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Eban Meeting Makes History $115,000 Raised For UJF In Opening Day
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Pages 1, 3
Ambassador Abba Eban came to San Diego last week, and conquered the community in inaugurating the 1958 Campaign of the United Jewish Fund.
San Diego Jewry turned out over 500 strong to pay their respects to the Israeli Ambassador at the El Cortez.
At the conclusion of the meeting over $115,000 was announced as the total raised on the opening day of the fund campaign for the United Jewish Campaign regular drive and the United Jewish Rescue Fund.
“The response at the Eban meeting and Women’s Division “Pacesetting” brunch as indicated by the generous contributions made by community leadership indicated that San Diego understands the continuing needs that must be met overseas as well as our unceasing responsibilities to our local and national programs,” Harry Wax, Campaign Chairman, stated.
“I am confident that the rest of the community,” he continued, “will respond to this challenge in the same generous spirit.”
The announcement issued by Wax and his Vice Chairman Martin Gleich and Rabbi Morton J. Cohn showed an overall increase over the 1957 campaign of 20% with 38% of the goal $303,000 reached.
Eli H. Levenson, a past president , and national Vice President of the Council of Jewish Federation and Welfare Funds, introduceed Mr. Eban.
Guests of honor were Dr. Avram Biran, Consul General of Israel for the 11Western states, and Judge Jacob Weinberger, first president of the U.J.F. and Judge of the U.S. District Court.
Before addressing the Inaugural Meeting of the United Jewish Fund, MR. Eban spoke before an audience of over 200 leaders at the Grant Hotel. The luncheon meeting was sponsored by the City and County of San Diego, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the Christian Committee of the United Jewish Fund. Frank G. Forward, Chairman of the Christian Committee, presided.
Bringing greetings to the Ambassador were Mayor Charles Dail, Supervisor De Graf Austin, Admiral Hartman, Commandant, 11th Naval District; Father William Nolan, on behalf of Bishop Charles F. Buddy; Dr. Lester C. Bond, President Council of Churches; Thomas Clarkson, Vice President, Chjamer of Commerce, and John Nash, President of Convair.
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Eban Stirs Listeners
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 3
One of the penalties of being a newspaperman and a politician of sorts is the ever-present necessity of listening to speeches. Gets so one speech sounds almost like another, and the drone of one man’s voice blends right into what the next man is saying, or thinks he is saying. Only once in a while is there a variant; only rarely comes a man who has the two requirements for a good address. The knowledge of his subject and the intelligence to present it, plus the ability to use the English language as it should be used and with a delivery to make it enjoyable. Such men are few in number. Up to last Thursday we could – safely – count only two who met those qualifications in every particular and without stint.
Our list now embraces three, the newest being Abba S. Eban, one of the world’s top diplomats, ambassador to the United States from Israel and his nation’s representative to the United Nations. He spoke twice in San Diego, and so compelling was the man we went to hear him both times. He was in San Diego on behalf of the annual United Jewish Fund Appeal, but what he had to say was mainly about world conditions, with emphasis on the Middle East and, of course, Israel. He spoke almost an hour at the luncheon with never a cliché, never a hackneyed phrase. (How many can you recall who have done that?)
We took no notes, but a few things stand vividly in memory. “Brooding in rancor is the most senseless of all occupations.”
And “Eggheads all over the world are throwing off their yokes.”
And “We should look back at the past but not as spectators but as architects.”
And “We are touched by all the grandeur and exaltation of our problems.”
And: “We are seeing a great drama, acted in the sight of eternity.”
He spoke of “The paradox of safety,” saying “Our mutual peril may be the reason for our safety. Today no city is more than four minutes away from devastation. All nations today are equally safe or equally vulnerable,” adding that while it is not the best possible of barriers it is better than no barrier at all.”
He mentioned “New forces which science has bequeathed to our uses.
“The deadly peril, day by day, has brought about complete unity of our people,” Eban said. “Arab nationality has been the architect of Israel’s statehood.”
