Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Who Started This Arms Race? (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 3
The secretary-general of the Arab League, speaking in Los Angeles this week, warned that the United States is in danger of losing the friendship of the oil-rich Arab nations.
The big fly in the ointment, said this Arab spokesman, is our friendship with Israel.
He accuses the United States—as if it were reprehensible behavior –of having given “decisive help and assistance to Israel.” And he goes on to say that if an arms race begins in the Middle East, there is danger of war between Israel and the Arab nations.
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Sure, the United States has given assistance to Israel. This hardly calls for the raising of Arab eyebrows. We seem to recall the United States has given help to several nations in the past decade or so. In fact, offhand, it’s difficult to think of any nation we have not helped, including even Russia.
The secretary-general, a citizen of Egypt, is skirting the fringes of nonsense when he talks of an arms race. His own country recently made a deal with Czechoslovakia to buy quantities of heavy arms. The world knows this deal was inspired by the Soviet Union and the price was very attractive.
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So Egypt is arming herself to the teeth. What for? A Sunday School picnic, maybe? Yet if Israel, sitting next door to a country which not many years ago joined other Arab nations in a pledge to annihilate Israel, attempts to arm herself, then we have an arms race.
What kind of guff is this Arab leader trying to feed us? It takes two nations to make an arms race. If Egypt doesn’t want an arms race, she could quit running after Czech tanks and airplanes. Then Israel would have no incentive to acquire more arms herself.
But if Egypt is going to arm herself to the teeth, Israel would be foolish to sit there twiddling her thumbs. And Israel isn’t foolish. Those Egyptians aren’t buying guns to give their kids for Christmas.
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This Middle Eastern friction between Israel and the Arab nations is a danger spot. The Arab League spokesman is right on that score.
But if he thinks the United States or any other free republic is going to turn its back because of threats of trouble from the Arab nations, while Israel is quietly wiped off the map, he is in for a rough surprise.
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The Arab nations have plenty of problems in their own back yard without going outside to look for trouble. If Egypt would concentrate on doing something for her own people, such as giving them even a faint facismilie of the progressive self-government that Israel enjoys, she’d have no time to worry about starting a war which can only bring the free nations of the world down around her neck.
–From the El Cajon Valley News, Simon Casady, Editor
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Book Review
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 3
The Common Herd by Sally Boner Westmoreland. Published by Citizens Printing & Publishing Co., San Diego. $3.50
Sally Westmoreland, at the age of 77 years, could have written a 500 page novel, based on her own colorful and romantic life. Instead she chose to write a simple Texas love story for her first novel.
The author uses words in the same manner that artist Grandma Moses handles her paint. Her sharp, sure, pen makes her characters come alive and vivid descriptions bring you the vastness and the quiet beauty of the prairies. For “The Common Herd”, Sally Westmoreland has drawn from her personal observations and experiences, in order to bring the reader an insight into the lives of the cattle ranchers. Their problems are real and their solutions believable. Her story is about people who work together as a team, when called upon, and who love and hate with intense feeling.
Leon Westmoreland, managing editor of the Navy News, who loved and lost Sally sixty-seven years ago in Arkansas, wooed and won her ten years ago in Texas and brought her back to San Diego. She has been an active member of the staff of the Navy News ever since. Her son, Dr. Charles Boner, to whom she dedicates the book, is Vice President of the University of Texas.
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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 3
Dear Mac:
May I, as chairman of the B’nai B’rith Co-ordinating Council of San Diego, answer Mrs. Morton Thaler’s Letter to the Editor, which appeared in the December 9th issue of the Jewish Press.
Mrs. Thaler, as a member of B’nai B’rith, must be aware that the paper she is referring to, the B’nai B’rith Record, is the official paper of the Southern California Council of B’nai B’rith Lodges which takes in the Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Diego County and various others in the southern part of the State as well as Las Vegas and Arizona Lodges. This means that this paper reaches approximately 1,000 men and women in San Diego which, up to a point does not make this an “out of town paper” even though it is published in Los Angeles.
