Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 5
Terror in Rumania (Editorial)
Recent revelations regarding the reign of terror conducted by the Communist Government against Zionists there have shocked many in the free world. Communists in Israel, faced by the news that 200 Zionist leaders in Rumania have been imprisoned, have been reduced to the absurdity of saying that no one has ever been imprisoned for his opinions in a Communist state, and that the whole matter is merely an instance of “United States psychological warfare.”
For those who have followed the history of the Soviet and Communist attitude toward Zionism over the past decades, since before even 1q917, this news comes as no surprise. To Communists, Zionism is merely another form of “bourgeois nationalism” which must be combated just as Moscow combats, for example, the desire of Ukrainians for liberty. In the Nineteen twenties and Nineteen Thirties tens of thousands of Zionists were sent to Soviet slave-labor camps, and the numbers of these slaves were multiplied still further when the Soviet seizures of Eastern Poland and the Baltic states greatly increased the Jewish population in the Soviet Union.
In Rumania, as in other Communist countries, all those who work for freedom and for release from the Muscovite bondage are “Traitors.” The Zionists now being punished for their effort to free Jews from the general enslavement that is Rumanian life today are martyrs to the common struggle against oppression. The free world must seek their release, as part of the efforts to support all friends of freedom – of all nationalities, cultures and religions—behind the Iron Curtain.
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A Little Known Group (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 5
Very few people in this community are aware of the work of the Jewish Labor Committee and the important part it plays in the nation’s trade union movement. As far back as 1933 the Jewish Labor Committee began an underground rescue movement that did heroic work in saving thousands of Jewish lives from Hitler’s maniacal grasp.
In addition to their work in fighting prejudice in the A.F. of L. and the C.I.O the Committee carries on a program of child care, food and clothing shipments, and distribution of books to Europe and Israel.
The Committee was the first to recognize, in 1949, the full meaning of Soviet anti-semitism and exposed it in a series of carefully documented studies. It has been a prime mover in the settlement of Jewish restitution claims with Germany and Austria.
The Jewish Labor Committee is the arm of the organized Jewish Community in the trade union movement. To achieve its goal the Committee looks to every community for increased support for the urgent tasks that remain to be carried out. The small but dedicated group that has been devoting itself to this work for many years should be encouraged and supported.
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From Where I Sit
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 5
By Mel Goldberg
Lots of talk about certain clubs around San Diego discriminating against Jews through the quota system … If this matter were deeply checked, it would be discovered that in one case at least, and possibly two, the quota system is in effect largely through the efforts of some Jewish members. Amidst their zealousness to keep out “unpolished” brethren, they have seen fit to compromise principles by allowing the existence of membership selectivity based on a “religious” rather than an “environmental” background qualification.
Just an afterthought! … We can supply the victim in the following incident, if anyone doesn’t believe it and wants proof. A Jewish fellow, that we know, applied for a job within the last two weeks. The prospective employer was Jewish too. At the conclusion of the interview, the “business” man turned to the job seeker and blatantly stated, “You could probably handle the job okeh, but I’ll tell you frankly, I make it a point never to hire a Jew.” … The confused lad didn’t hang around to see if the gentleman carried a Klu Klux Klan card or contributed to the Gerald K. Smith for President drive….
Wouldn’t it be nice if the banks would start spending their money in paying a decent interest rate, rather than by outvying each other in building Taj Mahals on El Cajon Blvd. Local savings and loan associations, too, give you a big deal … They pay 3% and just 135 miles north in L.A., they pay 3 ½ %… Bet if a vote were taken among the banks’ customers, they’d rather have the ½ % and do business in reconverted dry-docked tuna boats for buildings.
Dan Weinberg claims to have overheard a couple of Texans discussing a mutual friend at Del Mar. “He says he’s as rich as we are,” said the one oil and cattle and baron. “Why that four-flusher,” responded the other, “he’s never had over twenty million dollars in his pocket in his entire life.”
