Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, July 8, 1955, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World

Beth Jacob Men’s Club To Hold ‘Gold Nugget Nite’ Sun
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

The annual “Golden Nugget Nite” sponsored by Beth Jacob Men’s Club will be held this Sunday, July 10, from 6 p.m. on at Beth Jacob Center, 4473 30th St.   Jack Brisker, president, announced that all proceeds of the affair will go towards reducing the annual mortgage payment of the synagogue.

The evening will be replete with many highlights, among which will be the various games, cards, entertainment and amusement, the famous Beth Jacob kosher dinner, and the 5-day all-expense trip to Las Vegas.

The dinner has become a byword in San Diego. For only $1.75 per person you will get a full course home-cooked meal like mother used to make which will include gefilte fish, kugel, delicious brust braten, compote, and all the other trimmings. Ask anyone who ever tasted one.

There will also be cards and games of every description plus amusement novelties and prizes of every kind. You can’t help but have a lot of fun and at the same time earn a mitzvah.

That evening someone will receive a 5-day all expense trip to Las Vegas for two, including round trip air transportation. The lucky person need not be present and the donation is one dollar. Tickets can be procured from any member or at the affair.

Price of the dinner also entitles you to obtain a free opportunity to receive a valuable prize.  Every 30 minutes valuable gifts will be given away and during the affair you are sure to have a profitable evening besides having a lot of fun.

Make up a party and be sure to come to Beth Jacob this Sunday evening. You couldn’t cook home for double the price and if you’re luck the whole evening may be

for gor.

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U.S.O. Jr. Hosteesses Honored
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

Shown holding Award Certificate, presented him by the USO-JWB Armed Services Committee of San Diego, is Maj. Gen. John C. McQueen, Commanding General of U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot.  The occasion was a luncheon honoring 18 of the group of USO-JWB Junior Hostesses for outstanding service during the past year. Gen. McQueen addressed the group, thanking them for their service above and beyond.  Also in the photograph, from the right,  are Alex J. Newman, Chairman of the Military Relations Sub Committee; Mrs. Joseph J. Kaplan, Chairman of the Senior Sponsor Sub-Committee; Abraham A. Friedman, USO-JWB Area Director.  Seated at the extreme left is Julie Abraham, founder of the Senior Sponsor-Junior Hostess group.  Miss Maxine Gerson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Gerson was named “Junior Hostess of the Year.”

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New San Diego Home for Aged To Be Completed Early in September
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

The new Hebrew Home for the Aged will be ready to open in September, according to Victor Schulman, President.  Located at 54th St., near University, the modern structure will house twenty-four guests in one of the finest institutions in Southern California. Designed to care for the mental, spiritual and physical needs of our senior citizens, the Home will provide a strictly Kosher kitchen and a Chapel for worship.

Max Maisel, Building Chairman, has obtained plans for landscaping the spacious grounds with trees, flowers and shrubs.  Mrs. Saul Chenkin has been appointed to furnish the institution with all new equipment. Nothing from the old home will be used in the new building.  Paul Nestor is in charge of memorials and plaques.

Several rooms and areas are still available for those who wish to memorialize their loved ones. Further information may be secured by calling BE-2-5172.

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Takes Over Helm
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

Prof. Abraham Nasatir

Dr. Abraham Nasatir was elected to succeed Carl M. Esenoff as president of the San Diego Federation of Jewish Agencies at its Board Meeting last week.

Founded in 1949 by the United Jewish Fund to create a central planning, budgeting and coordinating agency for local Jewish Welfare organizations, its constituents include: The Jewish Social Service Agency, the United Jewish Fund, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Council, Presidents Council and Jewish Education Commission.

Elected as fellow officers with Dr. Nasatir were: Victor Schulman, vice president; Rodin Horrow, treasurer; Mrs. Gabriel Berg, secretary, Albert A. Hutler is the Executive Director of the Federation.

Mrs. Saul Chenkin was also elected as a member of the board to fill a vacancy.

Dr. Nasatir, a professor at State College, is a member of the boards of the United Jewish Fund, the Jewish Community Relations Council and recently chaired the Tercentenary Celebration Committee in San Diego.

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Indian Village Feature At Camp Jaycee
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

An average of over 140 campers were active in Camp Jaycee during the first two weeks of the 1955 season, according to a report from Leonard Zlotoff, Day Camp Chairman, for the Jewish Community Center.

Featured by a visit to the County Fair for the entire camp, an overnight sleepover at the Indian Village at 54th and University, and several roller skating parties, the activities will continue for six weeks.

The Indian Village, site of much of the Day Camp activity, has proved to be a most successful innovations. Campers have painted their wigwams, built their fire circle and learned to build barbecues on which they cook-out for themselves. Other activities that go on at the Camp site include arts and crafts, story telling and games.

The camping committee also announced that it had taken 36 full and partial scholarships which were given to both Jewish and non-Jewish youngsters according to their needs. They also reported that 14 Tiajuana Jewish youngsters were taking advantage of the camp and that two newly arrived “New Americans” were becoming adjusted and integrated through the Day Camp.

Additional scholarship was awarded by the Junior Charity League for a two week period.

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Jewish Labor Committee Sets Annual Picnic and Bazaar
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

Sunday, July 17th, at Pepper Grove in Balboa Park starting at 12 o’clock noon will be the Jewish Labor Committee Annual Picnic and Bazaar.  This year more than any other year our committees are making the greatest effort to make this affair a day of joy and lots of fun. A variety of home-cooked foods will be served, consisting of baked and Gefilte Fish, Borsht, Salads, and many other appropriate dishes for the hot summer weather.