However, you, Mac, are well aware that we, in San Diego, had no knowledge of the original solicitation for ads when this occurred several months ago and that when this was brought to the attention of “those in the know” as Mrs. Thaler puts it, we immediately contacted Los Angeles and voiced our objections. Unfortunately, this did not deter another solicitation in this area, and again, when we were informed that their representative was in San Diego, a letter was sent to the B’nai B’rith Record, and you, Mac, received a copy of same, which stated in part, and I quote, “we definitely oppose any such further solicitation in this area” and again “it is rather difficult to enumerate in a letter the many reasons why, in San Diego, it is unwise to use this solicitation. Suffice it to say that the leaders of this community, who are also the B’nai B’rith leaders, feel that it is a bad policy and not to be the best interest of local B’nai B’rith. We have for many years received wholehearted support from the Southwestern Jewish Press, our Anglo-Jewish paper, with full coverage and cooperation, all of which will be lost if this practice of the Record continues.”
Had Mrs. Thaler taken full advantage of her B’nai B’rith membership, she could have very easily, at a meeting of her Chapter, “Stood up and be counted for a reckoning”, however, we are grateful to her for making her feelings public so that we in turn could apprise your readers of a fact that you were well aware of but which others in the community did not know about.
Sincerely,
Reva Garvin
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Editor’s Note
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 3
Reva is right. We were aware of the local B’nai B’rith’s attempt to do something about a situation to which w e had called their attention. What we didn’t know was that the local leaders would not be able to stop this practice of “raiding” another Jewish community. It is a most unethical practice and does not exist in the entire Anglo-Jewish publication’s field. Some of the non-Jewish business firms who gave Ads to the “Record” told us that they were under the impression that they were giving it to the local Jewish Press. This makes it evident that the solicitor, who was using a San Diego address, deliberately misled them.
In spite of the intervention of local B’nai B’rith leaders, to date no assurance has been forthcoming form Los Angeles that they will cease this pernicious practice.
It is true that the B’nai B’rith members in San Diego receive the “Record.” However, the coverage of news given to the five San Diego lodges by this publication could be placed in a one-inch box. As a matter of fact the very holiday edition that causes Mrs. Thaler to write her letter does not contain one single line about any of the B’nai B’rith activities in San Diego County.
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 3
By Irving R. Stone
The Jealous Child – Our language is filled with descriptive phrases that make use of color terms. For example, we say that a person is red with rage, blue with cold, black with sorrow, and green with envy or jealousy.
While some of these descriptions have some resemblance to the physical appearance, the one I shall discuss is somewhat strange in that we never see a green “Jealous Child.” But even though the youngster may not be colorful, his emotional disturbance is often very evident.
Jealousy can be very intense in a child and can shape his entire personality. It can be brought on by man y causes, some not as obvious to parents as others. For example, parents often take for granted that the arrival of a baby in the family will be as welcome to their other child as it is to them. To the child, it may be a threat, possibly a deprivation of the love and affection of the parents which the child formerly did not have to share with anyone else. The wise parents’ prepare the child for this new arrival, re-assuring the “old baby” that they still love him and that the new baby is his, too.
The father must build up a good relationship with the child long before the new baby arrives, being more companionable, and continuing after the infant is born. The big brother should be allowed to assist in the care of the baby in order to make him feel that he has a share in his development.
Sometimes parents are so engrossed in their own relationship that the child feels that he is an outsider. He feels that the parents are so in love with each other that they have no love left for him – at least they do not show it. It is obvious that the parents can easily rectify this once it is called to their attention.
As the children grow older there may be rivalry between them. Parents must be careful that they do not show, either by word or action, that one child is favored over another. They should not compare the behavior of one child with the other, holding one up in a more favorable light. When gifts are distributed, each child should be made to feel that he gets his fair share.
Jealousy may be expressed by a child in many ways. It may be through aggressive behavior, such as breaking something in the house or one of his own toys or that of the other child. On the other hand, it may be through sulkiness or complete withdrawal from family activities. Sometimes the child shows symptoms of illness which may be nothing more than the desire for affection and attention. The danger, of course, is that when real illness strikes, parents may feel that the child is “crying wolf” again.
The jealous child must be considered as being the product of many possible causes and the influence of other relatives, such as aunts, uncles and grandparents should not be discounted. Even the influence of teachers and playmates can contribute.
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Now Hear This!
