Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Now Hear This …
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
By Joyce Addleson
The JR. Hostess Luncheon scheduled for June 18 is all set up. The honored guest will be Major Gen. John C. McQueen, Commanding General of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. No speeches! A tour of the carrier will follow the luncheon at 2:30. Transportation to the carrier will be provided by the famed “nickel snatcher.” Our special thanks to Claire Kaplan and her Sr. Sponsor group for all the arrangements. A special award will be presented to the outstanding Jr. Hostess of the year and a photographer will be on hand to take pictures.
June is the time for congratulations so here’s to: June graduates Linda Douglas, Jane Cohn, Judy Smollar, Sheila Lipin, Deanne Brown, Lucy Recht, Natalie Veitzer, Donna Godes and all the other Jr. Hostesses that are graduating.
Good luck to Robert Plesser who returned home on the Princeton May 31. Goodbye and good luck also to Lester Rubin who was discharged from the Navy and will attend Los Angeles City College.
The Los Angeles Post Office has just gained a new carrier; Kenny Weiss, who was discharged from the Navy last month. Here’s hoping we all receive our mail in order.
Congrats to Jr. Hostess Phyllis Mollick and Leonore Goldstein who recently became engaged. Respective grooms are Jerry Schissell and Jerome Roth, respectively.
One night last month saw Mr. Abe Friedman running around the U.S.O-J.W.B. dance with a camera. He was taking pictures of all the fellas from New York. The reason was that there was an affair in New York at which the parents of all the servicemen from New York attended. General Ridgeway was the guest of honor and Lucy Monroe entertained. Voice recordings and pictures of the boys’ parents were taken, and sent to the boys all over the world. The New York servicemen stationed here will sure be surprised when they receive the photos and recordings of their parents’ voices.
Remember, mark June 18 on your calendar Jr. Hostesses and we’ll see you at the luncheon.
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(Del Mar Fair)
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
Newest attraction for the children at the Southern California Exposition and County Fair at Del Mar June 24 through July 4 will be “Don Diego’s Super Circus.”
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Beth Jacob Ladies Set Shavuoth Dinner June Twelfth
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
Jennie Bloomfield, president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Beth Jacob, wishes to remind members and friends that the traditional Shavuoth dinner will be held on Sunday, June 12th, at 5:30 p.m. Real Jewish home-cooking, warm hospitality and a social hour … all for $1.75. Bertha Friedman is co-chairman for the dinner.
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Another date to remember is the annual picnic, to be held Sunday, June 26, in Balboa Park, at Pepper Grove from 11 a.m. on. Complete luncheon and wonderful new merchandise. This is an event you won’t want to miss.
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“Story-Mommies” Service Children’s Hospital
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
As part of its Community Services Program, headed by Mrs. Sidney Silverman, members of the S.D. Council of Jewish Women, devote one hour from 2:30 to 3:30 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, to visiting the children confined to the pediatric ward of County Hospital., Future plans include entertainment for the children as well as the purchase and donation of toys for the ward. The project is an all year-round project.
Mrs. Martin Ernest, Chairman of the County Hopsitla Project, has set up a program under the direction of four weekly captains: Mesdames Ralph Cohen, Gerald Kobernick, Ray Lieberman and Robert Mitchell. Volunteers assisting are Mesdames Sylvan Baranov, Raymond Bass, Robert Beitscher, Sol Brown, Wm. Burnett, Wm. Carter, Sam Cohen, Paul Cudney, Richard Disraeli, Harry Douglas, Robt. Drexler, Nicholas Elbogen, Wm. Fox, Harvey Furgatch, Louis Feller, Ben Ferber, James Feuerstein, Arthur Goodman, Leonard Greenfield. Ernest Haas, Ed Haimsohn, Jos. Kwint, Harold Lasher, Edgar Levi, Julius Levin, Bernard Lipinsky, Sol Lederberg, Max Nelson, Rose Pomeranz, Earl Richmond, Seymour Rabin, Ben Rubin, Leo Sarfan, Robert Shapiro, E. Morris Sims, Sidney Smith, Harold Stolarsky, Samuel Supnick and Herman Sturman.
Anyone desiring to assist in this project is urged to call Mrs. Ernest at JU 2-4022.
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(Mummies)
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
Some people are like mummies – all wrapped up in themselves.
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Double Talk
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
By Janet & Susan Solof
Hi gang! Well—school has finally come to a close and we would like to say “congrats” to all you seniors and wish you the very best of luck.
