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The Event Took Place in London, But It Could Happen Only in America
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 13, 1957, Page 6
The dispatches from London said that for the first time a reigning Queen of England attended a private party in the private home of a commoner, and one who is not even a citizen of Britain.
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., the actor, is a handsome man of great talent as well as an outstanding hero of the last war. He is quite a boy. Mr. Fairbanks gave a party for his daughter’s debut and among the guests were Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, and most of the leading nobles of the Realm.
This is worth looking into for a bit of philosophy.
It began with an American-born son of a Jewish immigrant from Hungary, Samuel Ullman,. Sam left New York and settled in Denver, Colorado, in the 1890s and was quite successful in the fuel and oil business. He married a Methodist girl and they had a son whom they called Philip and who was taken to the schul on the 8th day to be circumcised. This Philip Ullman became Douglas Fairbanks, who climbed a thousand Renaissance balconies and destroyed all the galleons on the Spanish Main.
But Douglas Fairbanks like most people who wear a masquerade all their lives was never quite sure of himself despite his great wealth and his world-wide fame. He married a charming society lady of Philadelphia, belonging to the Main Line Stotesbury family and they had a son who is Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The boy received a wonderful education and cultural upbringing under his mother’s care and guidance. The senior Fairbanks, however, went overboard completely, as people usually do, who feel the need to prove themselves. In this case Douglas, Senior, was trying to prove his “Anglo-Saxonism.” The intense drive “to be an Englishman” (the complete symbol of the Nordic ideal) was certainly part of this drive and his nervousness. There was no relaxation, and he went out of his way to avoid any contact or associations that might possibly lift the masquerade–even to himself.
The son, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., is more relaxed about the whole thing, of course. Naturally he has had no ties whatever with “Jewishness,” although Hitler would have killed him as a “one-quarter Jew.” The remarkable thing about this talented man is that he was able to address a meeting of the United Jewish Appeal as a Gentile, and that, my friends takes some doing — for the Jews to accept him as such, with enthusiasm and pride yet. Which confirms what I have been writing about–status.
Charlie Chaplin is still in every Jewish encylopedia. His father was a Jew by the name of Thonstein, and while Fairbanks Sr., remained forever silent on the matter, Chaplin was militant when the occasion called for it. When asked to support some Jewish organization, he said: “I am not a Jew; I am a citizen of the world.” Big deal. Once the late Will Rogers, a lovable man who did not know the meaning of guile, told Chaplin that he (Rogers) was on his way to a meeting of “your” people, and Chaplin never spoke to Rogers again. Bruno Walter and Fritz Kreisler are also listed as Jews, even though they are both converts and the latter receives the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing on each of his birthday anniversaries.
When the convert (or the son, or grandson of the convert) is what we Jews call “a nothing,” we hold him in something less than esteem. A renegade. But if that same man has achieved great status in the art world or in the world of science, we are not only proud of him but often claim him as “one of our own.”
I have specifically restricted it to “art” and “science” because this does not apply to “trade.” It does not matter how high a man goes in commerce or finance, he is still “a nothing” as far as “claiming” him away from his new religious faith. This probably goes back to the day when we held “trade” and commerce in great contempt. We still do. Everybody does as a matter of fact. That is why the successful businessmen fell the need to latch on to some affiliation or “sponsorship” of museums, the theatre, an orchestra or some educational institution; and that is why the Trustees of the Schul and the Stewards and Elders of the Church like to tell the Rabbi and the Minister how to conduct the services and as far as the editor is concerned, hoo ha; “you shouldn’t have written that,” he says. — Harry Golden, Carolina Israelite
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Letter From Vienna, Austria
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 13, 1957, Page 7
(By Ernest Michel)
From the outside, the building in Seidenstettergasse looks like just another building. Aside from the fact that it has a Hebrew inscription on one of its doors you would not know that you are looking at Jewish history. Butthat’s what this building represents, and it has been declared a place of historic value by the Austrian government.
This building, which houses the offices of the Wiener Juedische Kultsgemeinne (Viennese Jewish Community), was at one time the front for a place of Jewish worship. That was in the Nineteenth Century, when according to an imperial decree, no church other than the Catholic could show on the outside that it was a place of worship. In this building, the first rabbinical seminar in history was founded.
The building was the home of many of the great Rabbis; and it was here, in the narrow street in front of this old historic building, that in the time of the Hitler regime, tens of thousands of Austrian Jews assembled to be shipped to their death in Hitler’s concentration camps.
“Every stone in this building tells a story of Jewish history in Vienna for almost two hundred years.” The man who was speaking these words was Dr. Felzberg, President of the Jewish Community of Vienna for almost sixty years, told us the story of this building which is located in the very heart of Vienna, around the corner from the street which today still bears the name “Judengasse.”
Dr. Felzberg has been active in community work in Vienna for over thirty years and was among the thousands of Viennese Jews who were sent to concentration camps. The only member of his once large family to survive he returned to Vienna to start to rebuild what had once been a proud Jewish community.
