Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Israel Arrives (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 5
We have been waiting for this for seven years. It has finally come. What is it? Well it’s just this – that Israel is a country like any other nation. Just that. A dispatch from Haifa tells us that “Crime and prostitution find room in growing Israel.” Israel has joined the ranks of “normal” nations and is no longer an oddity. All is not sweat and honest labor and intense preoccupation with the integration of refugees.
The report goes on to say that, ten years ago, not a single prostitute could be found in all Israel, now 6,000 “professionals” and 10,000 “semi-professionals” (?) ply their ancient trade in the oldest part of the world. How comforting this news is!
But that’s not all!
Research in police files reveal that there is an alarming increase in swindles, stealing, blackmail and confidence games. How normal this all sounds!
One bad piece of news did not leak out. Israel has NO bank robberies. Reason? The country is too small to hide out in and – very difficult to leave. Well, that’s too bad—maybe things will change for the better. Let’s hope so.
The Hebrew poet Bialik used to say, “I pray to God that the day will come when the Jews are finally a people like any other people, and I pray to God for Jewish prostitutes, thieves and gangsters in Palestine, for without them we can {‘t} be a normal nation…”
Palestine exists no more. Israel has taken its place, and if Bialik were alive today he would see his dreams come true.
Oh Tempora!. Oh Mores!
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Our Community Organizations: Hadassah
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 5
Hadassah, known for 43 years as “the health arm of Israel,” is the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. In America, Hadassah helps interpret Israel to the American people.
In Israel the members of Hadassah support Hadassah’s countrywide medical and public health system, its extensive child welfare and vocational education projects. It provides maintenance and education for youth refugees through Youth Aliyah of which Hadassah is the official American representative, and it participates in a program of Jewish National Fund land purchase to make possible the integration of newcomers.
The extensive program cannot be carried out without concentrated fund raising by the 350,000 American women who comprise the world’s largest Jewish women’s organization. Locally, with Mrs. Harry E. Felson as President, $10,000.00 will be the 1955-56 goal.
Over the doorway of a Youth Aliyah house which ten refugee children call “home” hangs a plaque which reads “Donated by the members of the San Diego Chapter of Hadassah.” Youth Aliyah Minyan members enthusiastically purchased this home during 1954 and 1955, a fitting tribute to their devotion to the children of Israel.
In San Diego Hadassah maintains an alert and active program participating in numerous civic affairs. U.S.O., United Nations, Community Chest, and Red Cross are but a few of the agencies which find representation of our organization on a local and national level. Since its inception Hadassah women have been at the forefront of the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Fund of San Diego. An integral part of the organization is its American affairs program which spotlights “the American way.”
The San Diego Chapter topped the 500 mark in 1955 in its membership roles (sic, rolls) through the efforts of a membership committee headed by Mrs. Edward Kitaen and Mrs. Al Slayen as co-chairmen.
Mrs. Leonard Zlotoff, Vice President in charge of Fundraising has a busy and exciting year ahead. With the construction of the new Medical Center costing over $10,000,000, more and more money will be needed to maintain this great school and hospital in Israel and it will be her sole aim and purpose to see that the chapter’s membership succeeds in raising its assessment.
Hadassah always extends its welcome hand to all newcomers to our city, to visiting friends of the organization, and to its many new and old members, through its hospitality chairman, Mrs. Harry Snyder, who has served in this capacity for numerous terms.
Mrs. Gabriel Berg and Mrs. Murray Samuels head a talented Program Committee this year.
As mentioned above, Hadassah plays an important role with the Jewish National Fund through its purchase of trees and Blue Boxes. Mrs. David Millsberg, Tree Chairman, takes orders and sends certificates for the planting of a tree in honor of a happy occasion or in memory of a loved one. Mrs. M.S. Berlin is in charge of Blue Boxes.
Youth Aliyah (child immigration) is one of the most appealing projects within the scope of the organization. Nineteen Minyons are now functioning actively devoted to the support and maintenance of children in Israel and Mrs. Lewis Solomon is devoting long hours to the creation of new Minyonim groups. Mrs. Randolph Hess serves as co-chairman of this committee.
Hadassah Medical Organization comprises the most important of the organization’s projects. Mrs. Robert Strauss as Chairman has the responsibility of seeing that this project attains its financial goal as set up by the National Organization, as well as bringing to the members of Hadassah the up-to-the-minute picture of its medical progress in Israel.
Mrs. Sidney Chemnick and Mrs. Sidney Goldhammer will represent the organization as liaison officers in the Zionist Public Relations field.
Mrs. Leonard Lieberman will again lead the study groups through a most informative educational program. Attendance in these groups is made up of varied personalities all lending an interested ear. Local women are invited to join in these discussion periods.
Other important committees are headed by Mrs. Alfred Bobrof, Mrs. Anna Perckarsky, Mrs. Julius Levin, Mrs. Elmer Wohl and Mrs. Morton Thaler.