Jack Lowenbein tells of a man who came home carrying a large parcel for his wife. “Look, dear,” he said, “I didn’t forget your birthday. I bought you a beautiful mink stole”, … “But,” the wife reminded him, “you promised me a new car.” …”I know,” said hubby, “but, where can you buy an imitation Cadillac wholesale.” …
Speaking of fur coats, there’s a woman in Pt. Loma, who owns one and during the hot summer months, she wraps it in a cheap suitcase and stores the whole shebang in her home deep freezer. When chilly weather rolls around, she hauls it out, moth free and looking like a million…
The following vignette is over 6 weeks old. To prevent identification, we have held off comments for the last 3 issues. Now it can be told … A couple of local matrons flew over to Las Vegas on the Q.T. … It had been assumed hereabouts that they were spending a couple of days shopping in Los Angeles. Anyway, while in Vegas, the two 40 plus gals had quite a gay time. They met two guys, real smooth types, who were in their late 20s. Our two women felt proud that with all the pretty things floating about, these handsome young fellows would be attracted to them.
The evening was going along well. … dinner, etc., and then the payoff. Sometime during the course of the evening the two Romeos disappeared with the galss’ purses…which included all their cash and papers… A couple of collect phone calls to the husbands in San Diego and a wired money order headed the ladies homeward. … We are happy to report that all was forgiven and our two San Diegans are much wiser for it all.
One of the Los Angeles Anglo-Jewish newspapers, “The Voice,” carried the story of an interview with the Governor of Baja California and according to the story, gambling will be legally licensed at Rosarito Beach within the next 60 days. .. On his visit to England, Groucho Marx was asked by a reporter, “I hear you’re paid $300,000 a year for being rude to people … what would you do if you had Senator McCarthy on your program?” … Groucho’s instant reply was: “I’d work free for a week.” … Ruth Brody wrote from New York that she saw an English car on Fifth Avenue that was so small, the windshield was a monocle. … Report around that Liberace would like to get married—anybody know where he can find a girl shaped like a piano?
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Emergency March of Dimes Drive Begins Aug. 16th
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 5
San Diego will conduct an Emergency March of Dimes August 16 through 31, Thomas V. Prendergast, chairman of the San Diego Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, announced recently. The campaign will parallel a similar drive held throughout the nation by the National Foundation during the last two weeks in August.
Following a special meeting Monday, August 2, at Chapter headquarters, 3609 Fourth Ave., Prendergast announced that Jerry Rudrauff and Thomas Sefton will be co-chairmen for the Emergency March of Dimes. Rudrauff conducted the Chapter’s regular drive in January this year.
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No Future
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 5
The surest way to have no future is to live in the belief that the future is tomorrow.
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Jews in American History~300 Years
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 5
By Dr. Philip L. Seman, University of Judaism
In 1852, over one hundred years ago, Rabbi Abraham Joseph Ash appealed for the support of Beth Hamidrash, the first Russian-Jewish congregation to be established in the United States, and soon thereafter it became the center of religious orthodoxy and defense against the encroachment of Reform Judaism. This was the only institution in the country at the time when religious studies were pursued according to the traditional East-European patterns. Since 1857 and particularly beginning with 1881 when East European immigration began in large numbers due to the atrocities in Poland and Russia, and again for the same reasons from Rumania in 1892 the orthodox group grew in numbers and consequently in the number of synagogues and institutions to the extent that for some time they represented the preponderant group in this country in most all large cities.
Today this group has two large educational institutions preparing students for the Orthodox Rabbinate, the Yeshiva University and the Hebrew Theological College of New York and Chicago.
The founders of the Beth Hamidrash were few, we are told in an account of the founding of the institution. They established it in poverty,. However, they watched over it with loving care. As the record reads, through the members were poor in money, they were prominent with a liberal spirit; they labored hard for their daily bread, and yet set aside from their limited means a portion for the “holy” offering, to support the might of the law. We further learn from a foot note to this interesting story from Isaac Lesser’ in “The Accident XIV” and in the American Jewish Historical Society Publication 1901, that when Sampson Simson died in 1857, he left $2000 to the Beth Hamidrash, as well as $3000 to Shearith Israel of which he was a member, and $1000 to Columbia College, of which he was an alumnus.
Thus Orthodoxy in the sense as we understand it now was established in this country about 100 years ago.
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 6
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
Regaining Mental Health—Although we have made great strides in our attitude toward mental illness, with greater acceptance of treatment, in the minds of many it is still a disgrace for one to need help with his emotional problems. Why this is so, we do not know, for a person is no more responsible for psychological ill health than he is for physical ill health. Perhaps it is felt that a person can get over a physical illness but not one that is mental. That is far from the truth.
