Press Notes (By Julia Kaufman)
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 3
A ‘New Kind’ of Jewry in the Year 2000
The Jewish community in America won’t be the same 50 yers from now.
Two eminent historians, probing the future, predict that American Jewry will survive–but the impact of suburban life, closed doors to immigration, decreasing anti-Semitism, intermarriage and pressures to conform to a Gentile homogeneity are among the forces that will substantially alter the make-up of Jewry by the year 20000.
Professors Oscar Handlin of Harvard and Jacob R. Marcus of Hebrew Union College, in separate articles published by the National Jewish Monthly, magazine of B’nai B’rith, the Jewish service organization, agree that the Jewish community of the next century will be different.
They disagree on how different.
Says Dr. Handlin:
“The danger is not so much that the Jewish community will disappear but that its culture will become a museum piece, preserved out of curiosity and ancestral piety, but devoid of meaning.”
Says Dr. Marcus:
“A tight Jewish community will have to come into being (and) a new fusion type of religion may well be in the making.” Distinctions among Orthodox, Conservative and Reform are likely to be erased by amalgamation, he believes.
Dr. Marcus, a former president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, also listed these characteristics of the future Jewish community:
* Self-imposed taxation among Jewish families, making synagogue membership almost universal.
* Physically–as well as in speech and dress — American Jews will more closely resemble their Gentile neighbors.
* Jewish names will be Anglicized. They will not be an identification of the Jewish family.
* Yiddish newspapers will disappear–but an American daily printed in Hebrew is a likelihood.
*Few Jews will observe Hebrew dietary laws — but kosher style food will be popular among Jews and Gentiles, “a delectable aspect of transculturation.”
Assimilation, generally accepted as a means of escaping prejudice and a threat to survival, may react to preserve a Jewish community. Dr. Marcus says “By its very nature (assimilation) also becomes a means of survival, as when it permits the individual to become so like his neighbor that he is no longer different.”
Thus, he says, a Jewish community will be free to exist because of its similarity to others.
Dr. Handlin, a Pulitzer Prize historian, says the population shift to the suburbs, “where all the terms of life call for conformity,” will dilute Jewish culture.
“The long tradition of (Jewish) intellectuality that gave a peculiar dignity to learning will not readily be accommodated in the suburb,” he writes. “The intrusive idea and the freely speculation mind are disruptive to the stability and order of a community that cherishes the familiar.”
All this, Dr. Handlin adds, “also tends to destroy the old role of the Jew as an outsider.”
He points out that when the European Jew came to America he found a polyglot people against whom his own differences did not stand out so boldly. But the newly-emerging patterns of American life “not only exalt the values of conformity but even make room for the conformity of the Jews.”
Dr. Handlin sees little chance of Jewish institutions resisting the trend to a homogenous culture. Jews and Gentiles, he says, may become so much alike that they will be “no more set apart than, say, the Methodist from the Baptists.”
The young people of New York’s East Side 50 years ago were not limited to the cultural resources they found there,” says the Harvard historian. “It was at least posssible to go uptown to the opera or the theater, if they were not satisfied with Second Avenue or the Bowery.”
But the suburban child knows only a single environment, he says, “Everyone else is in a foreign country, as it were, of which there are only reflected images in the newspapers and in the stereotypes set forth through the mass media.”
The hope for retraining Jewish characteristics of individuality and dissent are not “through stress upon the wholeness and homogeneity of the community,” Dr. Handlin says, “but upon its freedom.”
“In the past thee very conditions of American life — its mobility and diversity — compelled men to find their own grounds for togetherness. It will take vigilance in the future, and more conscious effort than in the past, to keep the spirits of men from being stifled in the togetherness thrust upon them by the community.”
–B’nai B’rith News Release
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‘Demo Folk Sings’
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 3
A series of six evenings of “folk-sings” with Sam Hinton has been planned by the S.D. County Democratic Council of Clubs to further the grass-roots program of the Party.