Eban, a world leader and nearing what might be called a Churchillian stature (he speaks somewhat in the Churchill manner, perhaps because he is a graduate of Cambridge) is at 43 at the threshold of greatness. His recent four-hour-long debate at the United Nations caught the imagination of the world, his modesty holds his hearers and his underplaying of phrase and understatement of fact is endearing because it leaves to the intelligence of his listeners the full consideration, the final judgment. Never once did he boast of the achievements of Israel, instead he left the future to the future, saying on this occasion of the 10th anniversary of the birth of the Mediterranean democracy:
“We do not know where Israel will go in the next 10 years. We only know that in the past decade we have wrought a nation, we have the beginning of a future!”
For our part, we would like to suggest that if you get a chance to hear this man on radio or TV or in person – do so. There are not many in his mold. – G.K.W. from the Coronado Journal.
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Laugh-a-Minute Promised At ‘So Let ‘Em Foreclose’
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Pages 1, 3
Will the mortgage be paid off? Who will be the new Rabbi? How will the villainous Jacob Schwindler be foiled? What is Lizzie Loeb’s deep dark secret? All will be revealed when the curtain rises on “So let them foreclose,” latest production of Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood. Show-time will begin at 8:15 p.m. in the Hoover High School Auditorium on Saturday, March 29th. Appearing for this one night only are favorites of the musical comedy stage: Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Solomon, Mr. and Mrs. David Sapp, Mrs. Ray Lieberman, Mrs. Max Leichtag, Miss Sandra Schoenkopf, Dr. David Edelson, Mr. Harry Goodwin, Mrs. Carl Esenoff, Mr. Irving Alexander, Miss Beverly Kitaen, Mr. Sol Schultz, Mrs. Amalie Weinfield, and Mrs. Joseph Kwint.
Temple Youth League members in the show are: Misses Debra Schjulman, Carolyn Myers, Eileen Heiman and Nancy Silverman and Messrs. Mickey Satter, Louis Landers, Michael Dickman and Leonard Heumann.
Mrs. Herbert Haimsohn announces that the following are assisting with their efforts in making the show an outstanding near-professional production. MR. Paul Hennenberg, who has arranged the musical scores and will conduct the Star-Light Opera Orchestra; Mrs. Jeff Hall, rehearsal accompanist and pianist for the performance; Mrs. Robert Johnston, director of choreography; Miss Marie Normande, make-up director of John Powers Studio; Mr. Michael Solomon, stage manager, who will be assisted with properties by Mrs. Lou Karp and Mrs. Alfred Heumann; Mr. Jack Gross Jr., production manager.
Ways and Means chairman, Mrs. Marvin Jacobs, urges everyone to buy their tickets now for this single fund-raising project of the Sisterhood’s 1957-58 club year. Enjoy a rollicking comedy for the nominal donation of $5.00 or $3.50. Ticket chairman, Mrs. Norman Seltzer, states that tickets may be obtained from Mrs. Morton J. Cohn at JU-2-1108, Mrs. Lou Karp at AC-3-9104, or the Temple Office, BE-0-0149.
Other members assisting with the production are: MRs. Fred Leeds, chairman of the auditorium and ushers and usherettes, the membership of the Temple Youth League; Mrs. Mack Esterson, chairman of the Souvenir program book.
An after-theater party and a “Salute to the Cast,” will be held at Mission Valley Country Club. Reservations are necessary and further details may be obtained from Mrs. Morrie Ackerman at AT-1-4969.
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Center Opens Mar. 31: Rain Delays Dedication Ceremonies;
March 30 Ceremonies Postponed Until April
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 1
Operations in the new Jewish Community Center will begin on March 31, William B. Schwartz, president, announced.
However, the planned March dedication and opening ceremonies must be postponed from Sunday, March 30, to a later date in April because of inclement weather.
“The rains, which have been excellent for San Diego,” Schwartz said, “have made it necessary to delay the formal ceremonies.
