Grossmont College exhibit highlights Holocaust survivors who made their homes in San Diego County

By Cailin Acosta in El Cajon, California

Along the north-facing wall at the Grossmont College Library was an installation featuring images on loan from the Jewish Federation of San Diego and Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education titled “Holocaust Survivors in San Diego.”

Every survivor’s story is unique, each one a miraculous testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. Holocaust survivors have spent decades rebuilding their lives in the United States — raising families, starting successful businesses, and daring to celebrate life again after unimaginable loss.

The installation highlighted Holocaust survivors throughout San Diego, showing them enjoying their new American lives while leaving a lasting and positive legacy for the community.

The New Life Club was founded in 1953 for Holocaust survivors as they built a “new life” in San Diego. The organization developed a long and storied history, bringing survivors and their families together to celebrate, commemorate, and support one another.

Many survivors, who had lost entire families during the Holocaust, formed new “families” through parties, life-cycle celebrations, and educational opportunities.

Tifereth Israel Synagogue became the spiritual gathering place for members of the New Life Club. Survivors attended Shabbat services, monthly gatherings, and many joyous Jewish and secular events there.

New Year’s Eve was always a major celebration for the club. One photograph from 1983 showed Pearl Recht, Jack Strum, Bertha Kobryner, Gussie Zaks, Betty Horn, Hannah Marx, and Mike Zaks celebrating together.

Another image featured the “Jewish Supremes” — Betty Horn, Rae Ross, Lili Bialar, Rebecca Izgson, Sally Sheinok, and Gita Flaster — singing at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in 1985.

Hannah and Henry Marx were also pictured celebrating their lives together in 1985. Hannah Marx later served as president of the New Life Club.

The club hosted an annual summer picnic, and in 1989 chefs Mike Zaks, Joe Recht, Mendel Flaster, and Joe Zajd proudly displayed their barbecuing skills.

Another photograph captured Gussie and Mike Zaks with June and Morrey Schwartz during the 1984 installation of New Life Club officers. Gussie and Mike Zaks also served as presidents of the organization.

Around the corner, another display highlighted the many survivor-owned businesses that became part of the North Park community.

In 1946, United States Army Sergeant Joe Lipsman received permission from his commanding officers to search for surviving family members, most of whom had been killed in the Holocaust. He found seven living relatives, including Frimet Strum, who later came to San Diego in 1950.

The Zajd family arrived in San Diego in 1954. Their Chanukah celebration was featured in the San Diego Union newspaper in 1960. In 1970, the family opened Joe Zajd Tailor Shop on University Avenue in the North Park Theatre Building.

North Park Bakery became a gathering place for survivors because it served old-world Eastern European Jewish foods familiar to the survivor community.

Vernon Kahn escaped Germany in 1938 and later opened Vernon’s Delicatessen in the North Park neighborhood, featuring traditional Jewish foods that reminded survivors of home.

Fela Honig lived in a Displaced Persons camp until immigrating to America in 1949 and eventually settling in San Diego in 1958. The Honig family later opened Fashion Fabrics at 3090 University Avenue.

The Fox family first settled in Buffalo, New York, but after visiting relatives in San Diego in 1955, they decided never to return to New York. The family opened a store in Southeast San Diego selling furniture, clothing, and appliances.

 

Beth Jacob Congregation and Tifereth Israel Synagogue became spiritual homes for many Holocaust survivors living in North Park. At the time, the two congregations were located in the neighborhood.

Joe and Pearl Recht owned a shoe store in North Park. During the war, Pearl survived by being hidden in a closet by a Catholic family.

Irving and Rose Choney owned Miracle Square Furniture Store at 2860–2868 University Avenue.

It is fascinating reading and seeing old pictures of San Diego history and survivors who made this city their new home.

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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.