Theater Review: A Monument Comes to Life

By Cynthia Citron   

Cynthia Citron

CALABASAS, California -  Picture the Blue Man Group covered in mud.  That’s a first impression of the Orto-Da Theatre Group,  a sensational ensemble of actors from Israel making their American debut last week at the International Theatre Festival in Calabasas.  Their presentation is called “Stones,” and, like the Blue Men, they work without words, completely in mime. 

“Stones” was created and directed by Yinon Tzafrir, who was inspired by a monument erected in Warsaw in memory of the Jewish warriors of the Warsaw Ghetto.  Sculpted by Nathan Rappaport in 1948, the stones have an interesting provenance.  They were ordered originally from a quarry in Labrador by Adolph Hitler, who intended to use them for a personal monument to celebrate himself and the triumphant victory of his Third Reich.  Fortunately, that was not to be, and the granite stones languished until Rappaport conceived his tribute to the men and women who fought in Warsaw. 

So how do you build a performance piece around a monument?  With great imagination and spectacular lighting (expertly designed by Uri Morag).  The five men and one woman comprising the monument are seen first motionless and grubby, some in heavy relief, others melding into the background.  Then slowly, very slowly—so slowly, in fact, that you think it’s a trick of your eye—they begin to come alive. 

Moving like robots, a little bit clunky, as you would expect from people made of granite, they begin to reprise the 20th century history of the Jewish people.  To the overwhelming sounds of trains, shouting, and gunshots, they mime arrival at the concentration camps, the showers that dispense gas rather than water, the smothering of a baby to keep it from wailing. 

But from this horror-filled beginning they move on to Israel and the fighting and drama connected with the founding of the Jewish state.  (The actual roll call of the nations ratifying the establishment of the new state is heard in the background.) 

And there is even a bit of humor as we move into the late 20th century and the age of technology and the six individuals take turns changing the television channels with a remote control.  In all these maneuvers there are appropriate sound effects and music, designed by Daniel Zafrani and Yinon Tzafrir. 

According to the Festival playbook, this play is meant to celebrate the inevitable triumph of the human spirit.  But there is an additional connotation to the concept of stones.  It’s traditional, when visiting a Jewish cemetery, to leave a small stone at the gravesite to let the dead know you were there.  Just as these large monumental stones in Warsaw remind the world that the Jews were there. 

The third annual International Theatre Festival was held in Calabasas from July 17th to the 27th.

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Citron is Los Angeles bureau chief for San Diego Jewish World

Commentary: The unsettling messages in Andrew Shapiro’s speech

By Shoshana Bryen

 

 

Shoshana Bryen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maybe it was just stylistic; maybe it was more. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro’s speech touting the United States as Israel’s best friend repeated itself:

• Israel’s future as a secure, Jewish, and democratic state is under threat from the dynamics of demography, ideology, and technology.

• The dynamics of ideology, technology, and demography in the region mean that this continuing conflict poses serious challenges to Israel’s long-term security and its future as a Jewish and democratic state.

Therefore, Shapiro said, “We believe that through good faith negotiations, the parties can mutually agree on an outcome which ends the conflict and reconciles the Palestinian goal of an independent and viable state based on the 1967 lines with agreed swaps, and the Israeli goal of a Jewish state with secure and recognized borders that reflect subsequent developments and meet Israeli security requirements.”
 
[Dispense quickly with his interpretation of Palestinian goals. No Palestinian leader has said that the Palestinian goal is the '67 line with agreed swaps. Only Americans say that. The one agenda item on which Hamas and Fatah agree is that the recognition of Israel was a mistake by the international community - and that the mistake has to be corrected by the state's disestablishment, though they differ on the necessary method and the government that will follow.]
 
“Demography, ideology and technology” is a sloppy, non-specific suggestion that the progress of life itself threatens Israel. But specifically what threatens Israel is the continuing unwillingness of (almost all) Arab states plus Iran and several non-state terrorist organizations to accept the legitimacy of Jewish sovereignty in the Middle East. Arab and Muslim rejectionists use oil money (as well as American aid in the case of the Palestinians and the LAF, the Lebanese Armed Forces) to buy weapons, training and technology from the United States, Europe, Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan in hopes of carrying out their intention to turn back the clock. They use media that is alternately willing and naïve – and often state-sponsored – and a UN that is corrupt and venal, to advance their agenda.
 