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 3
C. Kaplan, guesting
Take 5 dozen eggs, so many quarts of oil, mountain of potatoes, about this many handfuls of flour, and what have you got? Potato Latkes! And out of this world, too. Ask any serviceman or Junior Hostess feasting at the USO-JWB Dance Wednesday night at Temple Center. Queens of the Kitchen for this USO Chanukah Party were four women from the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary; Binnie Brooks, Jenny Turner, Fanny Krone and Dorothy Snyder. Many, many thanks for your hours over the hot stove – the results were enjoyed by all. The lighting of the Candles, a Chanukah Service and Community Sing were also part of the evening’s festivities, with Chaplain Elihu H. Rickel leading the group. Gifts were distributed, exchanged, re-distributed, and with much hilarity the crowd dispersed, everyone 2 pounds heavier .. but happy!! … Next in sight is our Semi-Annual “reward” affair honoring outstanding Jr. Hostesses serving USO-JWB the greatest number of hours. (We count ‘em you know.) Jr. Hostesses and Sr. Sponsors plus honored guests will be entertained at dinner on Thursday night, December 29th, at the Admiral Kidd Officers Club. Letters of invitation are being mailed to Jr. Hostesses eligible for this event…. And so it’s Hail and Farewell to two of our Wednesday night regulars, terminating their association with the u.S. Navy—or to use their native tongue, “We’re getting out, bub, we’re getting out!!” … It’s back to Mt. Pleasant (just a hoop, skip and jump from Memphis, suh) for “Tennessee Bernie” Davie… goombye, good luck, and we’ll miss you. With fondest dreams of returning to San Diego to attend college, Rene Hetu leaves for Detroit, but we’re hoping with him, he’ll be back but quick… We hear the Navy calls it “Leave”, the Army terms it “Furlough”, the Marines I’m sure have a word for it, the Civilian screams, “Ygad, I’ve got to get away,” but anyhoo, PFC Eli Allen is heading for New Jersey and three weeks of Non-military bliss with family and friends, and plenty of Mom ‘s home cooking. Pleasant trip to our smiling redhead! … A short Hello note received from Jordy Beiner and Ken Weiss, now apartment sharing in Los Angeles and attending L.A. City College. Now they used to live it up in their own inimitable fashion at the USO Dances, and how we miss them. And how!
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B’nai B’rith Co-Ord. Council Brings Holiday Cheer To Hospital Patients
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 4
The Fourth Annual Christmas-Chanukah Party sponsored by the B’nai B’rith Coordinating Council was held at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Balboa Park in the Red Cross Lounge on Tuesday, December 20th. Over 150 people were served a complete Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings, prepared by “Chief” Jeremiah Aronoff and assisted by Si Rich.
Preceding the dinner, there was an hour long parade through the wards, put on by the patients themselves, with prizes going to the outstanding float and the 3 best individual costumes. Entertainment depicting Christmas throughout the world was presented during the evening.
Thursday, December 22nd, saw the B’nai B’rith at the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, and there again a complete Turkey dinner was served to approximately 100 patients. Prizes were awarded for various games played and a promise made to return again.
Mrs. Harold Garvin, Chairman of the Co-ordinating Council, wishes to acknowledge all those participating: Mesd Meyer Snyder, Abe Hollandersky, Samuel Weening, Stanley Yukon, Doris Yaskel, Marie Richards, Helen Sparber, Marian Resnick, Myra Shoenthal, David Pomeranz, Laura Zissen, Ann Jacobs, Jeremiah Aronoff, Sophie Rosenthal, and Messrs. Eddie Breitbard, Abe Sklar, Stanley Levitt, Harry Wax, Lou Levitt, Irving Cohen, Jack Spatz, Abe Hollandersky, Dr. Harry Ruja, Manuel Rosenthal, Stanley Yukon, Irving Small and Dr. Milton Millman.
The Co-ordinating Council is comprised of the 2 Lodges and 2 Chapters headed by San Diego Birdie Stodel Chapter, Mrs. Martin Borenstein; San Diego Bay City Chapter, Mrs. Max Felsman; San Diego Lasker Lodge, Mr. Milton Fredman and the Samuel I. Fox Lodge, David Schloss.
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Success Drive Succeeds
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 23, 1955, Page 4
San Diego’s United Success Drive is expected to climb to a record fund of $1,564,000 when it comes to an official close on Christmas Eve.
The largest amount of money ever raised in the Greater San Diego community, it represents more than 90 percent of the $1,735,450 goal for all Red Feather services.
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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