Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Happy New Year!
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 5
With the Christmas and New Year holidays in the past, we have nothing else to contemplate except another year. Let’s look around and see what happened in 1955 in our community.
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Ne new Synagogues were built, although all are bursting at the seams with new members and increased activities. The same Rabbis are still with us and we added one new cantor at Beth Jacob. The phenomena of people joining the synagogues is the subject of many articles and books which you may read in your leisure time.
The new Hebrew Home for the Aged was opened and it turned out to be a very beautiful building, with lots of room for future growth. The Jewish Center group seems determined to erect a structure in ’56 come hell or high water. They are catching plenty of hell, but it does seem as if nothing will stop them. They hired a new director who is the busiest man in town. Not content to stay on El Cajon Blvd, he has started activities in the growing communities of Clairmont and Point Loma.
The Jewish Social Service, in its own quiet way, keeps the dirt under the rug so that our community house always looks neat, clean and rational.
Some of our organizations have slipped back and some are still sliding. Others forged ahead with dynamic young leadership and sure-fire programs. Tjhey are all doing necessary and constructive orrk. Aside from an abortive one, which we won’t discuss, no new organizations were formed last year.
The Jewish Community Relations Council had no serious problems since they worried about how to get some people accepted into a country club. They did talk about religion in the schools but the Rabbis took the ball away from the secular Jews and are still holding it. More of this in ’56. The Federation pushed ahead, not getting too far, but will try again. The United Jewish Fund didn’t do so well in its campaign, mainly because the “big-guns” fell down badly. Also several other campaigns claimed their loyal adherents’ attention.
As for the Jewish Press, we struggled along, and could have used more loyal supporters to advertise and subscribe. We publicized the activities of the Jewish Communities here and abroad and most of the news we printed couldn’t be found in the daily press. Additional advertising means added pages. If every family was a subscriber and most of the businessmen advertised, we could give San Diego an outstanding newspaper.
We wish you all the best of everything for the coming New Year and hope that 1956 will see Peace in Israel and the whole World.
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Maimonides Anniversary
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 5
The 750th anniversary of one of the most controversial Jewish philosophers is being observed this year. His real name was Moses Ben Maimon but he gained fame throughout the Mediterranean world as Maimonides. He is noted as the creator of the most complete code of Jewish law ever transcribed to paper and in addition, he was extensively known and respected as a physician, writer and astronomer.
Often called “the second Moses” by many of his followers, Maimonides was born in 1135 AD in Cordova, Spain, from which he fled at the age of 13, following the beginning of the inquisition. Given a choice of joining Islam or going into exile, Maimonides chose the latter and began years of wandering. He finally settled in Cairo where he began the study of medicine. His fame as a physician caused the prime minister of Egypt to name him as his private doctor. As a physician, Maimonides wrote several famous medical books – among them one on asthma, another on hygiene and still another on medical aphorisms.
He was a celebrated man even during his own lifetime but always a great source of controversy. Many of the Orthodox Jews argued that he had brought alien ideas into their own philosophy. Yet, today, his greatness is recognized by members of all of the Jewish groups. Upon his death is 1204 A.D., Maimonides, commonly called Rambam, was honored, not only by Jewry but also by Mohammedans, who even declared a three-day fast in his memory and his tomb became a place of pilgrimage.
Maimonides was no statesman or social reformer, according to Dr. Abraham S. Halkin, professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary and widely-known authority on the man. “He certain can, however, serve as a guide in our efforts to reconcile a Jewish way of life and modern attitudes and practices,” added R. Halkin. Perhaps the most noted work of Maimonides is his celebrated “Guide for the Perplexed,” a philosophical work in which he undertakes to show that Jeiwsh doctrine derived from the Bible teaches the same truths as Aristotelian Philosophy.
Such were the accomplishments of this great man, whose memory is revered today. His views and contributions to Jewish life still make an impact on us even today.