The bazaar will have a large stock of new merchandise donated by our generous San Diego merchants and will be sold at bargain prices.  A $25.00 U.S. Defense Savings Bond will be given away to the lucky ticket holder This occasion gives a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to relax and enjoy a pleasant day for a worthy cause.

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Clean-Up Squad Seeks $40,000
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

The month of July will be Campaign month as an intensive effort is made by the Campaign Committee to close the campaign and secure the minimum amount of money needed for meeting the minimum needs of local, national and overseas agencies, according to Max Rabinowitz, General Campaign Chairman.

“Every effort will be made to secure contributions from over 350 individuals who have not as yet given. Unless we are able to bring the campaign up to the minimum needs which will require about $40,000, local agencies, including the Jewish Social Service Agency, and the Jewish Community Center will suffer in their operating budgets, not only for 1955, but also for 1956,” Rabinowitz said.

“Those people who are shirking their responsibilities are not only hurting those whom the Fund and its beneficiary agencies seek to help but are hurting themselves as well,” Rabinowitz continued.

A clean-up squad will be formed in order to bring in the last $40,000.  Both men and women will go out to solicit contributions during the month of July and to bring the total up to $200,000 before the campaign closes.

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Appointments To Be Made By Kuchel

Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 1

U.S. Senator Thomas H. Kuchel announced today that he will have vacancies to fill in all three defense service academies in the class entering in 1956.

The civil service examinations on which Senator Kuchel bases his nominations will be held in various California cities and towns July 11. Youths desiring to take the test should communicate with the Senator’s office without delay so that necessary forms can be sent them on which to gain entrance to the examinations.

The Senators allotments of nominations comprises two to the Military Academy at West Point, one to the Naval Academy at Annapoolis and 20 to the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Candidates must be between the ages of 17 and 22 on the July 1, 1956.

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In The Good Old Summertime
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 2

By Julia Kaufman

Starlight Opera Company – After a successful opening with “The Mikado,” the second in Star-Light’s summer musicals, “Wonderful Town” will open on Thursdy, July 7th, at 8:30 p.m. (eight performances only).  A musical score by Leonard Bernstein, plus spicy lines to appeal to the sophisticates, plus eye appeal should add up to a gay evening. Unlike most Star-Light productions this musical is not recommended “family fare.”  Just think how embarrassing it would be if your youngster had to explain some of the funny lines to you … A smash hit on Broadway last year, “Wonderful Town” is based on the comedy, “My Sister Eileen.”  Tickets may be obtained at the So. Calif. Music Co., 630 C. St.

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La Jolla Playhouse – Next on the Playhouse series is “Native Uprising” …by D.N. Roman.  Howard Dufff and Marjorie Lord, teamed so delightfully as husband and wife in last summer’s comedy hit “Anniversary Waltz,” will be back together in another husband and wife role.  The play opens for the two-week run on Tuesday, July 12.  The La Jolla production will be the world premiere of this comedy depicting rebellion against the “shackles of labor” in downtown Manhattan offices. If, like others in the past, the production comes up to expectations, executive producer John Swope and director Norman Lloyd will take it to New York for a fall opening… Miss Lord left the New York cast of “Anniversary Waltz” in order to rehears and perform in “native Uprising.” … At this point we need say nothing about “The Rainmaker” except see it … only three days left.  If you think I’m prejudiced, ask your best friend.

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San Diego Symphony – Robert Shaw, outstanding director of our Symphony Orchestra will open the concert season on Tuesday, July 12, in Balboa Park Bowl … The Symphony’s Concert Master, Robert Gerle, will be featured in Vivaldi’s “Seasons.”  Another highlight will be the original composition of Robert Kurka, “The Epilogue to Julius Caesar.” … Among the world-famous artists appearing on the concert stage will be Pianists Rudolf Serkin, July 19; Metropolitan Opera Soprano Margaret Harshaw, July 26; Benny Goodman, August 2; Lukas Foss, Pianist, August 9, and Ferde Grofe, who will be the guest conductor for the Bonus Concert on August 23.

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Chamber Music Concerts – Bach’s “Well Tempered Clavier” will be presented on July 15, at 8:30 p.m., in Roosevelt Junior High school Aud.  Julius Herford, visiting professor at San Diego State College, will conduct. … Tickets for the Symphony and Chamber Music concerts may be obtained at the Palmer Box Office, 640 Broadway – BE 9-4700.

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Shakespearian Festival – The sixth edition of the Festival will open July 22 and present “Measure for Measure,” “Hamlet,” and “The Taming of The Shrew,” nightly in rotation, a different play each night, through September 4.  … The setting for San Diego’s Shakespearean Festival is ideal for player and patron alike.  You are fortunate if you have an out-of-town guest to entertain during the Festival.  Without benefit of a magic carpet, you are transported into another age.  Tall, stately, eucalyptus trees stand like sentinels along the path to the theatre. The theatre itself, a replica of the original Globe Theatre in London, deserves the applause of the most critical observer. (the original theatre is lost today among the warehouses lining the Thames River in London.) Preceding each performance of the plays, a colorful Olde English Country Fair is held on the theatre green. Authentic old English folk dances are presented before Good Queen Bess and her lavishly-costumed court… For reservations phone BE 9-9138.

Coronado Players – Across the Bay, the Coronado Players will open its fifth consecutive summer season on July 7th, with “Suds in Your Eye.”  The comedy will run for eighteen performances through August 13 –Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week. For reservations phone HE 4-4856.

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This ought to keep you away from the television set for two weeks.

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New Subscribers
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 8, 1955, Page 2

Adrian Laseter
Alex Majtlis

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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.