Compiled by Samuel Chessler
Fund, Federation Merger OKd
By Lou Lieblich, executive director
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 2
At consecutive meetings of the Boards of Directors of the Federation of Jewish Agencies and the United Jewish Fund, these two former arms of the San Diego Jewish community were merged into one on Sept. 2. The action of both boards was unanimous.
The new United Jewish Federation of San Diego has now assumed all of the responsibilities formerly carried by the San Diego Federation of Jewish Agencies and United Jewish Fund. The new Federation will have responsibility in San Diego for the annual campaign, allocations, community relations, Armed Services work, community organization, social planning, and coordination of the six constituent agencies, all of whom have voted affiliation.
They are Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Service Agency, Jewish Welfare Board, Armed Services Committee, North County Jewish Community Center, San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged.
The first board of directors of the new United Jewish Federation will be formally elected at its first meeting Dec. 14. The by-laws provide for an interim board to include the following. All of the members of the former United Jewish Fund, all of the members-at-large of the former San Diego Federation of Jewish Agencies and two members from each constituent agencies to be selected by them.
The new Board, to be elected Dec. 14, will include 28 directors to be elected from those.
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Privileges and Duties
by Maxwell Kaufman
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Pages 2
This holy day season is a good time for all of us to think of the privileges to enjoy as citizens of America and California. Along with these privileges goes the responsibilities of sharing the burden of insuring good government. All of us must accept this burden in order to protect what we have and provide for the future.
The citizen’s responsibility is to elect the best qualified man for national, statewide and local offices. This means that he should take an active part in party politics and contribute his time and money.
Every voter must take seriously these responsibilities. Failure to register or vote only means that he is leaving to others the task of preserving our hard won rights.
May the New Year bring enlightenment and happiness to all mankind.
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Break-Fast Dinner Set Servicemen
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 2
Jewish servicemen in the San Diego area will commemorate their annual Yom Kippur Break- the-Fast Dinner at the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Center, 2930 Howard St., on Sept. 24.
It has been customary since the war to invite area servicemen of the Jewish faith to participate in the 24-hour Yom Kippur services in the city’s three synagogues.
Following the 24 hours of fasting, members of the Armed Services Committee of the Jewish Welfare Board, in co-operation with the various Sisterhoods, have prepared the traditional Break-the-Fast Dinner. This year the dinner is being planned by volunteers from these Sisterhoods, working together at the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Center.
Following the dinner, the servicemen and Junior Hostesses will dance to the music by the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet Combo Servicemen wishing to attend the Break-the-Fast Dinner and dance are asked to contact Mrs. Betty Husted, administrative secretary of the J WB Armed Serv-ices Committee, at J U. 3-3300 or AT. 1-9284.
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On ‘Rabbinate’ Conflict: Pressman Joins Nussbaum
by Rabbi Jacob Pressman, Temple Beth Am
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 3
One of the most important debates in Jewish life is raging in pages of Heritage-Jewish Press. It was touched off by a dramatic statement by Rabbi Max Nussbaum (Reform) in which he attacked the Israel Rabbinate, bringing prompt reply from Rabbi Simon A. Dolgin (Orthodox). Here are views of Rabbi Jacob Pressman, past president of the Rabbinical Assembly in the Southland.
My aim is not to fan the flames of controversy but to examine the points of view and express that of the Conservative movement.
First of all, in Dr. Max Nussbaum our community has been privileged to have one of the most forceful spokesmen for the cause of Zion with an unimpeachable record of love and concern for the State of Israel.
Rabbi Dolgin accused him of “Selbst Has”-self-hatred. But I have heard Rabbi Nussbaum’s courageous voice speaking in protest, from the steps of our own City Hall, at the Hollywood Bowl and at numerous public gatherings of Jews and Christians.
I found no self-hatred, but great pride and loyalty to Judaism and Jewry. When this man voices a criticism, it can only be out of love for Zion and great pain at having to express himself as he did.
There is much validity in his criticism, and indeed an autocratic Israeli Rabbinate may be pushing a generation away. “Confronted with “all or nothing” alternatives, a great segment of Israeli youth is choosing nothing at least of the tradition as we know it.
