Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 4
By Julia Kaufman
“The Happier The Time The Faster It Goes” — For those who missed or forgot Part I of my saga of the west, we left our hero and heroine on Rt. 395 headed for Reno and Lake Tahoe. https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2011/12/17/adventures-in-san-diego-jewish-history-sept-21-1956-part-2/
I knew we had almost reached our goal when I saw a big sign “Entering Nevada–Oh Boy!–Slot Machines” “The Biggest little city in the World” is what Reno calls itself and, from what I managed to see of it again, I’d agree. Because of the concentration of gambling in town, and its reputation for easy divorces a visitor is inclined to get the erroneous impression that this is the beginning an d end of Reno. The AAA Tour book rates it as the most important business center of the State and it is famed as the capital of a desert empire.
Harold’s Pigeon Hole Parking is worthy of mention. It accommodates 200 cars on its five decks and cars are parked, without delay, by only six attendants. The driver locks his car … a mechanical dolly slides under it and places it on an elevator which moves sideways and up and down until it reaches a vacant space. I kept thinking what a relief it would be for our downtown parking problem.
As I entered Harold’s Club a woman screamed, “I got it, I got the Jack Pot! I won $500 and it only took me seven hours.” The Club is seven stories high with four floors devoted to gambling. An escalator takes you from floor to floor… not only can the superstitious gambler pick his floor but he can also pick his “Lady Luck” since most of the dealers and croupiers are women. The place was buzzing at midday.
I am always fascinated by the variety of individuals who gather together “to pursue a course accompanied by a high degree of uncertainty or risk of loss” — in one word “gambling.” Altho there is supposed to be a limit of two slot machines to a customer, one genteel looking woman — wearing hats and gloves — was seated on a high stool playing three slot machines with the dexterity of a Swiss bell ringer, and a young man–minus both arms — skillfully handled the “one-arm bandit! with his two steel, mechanical hands.
After a panoramic view of the city from the seventh floor, we “faded” from the dice tables and drove the “hard way” to Lake Tahoe…. over Mt. Rose and Slide Mt. (famous ski resorts of Reno). Every twist of the road in the 8,000 ft climb presented a view which was a delight to the eye. By the time I reached the Lake, I was already planning ways and means of returning during the winter season.
Eugene Jarvis, owner of Eugene’s Chalet, is the nearest I’ve come in years to “Mine Host” of famous Inns. The Chalet has a continental atmosphere, with a deserved reputation for its cuisine. Our room had a magnificent view of the mountains and lake, and the private patio gave us a chance to soak up some sunshine. We recuperated so quickly in this restful atmosphere that the second night we went to hear Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong who was appearing at Harrah’s Club on the other side of the lake. You needn’t neglect your children while gambling at Harrah’s. They have movies for children of patrons every evening during the week and from noon to midnight on Sunday. The hand that used to rock the cradle now cradles the dice.
We drew out our stay at Lake Tahoe, like a miser holding on to a gold piece, and left the place with regrets that we couldn’t stay just a little while longer.
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The wide open spaces of the West are still wide open, and except for the ribbons of interwinding highways and never ending rows of telephone poles, the landscape is unchanged from the covered wagon days. We passed large cattle and sheep ranches, uncluttered by oil wells… Indian country with reservations and trading posts … rushing mountain streams and hot desert springs. We saw fishermen hip deep in water … cowboys riding the range… hunters with their red caps, heading off into the hills with burros and horses (only the autos and trailers which carried the men and animals to the foot of the hills brought the picture up to date). In one town we spoke to a volunteer fireman… in another, a gas attendant said he was a member of the local posse. Shops display paraphenalia for mining, fishing and hunting. Yes, siree, if you are hankering for the un cluttered wide open spaces try Rt. 395.
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To the Californian who criticized Eastern resorts for using the word “Ranch,” we can only say that if he took a trip through Califonrioa he’d find tht the greatest misuse of “ranch” is in the West, where they should know better. Every town has a motel named “El Rancho.”
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Take it from me. Traveling is broadening–I’m still dieting.
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Back in San Diego I found politics the main topic of conversation. Conversations, diversion or persuasion — whatever the method used by the political parties — the end result is to make sure your “X” marks the spot.
