Compiled by San Diego Jewish WorldThe Festival of Lights (Editorial)
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Chanukah, commemorating history’s first uprising on behalf of religious liberty, is a holiday which has grown in meaning and importance with the years. Jews have suffered and died for religious liberty, but the occasions when they fought were few and far between. The example of the Maccabees who refused to bow down to their Syrian oppressors, has become a shining part of Jewish history.
The Christmas season, so full of warmth and color, has long posed a problem for Jewish parents. Today, in addition to the traditional rituals observed in the home, Chanukah is celebrated with parties, gifts to friends and in some cases a “Chanukah Bush” of silver and blue. Chanukah decorations, gift wrappings cards and gifts are now on the market. With the resurgence of religion in America, we find capacity attendance in Sunday School, resulting in deeper understanding of the significance of Jewish holidays. It is entirely unnecessary for any Jew to intrude on an observance in which they have no part.
We like the characteristic from the ritual of Chanukah from the Prayer Book: “Gird us for battle against apathy, ignorance and intolerance, which still threaten to extinguish Thy lamps and to destroy Thine Altars. With the loyalty and zeal of the Maccabees, may we overcome the dark forces of tyranny, prejudice and hatred and spread light of liberty, brotherhood and peace among men.”
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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 9, 1955, Page 9
Dear Mr. Kaufman
All of us at United Success Headquarters – division leaders, loan executives, staff and a good many thousand volunteers – are well aware of the debt of gratitude we and the community as a whole owe you.
Your cooperation in keeping the public informed of the progress of the United Success Drive, how the money was to be spent, and what was at stake in the continued well being of the area has been tremendous.
You and your newspaper have had no small hand in the success of this campaign and the improvement of Red Feather services it has made possible. Your stand in the public interest hads been a tribute to the finest traditions of the journalistic profession.
Sincerely yours,
John W. Quimby, Chairman
1955 United Success Drive.
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Dear Mac and Julia:
Forgive me if I may sound as though I am speaking out of turn, because I don’t feel that way. I couldn’t help but notice in one of the out-of-town publications that I received something that has completely puzzled me.
First, I make reference to your recent editorial on community and organizational support of The Jewish Press as a publicity agent for all our local activities.
I was startled to see the two pages of ads of local merchants in this out-of-town paper. Surely somewhere along the line some of these merchants must be under impression that they are supporting a local Anglo-Jewish press… What value would a local merchant realize in advertising in an out-of-town paper when The Jewish Press is right here at his doorstep.
Were it not for the fact that you have given so unselfishly of our time, energies and the Press’s space to every organization or worthwhile cause in the city—I would say, “Well, maybe the merchant wanted to help out a non-local paper.” But I know this is not the case. You have published a strong editorial requesting cooperation of our community to support the Press by advertising therein—by mentioning your advertisers when we buy—and by subscribing.
As a club woman—as a subscriber—as a publicity representative—I cannot understand how the community of San Diego could possibly sanction a non-local news organ to come into our town and seek and get advertisements and pass up giving The Jewish Press a break. Somewhere along the line someone knows what is going on and I for one will stand up and be counted for a reckoning with “those in the know.”
Maybe my phrasing isn’t grammatically perfect – this is being dashed off after your deadline and I hope you print it. But my heart is in this thing and I simply feel that there just ain’t no justice.
Sincerely,
Gertrude Thaler
(Mrs. Morton Thaler)
Ed Note: The paper referred to is the B’nai B’rith Record of Los Angeles.
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 9, 1955, Page 9
By Irving R. Stone
Skeletons in the Closet – There are some “skeletons” we hide and which disturb our emotional calm. These are the skeletons in the closet, those which we hope to forget. They symbolize all the things we dislike or for which we are ashamed. Thinking about them makes us feel guilty, as though by having them we have committed an unpardonable sin. Unfortunately, most of them are neither shameful nor sinful.
Consider, for example, the parent who has a retarded child. She takes it as a fault of her own that this happened in her family, and specifically to her. Because she feels guilty, she tries to hide her shame by never talking about this retarded child, often hiding her when people visit, so that the child has often been referred to as a “secret child.” This, then, is one of the skeletons in the closet.
Another skeleton concerns the person who has had to receive psychiatric attention, either on an outpatient basis or in a hospital. Instead of accepting care for mental problems as just another form of illness, the person feels a stigma which he tries to hide. Other skeletons concern the loss of a job, having been on relief rolls at one time, or having been convicted of a crime.
