspired director, Andrew McCullough, to unfold an engrossing story of tears and laughter.
Don Taylor, a star of proven versatility, gets top honors for an extraordinary characterization of the central figure involving the whole range of emotions from extreme tragedy to high comedy. He is aided, abetted and frustrated in his step-ladder climb to the top by such great stalwarts as Una Merkel – whose prowess in the field of comedy and draw was recognized last year when she won New York’s coveted Antoinette Perry Award for the best performance of the year as a supporting actress in “The Ponder Heart”—Ray Danton, Maggie Hayes and Bethel Leslie.
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Isaac Stern to Play Concert August 13
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 9, 1957, Page 4
Isaac Stern, world famous American violinist, will be guest soloist Tuesday, August 13 at 8:30 p.m. with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Robert Shaw conducting, at the sixth summer series concert in Balboa Park Bowl.
With the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Tuesday night Stern will play two outstanding violin concerti. They are the Mendelsohn Concert in E. minor, Op. 64, and Brahms Concerto in D major, Op. 77. Robert Shaw will conduct the orchestra in two additional numbers, Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro and Prairie Night and Celebration Dance by Copeland.
Among Stern’s many recordings is one of the Brahms Concerto he will play Tuesday night. He recorded the great concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. Last y ear Stern was the first American concert artist to appear in Russia in more than a decade and audiences jammed concert halls in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev and other cities.
Tickets for con cert are available at the Palmer box office, 640 Broadway, BE9-4700, and at the Balboa Park Bowl box office after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
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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.