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Council Makes Study
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 5
The final reports on the most comprehensive study ever made of health, welfare and recreation agencies of San Diego County will be made to the public next Wednesday morning, Jan. 11, at 7:45 in the Balboa Park Club.
The San Diego Community Welfare Council, coordinating body for 118 public and private agencies, is sponsoring the $1.25 breakfast which will be open to the public. Reservations may be made through the Welfare Council.
The meeting will feature committee reports on “The Community services Inventory,” a Welfare Council study of economic and population trends in the San Diego area, the health, welfare and recreation needs of the people and the work of all agencies engaged in meeting those needs.
Aimed at economy through avoiding duplication of service, the Inventory is the first of its kind since 1927. It is being done at the requests of the Community Chest.
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Display at Library
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 5
“Atoms for Peace” will be the theme of the display on the walls of the main lobby of the San Diego Public Library, 8th Avenue and E Street, during January. The focal point of the exhibit is six large posters, each featuring some phase of fields where atoms may be used.
These posters, loaned by Convair for the display, were printed in Switzerland at the time of the Geneva Conference last August for General Dynamics Corporation. Each has a headline in a different language—English, Russian, India, French, Chinese and German.
The posters have been reproduced as advertisements in many of the country’s leading magazines.
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As The Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 5
By Irving R., Stone, Psychological Consultant
Ring In the New, Ring Out the Old – Or Should We?
The turning of the calendar from the pages of one year to that of the next is usually associated with hangovers, parties, Rose Bowl games and resolutions. As we shout our greeting of “Happy New Year” we thing to ourselves “Here’s hoping the new year will be even better than this one.”
Too often, however, as we ring in the new year and ring out the old one we seek changes and improvements which have only face value satisfaction but which may give us more problems than we had. Perhaps, instead of having all the new things which seem to have advantages, we should turn back the clock a little and reap some of the advantages of “the good old times.”
We continue to seek for greater speed in our automobiles, priding ourselves that the new car has 260 horsepower, whereas the old one only had 180. To quiet our jangled nerves we install seat belts and special locks on the doors. Not without reason do we see an ever mounting death rate on the highways—one which seems to match the increase in horsepower of the cars.
We enjoy the pleasures of television and then find that we no longer read books. It almost seems as though the art of reading will be limited to the reading of the printed commercials on the TV screen. While the family seems to congregate in one room of the house, conversation is now limited to arguments as to which channel should be selected. Family relationships are limited to short exchanges of “Hi, I’ll be home late” or “The baby sitter will be her soon; daddy and I are going out.” Perhaps we should have the old days again when the family gathered in the parlor and all exchanged ideas and opinions.
We cannot blame the continuing increase in mental illness entirely on these many changes but they do contribute a large share. The pressures on people were less; there was greater contentment and satisfaction with what we had without the drive to outshine our neighbors. We knew how to relax in “the old days.”
Inventions, improvements, changes are fine and should be encouraged. Our problem seems to lie in the fact that we have not learned how to use them or to take advantage of the benefits that accrue from them. If is like a person who suddenly discovers his great strength and attempts to make up for his former weakness.
If only we could have the advantages of the new, with the possibility for longer life and the need for less work, but still maintain the comforts, relaxation and congeniality of the past. Perhaps, then, we might be a happier, more secure population.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 5
By Morrie Pomeranz
The perplexing problems of mass production have finally caught up with our genial Dave Stotsky. To take advantage of volume price, agent Dave purchases his United States calendar in box car lots. His calendar showing the 48 States has become as traditional in this community as the one displaying Miss Monroe. For example, as of this week his easily-recognized calendar is in print up to and including 1958—the savings warrant this long range planning. The problem?—if Hawaii and Alaska are admitted into the Union this coming year, Dave’s calendars will have become as desirable as a left-over cold Matzo ball at Lou Lipton’s.