It is not against “demography” that Israel fights – it is against armed enemies who consider the “law of war” to apply only to others, if they consider it at all. It is not against “technology” that Israel fights – Israel is a master at using technology for defense and protection, including better protection of enemy civilians than those civilians have any reason to expect. As for ideology, unharnessed to the money, land, arms and political protection provided by states to other states or non-state actors, ideology is small stuff. It is only when states provide the tools of war to other states or non-state actors that large-scale terrorism and open warfare become possible.
 
And, interestingly, Mr. Shapiro knows that, which is why he spent so much of his dissertation on the Qualitative Military Edge, which he correctly defines as, “the ability to counter and defeat credible military threats from any individual state, coalition of states, or non-state actor, while sustaining minimal damages or casualties.” So he reminds the audience, “Each and every security assistance request from (Israel) is evaluated in light of our policy to uphold Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge….As a matter of policy, we will not proceed with any release of military equipment or services that may pose a risk to allies or contribute to regional insecurity in the Middle East.”
 
Why? Because it is understood countries that maintain a state of war with Israel might use American weapons against it. To some extent we oppose that – although the administration has sold $20 billion worth of military hardware to the Arab world in the past year-and-a-half.

But not just countries threaten Israel. Shapiro notes, “Despite efforts at containment, rockets with better guidance systems, greater range, and more destructive power are spreading across the region. Hezbollah has amassed tens of thousands of short- and medium-range rockets on Israel’s northern border. Hamas has a substantial number in Gaza. And even if some of these are still crude, they all pose a serious danger.”
 
So what will the United States do? Permit Israel to wipe out its enemies? No, clearly not. The Obama Administration was critical of Operation Cast Lead and has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza to ameliorate a situation it finds discomfiting – although the result is to ever more firmly ensconce Hamas as the ruler there and undermine Abu Mazen. The administration is providing hundreds of millions in aid to the LAF in hopes that it will do something about Hezbollah, while Hezbollah becomes ever more brazen in placing its rockets inside villages and harassing hapless UNIFIL forces. Will the United States encourage Israel to stop an announced blockade run by anti-Israel activists? No, clearly not.
 
And as Iran is the source of arms, training and funding for Syria and Hezbollah and an important source for Hamas, as well as threatening Israel directly, will we permit Israel to attack Iran? Or perhaps do it ourselves, as a means of removing what threatens so many countries at so many levels? No, clearly not.
 
Mr. Shapiro does allow for defense, however, mentioning Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system and U.S. aid for it several times, and mentions David’s Sling, the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System upgrade and early warning radars. 
 
All are good and useful and all after the fact of an attack against Israel.
 
All of this leaves us very, very flat. The administration, in the person of Mr. Shapiro, seems to understand that the military threat to Israel is real and needs redress. But its emphasis on the requirement that Israel “take tough decisions” to make peace implies that Israel has the key to peace, not its enemies. That Israel has to do something different. That if Israel doesn’t take the decisions the administration thinks it should, the American commitment to provide technology and money for Israel’s defense – because offense to get rid of its enemies isn’t on the table – could stop.
 
On the other hand, there was one really, really nice paragraph in Mr. Shapiro’s speech:
 

 

Israeli-origin equipment deployed on Iraqi and Afghan battlefields are protecting American troops every day. This includes armor plating technology for U.S. military vehicles and unique medical solutions such as the “Israeli bandage” – a specially designed antibiotic-treated dressing that has been used widely by our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also includes sensors, surveillance equipment, unmanned aerial vehicle technology, and detection devices to seek out IED’s. Many such partnerships and investments between our two governments and U.S. and Israeli defense firms have yielded important groundbreaking innovations that ultimately make us all safer.

