Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
United Jewish Fund Tally Tops 1954 and ’55 Drive: Close to $200,000 Raised in Campaign
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Pages 1, 5
More money was raised by May 20, 1956 in the current campaign of the United Jewish Fund of San Diego than was raised by the end of last year, when books were closed on the 1955, Morris W. Douglas, President of the Fund, reported this week.
A total of $193,500 has been raised in the 1956 campaign of the United Jewish Fund to that date.
Over 75 workers at the workers’ report meeting last Sunday heard Douglas laud Milton Y. Rogerts, General Campaign Chairman; Mrs. Milton Roberts, Women’s Division Chairman; Harry Sugarman, Pace-Setter leader; William B. Schwartz, Campaigners Chairman; Carleton Lichty of the Christian Divisions, and Alex Maisel, Area Chairman, for a job well done.
Douglas, noting that the results to date was an outstanding achievement of leadership, workers, and contributors, said all who have participated should feel good.
Adding to Douglas’s remarks, Roberts said: “Don’t feel too comfortable. Up to now it has been easy but now we’re at the danger point where every gift must be sought out, every increase fought for. Feel good but don’t relax. It’s not the gifts that are in that count at this stage of the game, but those that are not.”
Roberts said that personal solicitations by over 200 workers, telephone calls by leadership and mail have done much to make for the success of the campaign. As part of “Magic Carpet Day” operation Isaac Domnitz, Ruben Umansky, Harry Sugarman, Carl Esenoff, Rose Domnitz, Ben Harris, Morris Douglas, David Stotsky, Milton Fredman, William Schwartz, Seymour Rabin and Milton Roberts formed a telephone committee which raised $3,000.00.
“Magic Carpet Day,” climaxed by a workers’ dinner at which Judge Stanley Mosk, President of Los Angeles Community Council was guest speaker, raised $2,150 under the leadership of Schwartz. Workers were: Mr. and Mrs. Phil Abrams, Bess Borushek, Mr. and Mrs. H. Blech, Dave Vogel, Martin Starr, Sam Zakes, Isaac Domnitz, Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Lavender, Mrs. L. Feller, Morris Douglas, Stanley Ferrer, Mr. and Mr.s Carl Friend, Henry Price, M Sonnebend, Ben Feinberg, Joe Spatz, Ernest Finch, Allen Lame, Si Rich, Maxwell Kaufman, Harry Paisin, Leo Mintz, Mrs. Helen Simon, Berek Ehrenfried, M rs. Arthur Meyer, Rose Abrams, Stanley Yukon, Henry Stein, Herbert Reder, Ed Breler, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Press, Lou Jacobs, Mr. and Mrs Bertha Veitzer, Ruben Umansky, Rose Mishne, LeRoy Seckler, Zena Frommer, Abraham Olf, Milton Roberts, Ann Ratner, David Horowitz, Bella Price, Fred Yaruss, Morris Sims, Max Leopold, Charles Ransom and Joe Olsher.
The money raised to date in the 1956 campaign represents an increase of $53,000 received from the same contributors last year. At this time, the announcement noted, over $20,000 in potential contributions are still available.
“We are in sight of fining up with one of the best and fastest campaigns in San Diego in recent years,” Roberts stated. “We are aiming at $200,000 by May 31 which will insure reaching our goal of $226,000 before the close of the campaign. It will be the highest figure reached in San Diego since 1948 when $273,000 was secured.”
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New Community Center Ground-breaking June 10
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Pages 1,5
The realization of the dream of a Community Center building for the Jewish community of San Diego will be heralded by a ground-breaking ceremony and bazaar on Sunday, June 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The ceremony, taking place at the Center site at 54th St and University Ave., will be the first step in the building plans of the Center, according to W.B. Schwartz, President. Maxwell Kaufman and Morris W. Douglas are co-chairmen of this historic event.
Civic and communal dignitaries have been invited to participate in the ground-breaking ceremonies, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. Mayor Charles Dail; David Bird, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors; Hank Gibson, County Supervisor; Leo Calland, Park and Recreation Department Director; LaMott Cohn, President of the Community Chest of San Diego; Howard Hill, Manager of the Community Chest; Lucius Johnson, President Community Welfare Council; Edgar Brown, Executive Director, Community Welfare Council; Mary Fay, Chairman of the Group Work Division of the Community Welfare Council; Pauline de Grange, of the Park and Recreation Department, have been invite to participate in the gala event.
Also, Sidney Posin of the Community Welfare Council; Dr. Ralph Dailard, Supt. San Diego City Schools; O.W. Campbell, City Manager.
Dignitaries of the Jewish Community who will participate are: Morris W. Douglas, President of the United Jewish Fund; Dr.A.P. Nasatir, President Federation of Jewish Agencies; Victor Schulman, President Hebrew Home for the Aged, Dr. Walter Ornstein President Jewish Social Service Agency.