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Don’t be misled by the lurid posters advertising “Lust for Life,” playing at the Capri Theatre. Judge dby their method of appeal, the Hollywood publicity men must have a very low opinion of the American public. The film is a fitting tribute to a great artist. It is beautifully photographed against the very scenes wher eVan Gogh lived and painted. Kirk Douglas, whose physical resemblance to Van Gogh is extraordinary, and Anthony Quinn, as artist Gauguin give impress performances. The 200 original Van Gogh pain tings shown throughout the film, were collected from nine countries.
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Joseph Haberman, the Yiddish actor, unlocked a memory door when he walked into my office last week. There was an air of the traditional dramatic actor about him, reminiscent of the great Yiddish artists who played an important part in the lives of the immigrants during the adjustment period from the Old to the New World. I learned from him that the Cafe Royale in New York City, once famous meeting place of Jewish artists and intellectuals, had closed its doors three years ago. His friend, Yablikof, whom I had met overseas while he was entertaining in the Displaced Persons Camp, now resides in Los Angeles. As long as there are devoted couples like Joseph and Clara Haberman, the histrionic ability of our people will always find an outlet.
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Proposition 4 (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 4
Californians are likely to be hearing a lot in the next two months about Proposition 4. Supporters of the ballot measure as well as its official title label it an “Oil Conservation” measure. Its opponents call it a “control” measure. Both sides have indicated that they will commit large sums of money to the campaign in an effort to win their point with the voters.
Voters’ decisions on the ballot propositions traditionally do not take place until quite late in the campaign. Proposition 4 is apparently not going to be an exception to this. Although there has been activity pro and con relative to the issue for some time these efforts have to date reached the consciousness of only a minority of voters.
Even in this day when efficient organized and carefully calculated campaign efforts to woo public favor to once candidate or issue are commonplace, we may yet see in California a battle for men’s minds and votes which will be epic in its proportions. The stakes are great and the public remains to be informed and persuaded.
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Report From Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 4
By Albert A. Hutler, Executive Director of the United Jewish Fund
Reprisal attacks are the only answer that the Arabs understand, according to Cabinet members, army commanders and people with whom he talked in conference rooms, in army camps and in the streets of Israel. This is the undisguised and outspoken policy of Israel, even though they know they are living in a world where peace is precarious.
Surrounded on three sides by enemies , whose hatred of the new state is evidenced by every day action of infiltration and murder, Israel is forced to the Biblical “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” because any sign of weakness on the part of little Israel will be considered an invitation to attack.
With its 594 miles of land borders on which Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are poised for attack, Israel well knows its dangers. But what is as dangerous is that there are four dangerously sharp edges in Israel’s geography on which a spark could be struck on an given day which would ignite the Middle East into a second fight for Israel’s survival — Galilee in the North, Gaza in the Southwest, Eilat in the southern ti of the Negev Desert, and Jerusalem surrounded on three sides by Jordan.
Looking from the King David Hotel in new Jerusalem to the old Jerusalem today is more than looking across barbed-wire battle lines dividing a city. It is crossing both backward and forward in time into a period which gave birth eight years ago to a dynamic little nation hundreds of years ahead of its hostile neighbors. The hostility is still mounting. So are border incidents. So are tensions.
One cannot visit or speak of Israel without discussing security and defense. The events of the past few months, and especially the past few weeks, the dilemma of the Suez Canal, has certainly emphasized to every intelligent person of the West that Israel is a fortress of Western defense whose survival must be assured regardless of what the Western powers try to do to placate Nasser and the Moselm Nationalists.
In discussing the Suez Canal with our group of 10 Executive Directors of the United Jewish Appeal Study Mission recently, Golda Meirs (sic, Meir), Israel’ Foreign Minister, stated that the time to have stopped Nassar (sic, Nasser) and the Egyptians was back in 1951 when Israel’s ships were not permitted to go through their 151-mile canal.
Today in Israel there are two schools of thought about the present Canal crisis. Several government officials expressed the feeling that it indicated to the West that it could count only on Israel as a stable democracy in the Middle East, and that no matter how the Canal crisis was concluded the West had learned its lesson. Israel under these circumstances could expect heavy arms — jets and tanks — from the Western powers.
