Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, February 21, 1958, Part 1

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Mrs. Alex Wise, left, and Mrs. Robt. Spiegel
Mrs. Alex Wise, left, and Mrs. Robt. Spiegel

Women Accept Leadership In United Jewish Fund Drive
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Pages 1, 3

Mrs. Harry Wax, Chairman of the 1958 Women’s Division Campaign of the United Jewish Fund, announced the appointment of top leadership to assist her in leading the drive.

Mrs. Alex Wise and Mrs. Robert Spiegel accepted the vice-chairmanship of the Women’s Section in the campaign to aid hundreds of thousands of people in 1958.

Elizabeth Wise is the mother of two children, one attending the University of Chicago. She is a Vice-President of the Women’s Auxiliary of Brandeis University and an active member of the National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah.  For many years Mrs. Wise served new Americans in San Diego as a member of the United Jewish Fund’s Émigré Committee.

Betty Spiegel is also the mother of two children and long active in community work, including the National Council of Jewish Women, the American Red Cross and other civic and Jewish organizations.  She is a member of Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood and of the Women’s Auxiliary of Brandeis.

Mrs. Wax also announced the acceptance by Mrs. Irving Alexander of the Publicity Chairmanship and Mr. E. Al Slayen as Telephone Chairman for the division.

“The acceptance by these leading women is most gratifying because they personify the spirit of the Jewish community of San Diego and of its women. Both of the women who have accepted the vice-chairmanship are busy with their families and their own activities: Doris Alexander and Pearl Slayen were vice-chairmen of the 1957 campaign, but have agreed to work just as hard without the title in 1958.  They feel a deep obligation to continue their service to the people who are served by the United Jewish Fund,” Mrs. Wax said.

Mrs. Wax stated that volunteers will be urgently needed to help in the job that faces the Women’s Division.  She urged all women who are interested in volunteering for such assignments as telephoning, mailing, arrangements and others to either call her or one of the co-chairmen, or to call BE-2-5172 and leave their name and telephone number.

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Center Needs $80,000 To Open Doors On March 30
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Pages 1, 5

Jewish Community Center leaders of San Diego met at emergency dinner meeting last Tuesday evening to face the challenge of securing $80,000 in cash before the Center Building can be properly opened as planned on Sunday, March 30, 1958.

They heard the challenge faced by the entire Jewish community of San Diego from William B. Schwartz, Center President; Seymour Rabin, Chairman of the Building Completion Campaign; and Albert A. Hutler, its Executive Director.

Mr. Schwartz pointed out that at least $80,000 in cash must be secured to meet the final construction costs, equipment need and to complete the swimming pool of the Jewish Community Center.

“We are facing a real emergency,” he said “that could not be anticipated by those who were planning the Center – either the finance committee, building committee, or campaign committee.  Rising costs of construction since the Center plans were placed on the drawing board primarily account for the need for additional money.

In reporting to the emergency leadership meeting, Seymour Rabin, Building Fund Chairman, stated that though there has been many promises of cash and pledges they were very slow in coming, and time was of the essence.

“We do have some indication that several corporations and charitable foundations in our community think enough of the Jewish Community Center so that they are planning on making gifts to the drive,.”

In breaking down the need, he pointed out that at least $37,000 was needed to finish the construction of the building; another $22,000 to finish the swimming pool; $4,000 for minimum landscaping in the area; and a minimum of $25,000 for furnishings and equipment necessary to open the building adequately.

Executive Director, Mr. Hutler, stated that: “It has been a struggle to reach the point we are at now, and it will be a struggle for some years to come to do the job that must be done unless the community gives generously to this building completion fund.  San Diego is one of the last of the major cities of America to have a Jewish Community Center.  There are centers,” he continued, “in Phoenix and Tucson, and in communities all over the country where the Jewish population is even smaller than that of San Diego.”

“San Diego,” he went on “has made for itself an enviable reputation as a progressive Jewish community, which not only gave generous support to National and Overseas needs and to Israel in the past ten years, but which has developed services for its own residents on a high standard which has been recognized nationally.  It would be a shame if the gains of the last ten or eleven years were lost because we were afraid to face reality and to meet the challenge.”

Plans were made at the leadership Center meeting to immediately increase the tempo of the campaign for the next two weeks, and then to give way to the 25th annual campaign of the United Jewish Campaign.

Opening gun in the final two weeks of the campaign will be a special preview and supper for leaders of the Jewish Community Center which will be held in the main meeting room of the new building at 54th Street and University Avenue on Sunday, February 23rd at 4:00 p.m.  Reservations for the supper may still be made by calling BE-2-5172 or AT-1-7744.