Temple Beth Israel’s Confirmation Class of 1955 really headed the party list as tops. Starting the evening with a “coketail” party given by Eleanor Cohen at Mission Valley Country Club they enjoyed dinner and dancing at the officers club and ended up the evening with breakfast at the Pig ‘n Whistle. Really “living it up” were Debbie Strauss ‘n Stan Breitbard, Susan Solof ‘n Gary Cantor, Diane Fogelman ‘n Alan Friedman, Andy Leeds ‘n Art Pogrell, Ruth Freedman ‘n Harry Ratner, Roslyn Steffel ‘n Ronnie Schwartz, Linda Zuckerman ‘n Jack Sharpe, Judy Aved ‘n Jerry Mendell, Elaine Brandenburg ‘n Sandy Borenstein, Eleanor Cohen ‘n Norman Starr, Georgette Lesser ‘n Jerry Elkins, Lois Brown ‘n Bob Kipperman, Margery Lowitz ‘n James Deutch, Judy Hertz ‘n date and Nella Feldman ‘n Larry Strauss.
Trying to sleep was really difficult at Jan Klaskin’s house as the air was full of “girl talk.” Talking and listening were Zena Feurzeig, Barbara Silverman, Linda Douglas, Judy Aved, Roberta Wylogue and Merle Greenberg (L.A.)
Swimming, dinner and dancing really proved to be the “choicest” way for Larry Strauss to celebrate his 17th birthday. Those who attended the party at Mission Valley Country Club were Larry Zlotoff, Andy Leeds, Jerry Mendell, Nelda and Tonia Feldman, Gary and Eddie Naiman, Ruth Freedman, Stan Breitbard, Diane Fogelman, Preston Marton, Marjorie Lowitz, Steve Goldfarb, Judy Hertz, Alan Friedman, Susan Solof, Ronnie Doctor, Debbie Strauss, Art Pogrell, Barbara Belevine, Jack Sharpe and Ronnie Schwartz.
Bye now – CY-5-0679.
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Cottage of Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 3
Congratulations on our successful lawn program celebrating the seventh anniversary of Israel’s independence are still being voiced. Since there were so many persons who missed this program because of the inclement weather, the board of directors as the last meeting made plans for a repeat performance of the musical production to be included in the program of our annual meeting scheduled for the latter part of August.
Mrs. Lucille Flexo, our new display and decoration chairman will be meeting with members of her committee which include Martha Feller and Bess Borushek to discuss renovations and display additions for the Cottage.
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Artists Find Inspiration In Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 4
Several news items recently have come to our attention regarding Negro artists who have appeared in Israel. Their reactions to the seven-year-old State show a recognition and appreciation of the cultural growth of the young democracy.
Marian Anderson who appeared with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, in concert, was greeted by overflow audiences and received tremendous ovations during her recital tour. The Israelis were especially touched by her rendition in Hebrew of Brahm’s Rhapsody. While this recognition of her talent by the new – but culturally old – nation must have pleased Miss Anderson, we do not believe it had anything to do with the generous scholarship fund of 600 Israeli pounds for “the encouragement of young musical talent.” She explained that she was setting up the scholarship “in appreciation of the devotion of the people of Israel.”
Another American Negro, who recently returned from a tour of Israel, is Lionel Hampton, the orchestra leader and famous exponent of the vibraphone. On a television show from New York, he made constant reference to a tour of Israel and his reception there. Like Miss Anderson, he felt that he wanted to be a part of the growth of this young country and refused to accept money for his concerts, requesting that it be used to encourage music among the youth.
It is well known that music can break down barriers and bring different people together but we feel that, more than this, the artists responded to the atmosphere in Israel that allows for the growth of human relations and mutual love. The ancient land of Israel, from which the Negro has drawn his very expressive spirituals, must offer an inspirational and satisfying experience to the visitor. Our common love of the Bible and the great prophets is the thread that binds our divergent cultures together. It should be no surprise that such rapport exists but it is pleasant to report.
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“Ess, Ess Mein Kindt” (Eat, Eat, My Child)
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 4
By Harry Golden
(From Carolina Israelite)
Dr. Abraham Franzblau, a rabbi-psychiatrist, said that when a mother pushes a spoonful of food into her baby’s mouth, even before the previous spoonful has been swallowed, the mother really hates the child, or did not want the child. However, she is conscious of this sense of guilt and therefore becomes overzealous in her attempt to feed the child.
I cannot see it that way. I think the tremendous concern with food in the Jewish household, even to the overfeeding of the children, has nothing to do with “guilt.” I think it has all to do with – survival; an association of food with strength and growth. Food and the refinements of food in the Jewish home were also the result of centuries of second-class citizenship.
No matter how poor, how restrict his opportunities for a livelihood and citizenship, he could look forward to the Sabbath, its solemnity, its dignity; and the special food of the occasion more than compensated him for the unrelieved hostility the moment he stepped out of his door.
Essentially the Jewish religion centered around the home – the family—the dining room table.
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Take Something in the Mouth!
One of the classic functions of the rabbis and our wise men was to make themselves available for advice and instructions concerning Jewish life in the home: domestic relations, food, sex and even business and communal affairs.