This, then, is Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America – the “health arm of Israel.”
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Now Hear This
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 5
By Joyce Addleson
As the warm weather hit San Diego, the USO-JWB Jr. Hostesses and servicemen took to the water in the pool of Mr. and Mrs. Sims on Sunday, July 17., Swimming and dancing were followed by a barbecue. Afterward everyone adjourned to the Tifereth Israel Centeer to continue the festivities. Among those enjoying themselves were Jr. Hostesses Maxine Gerson, Reitha Stokes, Joy Rose, Arline Mihlman, Nadene Feller, Linda Douglas, Barbara Kahn and Jane Cohn. All those who were there would like to add an extra thank you for Mr. and MRs. Sims for their cordial welcome and gracious hospitality. And all of those of you who missed this one, save August 21, another one is being planned.
Summer is here and everyone is taking their vacations. Our USO-JWB Jr. Hostesses are no exceptions and boy, do our girls travel! Leani Leichtag just returned from New York; Maxine Gerson vacationed in Las Vegas and now she’s encouraging everyo0ne else to do the same; Donna Godes is vacationing in Oklahoma; Judy Smollar will spend August in Chicago and Reitha Stokes will visit San Francisco, Chicago and Cleveland on her way to New York where she is representing SDSC Hillel Counselorship at the National Institute. Judy and Reitha will get to see Sandy Flax in Chicago. Sandy went back for the sum(mer).
More plans are being made for Sunday afternoon activities with the coming season to go along with the regular Wednesday and Sunday night activities. Come down and let us know what you’d like to do.
Welcome to Joy Rose, a new Jr. Hostess.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 5
By Morrie Pomeranz
Coincidence or cause and effect? As Guardians temporarily change dtheir meeting place from the San Diego Hotel to the Manor, member Al Steinbaum, in is capacity as managing director of the San Diego Hotel, announced its sale for a million and a quarter. We knew Guardians to be a factor in this area—but we frankly never believed our influence to be so overwhelming and decisive.
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Many thanks for the kind words of encouragement from members Dave Block, Mickey Fredman, Sam Rassin and “Chief” Aronoff. We also make acknowledgment of one quit comprehensive appraisal: “Your column stinks.”
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In order to keep abreast with the revived trend towards the fabulous giveaway programs, “With the Guardians” institutes the first in a series of quizzes. The first Guardian to send in the correct answer to the following question will receive a valuable prize. The question: After each weekly poker session, one player invariably asks: “Who’s got a blank check?” Name that Guardian. Contest is open only to PAID UP members. The award will be determined on the basis of the earliest postmarked correct entry; decision of the judges will be final. Forward your answer in care of this column. The winner will receive free, a season’s subscription to “Bob’s Selections” for Del Mar.
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Allie Ferer’s efficient secretary made her calls to notify members of the July 7th meeting. Each was duly informed that Mayor Dail would be guest speaker. One Guardian, so advised (and noticeably skeptical) laughingly told the girl: “Ha! Ha! This I gotta see” – and assured the caller that he would most certainly be present to see THAT. The member did attend the dinner and was downright disappointed. He understood Allie’s maydel to say “an Airedale would be guest speaker.” (The above is true; name of the confused Guardian is withheld to protect the innocent.)
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Raffle tickets are sold during each meeting for the valuable donated prize: the proceeds-a full 100% profit – go directly to the Hebrew Home. Ticket sellers ordinarily make an effort to sell three tickets for the price of two in order to increase the gross revenue. Abe Ratner purchased only one ticket – summing up his Mozzel at drawings with: Why should I buy three—did you ever see me win anything?” So who won? You guessed it – Eddie Bland!”
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The July 7th meeting was a double-header in its truest sense: the attending members were treated to two sterling off the cuff speeches – one by Archie Moore and the other by Mayor Dail. Both addresses were inspiring. Archie’s firmly-established confidence (the true caliber of any champion) extended to every Guardian present as he told briefly of his past campaigns and future plans. Moore is as competent in front of a mike as he is devastating in the ring. Mayor Dail’s description of one candidate defeated in the primaries—his antics and behavior – highlighted a very sincere and straight forward speech. Both Moore and Dail made this meeting an inspirational success.
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Member Mossie Addleson—always a gentleman—a pacifist and a champion of the underdog, has had his faith sorely tested. Recently he waited 25 minutes for a spot at the Grant counter. As a seat became available, Mossie found him steam-rollered by a fast-moving woman who slid into the seat. Mossie indignantly informed her. “Say Madam do you know that I’ve been waiting almost a half hour for that seat?” The over-stuffed female never blinked an eye and said: “So, OK, but I got here first!”