Everyone is invited to attend. The sings will be held on Mondays, June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 22 and 29 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lustig. Subscription, 6 sings for $10 per person or $2.00 for individual sessions. Phone BElmont 3-8876 for further information.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 3
A group of Guardian anglers were preparing a charter to go to the Coronado Islands — the twelve names were listed — phone calls were made and nine “regulars” quickly confirmed. A call by Sammy Addleson to Lou Tonsky went like this: “Lou, we’ve got a spot open on the Paularo–how about it — we leave Thursday 2:30 a.m.” Lou: “Gee, I dunno00it’s pay day you know–sure would like to get away for the day — let me talk to Charlie and I’ll call you back. In about 15 minutes, Lou did call back and reported to Sammy: “Say, Sam, forgot to tell you–I’ve got a broken arm.”
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At the last regular dinner meeting, co-chairman Al DeSure announced that there were still some 20 tickets for the Cadillac drawing (June 9th) remaining unsold –at $100 each. A familiar voice broke the silence caused by Al’s comment. “S’all right– I know a guy who’ll take all 20.” The membership was thrilled — the drawing would be a financial success — the Hebrew Home for the Aged was automatically assured of $5,000.00 — the work of the ticket committee was now over — Al turned to the Guardian who had stunned the group and asked him: “Who is this man?” and Yale announced emphatically: “Why, my old man, who else!”
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We repeat–and this will be our final opportunity to do so — the great annual Cadillac drawing will take place at the Mission Valley Country Club on June 9th — individual tickets are $100 each with only one hundred tickets printed. Groups are urged to purchase a ticket or two–as indicated there are just a few tickets available. The proceeds? The Hebrew Home for the Aged receives the entire profit.
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The scene: a downtown stationer’s store — our two Guardians await for some loose-leaf inserts — said one Guardian to his little companion: “I still say I’ll be at the meeting tonight even though it’s my wife’s birthday — I’ll get out somehow.” The listener could only add: “Well, don’t make a big tsimmis out of it — no sense in hurting her feelings.” — but the other protested defiantly with his booming voice. “Aw, nuts, I say I’ll be t the club before 6:15” — and who do you think was at the counter directly behind the two? — the wife of course — and to those who might inwardly tend to discredit the actual wording of this little downtown vignette–and if verification be needed — just call Mildred!
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Hi-lites of the last regular dinner meetings — guests included Pete Beyerle and Cliff Everman –both hosted by Sam Berger — Milt Kifferstein and Ollie Farkas promised that they would attend more regularly in the near future — the door prize, an electric razor, donated by Julius Brown, was won by Laury Cantor who sat next to the donor — it was announced by Chairman Harry Snyder that a gift worth approximately $50,00 — entertainment will be furnished to make this a memorable event — June Ninth — Mission Valley Country Club — 6:30 p.m. — for the annual Cadillac drawing!
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 3
By Guest Columnist, Charles F. Manucia, M.A.
Psychological Aspects of Speech Disorders — Speech is essentially a social activity which has developed in human endeavor primarily as an expedient by which one can transmit his thoughts or wants to someone else, thereby influencing the behavior of others. In short, speech is a process of stimulation and response.
It is assumed that everyone has the power to speak and to have his speech understood. Unfortunately, there are many, some ten percent of our population, who, for some reason or other, present speech patterns such as to interfere with their message. This segment of our population would include those suffering from organic causes, those who are limited by a functional disorder, and last, those who sustain psychological injuries.
Generally, speech disorders of psychological origin may be classified under the principal categories of aphonia (absence of audible speech, r inability to produce voice before a group or a class) — hoarseness — faulty articulation — and the commonest of all, stuttering.
These four types of speech defects are not disorders in themselves, but are merely symptoms of an underlying disturbance in the emotional make-up of the individual. The presence of tension, feelings of insecurity or guilt, unconscious hostility, aggression or immaturity may well be considered as contributable to the speech pattern under consideration. Consequently, it becomes a difficult, if not an impossible task, to explain the causes involved without taking into account those psychological forces operating within the individual. It follows, then, that correction of an emotionally-induced disturbance must be directed to the basic underlying problem.