It is true that some of these skeletons do not warrant general discussions with one’s neighbors. It is equally true that trying to keep the door of the skeleton closet tightly closed is almost impossible. Where the situation requires and where a frank discussion is necessary, ne should take the skeleton out of the closet and examine him carefully. Often, it is far easier to talk out the situation, to explain it without fear or guilt, then to try to hide or disguise it. Skeletons have a disturbing way of popping out of the closet when you turn your backs to them instead of facing them squarely.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 9, 1955, Page 9
By Morrie Pomeranz
Hi-Lites of the Dec. 1st Meeting – In a fine tribute to the culinary mastery of the Mission Valley kitchen that complaints relative to the dinners have been reduced to a bearable minimum – admittedly the food has to be superb to placate the handful of chronic complainers – the entertainment committee headed by Yale Kahn presented the team of Anthony and Claudette—the latter a songstress at a Pacific Highway bistro—the vocalist’s interpretations were well received—and when she asked for requests wouldn’t you know someone wanted a medley of “Eli Eli and Sixteen Tons….—the huddled group representing the discount house on Main street – the low-hanging chandelier hopping Doc Solomon – not once but twice—a real Buster Keaton treatment – Vic Schulman (too long absent from the dinner meetings) briefly outlined some of the activities of the Hebrew Home for the Aged—the enthusiasm generated by some of the members was a bit uncontrollable –a bag of silver dollars was jointly donated by Cantor Bros and Harry Snyder to be used as a door prize – the winner?—the last person to purchase a ticket moments before the drawing – Abe Barancik—who subsequently disposed of his winnings for a fast $5.00- profit to our little South African friend who was misled into believing that there were more cartwheels in the sack – there were many guests present in spite of the inclement weather – Jerry Rowan, Benny Rappoport, Leonard Bohrer, Arthur Levenson, Larry and Stanley Cantor, Harold Tarlov, Jerry Krause, Bud Fisher, Myron Shelly and Tony Procopio – following the excellent dinner and fine entertainment, the dining room was readily transformed into a gaming area where many Guardians enjoyed diversified and competitive games of fun – dominoes, checkers, scrabble and basket weaving.
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Member Dave Block advises that with the great trend in dieting and reducing, he was not a bit taken back by this sign on a slenderizing salon on the coast: “Reduce Now—Leave Your Fat Behind.”
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The foursome of Guardians had just completed 18 holes at the Mission valley Club. In the locker room, badgered by the upsurge of casuals utilizing the Club’s facilities without the benefit of membership, one of the group began a blistering tirade: “It’s not fair” –“we pay our dues” –“why it’s no better than the YMCA”—and so on—the others agreed that this abuse must be controlled – all agreed except one who carefully refrained from making any comments –for he never has gotten around to taking out a membership.
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Success Drive Makes Final Plea
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 9, 1955, Page 9
William P. Eiser, association campaign chairman of the United Success Drive, yesterday urged those who have not yet contributed to the Red Feather drive to mail their contributions to the Community Chest, P.O. Box 2671, San Diego 12.
Elser said that several hundred persons have responded to recent mail-in appeals, but that a few thousand others, who contributed through the residential campaign last year have not given this year.
The drive early this week has brought in total contributions of $1,532,249 for 88.3 percent of the $1,735,450 goal.
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U.J.F. Reveals Distribution of Funds –$85,180 To Overseas
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 9, 1955, Page 10
While most national and overseas health and welfare agencies supported by the United Jewish Fund of San Diego ill receive at least the same amount as in 1954, some increases will be made on the basis of neeed, according to the decision of the directors of the Fund who met last Tuesday.
Seymour Rabin, allocations committee chairman, made known this week that of approximately one hundred national and overseas agencies that requested allocations, thirty0one will receive funds, with the United Jewish Appeal the major beneficiary.
As the report and recommendations of the Allocations Committee were acted upon by the Fund Board, it was also made known that local agencies have been able to reduce their budgets but an additional amount will have to be secured by the Fund to meet minimum local 1955 needs.
Completion of the committee’s work and action by the Board climaxes three months of hearings and discussions of agency needs by the committee.
Overseas and National Beneficiaries of the United Jewish Fund for 1955.
American Fund for Israel Institutions: $175;
Hebrew University-Technion: $1000;
Histadrut: $5250;
Jewish Telegraphic Agency: $100;
United Hias Service: $600:
United Jewish Appeal: $78,755;
American Jewish Congress: $350;
Jewish Labor Committee: $540;
Jewish War Veterans: $300;
Jewish Defense Appeal: (blank)
Anti-Defamation League: (blank)
American Jewish Committee (blank);
Hebrew Theological College: $75;
Jewish Theological Seminary $600;
Union of American Hebrew Congregations $750;
Hebrew Union College: (blank);
Jewish Institute of Religion (blank);
Union of American Hebrew Congregation: $75;
Yeshiva University $250;
American Association for Jewish Education: $150;
National Jewish Welfare Board: $2,250
Synagogue Council of America:$30;
American Jewish Historical Society: $25;
B’nai B’rith Nat’l Youth Service Appeal: $720;
Jewish Publication Society: $50;
Yiddish Scientific Institute: $100;
City of Hope: $800;
City of Hope Building Fund: $2500;
Jewish Committee for Personal Service: $400;
Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital: $75
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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