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Abba Eban
Abba Eban

Ambassador Eban Here Mar. 13: UJF Goal Set At $303,000
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Pages 1, 8

Abba S. Eban, Ambassador of Israel to the United States, and Chief of the Israel delegation to the United Nations, will inaugurate the 1958 United Jewish Fund Campaign, Harry Wax, Campaign Chairman, announced today.

Goal of the campaign was tentatively set by the newly selected campaign cabinet at $303,000, Wax also announced. This is an increase of $12,000 over the amount raised in the successful campaign of 1957.  Campaign leaders pointed out that the increase was necessitated by additional needs on a local and overseas basis.

Ambassador Eban will visit San Diego for the first time. He will be the guest of honor and principal speaker at a Community Dinner on Thursday, March 13th, 7 p.m., in the Caribbean Ballroom of the El Cortez Hotel.

Ambassador Eban is coming to San Diego in recognition of the tremendous job that was done for the United Jewish Appeal in 1957 by the local Jewish community.  He will speak at the opening of the 1958 campaign and help launch the local Tenth Anniversary Celebration of Israel.

Chairman Wax announced the appointment of the 1958 Campaign Cabinet.  Members of the Cabinet are: Abraham Abramson, Irving Alexander, Amnon Barness, Mrs. Gabriel Berg, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, William Colt, Morris W. Douglas, Carl M. Esenoff, Jerome Freedman, Irving E. Friedman, Martin Gleich, Murray D. Goodrich, Jack Gross, Eli H. Levenson, Dr. A.P. Nasatir, Dr. Walter Ornstein, Sol Price, Seymour Rabin, Max Rabinowitz, Chaplain Elihu Rickel, Dr. Joshua Rittoff, Milton Y. Roberts, Mrs. Milton Y. Roberts, Victor Schulman, Abraham Sklar, Mrs. Lewis Solomon, Rabbi Baruch Stern, Dr Robert M. Stone, David Stotsky, Ruben Umansky, and Mrs. Harry Wax.

The 1958 campaign goal of the United Jewish Fund includes $203,000 for the regular local, national and overseas requirements, and $100,000 for the special United Jewish Appeal Rescue Fund for refugee immigrations.  Though the goal is only tentative until adoption by the United Jewish Fund Board of Directors, it is anticipated that the final amount needed will be at least the amount recommended by the campaign cabinet.

Wax attributed the need for a special rescue fund to the continuing exodus of refugees from eastern Europe and North Africa; repatriation of Polish Jews from Russia, and the absorption problems resulting from the flow of newcomers to Israel.

The expected 1958 immigration is approximately 70,000 refugees of which at least 60,000 will settle in Israel.  Besides this the renewal of the Joint Distribution Committee aid program in Poland to Jewish repatriates from Russia has created an added burden.

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Purim Party Set For Servicemen
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 1

Four congregations are joining together under the auspices of the Jewish Welfare Board Armed Services Committee to give Jewish Servicemen in the area a happy Purim holiday.

Morris W. Douglas, Chairman, stated that the Sisterhoods of Beth Israel, Tifereth Israel and Beth El along with Beth Jacob Ladies Auxiliary are jointly providing a Purim Service, dinner and dance to be held on Wednesday, march 5th at 6:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel.

The armed services program in San Diego is maintained and financed by the local community through the Federation of Jewish Agencies and the United Jewish Fund.  It is affiliated with the National Jewish Welfare Board.

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Benjamin Bendat
Benjamin Bendat

Fox Lodge To Hear Speaker
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 1

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Fox Lodge will h old its first Social Meeting of the year at the Beth Jacob Center, 4473 30th St.  Guest Speaker will be Mr. Benjamin B. Bendat who will talk on the United Jewish Fund and B’nai B’rith, and will also show a short movie of the U.J.F. and Israel.

Mr. Bendat has made seven trips to Israel since 1950 and is active in Jewish affairs in Los Angeles.

The public is invited to hear this interesting speaker.

Positively no solicitations.

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Flash!
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 1

The formal dedication of the new Jewish Community Center building and its opening will take place on Sunday, March 30, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center.  Prominent state, city and county officials will be present. Sanford Solender of New York, Director of the Community Center Division of the National Jewish Welfare Board, will be one of the principal speakers.

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Mrs. David Sapp, Table Arrangements Chairman for Council’s “A Night at the Desert Inn,” sells Mr. George A. Scott, President of Walker-Scott Co., tickets for the trip to Las Vegas.  Drawing to be held Saturday, February 22, at the U.S. Grant Hotel.
Mrs. David Sapp, Table Arrangements Chairman for Council’s “A Night at the Desert Inn,” sells Mr. George A. Scott, President of Walker-Scott Co., tickets for the trip to Las Vegas.  Drawing to be held Saturday, February 22, at the U.S. Grant Hotel.