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Wisdom of Peretz
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 5
Jewishness was for Peretz not a morass or swamp but rather a well of living waters. IT was not static or congealed but dynamic and evolutionary. He did not ask for strict adherence to the letter of the law as laid down at Mt. Sinai since this tended to arrest normal healthy Jewish growth and progress. Biblical Judaism was, in his eyes, the base but not the apex of the Jewish pyramid. He felt that no spot on earth, no moment in time and no particular social class had an exclusive monopoly of Jewishness, but that everywhere, at all times, and amongst all sectors of the people, Jewishness was being lived and the Jewish spirit was sprouting, blossoming and bearing fruit. No matter what language a Jew spoke, the intimate Yiddish, the sacred Hebrew, or even the more recently acquired tongues such as English, German or Polish, no matter what ideas he propounded, a radical or orthodox, revolutionary or conservative; his eloquence was Jewish eloquence, his wit was Jewish wit, his sensitiveness to his environment Jewish sensitiveness, and his reactions to eternal problems Jewish reactions.
(Liptzin in his introduction to his translation of the Works of Peretz, Y.L. for the YIVO)
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Lasker Lodge News
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 6
By Lou Levitt
The delegates to the annual B’nai B’rith District Convention are off to Spokane. Those representing the lodge who will be there are: Edward Breitbard, Morrie Krause, Mickey Fredman, Jerry Aronoff, Joe Kaplan and Abe Sklar. The main order of business for this delegation is to get our own Edward Breitbard elected to the third vice presidency of the district. We certainly wish them every luck.
Tickets for the two cars that will be given away by the Golden Harvest Ball on November 27 are now in the hands of many of the members of the lodge. Marshall Zucker, who is in charge of this fund raising affair, is asking every member of the lodge to buy at least one ticket and sell at least one or more. If this could be done, we would have raised quite a big sum for the lodge. In addition to the new cars that will be given away are several other prizes.
Jack Spatz is worried about the 78 members who have not yet paid their 1955 dues. He’s looking for a perfect score for this year, and earnestly desires all delinuewnt members to pay up in full.
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Los Angeles Scene of Broadway Hits
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 6
Announcement was made today by Joseph Justman that Jack Present and Harry Zevin, executive producers at the Carthay Circle Theatre, have completed negotiations for four more Broadway hit plays which will be presented, for the first time in Los Angeles, at the Carthay Circle beginning August.
Opening attraction of the new series will be “Lunatics and Lovers,” hilarious comedy by Sidney Kingsley, which is currently in its 28th week on Broadway.
Second in the series will be “King of Hearts,” a comedy hit of the past season which is about to be made into a film with Bob Hope and George Sanders. This play, written by Jean Kerr and Eleanor Brooks, won critical acclaim for its crisp dialogue and unique comedy situations. “King of Hearts” will open a four week run on September 12 and like the others will boast a cast of top name stars.
October 210 will see the Pacific Coast premiere of “The Tender Trap,” a romantic comedy which recently closed a lengthy Broadway run and is currently completing a road tour in Chicago. This Max Shulman-Robert Paul Smith comedy which recently closed a {dropped words here} cameras at MGM with Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds in the top roles.
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Council Women “Fly to Tropics”
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 6
“Flight to the Tropics” is the theme of the gala membership party planned by the Council of Jewish Women for Tuesday, August 16, at 1 p.m. in the beautiful tropical gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Max Rabinowitz at 2034 Sunset Blvd.
Mrs. David Reder, Membership Chairman, and Mrs. Albert Rosen, her vice chairman, assisted by Mrs. Paul Belkin, vice president in charge of membership, and Mesdames Richard Disraeli, Stanley Foster, Milton Kifferstein, Gerald Kobernick, E. Kreisler, Victor Millman, Earl Richmond, P. Siegel and David Sugarman are planning to carry out the theme of the affair in all phases.
Council’s Glee Club under the direction of Mrs. Harvey Furgatch with accompaniments on the mandolin by Mrs. Martin Gleich will sing the story of Council and its varied activities.
Highlighting the afternoon will be the appearance of Clark Allen and his wife, Margarita, in a program of songs and dances of the tropics.
The affair is open to all prospective Council members and present members may attend if accompanied by a prospective member.
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Absentee Voting Law Passed
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 6
The Community Relations Council reports that an amendment to the election code regarding absentee voting which has just been passed, will be of interest to voters of the Jwish faith, according to Milton Fredman, chairman.
Information just received from the anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith by the local CRC indicate that a voter who will be unable to go to his polling place on election day by reason of the fact “that the tenets of his religion require his attendance at church or religious services on that day, or otherwise prevent him from attending the polls throughout the day,” may cast an absentee ballot by mailing it to the office of the clerk in San Diego County, before the day of election.
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(Epileptics)
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 22, 1955, Page 6
The San Diego Chapter of the California Society for the Welfare of Epileptics (Parade of Pennies sponsors) will have a picnic meeting at 2 p.m. on July 24 in Presidio Park. Public is invited. Those attending are asked to bring their own food and a dish to share.
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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.