On the lower East Side I remember that the rabbis were always available for last minute decisions cocnewrning food and other preparations for a religious holiday. Uner such conditions food, which was part of every ritual as well as a symbol of dignity and status, occupied a place of tremendous importance in Jewish life.
The first English words most of the Jewish immigrant women learned were: “Take something in the mouth.”
The minute that door opened it did not matter whether it was a guest, relative, child, or stranger, the first word was “Eat”—“take something I the mouth.” And I remember in my own home there’d be many arguments about it. My mother would bring the platters immediately. “Eat, eat,” and maybe the guy said he wasn’t hungry, and did not feel like eating and then my father would become exasperated. “Leave him alone, he doesn’t want to eat,” and then there’d be an argument and the non-eating guest had to step in as a peace-maker, but there was only way he could restore order –“All right, all right, I’m eating, look, I’m eating already.”
Trying to gain a foot-hold in America was not easy. Life in the sweat-shops, at the push carts, and peddling with a pack on your back was hard work, but everybody had plenty of eat. On Sunday mornings the tables literally swayed under the weight of the food.
Arnold Toynbee would be shocked to hear that no one ever heard of Syrian pickles or Syric rye bread, especially with chopped chicken liver. And after the chopped chicken liver comes a nice bowl of soup with monlinn, each mondl as crisp and brown as a nut. What a treat it was to watch your mother make the chaleh, the Sabbath twist loaf, “painting” the varnish on it with a feather with the artistry of a Leonardo da Vinci.
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Krep Lech and Mozart
And when you speak of kreplech you should think only in terms of Mozart and Shakespeare:–those neat, thin puffs of dough which she wrapped around spiced chopped beef and after boiling properly, reverently dropped them one by one into the golden chicken soup. And potato latkes, pancakes fit for a king; and those Passover dishes, the fried matsoh and all the other wonderful things.
Of course I do not wish to slight the regular work-a-day meal, like a good piece of boiled beef flanken with horse-radish and rye bread. This is the dish Jupiter and Juno used to enjoy on Mount Olympus during the days of the Roman Gods. They learned the secret from a few Jewish women, perfume makers who lived on the left bank of the Tiber in those days. And this heritage came down to our Jewish mothers who never really lost the touch, because it concerns food which essentially is the symbol of tomorrow. For the Jews it was always tomorrow, and that is why the very first works a Jewish child, heard a fe3w minutes after it was born were: — “Ess, ess, mein kindt.”
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Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 4
Dear Mr. Kaufman
On behalf of the newly created San Diego Chapter of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, I should like to extend the sincere appreciation of all our members to you for your cooperation and helpfulness.
A new organization must depend to a very large extent upon the Southwestern Jewish Press for publicity.
The excellent coverage you gave our meeting was of great help, and I feel sure we can count upon your continued cooperation as we all know of your personal interest in the cultural and educational institutions of Israel generally and in the Hebrew University particularly.
It is very encouraging for our Chapter to know that the Editor of our newspaper is do deeply interested in the great cause we are supporting.
With kindest personal regards.
Sincerely yours, William Colt, President, S.D. Chapter.
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 10-23, 1955, Page 4
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
Our Senior Citizen
During the past few years we have added many words to our vocabulary. Some have come into being as the result of the changing influence of our younger generation. From jitter bug to hep cat we have developed a succession of words that has put Webster to shame.
One phrase, however, has been developed as the result of our growing consideration for the welfare of a generation at the far extreme of the youngsters. No longer do we refer to the older persons or to the aged; we now think of them as our senior citizens. By doing so we recognize their growing importance in our thinking, our recognition of their rightful place in our esteem and the value that they have in our social, educational and economic lives.
With the increasing span of life that each of us faces, many problems have become important enough to warrant serious study. One of the most serious has been of the mandatory retirement age which seemed to be a thing to be desired for so many years and now seems to be far less satisfying than before. Too many needed talents are lost through too early retirement and too often the person retired has no desire for this enforced condition.
Many of these Senior Citizens still have the interest and energy that are needed in industry. As a result, companies are revising their retirement plans, other organizations ar establishing special departments for those over sixty years of age, and still other firms are being organized solely for these mature individuals. Schools of higher education are giving serious thought to the employment of persons who have reached the retirement age but who have many years of satisfactory service left in which to impart the learning and wisdom that only maturity affords.
We need to devote greater consideration to this problem of maturing. A new field, Geriatrics, has come into being for this purpose. Research workers in this field have developed new methods of housing, new educational, recreational and social plans for the welfare of these Senior Citizens. We have much to learn from them, and should have much to offer them in return. They must not retire from life, but as one of the films in the field of Geriatrics is titled, “Retire to Life.” They must feel that they are still useful, still needed, and still respected.
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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.