Invitations have also been extended to the Rabbis of the three synagogues and to the presidents of the congregations.
Past presidents of the Jewish Community Center will be honored during the groundbreaking ceremony. These include: William Starr, Herbert Haimsohn, Eli Levenson and Edward Breitbard.
The plans and design of the Center building, designed by George Lykos, A.I.A., are almost completed, according to John Ruskin and Sydney Rose, co-chairmen of the Building Committee. In the first phase, to be built immediately, the plans include what the Building Committee considers essential for the eeds of the Jewish Community. There will be two other phases in the building program, which will include a gymnasium, additional meeting rooms, additional nursery facilities and an auditorium. The Center will be the Jewish community building and will house all of the Administrative Offices of the Jewish community; the United Jewish Fund, Federation of Jewish Agencies and the Jewish Social Service Agency.
The spirit of the buiding according to Lykos will reflect an informal, inviting clubhouse type of structure in the style of Southern California contemporary ranch buildings. Masonry construction was planned throughout for durability and to solve maintenance problems.
In the new building, great stress is going to be placed on effective noise control, with the latest and most modern lighting. There will be A-1 ventilation and hearting throughout the building.
In the building itself, there will be nursery school with a kitchen and children’s toilet facilities; five club rooms for use of Center groups and organizations; two large club rooms for use by the community as well as interorganizations; an Arts & Craft Shop, containing facilities for ceramics, painting, woodwork and photography.
Feature of the new building will be the Youth Lounge and game room, which will be used for young people’s activities. This will include: Pool tables, ping pong tables, place for quiet games, such as checkers and chess, both an indoor and outdoor facility for dancing and other activities. The Youth Lounge will be provided with a Pullman kitchen for snacks and other needs for the young people.
There will also be an adult lounge off of the main entrance to the building, which will contain a lobby.
Outdoor facilities will include space for athletic games, playground for young children and a nursery school playground, as well as space for the use of the Day Camp during the summer months.
One of the outstanding features of the new facility will be an Olympic size swimming pool heated and filtered with the most modern equipment. The pool and the surrounding area will be equipped with excellent lighting effects, so that all kinds of swimming events may be held during the day and in the evenings.
The Women’s League, headed by Mrs. Victor Selton, Past-President, and Mrs. A.E. Slayen, incoming President, will have the responsibility for setting up the bazaar, which will open at 11 a.m. Mrs. Seymour Rabin and Mrs. Ray Lieberman are co-chairmen of the bazaar and are being aided by over twenty organizations and their chairmen.
It is anticipated that work in the new building for the Jewish Community Center will begin the month of September or October, immediately following the conclusion of the Center Day Camp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue Golden Jubilee Celebration
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 1
Plans for the Golden Jubilee celebration of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 30th and Howard Streets, have been completed, according to Irving Goodman, president of the congregation. The 3-day program will begin on Friday, May 25, when Rabbi David Teitelbaum of Los Angeles will be the guest speaker at the evening services conducted by Rabbi Monroe Levens. Rabbi Teitelbaum is associated with Sinai Temple, oldest Conservative Synagogue on the West Coast.
Cantor Joseph Cysner and the synagogue choir will participate in the service.
On Saturday, May 26, a special family service will be held in the morning, featuring the children of the congregation. After the traditional twilight service on Saturday, an evening program of entertainment will be presented. Cantatas will be sung by the Junior Choir, made up of over 30 children, and by member of the Sisterhood, under the direction of Cantor Cysner. There will be community singing, musical presentations, and other entertainment features. A large reception will follow each of these services.
A Golden Anniversary Dinner Dance in the Main Ballroom of the El Cortez Hotel will end the festivities on Sunday night. At that time, honorary awards will be made to H.S. Wolf, Abe Pomeranz and MRs. Elias Jacobson, charter members of the congregation, and to Isadore Jacobson.
A 64 page souvenir book commemorating the 50th anniversary has been prepared, and includes the story and pictures of such highlights in the history of the congregation as the building of the first synagogue at 18th and Market Streets, in 1917; Tifereth Israel’s role in war-time San Diego; the dedication of the new synagogue in 1948; and the dedication of the education and recreation center in 1953.
All events except the dinner are free of charge and a cordial invitation to attend is extended to the public. Reservations for the dance are necessary and may be made by calling the synagogue office.
Bob Cheron and Maz Zemen are general chairmen in charge of the entire program.
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“…Come To The Fair,” Asks Women’s League at Ground-Breaking Day
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 1
The Big Day is Sunday, June 10th.
The Big Event is the ground breaking ceremony for the new Jewish Community center at 54th and University Aves.