 
Yes, Mr. Shapiro, Israel’s hard-won expertise in warfare makes Americans on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan safer. American and Israeli troops are grateful for the partnership between the American and Israeli military and defense establishments that works to protect them – and as Americans and as JINSA, so are we.

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Bryen is senior director of security policy of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.  Her column is sponsored by Waxie Sanitary Supply in memory of Morris Wax, longtime JINSA supporter and national board member.

AJCongress President explains status of his financially troubled organization

By Richard S. Gordon

NEW YORK– There have been a number of questions over the last few days concerning the status of the American Jewish Congress.  Allow me to clarify those questions.

Over the last number of years, and especially after Bernie Madoff stole approximately $21 million from our organization, the AJ Congress, like many Jewish organizations these days, has been dealing with significant financial issues.  With this in mind, it has become apparent to our Governing Council that this is a time for careful reflection and consideration as how to move forward and continue to be a major force in Jewish communal life as we have been for the last 91 years.  We intend to do that. 

During the course of this process, we will be operating with a skeletal staff over the next few months.  However, we fully plan to continue the events that we have scheduled during this time. 

In the interim, in consultation with our board, we will be considering how to move forward.  We will consider several options, including the possibility of reconstituting the American Jewish Congress as a more streamlined, effective and modern organization that will continue to serve the Jewish community in the United States and abroad and supporting the efforts and security of the State of Israel.

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Preceding provided by AJ Congress

ADL condemns planned march in Estonia honoring Nazi SS

NEW YORK (Press Release) — Saying it would “trample on the memory” of World War II labor and concentration camp victims, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned a march, planned for July 31 in Vaivara, Estonia, to honor an Estonian division of the Nazi SS that fought in a 1944 battle against Soviet troops.

 Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor, issued the following statement:
 
“Opposing Soviet repression is one thing, but celebrating the Nazi SS is quite another. Unfortunately, in the past we have seen Estonian officials participate in such events, rather than oppose them. 
 
“Vaivara should evoke mourning and reflection, not celebration. Twenty thousand Jews from across the Baltics were imprisoned in the Vaivara camps, as were other victims and prisoners of war. Every two weeks the Jews who were too sick or frail to work were murdered. Those who march will trample on their memory.
 
 ”A telling choice once again lies before Estonian officials. They, along with responsible members of Estonian civil society, should unequivocally condemn the planned march in Vaivara.”

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Preceding provided by Anti-Defamation League

Synthetic chemical compound can discourage mosquitoes from laying their eggs

HAIFA (Press Release)–A scientific breakthrough might assist in the fight against mosquitoes. New research carried out at the University of Haifa in collaboration with researchers from other universities has chemically identified, for the first time, compounds released by mosquitoes’ natural aquatic predators that function as warning signals for egg laying mosquitoes. Introducing these natural chemicals into mosquito breeding sites will cause the mosquitoes to sense risk of predation to their progeny and avoid laying their eggs there. These findings will soon be published in the prestigious journal Ecology Letters.

Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have known for a long time that many prey species can detect predators chemically and, upon detection, take various actions to avoid being eaten or avoid having their progeny eaten.   Yet, the chemical identity of the predator-released chemicals has remained elusive. Knowing the chemical identity of these compounds would greatly facilitate scientists’ understanding of predator-prey relationships and the importance of these compounds in affecting ecological communities.  They may also provide an eco-friendly alternative for mosquito control.

The new breakthrough research, funded by the Israel Science Foundation, was developed in Prof. Leon Blaustein’s  laboratory at the University of Haifa.  Prof. Blaustein’s research partners comprised a multi-disciplinary group: Alon Silberbush, a doctoral student, Dr. Shai Markman, a chemical ecologist from University of Haifa-Oranim, Dr. Efraim Lewinsohn and Einat Bar, chemists at the Newe Yaar Research Center, and Prof. Joel E. Cohen, a mathematical and population biologist at Rockefeller and Columbia Universities.