Fun and Frolic Awaited At Council’s Dinner Dance
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 1

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 22, at the Palm Room of the U.S. Grant Hotel, “A Night at the Desert Inn” will climax National Council of Jewish Women’s giant fund-raising event.  The winner of their three-day vacation in Las Vegas at Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn Hotel will be announced.

Tickets set at $12.50 a couple will include an evening of dancing, a delicious dinner, and a spectacular Las Vegas show presented by Carlos and Chita, according to Dance Chairman Mrs. Martin Ernest.  A luxurious white fox shawl donated by Helka Furs, will be the door prize offered at no extra charge.

A no-host cocktail hour, starting at 7:30 p.m. will precede the sit-down dinner.  Reservations have been made for parties of all sizes by Mrs. A. Slater, Ticket Chairman, Academy 2-6582.

Arrangements are being handled by Mr. David Sapp; Decorations by Mrs. Martin Green; Hospitality by Mesdames Robert Drexler and Burton Ross.  Mrs. Melvin Hoffman is Vice-President in charge.

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Hadassah To Present Debs At Ball March 8
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Pages 1, 3

Honoring the lovely Hadassah debutantes who will be presented at the organization’s festival ball on March 8, in El Cortez Hotel, several members of the organization were hostesses to the young ladies at a recent luncheon and fashion show.  Serving as official hostesses were the Ball Chairman, Mrs. Vailia Dennis, and Deb Chairmen, Mrs. David Starr and Mrs. Robert Strauss, who gifted each deb with a lovely corsage.  Hostesses included Mmes John Ruskin, Zel Greenberg, Richard Lustig, Morton Thaler, Sammy Stein, Marvin Bobrof, Max Zemen, Frank Goldfarb, Alfred Bobrof and Ben Snyder.

In honor of the young men of the Stag Line, Mrs. Joseph Kaplan was hostess at a gala party last Sunday preceded by a meeting of the Stag Line members.  Also invited were debutantes and pre-debs who will serve in the court.

Mrs. Dennis has announced that debutantes will be further honored at a delightful supper party in the home of Mrs. Marvin Bobrof on Wednesday, February 26th at which time Mrs. Hebert Rifkin will present a moving story of Hadassah’s projects titled “A Hospital Is Many Things,” with vivid color slides shown by Mrs. E. Josephson.

Mrs. Frank Goldberg, Ticket Chairman, reports a brisk sales campaign now being conducted for Ball tickets and she will be happy to send tickets to anyone desiring them if they will telephone her at AC-2-7628.

In a beautiful setting the following pre-debutantes will comprise a court from a winding staircase fashioned by Mrs. Alfred Bobrof, Decorations Chairman and her committee.  Pre-debs include Misses Diane Baker, Shirley Barad, Miriam Camiel, Susan DeSure, Gail De Woskin, Phillis Dudick, Carolyn Fine, Linda Hess, Sandra Hoffing, Carolyn Kwint, Judi Leonard, Rochelle Lesser, Rosanne Nadler, Marlene Novidor, June Persky, Phyllis Rae Rivers, Carole Schulman, Diane Silber, Carol Sugarman, Katherine Tonsky and Laurie Wohl.

Mrs. Elmer Wohl and Mrs. Joseph Kwint are serving as co-chairmen for the pre-debutantes, all of whom will be gowned in pastel colors creating a celestial mood in the staged setting.

Mrs. Morton Thaler, President, issues a cordial invitation to the entire community to attend this social event.

The Presentation Ball serves as a formal introduction of Hadassah Debs to the Jewish Community and all proceeds from the event are directed toward Hadassah’s many varied projects both in Israel and its American affairs project within our own country.

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Jean Beck Wed To George Nathan
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

Jean Beck, daughter of Mrs. Lena Beck, became the wife of George C. Nathan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Nathan on January 25.  The ceremony was held at Temple Beth Israel, with Rabbi Morton J. Cohn officiating.  A family dinner at the San Diego Hotel followed the service.

Out-of-town guests were Mrs. Celia Simon, of Waukegan, Ill., Mrs. Daniel A. Moritz and her daughter Fern, of McKeesport, Penn.

The bride was honored at a tea given by her sister-in-law Mrs. Edward Schwartz  and Mrs. Jack Dembo.

Jean attended the University of Pittsburgh and George is a graduate of the University of Chicago.  The couple will reside in Coronado.

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Marriage Told
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

Announcement has been made of the marriage of Frances Kaplan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Simon of New York City to Alan Breslauer, son of Mrs. And Mrs. Alfred Breslauer of this city.  A civil ceremony was held in Boulder City, Nevada, on Valentines Day, February 14.  A religious service will be held in New York City sometime in March, after which the young couple will honeymoon in the West Indies.

A family reception honoring the young couple was held at the home of the bridegroom’s parents.