The first job was to go to the Jewish cemetery, where — with the help of a few friends who had come back — they started to dig up from one of the graves the holy Torah, which they had buried there during the last days before the deportation.
These scrolls, a symbol of Jewish survival, were presented by the Viennese Jewish community to the State of Israel, following the establishment of the State. They are now part of the archives of Israel.
We were listening with tears in our eyes, as this dignified old gentleman continued the story of the Viennese Jewish community. “Since the war,” Dr. Felzberg continued, “Vienna has served as a transit place for Jews from Eastern Europe. Last fall, some 20,000 Jews were among the 170,000 Hungarian refugees who streamed into Austria.”
“More recently, Jews from other European countries have arrived, and are still arriving, Vienna being their first stop on their way to Israel.”
Dr. Felzberg had one parting word for us before we left. “We could not have done it alone,” he said, reflecting on the efforts of the last twelve years. “The Nazis had hardly left when the people from the American Joint Distribution Committee arrived to help us rebuild our lives. If today we have again a self-sustaining Jewish community in Vienna, it is because of you, the Jews of America.”
We shook hands with Dr. Felzberg and walked down the deep steps of the old building. On the grey plaster wall near the staircase, I could dimly see this scribbled: “K.W., April 7, 1942.” — That’s all.
As I walk away from the building, I can’t help thinking of “K.W.” and whether or not he is still alive.
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Hadassah
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 13, 1957, Page 7
Mrs. Vailia Dennis, General Chairman for Hadassah’s Presentation Ball announces that applications are now being taken for eligible debutantes for the late winter event. Debs must be sixteen years of age or a junior in high school and they may contact Mrs. Dennis at CYpress 606829 or Mrs. Sammy Stein at ATwater 2-9000 for all information. Mothers of debs must be members of Hadassah. Qualifications for Pre-Deb Court include the request that a girl be 15 years of age or a sophomore in high school and that her mother be a member of the organization. Mrs. Elmer Wohl and Mrs. Joseph Kwint will receive applicants at ATwater 1-3140 or CYpress 6-3144.
A stag line, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Joseph Kaplan, is now in the process of being formed and young men 16 years of age or over may apply for membership in this stag group by contacting the Chairman at ATwater 2-5136.
Date of the Ball is March 8 at the El Cortez Hotel.
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Morris and Lena Penn To Be Honored by Beth Jacob Synagogue
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 13, 1957, Page 8
Morris and Lena Penn will be honored by Beth Jacob Synagogue members and their many friends on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary in a Mortgage burning ceremony at a dinner banquet on Sunday, December 22.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Penn will be lauded for their outstanding loyalty, dedication and service.
A golden booklet recording Beth Jacob’s miraculous growth to which the Penns contributed immeasurably will be issued and will record the names of all who helped to liquidate the Shul mortgage, according to Abe Abramson and Ben Kolky, chairmen. Mr. A.J. Kahn has been named honorary chairman.,
Donation for the dinner banquet, preceded by a cocktail party, and providing appropriate entertainment is $7.50 per person. Reservation will be on a “first come first serve” basis, according to Mrs. Robert Strauss, dinner chairman. Deadline for reservations will be December 15.
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Hadassah Plans for Chanukah Party
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 13, 1957, Page 8
Friday, December 13th will find Hadassah members in two houses of worship, Beth Israel Temple and Tifereth Israel Synagogue, at which time members will participate in the regular Sabbath services. Mrs. Maynard Hurwitz, Vice President, will speak on the work of the organization at Tifereth Israel and Mrs. Morton Thaler, President, will highlight the projects of the group at Temple Beth Israel.
December 18th, at the Lafayette Hotel, will be the next regular luncheon meeting of the local Chapter at which time all Life Members will be guests of honor. Mrs. B.W. Nathan, Life Membership Chairman, is in charge of all arrangements assisted by Mrs. Edward Schwartz as Co-Chairman. A beautiful Chanukah pageant, written by Mrs. Merwin Sibulkin and Mrs. Sumner Alpert, will be presented as the program highlight and a social afternoon of cards and other games will follow. Members are reminded to bring their own cards and mah jong sets and to make reservations early with Mrs. M. Rabinowitz at CY 5-5687 or Mrs. M.S Berlin at JU-2-2702.
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Hebrew Home For The Aged Auxiliary
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 13, 1957, Page 8
The Women’s Auxiliary of the Hebrew Home for the Aged wishes to announce that there will be no regular meeting in December. Instead, they are having a Chanukah party at the Home, 4075 Fifth-fourth street on Sunday, December 22, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. An interesting program has been planned. All members and guests are cordially invited to attend.
Please save used clothing and any household articles for our rummage sale which is to be held January 20, 21 and 22. The used merchandise can be brought to the Home at any time, or you may call the following co-chairmen to pick it up: Mrs. Louis Feller, ATwater 2-7344, or Mrs. Sydney C. Goldstein, ATwater 2-7345.
A delightful outing for the guests of the Home will be held on December 12th. This is one of the monthly projects of the Auxiliary.
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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.
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