On the other hand you received the feeling, from high army command and from some government officials as well as from the people that the tension was greater because of the Suez Can al. There was the feeling in this group that a conflict could be ignited out of the desperation of a falling dictator who threw his people into a religious war in order to take their minds off the problems which he had plunged them.
Eight weeks after Nasser’s seizure of the Canal the crisis seems deeper and farther from solution than ever. The danger of a world war, it is true, has seemed to recede in the last week or so. But not for Israel.
However, Israel is prepared for any contingency. Without peace since 194, she has maintained and continues to maintain on alert. Her combat power against an attack that may come whenever Arabs thing they are strong enough to drive the Jews into the sea, or when some Moslem strikes in desperation to hold his own position, has continually improved. Israel maintains this alert also in her front line of defense — the border settlement.
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Jack Gross Accepts Chairmanship for Bonds for Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 4
Mr. Murray D. Goodrich, Honorary Chairman, Bonds of Israel Government, today announced that MR. Jack O. Gross is chairman for the Bonds of Israel Government Campaign honoring Abba Eban, Ambassador of the State of Israel to the United States.
Mr. Gross has long been identified with philanthropic and civic endeavors in San Diego. He was a former Campaign Chairman for the United Jewish Fund and for many years and has been a member of the Fund Board of Directors.
In assuming the chairmanship Mr. Gross stated that “Ambassador Eban is a giant among statesman and a foremost advocate in the council of nations strengthening democracy.”
Mr. Gross further pointed out that Ambassador Eban will be on San Diego on October 23rd for a dinner which will be held in his honor at the El Cortez Hotel. The dinner, indicated the chairman, will honor not only the Ambassador but Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, whose 70th birthday is being celebrated throughout the world wherever Jews may reside.
In asking for the support of the entire community in welcoming the greatest personage to visit San Diego from the State of Israel, Mr. Gross stated that by celebrating the Prime Minister’s birthday we all are paying tribute to “his courage and vision which has wrought transformation in the lives of the Jewish people. His life and work is an inspiration to all the sons and daughters of Israel.”
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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 4
Dear Mrs. Kaufman:
In behalf o the Department of adult Education, I wish to thank you for the fine article appearing in the Southwester Jewish Press on September 7.
You made the statistics and details of our program sound very interesting, and we appreciate your work in presenting our program to your readers.
Very sincerely yours, Kenneth S. Imel, Director, Adult and Extension Ed.
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23rd Annual Report To Be Distributed December 8th
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 5
After a lapse of two years, in which publication was suspended the United Jewish Fund Year Book will be published in 1956, according to Morris W. Douglas, Fund President.
The twenty-third annual report of the work of the United Jewish Fund will contain, as usual, the names of all contributors to the 1956 United Jewish Fund regular campaign and the United Jewish Appeal Special Survival Fund, as well as the amounts subscribed.
Containing many pictures and stories of the activities of the Fund and leading individuals in the Jewish community, a feature of the 1956 report will probably be “A Report from Israel,” featuring statements and pictures taken by Mr. Victor Schulman, Dr. Walter Ornstein, and the Executive Director, Albert A. Hutler, all of whom will have travelled to Israel this year.
Now being prepared by Mr. Hutler, under the direction of the Fund’s Executive Committee and in consultation with Mr. Irving Alexander and Mrs. David Jaffe, the book will also contain the story of the Federation agencies, including the Jewish Social Service Agency, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Communityh Relations, the Emigre Committee, and the Hebrew Home for the Aged.
The book is expected to be ready for distribution for the Annual Meeting of the United Jewish Fund to be held on Saturday, December 8.
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Leaders of Three Faiths Aid Drive For Auditorium
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 5
Three spiritual leaders, Catholic, Jewish and Protestant, have consented to join the city-wide drive for adequate public assembly facilities by serving on the Civic Auditorium Committee’s campaign council, according to George A. Scott, general chairman.
The committee is being organized to conduct a broad educational campaign to obtain voter approval at the Nov. 6 election of an essential public assembly facility — one to serve the entire community’s cultural, religious, educational, economic, social, recreational and entertainment needs.
The three leaders of the program are.
Most Rev. Charles F. Buddy, bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of San Diego; Rabbi Morton J. Cohn of Temple Beth Israel and Dr. Lester E. Bond, President of the San Diego Council of Churches.