Regaining mental health is now more possible than ever, especially when we seek the help that is necessary before it becomes too severe. Today there are thousands of persons who once were patients in mental hospitals and are now considered as recovered and even many more thousands who suffered from a psychoneurotic illness and benefitted from out-patient treatment. When we consider the small number of former patients of mental hospitals who return for further treatment, in comparison to the number discharged each year, we see how effective are our treatment methods.
The prime factor in regaining mental health is the selection of a qualified therapist. In a private consultation with a psychiatrist or psychologist it is necessary to see that these therapists are qualified through board certification or license. Usually, we can assume that the therapists are qualified when we apply to a clinic or hospital, especially those sponsored by governmental agencies. A county medical society or the local psychological organization often has a list of qualified practitioners in the community.
There are a number of therapies which are used to aid in the recovery of mental health and each is selected in accordance with the age and problem of the patient. For adults, the most frequently used is that of psychotherapy. This affords the patient an opportunity to unburden himself of disturbing thoughts, fears, frustrations, and conflicts and at the same time, with the aid of the therapist, to gain insight or understanding into his problem.
With children, play therapy is most frequently used. The child expresses himself I play situations and drawings or rids himself of aggressive feelings through physical activities. Here, again, the therapist allows the child to express himself and interpret, on the child’s level, some of the things which are disturbing him. At the same time, the child feels that he now has someone who is interested in him as an individual. Often the therapist takes the place in the child’s mind of an absent father or mother.
For the more severely disturbed, shock therapies are used, the most popular of which is electro-shock. While we do not know as yet how or why electro-shock works, we do know that it usually does work, especially with those severely depressed. Insulin shock is used most frequently with patients suffering from schizophrenia. The lest used therapy is that of psychosurgery which, while it does alleviate the condition of the patient in many case, modifies or interferes with brain functioning.
The possibility of success in the treatment process is in direct ratio to the early introduction of therapy. Regaining Mental Health is possible but needs public understanding and the acceptance of treatment methods and the individual who has been treated.
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Jewish Community Center
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 6
Camp Jaycee– Camp Jaycee has exciting plans in store for its campers during the month of August. Plans for the remainder of the month include and over-night camp for the eleven year olds during the seventh week and a special all camp program during the last week of camp.
Camp Jaycee has had many requests from parents to extend the camp season for two additional weeks ending Sept 3, rather than August 20. All parents interested in the additional camping period are urged to register with the Center before August 13.
Junior High Program – Monday night has been lounge night at the Jewish Community Center for the Junior High crowd all summer. Program has included square and social dancing and party games. The parents of the participants have given splendid cooperation and have serve refreshments. A beach party for the group will be held on August 16. All junior high youngsters interested in participating in the program are welcome to attend and should call the Center, AT 1-7744 so that they will receive notices of future activities.
Fiesta Club—Plans for reorganization of the Fiesta Club are now under way. All young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 are urged to contact the Center for additional information. A new and exciting program will be presented if enough interest is expressed in the formation of the new group.
You’ve A Date to Meet Moishe! – On Saturday, August 14, 8:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Center, the Jewish Community Center Teens will present an original musical comedy,” Call Me Moishe!” Actors, singers and dancers are all hard at work to make this a truly memorable evening. The Center Teens have written the script, designed the sets and costumes and planned a show to suit every taste. Mr. Don Merkin of Columbus, Ohio, is directing.
Tickets may be obtained from the Center Teens or by calling AT-1-7744.
Remember the date, Sat., August 14—You’ll remember the show.
Modern Dance Group – A beginners Modern Dance Group has been added to the activities of our Wednesday evening rhythmic exercise class for women. Also conducted by Lilo Berger, this class promises to be a particularly stimulating one – and at no extra cost. The fee covers both activities.
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Chaim Weitzmann Poale Zion
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 6
The annual regional Poale Zion Conference will take place in Los Angeles on August 28 and 29 at the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, 7660 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, and it is hoped a representative gathering from the Chiam Weitzmann San Diego will be present at those interesting sessions.
Happens Every Day
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 6
Allowances have to be made for some college students and most parents do – weekly.
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Please Note!
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 6
Temple Beth Israel members are asked to reserve Thursday evening, August 26, for a vitally important Semi-Annual Meeting. More details will follow in the August 20 issue of the Southwestern Jewish Press.
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(Hebrew Home)
Southwestern Jewish Press, August 6, 1954, Page 6
Application for admission to the Hebrew Home for the Aged may be made through the Jewish Social Service Agency, 333 Plaza, BE-2-5172.
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Adventures in 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.