Acting out of high religious and ethical motives, they are unfamiliar, even antagonistic to ritual strictures. The fact is that Reform and Conservative expressions of Judaism have had real, and sometimes insurmountable problems of finding a place to worship in the way in which they choose.
To accuse the maker of these charges of lack of scholarship both Jewishly and generally is a very serious and damaging charge, one which dare not be made without foundation, and surely not in the way in which it was made.
On the other handy Dr. Nussbaum’s use of the expressions “Datican” “Medievalism”, “Kulturkampf” and “bordering on war”, are likewise terms which can give comfort to Israel’s detractors without more adequate explanation.
As for myself I believe that e most basic freedom is the freedom of religion—no less in Israel than in these United States.
If Judaism is to survive, here or in Israel, it must survive without an assist from the political power of the State or fear of sanctions. Just as I would not have compulsory adherence to Jewish law under the heavy hand of Government, whether it be of these United States, or the State of California, or the City of Los Angeles; so would I resist the enforcement of religious belief by the parliament of the State of Israel.
Moreover, I am prepared to take the risk of allowing Judaism to win the minds and hearts of our people on the strength of its own beauty, logic, and pertinence to life, for I have the greatest confidence in its ability to capture and hold the enthusiastic allegiance of those who are taught the Jewish way of life with love and understanding.
Therefore, I believe it is good that Dr. Nussbaum, whose record of love for Israel is no secret, should bring into the open the grave concern of many people over the direction the religious authorities of Israel have taken.
With Dr. Simon Greenberg, I maintain “We want Israel to be of such a nature that our coreligionists from other countries of the world may come to visit Israel and return religiously inspired.
“If within Israel there will not develop a society that will be capable of inspiring such religious enthusiasm on the part of Jews living in the diaspora, then Israel will fail to serve as the great spiritual and religious center for Judaism, and the State of Israel will ultimately have as little spiritual significance for Jews living in the free countries beyond its borders as it has now for them politically. “ The fact is, that while many who have visited Israel have been inspired by the sacrifices made by its citizens and the miraculous progress on farm and factory, few have returned religiously inspired. I believe with Dr. Mordecai Kaplan that what he have [sic] been working and praying for is “The land of Israel where Jews can fully realize the creative potential of their historic religious civilization,” and a creative religious civilization cannot be legislated —it must grow out of unfettered, willing and free interplay of ideas.
There is merit in Dr. Nussbaum’s challenge and we must never fear self-analysis, particularly at this penitential season of the year.
And even Rabbi Dolgin’s able criticism of its sharpness, is tempered by his own concession that the Israeli Rabbinate has much adjustment to make.
There is no villain, and no hero here, no absolute black nor white, for neither Reform, which is a product of the Galut, nor the Orthodoxy of Meah Shearim, which is also a product of the Galut, will be the ultimate religious expression of the new Israel.
As always before, there will arise new expressions within the broad framework of our traditional values and sacred seasons.
Nor will it bear the Conservative label, but like Conservatism, I firmly believe it will be neither revolutionary nor static, but creative and evolving, and in the center of the classical main stream of Judaism.
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Clarion Call for Clarity
By Rabbi Monroe Levens, Temple Tifereth Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 4
The clarion call for 5719 is for clarity!
The Jews of America could render no more significant service to themselves than to try to come closer to an understanding of what they are. We can no longer afford the luxury of saying that being a Jew defies definition. Recent events in Israel even, in connection with the matter of identification cards for Jews, point up the urgent necessity of knowing what we are. How much more so is this the case in the United States, where Jews constitute only a small fraction of the population. Jewish life has become suffused with the pragmatic philosophy that characterizes American living, and which makes “results” and “success” the only arbiter of what is important.
Values, intellect, and “aspects of eternity” are of little concern so long as one feels that he is “doing good.” If Judaism is to be meaningful and continuous in our life, we shall have to do some careful re-evaluating. The sages tell us that the world stands on three things: “Torah, work, and good deeds.” Good deeds are important, bu[sic] they are only a third of the total.
Mrs. Levens joins me in extending best wishes for a New Year of peace and happiness to all.
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Hadassah Launches Gala New Season
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 4
Mrs. E. Al Slayen will tap the gavel on Sept. 17 to welcome Hadassah members to their first fall meeting of the 1958-59 term in the Palm Room of the U. S. Grant Hotel at 11:30 a.m.