They were members of a representative group of citizens who recently urged Scott to direct the voter educational program. Now, as members of the campaign council, they will assist cScott in the overall management of the campaign.
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Hillcrest Hideaway Has Music and Dancing
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 5
Frank Harris’ Hide-a-Way at 3919 Fifth Ave., in Hillcrest, features a beautiful cocktail lounge, dancing to Dick Ryan’s band, and the voice of blonde Blou Cava.
The remodeled cocktail lounge is one of the most popular spots in town with two bars to serve you and decor designed for your comfort.
No cover… no minimum.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 5
By Morrie Pomeranz
Two Guardians within the past few weeks were victimized by freak accidents. Scene No. 1: Jovial Julie Penn took his remaining chips and said to the croupier in the Sahara: “Put these on number 32.” The spinning white ball hopped crazily about but made a three point landing in 32. Julie gathered a bushel of chips, turned quickly and tripped over a chain which was no more than six inches off the floor — altho Jullie suffered a painful break of a bone in his dealing arm, he managed to recover every chip. … Scene No. 2: It was a beautiful morning– the air in Mission Valley was invigorating — Sam Feller puffed contentedly on his Corona — his pick up glistened in the early sun — suddenly a speeding king-sized truck forced the relaxed Feller off the road — the little truck flipped over twice–and stopped, completely crushed, resting pathetically against an embankment — it was a full five seconds before any motion was detected in the cab — but sturdily built Feller rolled out, still puffing on his cigar.
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In each group, there is the inevitable self-assured chap whose achievements must be heard by all — the details may be boring and repetitious but on and one he rambles. So it was that a group of Guardians were compelled to sit by as a brother member filled them in on his latest fishing trip to the Mexican waters. He explained (in detail, of course) how the crew baited the hooks, — that it took three men to gaff the monstrous yellowtail, etc., etc. Finally one of the tiring listeners, politer than the others, asked of the fisherman: “Where didyou catch all these fish?” “Where you ask: why only in the finest fishing waters in the world — that’s where — in Matzoh-Land.” The half-dozen listeners showed interest for the first time. “Matzohland”–were is it — how do you spell it?” And our hero, realizing now, that he alone of the group had trav elled extensively, spelled it out carefully: “Matzohland – M-a-z-a-t-l-a-n.”
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Hi-Lites of Board of Directors Meeting — regular board meeting held on September 20 — the continued ribbing taken by good-natured Harry Snyder relative to his struggling to make ends meet in his drug store. Harry just smiles …Heated discussion concerning a New Year’s dinner dance–but the exodus to Las Vegas at that time of the year closely resembles the march across the great Desert in biblical times — thus for the time being, Guardians cannot compete with Vegas — miffed by the slow service for his second cup of coffee, Murray Goodrich turned to Its Penter and said prophetically: “We ought to take this joint over and really juice it up.” Its nodded approvingly but waited patiently for Murray to break out the checkbook — this resulted in a terrible stalemate. So what happens? Al Steinbaum purchased the 51 percent controlling interest of the Mission Valley Country Club.
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Mr. Sam Addleson, President of the Guardians of the Hebrew Home of the Aged, has appointed Arthur Glickman, Eddie Bland and Lory Cantor as a committee to select nominees for the incoming Board of Directors.
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Hadassah To Discuss American Affairs
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 5, 1956, Page 5
On Wednesday, October 17th, at 12 p.m., the Terrace Room of the Lafayette Hotel is to be the scene of a luncheon and debate on Foreign Policy, sponsored by San Diego’s local chapter of Hadassah. The topic, the foreign policy plans of the Republican and Democratic parties.
Moderator for this occasion will the very able Mrs. Irving Alexander. Mr. George Cheney and Colonel Irving Salomon will participate. Mr. Cheney is the Democratic candidate from the 30th Congressional District. Colonel Salomon is a politically active Republican and a delegate to the U.N.
Mr.s Maynard Hurwitz and Mrs. William Podoloff are co-chairing this meeting with the assistance of Mmes. Hyman Gendloff, Frank Janowsky, Merwin Sibulkin, Robert Zlotoff and Marshall Raffelson.
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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, located just above the masthead on the right hand side of the screen.