The Big Time of your life is the Bazaar and Fair on the new building site. The bazaar opens at 11:00 a.m till 8:00 p.m. The dedication ceremony takes place at 2:00 p.m.
A full day of fun and enjoyment for all ages has been carefully planned. A variety of delicious, home-cooked foods will be served all day. There will be valuable prizes awarded every hour throughout the day to lucky ticket holders. A platform will be erected on which will be alternated dancing and entertainment continuously throughout the ay for free. Movie cartoons will also be shown.
In charge of the various booths to date will be Mrs. Julia Newman, Jolly 16; Mrs. Harry
Aronoff, Jewish War Veterans; Mrs. Harold Garvin, B’nai B’rith; Mrs. Bernard Aronson, Nursery Co-op; Mrs. Marvin Jacobs, Council of Jewish Women; Mrs. Sam Sosna, Jr., Charity; Mrs. Robt Imberman, Golden Age Group; Mrs. Morton Lieberman, Cit of Hpoe, Jr.; Mr. Arthur Gutmenstein, Clairemont Group; Mr. Burt Epsten, Gaylarks; Mrs. Frances Kaplan, Teenagers; Mrs. Elmer Wohl, Hadassah; Mrs. Goldie Schusterman, City of Hope Seniors; Mrs. F. Lavander, New Life Club; Mr. Nathan Bloom, Point Loma Group; Mrs. E. Adler, Tweenagers; Mr. Seymour Gates, Cottage of Israel; Mrs. Sidney Posin, Square Dance Group; Mrs. Seymour Okmin, Couples Club; Mrs. Sammy Addleson, Guardians; David Unterman, Hillel Group; Mr. Julius Penn, Beth Jacob Men’s Club.
The public is invited.
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Cash Rushed to U.J.A. To Help African Exodus
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 1
Morris W. Douglas, President of the Fund, and William Colt, Treasurer, forwarded $30,000 of Fund money to the United Jewish Appeal this week in reponse to their $50,000,000 cash appeal to be able to continue immigration of North African Jews to Israel.
$20,000 from the general campaign fund for the regular United Jewish Appeal, while the other ($10,000) will b sent to the United Jewish Appeal Special Fund.
The $10,000 voted by the Fund board for the Special Fund, was taken from the legacy left to the Fund by Iser Goldberg, who died in March of 1956. Albert A. Hutler was executor of the estate. The $10,000 was given by the Unitd Jewish Appeal by the Fund, above and beyond the ordinary allocation.
At the same time, the Fund Board approved the request of the United Jewish Appeal for renegotiation of the loan made by the Fund for the United Jewish Appeal. Colt stated that the Fund will endeavor to borrow $150,000 from banks for th United Jewish Appeal to meet the immediate crisis in Israel. Principal and interest will be payable over a five year period out of future commitments to the Appeal.
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Engagement Told
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Irving Burdman announce the engagement of their daughter, Roslyn Fae, to Marvin Zepkin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Zepkin of Los Angeles. The wedding is being planned for September 2
The bride-elect is graduating from U.C.L.A. in June and is past president of her sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon. Her fiancé is attending USC School of Pharmacy and is affiliated with Rho Pi Phi pharmacy fraternity.
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Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 2
Mrs. Morris Stokes wishes to thank her many friends and organizations for their kindness during her illness and hospitalization.
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The gifted members of the Friendly Social Club, who entertained at their recent show, were Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Garvin, Rose Abrams, Lillian Baume, Norma Schaefer, Mrs. E. Schlossberg, Leona Roth, Janet Moss and Lillian Moss. A melodic love ballad, written by Ernest Green of Escondido, was sung.
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Irving Mortin, Ass’t Director of the J.C.C., will attend the National Conference of Jewish Communal Services in St. Louis, Mo. On May 27th.
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Mrs. Edith Bernheimer has invited her sister, Daisy Block, to join her on the Las Vegas trip she won through the drawing conducted by the Women’s Division of the U.J.F. Campaign.
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Congratulations to Andy Leeds on making “Flags” at Hoover High. It was hard work but she made it.
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Cantor Joseph Cysner is attending the annual convention of the Cantors Assembly at the United Synagogues, held at Grossingers, in New York. He met Rabbi Azriel Grishman, who sends his regards to his San Diego friends.
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Mr. and Mrs. Sam Smith are justifiably proud of their son-in-law, Hy Weitzman, of San Bernardino, who has been accorded many honors during his residency there for civic endeavors. He recently received an inscribed copy of the State Senate’s Resolution of Commendation. Mr. Weitzman will go to the National Convention as a Democratic delegate from California.