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Within a period of 12 hours, two Guardians separately reported an incident which can be attributed solely to the complexities which attach themselves to modern day living—in both instances the circumstances are amazingly identical – and thus we give you the Electric Blanket. The blanket is one of those de luxe jobs – dual controls – nylon trim, etc. .. ideal for this time of year – cool, nippy nights. Throughout the night each spouse fumbled irritably with his or her respective control – first the husband was too warm – down went the switch – the wife complained about the cold—up went her switch. This dial turning took up most of the night – the husband stifling hot – the wife, who normally sleeps warm, was teeth-chattering cold. Only in the morning—short tempered – did they discover that each (inadvertently) had been operating the other’s controls.
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With the Christmas season over, there began the annual hegira to Las Vegas—this fast-moving exodus resembled somewhat the mass movement of ancient Israelis across another desert as reported in biblical times. Among the many Guardians enjoying the period of relaxation was our Vice President Al DeSure and Hilda who celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on December 28th. The members of the Guardians join in wishing the De Sures health and happiness.
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Merchants during the hectic Christmas rush can come up with some strange tales that almost defy credibility –we’ll take Doyle Kahn’s as fairly representative. Doyle received an urgent call relative to his price on a $4.95 heating pad. There was some amicable discussion regarding quality, warranty and color of paper to be sued for gift wrapping. Approximately 45 minutes later a chauffeured limousine, bearing one of San Diego’s industrialists, drove up to take possession – the round trip? – thirty four miles – the net saving? – Doyle is still hysterical.
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And finally Guardian Sam Rasisn tells of a customer lingering over the earring counter – quietly pawing the piles of costume jewelry—The man’s question to Sam was to the point: “Do you have any single earrings – I need about three- but just one of each kind.” Before Rassin could move on to another customer, the man offered this simple explanation: “You see, my girl friend has just one ear.”
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Dancers at Russ Jan. 19th
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 6
A new 7 ½ acre dirt fill will virtually eliminate parking problems at the Southern California Exposition and County Fair at Del Mar this summer. The fill will provide additional parking area.
The world’s largest junior national horse show is held annually at the Southern California Exposition and County Fair at Del Mar. This local event surpasses the Madison Square Garden show in New York.
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The Humanism of Thomas Paine
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 6
“Toleration is not the opposite of intoleration, but the counterfeit of it. Both are despotisms. The one assumes the right of withholding liberty of conscience, and the other of granting it. Who then art thou, vain dust and ashes, by whatever name thou art called, whether a king or a bishop, a church or a state, a parliament or anything else, that obtrudes thine insignificance between the soul of man and his Maker? Mind thine own concern.”
Thomas Paine should be revered by the Christian churches, and especially the Roman Catholics. Paine raised his voice when John Jay proposed that the Roman Catholic church be relegated to an inferior status. Mr. Jay proposed that “…professors of the religion of the Church of Rome should not be permitted to hold lands in or to be admitted to a participation of the civil rights enjoyed by members of this state (New York) until such time as the said professors shall appear in the Supreme Court of this state and there most solemnly swear that they verily believe in their consciences that no pope, priest, or foreign authority on earth hath power to absolve subjects of this State from their allegiance to the same. And that they further declare that they believe to be false and wicked and dangerous doctrine that the pope has power to absolve them from the obligation of this oath.”
This bit of nonsense was knocked in the head by James Madison and Gouverneur Morris, with help from the “atheist” Thomas Paine, who wrote a letter to Madison part of which I quote at the beginning of this paragraph.
The true Humanist loves religion for its moral values; for the joy and the consolation it brings to millions of its separate adherents, but he reveres it in freedom of sovereign religions in a sovereign state and that at no time must the civil government be concerned with the “speculative notions” of the individual .
–Harry Golden, from the California Israelite.
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Charles H. Jordan Appointed Acting JDC Director-General
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 6, 1956, Page 6
Charles H. Jordan, veteran social service executive, was last week named Acting Director General for overseas operations of the Joint Distribution Committee, major American agency aiding distressed Jews abroad.
In his new responsibilities, Mr. Joran succeeds Moses W. Beckelman, JDC Director-General who died suddenly of a heart attack on December 10. Jordan had served since 1951 as Assistant Director-General.
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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