Previous research from Blaustein’s lab demonstrated that the mosquito, Culiseta longiareolata, chemically detects a voracious predator of its progeny in the water, the backswimmer, Notonecta maculata, and avoids laying eggs where the predator is detected.  However, until recently, the chemical identity of these predator-released compounds was not known.  By screening and comparing the chemicals released by N. maculata with those released by Anax imperator, another aquatic predator that does not elicit a chemical response by the mosquito, they were able to narrow down the potential chemicals that elicited the mosquito’s behavioral response. Blaustein’s group then conducted outdoor experiments on potential chemicals and determined that two of these N. maculata-released chemicals, n-tricosane and n-heneicosane, repelled these mosquitoes from laying eggs. The two compounds together had an additive effect.

Applying such synthetic compounds to mosquito breeding sites would not only result in much fewer mosquitoes in the immediate area but probably reduce mosquito populations overall. Increased searching by pregnant mosquitoes for a breeding site that is perceived as predator-free increases greatly the probability of dying before egg laying; mosquitoes, on average, incur a 20 percent probability of mortality per day.  Moreover, mosquitoes, by concentrating their eggs in considerably fewer breeding sites perceived as predation-risk free, would increase competition among the mosquito larvae resulting in fewer and weaker emerging adults.

Prof. Blaustein explains that in the fight against mosquitoes, there are essentially three lines of defense.  The first and preferred line of defense is to prevent emergence of adult mosquitoes from aquatic breeding sites. When this has not been done effectively, mosquito control workers resort to trying to kill the adults that have spread to residential areas. This is much more difficult, more expensive, and usually involves chemical pesticides of environmental and health concerns. When these two lines of defense fail, the burden falls on the public to prevent mosquitoes in search of a blood meal from biting them, such as staying indoors and using mosquito repellents applied to the human skin.  Prof. Blaustein points out that options for all three lines of defense are often chemicals that negatively affect the environment and are of health concerns to humans.  Moreover, mosquitoes often develop resistance to chemical pesticides so there is always a need to find new weapons against mosquitoes. A bacterial pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis israeIensis, can be very effective in killing mosquito larvae in breeding habitats while having relatively minor non-target effects, but it is rather expensive and is not effective in highly organic-polluted water.

This research group’s new findings of chemical identification of predator-released egg-laying repellants can be a breakthrough in providing a natural, environmentally friendly and inexpensive option to the arsenal in the first line of defense.

Blaustein adds, “While we see this as a potentially large breakthrough in developing another weapon against mosquitoes, the work, is not over.  We hope this breakthrough will spur further research to chemically determine other effective predator-released chemicals, particularly ones that are long lasting and then tested for their efficacy.”

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Preceding provided by the University of Haifa

Commentary: Israel’s PR is out of Spin

By Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian

NEW YORK–On Tisha Be’av the saddest Jewish day of the year, I commemorated the destruction of the temple. On days of lamentation, I often think of scary things, and I believe that the State of Israel is in real danger because of their flawed Public Relations and communications work.

As a proud Zionist who owns one of the15 largest independent PR firms in the United States, I can find no other way to spin this: Israel’s communications are lacking, and poorly managed. Even two months after the flotilla’s terrible mismanagement, there’s no wake-up call in sight, no explanation.  Unfortunately, there’s no sign the next flotilla will be managed any differently in the media, either.

Israel is a young country.  Unfortunately, it learns things fast and painfully. The recent flotilla events with Turkey provided the quickest crash-course on social media to date. It spread through YouTube quickly, and people were responsive, enraged; it damaged Israel’s image. It took Israel some three to four days just to come up with their visual angle of the incident, and when it did come out, there were Hebrew Subtitles in the video. There is no reason for PR in Israel to be neglected this way.

Yet, the annual report on Israel’s advertising and PR industry released earlier this week show that the top 20 agencies grew in the first half of 2010 by 20 percent. Clearly, Israel is maturing in this industry, but isn’t capturing those minds for its statesmanship. Instead, diplomats come and go, and English is clearly not a first language. The State of Israel does not employ a Public Relations agency anywhere in the world, send timely media briefing statements to its consulates worldwide, or handle PR during conflict as it should, and must. 