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The following San Diegans may meet on Fifth Ave in New York, or State St. in Chicago, the first week of June: Mr. and Mrs. Saul Chenkin, Mrs. Louis Stitzel, Mrs. Lou Moorsteen, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gordon enroute to Havana; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wohl and family, and Toby Bloom. Mrs Stitzel plans to spend some times with her sons Paul Moss, editor and publisher, and actor Stephen Elliott.
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Leonard H. Naiman , son of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Naiman, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He is a premedical-senior at U.C.L.A. Leonard was graduated from Hoover High, second highest in the school; is a member of Hillel at U.C.L.A. and Kappa Nu Fraternity. He plans to attend Northwestern University8 in September.
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Recent visitors to San Diego were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bertelson, of Milwaukee, Wis. Mrs. Bertelson is the sister of Leon and John Ruskin. One of the highlights of their visit was seeing their niece, Marcia Ruskin, play the “femme fatale” in “Love Rides the Rails” presented by the S.D. Junior Theatre.
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Party Time – The Jolly 16 Club honored the 210th wedding anniversary of Carl and Bernice Esenoff with a cocktail and dinner party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gordon. Mrs. Annie Esenoff and Sarah Rubin were guests.
On May 22nd Bobbie Glickman was honored by the group with a bridal shower held in the home of Mrs. Carl Esenoff.
A going-away party was given to Bob and Rose Gordon on May 25, in the home of Mrs. Louis Steinman.
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Dr and Mrs. Harold Elden and their four sons are heading north in a trailer for a brief vacation.
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Bernie Belkin was elected Secretary of the Horace Mann student body.
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Mrs. Harold Elden, Hadassah Donor Chairman
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 2
Hadassah will open in 1956 Donor Dinner Dance on Sunday evening, June 3rd in the new Cotillion Room of the El Cortez Hotl at 6:30 when cocktails will be served preceding the 7:30 dinner. Mrs. Harold Elden and Mrs. David Block are co-chairmen.
Mrs. Sammy Stein, Decorations Chairman, and her committee have been occupied lately with bringing to life the jewels of the desert and promise a delightful décor ffor the evening. Assisting her are Mmes.
Samuel Kerper, Sherman Ames, William Penn, David Starr, Ray Smith, Louis Sosna, Jonas Feurzeig, Louis Bickman.
Two rising Hollywood personalities will be featured and Hadassah promises all guests a most entertaining eve ning. Mrs. Irvin Kahn is program chairman.
The dinner-dance will be a “strictly social” event. Highlight of the evening will b the announcement by the retiring President, Mrs. Harry Felson, of the 1956 Woman of the Year.
Other committee workers include Mmes. Elmer Wohl, Rudolph Hess, Edward Kitaen, Ray Lieberman, Hyman Kitaen, Morton Thaler, Leon Solomon, David Miller, Ray Bass, Arthur Gardner, Charles Marks, George Wixen, Joseph Kaplan, Harry Snyder, Lewis Solomon, Ben Snyder, Edward Binder, Howard Hoffman, Archie Bushnell, Joseph Feldman, Sidney Gerstler, Jack Brisker, Harry Brookler, Frank Kenin, Leonard Pearl, Ignatz Rottman, Murray Samuels and Lawrence Weiss.
Beatufiully glittered favors will be Hadassah’s gift to each woman. Reservations may be made with Mrs. John Ruskin, 4308 North Talmadge Drive, AT 1-6802. Angels are $100.00. Guardians are $50.00 and Donors. $25.00.
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Cradle
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Lewish Fischbein announce the birth of Martin Larry on April 28; weight 6 lbs. 12 oz. Sister Linda, aged five years, is practicing baby sitting.
Rabbi Monroe Levens and Cantor Jos. Cysner participated in the Bris.
Maternal grandmother is Mrs. Sophie Low-Zimmer; paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. David Fischbein.
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Takes Over Helm
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 25, 1956, Page 2
Mrs. Al Slayen will be installed as President of the Women’s League of the Jewish Community Center on June 1st, at the Flame, at a luncheon at 12:00 noon. Mrs. Slayen, a long time resident of San Diego and past president of Hadassah, has been active in organization work for many years. She has two children.
Incumbent co-chairman, Mrs. Alfred Bobrof, states that the theme of the Installation Luncheon, “A Creation in Bloom, refers to the new center which will break ground, June 20th. Mr. Al Hutler will be the Installing Officer. A delightful ceremony and program is planned for the afternoon, according to Mrs. Leroy Cohen, program chairman.
In charge of decorations are Miriam Chadwick, chairman and her committee; Evelyn Baranov and Esther Brisker. Mrs. Lilo Berger and MRs. Wm. Wagner will handle invitations. For reservations call Lil Nadler, HO 4-2446, or the Jewish Community Center, AT 1-7744.
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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.