“Though the building is completed and the furniture and equipment which the Center can afford to buy is now going into the building, it is impossible to complete the paving of the road, or the parking area in time for the planned formal ceremonies.
“Because of the rains it is also impossible to complete the swimming pool. Plastering which has been donated by a local builder cannot be done until the rains stop and the area is dry.”
Morris W. Douglas and Bernard Arenson, Co-Chairmen of the Dedication Committee, stated that the program would include presentation of colors by the San Diego Post Jewish War Veterans; ribbon cutting ceremonies by city and country officials; and the formal dedication of the House.”
Approximately $50,000 in cash still is needed to meet payments for the completion of the swimming pool and equipment, as well as a part of the construction costs.
Through generous gifts of furnishings for the teen-age lounge, the adult lounge and the library, it is possible to complete the furnishings of these major rooms.
Gifts are still urgently needed for the equipment for nursery school and its playground; swimming pool area; patio section, landscaping.
There are still many rooms and area that can be purchased for dedication and memorial purposes.
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Young Leadership Plays Active Part in 1958 Drive
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 1
The appointment of Larry Lawrence, Julius Kahn and Herbert Solomon to head divisions in the 1958 campaign brought forward young, new, dynamic personalities to help spark the drive.
In making the announcement of their acceptances, Wax said that it was his plan to bring our young executives to leadership position since, “they will, in the future, have the responsibilities of the Jewish community on their shoulders. There is no better training ground for community leadership than in the UJF which covers all areas of the Jewish community.”
A building and real estate executive, Mr. Lawrence will serve as Vice Chairman of the Pace-Setters division with Abraham Abramson, chairman. Lawrence is Vice-President of the Community Service Organization, a Federation-Fund young leadership training group.
Mr. Kahn, who will head the liquor division, is the head of the Texas Liquor Company. A director of the UJF, he is active in many organizations.
Heading the Young Adults division will be Mr. Solomon, who is an attorney. A member of the Community Service Organization he served as a speaker in the 1957 campaign. His wife, Elene, is serving as co-chairman of the “Young Matrons” section of the Women’s Division.
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Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
Bonnie Gardner, of Oceanside, who is recuperating from a broken rib and other injuries suffered in a recent airplane mishap, said that she was thrilled that so many of her San Diego friends remembered her. She and her husband, Art, wish to express thanks for the cards, letters and solicitation shown.
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Marie Reichelsehimer, of Liberty, New York, a recent houseguest of her second cousin, Mrs. Martha Hollander, will visit Los Angeles and San Francisco before returning to Liberty, where her husband is in charge of the canteen at Grossingers.
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Off for an extended visit in the East are Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Buchner. In Washington, D. C., they will visit with their son, Hanson and his family, and attend the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Rod. Included in their itinerary are visits to their son Harold and family, in Oklahoma City, and relatives in Detroit.
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Winter time is grandparents’ time in San Diego. Visiting from Canada are Mr. and MRs. Harry Kajhn, parents of Mrs. Harry Felson.
Mrs. Sadie Bernstein, mother of Mrs. A. Harry Malin, will wait until after the confirmation of her grandson, Robert, before returning to Philadelphia.
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Friends, family and fellow Labor Zionists will honor Mrs. Rose Brooker and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Winicki at a farewell party give at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Richlin, 4341 30th Stg., Saturday, March 22nd, at 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Brooker will be leaving for Israel on March 24th, and the Winickis will follow on March 30th. Bon Voyage!
There will be a lot of talk about the “good old times” hen Rose and Bob Gordon visit former San Diegans Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Saxe in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend.
Mrs. M. Kates of Los Angeles, did some “sister-sitting” with Bernice Esenoff this week, while brother-in-law Carl was in New York attending a meeting of the Accounting Procedure Committee of the National Institute of C.P.A’s.
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Women’s Brucn Nets $20,000 For UJF
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
The “Pace-Setters” Brunch of the Women’s Division received over $20,000 toward their goal of $52,555 for 1958, Mrs. Harry Wax announced.