Hadassah will present a sparkling fashion showing of the designs of Trevilla of Beverly Hills, well-known fashion creator. Accompanying him here will be Los Angeles models who will show the very latest in milady’s fashions.
Special guests will be all new members who have joined recently.
The event is open to the general public and will feature a “Command Performance” theme, according to Mrs. Morton Thaler, general chairman.
Gold embossed and wax. sealed invitations were in the- mail this week to over 700 local women inviting them to see this exciting fashion preview.
Any woman interested in joining the organization is invited also and when she becomes a member it automatically allows her to come as a guest of the chapter to this event. Mrs. John Ruskin and Mrs. Robert Strauss are accepting reservations and Mrs. Hyman Kitaen is ticket Chairman.
Mrs. George J. Goodman is coordinating al stage decor with Mrs. Bruce Witte and Mrs. Jerry Krasne in charge of publicity. Mrs. Sylvan Recht and Mrs. Joe Recht are serving as telephone chairmen and Mrs. Stanley Foster and Mrs Arthur Levinson are program coordinators. Mrs. M. S. Berlin and Mrs. Robert Smith will greet guests at the door. Mrs. Leonard Zlotoff is arrangements chairman.
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Sept. Calendar
4-—Thur., 1:30 p.m. Jr. Hadassah membership tea and Fashion Show-Wohl residence,
6–Sat. 7:30 p.m. T. r. Couple’s Club-Moon/ite Cruise-S.S. Marietta, S. D. Bay.
8–Mon. 8:30 p.m. S. D. B’nai Brith Women Bay Chapter Rabbi Levens – T.i I. Synagogue.
10—Wed. 11:30 a.m. Beth Israel Sisterhood-Women of Valor luncheon and fashion show, Caribbean Room, El Cortez.
17—Wed. 12 noon, S. D. Hadassah – luncheon – fashion show – Palm Room Grant Hotel.
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‘Startling Progress’ : Decade’s Growth
By Dr. Walter Ornstein, President, United Jewish Federation
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 5
The United Jewish Federation of San Diego and its constituent agencies—Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Service Agency, Jewish Welfare Board Armed Services Committee, North County Jewish Community Center, San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged-—extend warm greetings to every member of the San Diego Jewish community on the occasion of the beginning of the High Holy Days Sunday evening.
As we look back over the past decade, the progress made by our Jewish community can only be described as startling. From a small group of families, we have grown to a population of approximately 8000. From a community which provided negligible local service, we have developed a Jewish Community Center, a Jewish Social Service Agency, a Federation, and other services second to none.
Last year we were one of a relative handful of American Jewish communities who raised more in their Fund campaigns than ever before in history, including the phenomenal year 1948.
Our new Jewish community building and Center is striking evidence of our growth and maturity. The service it is rendering to many hundreds of families is proof of the wisdom and foresight of the leadership now so abundant in our community.
Nor have we neglected to fulfill our full measure of devotion and responsibility to our brethren abroad. Through our annual Fund campaign we have during this decade sent many hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of well more than 1,000,000 of our Jewish brethren whose lives were degraded and all but hopeless. In this achievement, accomplished together with our sister American Jewish communities, all of us can and do take enormous pride. No generation of Jews throughout history has accomplished more. It is to our everlasting credit that we have played a vital role in this heroic accomplishment.
To all of you who have made this noble work possible, the directors of the United Jewish Federation and of all its constituent agencies express their sincerest wishes for a New Year full of health, happiness and accomplishment.
We express to you the firm conviction that the next year and the next decade will be equally fruitful in achievement for our own local Jewish community, for the national institutions of our country, and for our fellow Jews overseas.
A Happy New Year!
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Installment Credit Gains
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 11, 1958, Page 5
Installment credit continues to show strength and stability despite the falling volume of recent months, according to a statement by Irving A. Olf, president of Coast Thrift and Loan of Beverly Hills.
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Samuel Chessler is an intern working with San Diego Jewish World on the Adventures in San Diego History project. Minor typographical errors have been fixed; those with meanings that are not obvious have been marked with the traditional notation: sic.