Israel must recognize how in-person, on-the-ground news differs from that broadcast on the television screen.  The flotilla case is the perfect example. It will take a while to recover from what the world perceived as aid-ships being halted by a sea blockade that was stopping them from assisting an under-siege people. If that’s not enough, the YouTube, Facebook and twitter inputs from all corners of the world are not something people are going to forget, and they were not something Israel was prepared to confront.   

Israel believed its justified cause would uphold its image in the public eye. While that may be true in some cases, a justified cause is not enough to be ‘right’ these days. You need to be promoted and conscious of your media presence. It’s not enough to just display a message – you need to be listened to.

 “It turns out Israel Tourism may be coming on as clients. I’m having a hard time getting a handle on it”.  Although this is taken from a scene on season one of Mad Men, it certainly isn’t irrelevant. Having formerly represented the Israel Ministry of Tourism for many years, I know that Israel has so many great perspectives to be pitched on, from the bible to its beach, but it needs to put them to use; it needs to employ a comprehensive, systematic “PR machine” that generates regular output.  Immediate promptness and responsiveness are crucial.

What I observe from the 20 percent growth in advertising and local PR firms is that Israel has the orientation and appreciation for media and PR, but it’s not being aimed correctly. Its number one client – the country’s brand – deserves a ‘premium service’ that will provide the needed time and resources required to produce results that represent Israel properly.

Thoughts for Israel’s PR:

1.      Framing: The “golden rule” states that framing which harms you can be handled effectively only with counter-framing, and not by debating the negative frame or trying to justify it. If Israel constantly deals with the framing of the occupier, it need not explain the process historically, but rather make use of counter-framing and hit the media with multiple stories discussing its innovations in technology. 

2.      United PR: There is nothing more counter-productive and irritating to a professional PR spokesperson than having to compete with a colleague’s role. You will never find the media having to compare two or three different sources within a company to discover the firm’s stance on an issue. So, why does Israel have multiple “voices” all stating different approaches, but all claiming the role of officially representing the country? It’s simply unprofessional.

3.      The Message: I’m well aware of how tactical and dynamic Israel is. If we imagine the U.S. as boat the size of the titanic, which takes a while to shift and redirect itself, then, in comparison, we can imagine Israel as a small lifeboat that can maneuver quickly and easily within world affairs.  In PR terms, Israel can change key messages, and quickly. Still, it is vital to have a strategy.

4.      Frequency: Social media is important. It should not be used only as an emergency channel, like the ones Israel uses on TV and radio during war times. Social media should be used on a daily basis, and in a positive way. In the long run, it is the daily actions of a brand that determine its overall image. A daily blog post helps build a reputation for a writer and their topic.   

1.    The messenger: For crying out loud, get professionals! None of the top 20 firms in Israel’s advertising and PR industry would even consider hiring half of the people that are thrown in front of camera crews or who pitch the media. Get rid of them. Hire professionals, offer incentives and provide a challenge.

I fear that at future Tisha Be’av we could mourn many more things.

Ronn Torossian is CEO, of NYC based 5WPR, one of the 15 largest independent PR firms in the U.S. He lived in Israel and was formerly National President of Betar. Today, he serves on the board of a number of non-profit organizations, including Aish Hatorah, ZOA, and is intimately involved with Rabbi Pinto.

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, October 1, 1954, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Tickets Go On Sale For Mrs. F.D.R. Talk
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Pages 1, 8

Invitations have been mailed this week inviting members of the Jewish community to participate as “Patrons” in presenting Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 11^th at 8 p.m.

Patrons, besides receiving two reserved seats for Mrs. Roosevelt’s lecture at the Russ Auditorium,  will have the opportunity of meeting her at a reception planned following her address. Patrons tickets will be $25.00.

Jack Rittoff, chairman of the committee making preparations for the appearance of Mrs. Roosevelt under sponsorship of the Jewish Community Center, this week announced the appointment of several committee chairmen.

Mrs. Sidney Rose, president of the Women’s League of the Center, will coordinate the work of the Arrangements and Reception Committee. Arrangements for the affair will be in the hands of a committee headed by Mrs. Victor Selton. Mrs. Milton Roberts, president of the San Diego Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, has accepted the chairmanship of the Reception Committee.