Frances is a graduate of San Diego State College and Alan attended California Western.  They will reside in San Diego.

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Marriage Announced
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

Don Merkin, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Swerdlow, and Rochelle Glasser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Glasser  of Orland, Florida, were married in Las Vegas on January 26.

Don is a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. Rochelle attended the Academy of Richmond County, Georgia.

The young couple returned from their Hawaiian honeymoon trip on February 3 and are now residing in San Diego.

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Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

Refugees from sleet and storm are Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rumpler of New York City. They are houseguests of Mr. and Mrs. Saul Chenkin.

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Iselle Tennebaum, the Elsa Maxwell of the Old Folks Home, reports that there are big parties coming up at the Home.  On February 22, at 2:30 p.m., Mrs. Ida Taft will be honored on her 81st birthday.  Mr. and Mrs. Swade will also celebrate their anniversary and Mr. Swade’s birthday.  The party will be sponsored by Mrs. Si Rich, daughter of the Swades.  There will be a big party in March for several of the guests and Nurse Connie Perez.  Mrs. Tennebaum is assisted by her co-chairmen, Frances B., Tokman and Harry Tennebaum.

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Sharon Bard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Bard, and Jeff Lustig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lustig, play the parts of “Debbie” and “Okkie,” the two precocious children in the “Anniversary Waltz” at the Globe Theatre.

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Happy smiles are the rewards of Mollie Ratner and Binnie Brooks, who have been representing the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary Child Welfare program for over seven years.  They visit the Sunshine School for physically handicapped children once a month, bringing delicacies and flowers.

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James Elbogen went one step further than most fathers at the news of his son’s birth.  In addition to “bursting with pride” he was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy.

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Thanks – Betty Gendelman, home from the hospital, wishes to thank her friends who were so kind during her illness. … Mrs. Simon Glaser wishes to thank her many friends for their thoughtfulness during her prolonged illness… Julius Jacobson also wishes to express appreciation for kindness shown during his illness… Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Orlansky and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Addleson wish to express their thanks to their many friends for their expressions of sympathy during their recent bereavement.

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Naliboff Unveiling
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

On Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. the stone of Mrs, Faye Naliboff will be unveiled at the Sholom Mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery.  Rabbi Monroe Levens will officiate.

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Bar Mitzvah
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stolarsky announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Michael Allen, on Saturday, February 22, at 11:00 a.m., at Temple Beth Israel.

Friends are invited to the service. Relatives from Chicago who will attend are Mr. Eugene Lewe and his son Mitchell; Mrs. Mel Belkin, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Rubin and family, Miss Helen Leader.

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Bar  Mitzvah
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

Jeffrey Roy Bennett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bennett, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Friday, February 14, at Temple Beth Israel.

The services were followed by a social hour.

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Rabbi Monroe Levens To Review Book
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

“My Own Story” by Bernard Baruch, will be reviewed by Rabbi Monroe Levens on Tuesday, February 25, at 8 p.m. in Tiferetnh Israel Center Lounge.  This is the first in a series of book review-discussions being sponsored by Tifereth Israel Sisterhood, and all are cordially invited to attend.  Mrs. Al Young is chairman. Reservations may be made by calling Mrs. Young at JU-2-7337 or Mrs. Rolf Haas, CY-6-6729.  Refreshments will be served.

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Cradle
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

There are two in the nursery at the home of MR. and Mrs. Bertran (Buddy) Berenson of Richmond, Calif.  Robert Lawrence joined his sister, Katherine, aged 1 ½ years, on February 11.

Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wilson of Exeter, Calif.; paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Milo Berenson and great grandmother is Mrs. Frances Berenson Tokman, all of San Diego.

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Mr. and Mrs. James Elbo0gen announce the arrival of their first child, David Mark, born on February 4 at 4:51 p.m., weight 6 lbs and 10 ozs.

Maternal grandparents are Rabbi and Mrs. Morton J. Cohn of San Diego.  Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Elbogen of Brentwood, California, and great0grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Morris Abraham of Florida.

The Bris was held on February 12.  The baby wore a dress made by his great-grandmother and previously worn by his grandfather, Rabbi Cohn and uncle, Morton Jr., at the time of their Bris.  Godfathers are the baby’s uncle, Morton J. Cohn Jr., Sam Gaylord, Murray D. Goodrich and Irving Link.

Great-great aunt, Mrs. Harry Rosenberg of Detroit was present at the ceremony.

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Daughters of Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 21, 1958, Page 2

The Daughters of Israel invite members of the community to attend their Annual Purim Dinner and Package Party, to be held on Sunday, March 9, at 6 p.m., at the Tifereth Israel Synagogue.

Reservations may be made by phoning the Synagogue, AT-1-5529, Jennie Siner, AT-1-1136, or Ida Pearl, AT-4-7803.

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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.

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