The practice of directly attacking the defect by applying restraining techniques, exercises of breathing or rhythm, tongue-and-lip drills, reading aloud, “take your time” advice and similar devices is not only unwise; it is unsound and harmful. Often, such rehabilitative measures increase the already existing tensions and aggravate the condition. Often, these methods will result in “fixing” the disorder at an impenetrable level. In cases where the symptom subsides as a result of dogged pressure on the art of the therapist, a new and equally conspicuous and annoying symptom will develop in its place. Certainly, nail-biting is no more comforting than lisping; bed-wetting accomplishes little for the child in place of his stuttering; night terrors or insomnia yields no net gain over emotional aphonia.
The psychological approach to the correction of speech disorders is to proceed cautiously, with due respect for the individual concerned on the assumption that we are dealing with a total personality — his goals — his self-esteem — his unique, individual needs — not a mere isolated part of him that does not speak correctly, for it can be said that the speech pattern of an individual plainly and accurately reflects his personality structure.
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UJA Appeals for Cash; $75,000 Cash Asked From San Diego by June 5
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 4
San Diego’s United Jewish Fund was called on this week by William Rosenwald, General Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, to join other Funds and Federations in a nationwide UJA $50,000,000 cash collection drive to meet the immediate urgent need for the absorption of immigrants in Israel.
Warning that the flood-tide of new immigrants to Israel from Egypt, Hungary, Poland, North Africa and other countries continues to rise, Mr. Rosenwald has asked San Diego to collect a minimum amount of $75,000 as its share in the national cash collection effort, Mr. Milton Roberts, Fund President, announced.
At the last meeting of the Directors of the Fund it was unanimously resolved that all over $10,000 in the General Account of the United Jewish Fund will be forwarded to the United Jewish Appeal on June 5th in order to meet the June 8th deadline for the $50,000,000 cash drive, Roberts said. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Sklar will present San Diego’s check at the Cash Conference in New York.
“The influx of Israel of Jewish refugees from many lands of terrible oppression not only continues unabated but is increasing,” Mr. Roberts pointed out, “and this has placed an impossible burden on the people of Israel. Unless the American Jewish community takes over the financing of the transportation
and maintenance of the new arrivals, Israel will be unable to stand up against this huge migration.”
He noted that some 10,000 newcomers entered Israel in April; in March there were 9,000 newcomers; and all indications point to 12,000 entering Israel during the month of May.
“It takes cash and a great deal of it,” Roberts said, “to supply the vital humanitarian facilities that will make the absorption of the refugees in Israel quick and effective. Vast sums required can come only from one source–the American Jewish community, through the cash collection efforts of the ‘Cash for Rescue’ campaign.
Dave Stotsky, Collection Chairman of the United Jewish Fund, will direct the local effort, Mr. Roberts indicated.
“Mr. Stotsky has been largely responsible for the high collection experience of our community. Through his efforts and under his leadership, San Diego has achieved an excellent record in meeting its obligations to the better than 45 agencies supported through the Fund campaigns.
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Yo-Ma-Co News
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 4
Due to a slight change, the Toastmasters will be the guests of the Yo-Ma-Co Club at their next regular meeting, Wednesday, June 12, at 9 p.m. They will present something special, and all married couples are urged to attend at Highland and Landis St. Hall.
Plans are set for a Theater Party, Picnic and Installation in July.
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(Cemetery Scam)
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 4
Beware of anyone offering you “free” cemetery lots. They may cost you money in the long haul. Check first with your San Diego Better Business Bureau.
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Mr.-Mrs. Hadassah Dinner Dance
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 4
The La Jollan Hotel, on Saturday, June 1st, at 8:00 p.m., will be the scene of the Mr. and Mrs. Hadassah June Dinner Dance, next in the schedule of outstanding social events for all of the younger married couples in the community. Full course prime rib or lobster dinners will be served; a professional combo will provide the music.
All of the young marrieds are invited to attend, especially any newcomers to San Diego. Those interested should contact Hal Hoffer, 4489 Euclid Ave., as soon as possible.
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(Phony Franchises)
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 31, 1957, Page 4
Enticing franchise deals are offered in many cities. Don’t lose your shirt. Investigate before you invest by consulting your San Diego Better Business Bureau in the Spreckels Building.
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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.