“Patron” invitations will be headed by Mrs. Rodin Horrow, active Jewish communal leader.  All other ticket sales will be directed by Dr. Milton Schwartz.

Mrs. Roosevelt’s subject for her Armistice Day appearance will be “Is America Facing World Leadership?” The “First Lady of the World” will speak on behalf of the Jewish Community Center. All proceeds will go to sustain the non-profit activities of the Center.

General admission is $12.25 with only patron seats being reserved. Tickets will be on sale beginning October 11 at the Palmer Box Office, 640 Broadway, BE-9-4700; the Jewish Community Center, 32217 El Cajon Blvd., AT-1-7744; and the Jewish Federation office, 333 Plaza St., BE 2-5172.  Phone orders will be accepted.

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Nasatir To Head 100^th Observance
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

Dr. A.P. Nasatir was appointed chairman for San Diego’s observance of the Tercentenary, according to an announcement by Louis Moorsteen, president of the United Jewish Fund.  Celebration of the 300 years of Jewish life in America will be planned by a committee to be appointed by Dr. Nasatir in the near future.

Dr. Nasatir, eminent historian and professor at San Diego State College, is well qualified for this new assignment. A noted historian, he is steeped in the learning and history of the Jewish people.

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San Diego Responds to Cash Emergency U.J.A. Appeal
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

The United Jewish Appeal’s emergency call last week for the raising of $50,000,000 cash project is unquestionably one of the most important single campaign enterprises of the U.J.A. in recent years,” Louis Moorsteen, San Diego Fund president indicated.  “It would be tragic,” Mr. Moorsteen stressed, “if the wonderful impetus of the extraordinary loan campaign which has recently raised more than $60,000,000 in cash – toward which San Diego Jewry borrowed $75,000 – were not permitted to continue for the lack of continued flow of funds.

The San Diego Jewish community is doig its share in this project.  Harry Snyder, treasurer of the Fund, reported. AT the September Board of Directors meeting, the Fund agreed to forward by October 25^th an additional $35,000 to the United Jewish Appeal.

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New Subscribers
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

Harry Apelman
Joseph L. Tuchin
Dr. Marvin Stein
L. Lassman
Dr. Harry A. Malin
Harold Weinberger
Mrs. Norman Schulman
Carl Beitner

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‘Thank You, San Diego!’
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

Says a sailor on a carrier now in the China Seas, to Abe Friedman, USO-JWB Director.  He will miss the High Holy Days in San Diego and we will miss him.

USO-JWB
San Diego, Calif.
Dear Mr. Friedman:

May I wish you all, and the Jewish Community of San Diego, a very happy New Year and may you all be inscribed in the Book of Lifew for the coming year.

May I also thank you, your fine organization and community, in making my stay in your city a memorable one.

Your USO branch of the JWB deserves the utmost praise for the fine work it is doing in offering a home away from home for hundreds of servicemen in the San Diego area regardless of race or creed.

May I give special praise to the people who devote so much of their time to the USO activities, by donation so precious a thing as their own time.

God bless you all, and as the Navy would have it – Well done!

Sincerely yours,

Joel Gopoen

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Interesting Facts Told By Community Study Group
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

Tabulation of the results of the interviews of 281 San Diego Jewish families indicated an overwhelming approval and need for a Jewish Community Center, according to a preliminary report by Victor Schulman and Milton Fredman, co-chairmen of the Jewish population Study Committee.  90 percent of the families interviewees stated they would support a Center while 84 percent would use it if located at 54^th and University.

The arrival this week of MR. Myron B. Blanchard of the National Jewish Welfare Board spurred plans to begin the second phase of San Diego’s Jewish Community Study.  Committees to study the various needs of the Jewish community and to interpret facts brought out by the populations survey are now in the process of being appointed.

Some of the facts uncovered about the Jewish community are that there re slightly more than three people in the average Jewish family; 52 percent are female and 48 percewnt male; seven and three-tenths percent of the Jewish population is over 60 years of age. The largest number, 36 percent, are found in the under 2w0 and over 41 age groups.