Held at the flower laden Sunset Blvd home of Mr. and Mrs. Max Rabinowitz, the Women’s Division heard Mrs. Alexander Brailove tell the story of the 1958 needs of the UJF regular drive, and the appeal of the UJA Rescue Fund.
Hostesses for the Brunch were Mrs. M.D. Goodrich and Mrs. Edgar B. Levi.
The funds were contributed by 45 women attending the annual luncheon for donors of $250 or more.
Mrs. Brailove explained that in Poland alone there are still 35,000 Jews who must be taken to Israel. “The cost of transporting one person is $1,000,” she said. “This is a small price to pay to save a life.
“The money raised in the Rescue Fund,” she continued, “will be used to provide transportation and vital resettlement aid for 80,000 Jewish men, women and children, most of them seeking to leave Poland to go to Israel. God has given us a second chance to help the Polish Jewry.”
Mrs. Wax, presided at the meeting aided by her vice-chairman, Mrs. Robert Spiegel and Mrs. Alex Wise.
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First Bas Mitzvah at Temple Beth Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
Judy Martha Price, daughter of MR. and Mrs. Dennis L. Price, will have the joy of bringing the first Bas Mitzvah ceremony to the Temple Beth Israel on Friday, March 21st, at 8:00 p.m.
Visiting San Diego from Los Angeles for this happy occasion will be Mrs. A. Koffler, Judy’s aunt, Miss Edith Koffler, Judy’s cousin, and Mrs. Tilda Schuyler, a friend of the family.
All friends are invited to the Bas Mitzvah and the reception following.
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Michael Vicker Bar Mitzvah
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
Michael Vicker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Vicker, will have the honor of being the first Bar Miotzvah boy at the new Temple Beth El, 4257 Bannock Ave. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29. Rabbi Monroe Levens and Cantor Walter Flexo will officiate.
A reception for members and friends will follow the services.
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Unveiling
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
The family of Mrs. Dina Weissman announce that her stone will be unveiled on Sunday, March 30, 2:30 p.m. at the Home of Peace Cemetery. Rabbi Monroe Levens will officiate, assisted by Cantor Joseph Cysner.
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Cradle
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Grossman announce the arrival of a new “champ” and second son. Ian Howard, weighing 9 lbs 6 ozs, was born on Saturday, March 15, at Sharp Hospital. He has a brother, Barry, aged five years, and sister, Doralee, aged seven and one half years.
Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Harry Grossman of San Diego.
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Proud grandparents, MR. and Mrs. Norris Stokes, announce the birth of their granddaughter, Susan Winifred, on February 16, weighing 6 lbs 6 ozs. Parents are Mr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Stokes of Puente, Calif. Susan has a sister, Stacey, aged two and one-half years.
Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Maury Porges of Montebello, Calif. Great grandmothers are Mrs. Leah Stokoltzik of Cleveland and Mrs. Sabbath of Montebello.
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Thanks To You
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
Entertain a service person at your home for one or both Passover Seders or for other Passover hospitality. It is a splendid opportunity for doing something for the young men who are serving our country.
Mrs. Byron Sharpe, Chairman of the Jewish Welfare Board Armed Services Committee Home Hospitality Program asks all families who wish to participate in this home hospitality program to call Mrs. Kellner at BE-2-5172.
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Jolly Sixteen Club Grants Scholarship
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 21, 1958, Page 2
Mrs. Paul Nestor was hostess at the last luncheon meeting of the Jolly 16 Club, held at the Lafayette Hotel.
Upon recommendation of his teacher, a $100 scholarship will be given to a Jewish student at San Diego High School. The group also made a $100 donation to the U.J.F. Rescue Fund and $100 to the new Jewish Community Center to be used for chairs. Another allocation was made for a wheel chair needed by an elderly lady.
Plans were discussed for a Fashion Tea to be held sometime in the Spring.
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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.