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Jewish Community Center Chooses Architect for Bldg
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

George Lykos, prominent San Diego architect and member of A.I.A. and is associate, Sidney Goldhammer, were selected as the architects for the new Jewish Community Center building, according to an announcement by Edward Breitbard, president.

The building is to be erected o a 2 ½ acre site located on 54^th St. just north of University Ave.  The structure, to be designed by Lykos, will when completed, contain sorely needed facilities for the use of the Jewish community. Among facilities planned are a swimming pool, gym, health club, library, arts and crafts rooms, auditorium, game room, snack bar, meeting rooms of all sizes and many others.  In announcing plans for the building, William Schwartz and Henry Rose, chairman of the Building Committee, stated that the physical plant would be a Jewish community building containing the offices of all of the Jewish agencies including the Federation and the United Jewish Fund.

Lykos and Goldhammer were selected by the board of the Jewish Community Center on recommendation of an architectural committee from a field of six noted architects who were interviewed by the committee. Mr. Lykos has established himself as one of San Diego’s outstanding architects thorough his work on the recently completed San Diego Juvenile Hall, the Louisa May Alcott School, twelve major theatres, built in Mexico, and has recently been appointed architect for the Oceanside Civic Auditorium

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Yom Kippur Services
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 1

Beth Jacob
Wed. Oct 6, Kol Nidre … 5:00 p.m.
Thurs, Oct 7 ………………..7:30 a.m.
Yizkor (Memorial Services,
Thursday, Oct. 7 ………..10:30 a.m.

Beth Israel
Wed, Oct 6, Kol Nidre … 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Thurs, Oct. 7 …10 a.m. –Sundown

Tifereth Israel
Wed., Oct. 6, Kol Nidre … ….. 7:00 p.m
Thurs, Oct. 7 ……………………… 8:00 a.m.
Yizkor (Memorial) Services…10:30 a.m.

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To See or not To See
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 2

By Berenice Sooule

‘Stalag 17’ – Dramatists Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski, having been inmates of the actual “Stalag 17 somewhere in Germany” have with a sure knowledge depicted the stark existence of American airmen POWs in barracks of a prisoners’ camp during World War II. As is well known by now, this play currently showing at the Globe, is as much comedy as melodrama. Seven of the eight leading New York critics voted it a “hit” when it opened on Broadway early in 1951 and it still carries a terrific punch.

The plot concerns the attempts of the men to discover the identity of the spy in their midst and their efforts to hold him incommunicado while two make their escape. This all leads up to a most spectacular climactic ending.

Designer Bob Corrigan has created a barracks interior which sets the mood the moment the curtains part and Craig Noel has instilled his actors with the required dramatic intensity.

Particularly outstanding and convincing in the all-male cast were Mike Monahan as the youngest and most naïve of the prisoners,  Lee Burton as the most maligned, and Cleto Fracchiolla as the Brooklyn-born Harry Shapiro.

Others who deserve special mention are Bob Finch, Jack Winans and Murray Schwartz in smaller roles.

International Film Series—For the first time in San Diego the University Extension of the University of California is offering a series of film classics. They will be shown at the Rio Theatre on Tuesday evenings at 7 and 9 p.m.

Scheduled are ‘Odd Man Out” on Oct 12; “The Baker’s Wife,” Oct. 26; “Open City,” Nov. 9 and “Ox Bow Inciden t,” Nov. 23.

Single admission tickets are 50 cents, series tickets are $1.50.  For further information you may call BE-9-9221.

Philharmonic Series—The S.D. Philharmonic Society will open its Winter Series of Concerts Sunday, Oct. 17 at the Russ with Werner Janssen conducting for the second season.

A second concert has been scheduled for Nov. 21 and special concerts for young people in the schools will be played on Saturday mornings prior to each Sunday concert.

Art Exhibit – The San Diego Men’s Art Institute Inc. is sponsoring their first All San Diego County Art Exhibition Oct. 2 through Oct. 31 at the institute’s new gallery in the House of Charm in Balboa Park.

Paintings in all media and sculpture will be shown free to the public on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Open Forum—“Where not all think alike but all alike think” has been the goal of the San Diego Open Forum for many years and they have never shirked the responsibility in bringing to our community the great thinkers of our time.

The opening speaker, Will Durant, on Oct. 31, will have as his topic “The Conflict of Civilizations.” The well-known anthropo9logist and author, Margaret Mead, will speak later in the season.

Of great interest should be the pro-con discussion, “’The Israel-Arab Conflict,” presenting Dr. Guy Davis, Professor of Religion at Chapman College, recently returned from Israel and the Arab states, and Dr. John Boles, Professor of International Economics at Loyola University, formerly serving the U.S. Department as governmental representative in Saudi Arabia.

Season membership passes for the eight forums sell for the ridiculously low price of $5.00 and entitle the bearer to a preferred seat in the First Unitarian Church Auditorium after 7:15 on lecture nights, and before the doors are opened to the general public. Doors are opened to the public, admission free, at 7:45 p.m.

San Diegans know when they’ve got a good thing so take a tip from us – to be assured of a seat for this interesting and informative series – send your check to the S.D. Open Forum, 1541 6^th Ave.

Top Hat, Et Al—Our once-a-year exposure to opera will take place Nov. 2 at the Fox Theatre. On that evening the San Francisco Opera Company will perform Pucini’s “Tosca.”

Dorothy Kirsten, soprano, and Brian Sullivan, tenor, head a cast of famous operatic personalities including Robert Weede, Salvatore Baccaloni, Desire Ligeti, Alessio De Paolis, George Cehanovsky, and Carl Palangi.  Ernesto Barbini is conducting.

TV Movies—KFMB-TV, Channel 8, is attempting to put a stop to all the gags about TV being synonymous with old movies. They’ve purchased 30 major studio “A” productions for the staion’s Saturday night movies at 10:30 p.m.

Titles and stars such as “Arch of Triumph” with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer; Ava Gardner in “One Touch of Venus”; Olivia de Havilland in “The Dark Mirror;” “The Magnificent Doll” with David Niven and Shelley Winters, and Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as produced by Orson Welles has been promised.

More TV—Channel 8 has scheduled too, a Television Forum Series on local and world affairs sponsored by the Adult Education Department of the City Schools.  Ignatius Taubeneck will be moderator.

The subject for the opening program Wed., Oct. 6, at 10:15 p.m. is “Would Economic Embargoes Help Us Fight World Communism?” “Do We Know Our Latin American Neighbors?” is the subject for Oct. 13.

Anyone interested in participating as a member of the studio audience is asked to call Mrs. Pandora Donavan, CY-8-4681.

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“Three For Tonight” Premieres October 30
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 2

The perfect combination of living American jazz, a great voice, a tremendously engaging personality, and a solid show is the best guarantee of entertainment – and it has been singer Harry Belafonte’s good fortune to find such a combination in his latest appearance in the Paul Gregory-Charles Laughton Production, “Three for Tonight,” which premieres in San Diego at the Russ Auditorium for one night only on October 30.  San Diego well remembers the last premiere Paul Gregory brought to San Diego which was “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial.”

Co-starred with Harry Belafonte, Marge and Gower Champion, two of Hollywood’s and the country’s brightest dancing stars, are rapidly gaining the reputation of being the first among the innovators of new dance and new dance routines.  The third star of “Three of Tonight” is Walter Schumann of “Dragnet” fame.

Mail orders only are being accepted at the present time by the deLannoy and Howarth Box Office,  Room 230, U.S. Grant Hotel.  Public sale of tickets will not take place until further notice.  Mail orders will receive preferential treatment.

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Hit Italian Film Showing at Capri
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 2

“Rome 11 O’Clock” makes its premier San Diego showing at the Capri Theatre located at Park and University.

A true life drama, “Rome 11 O’Clock” startles movie-goers with the utilization of an incident which occurred recently in Rome when a group of young girls answering an advertisement for a typist are injured by the collapse of an old building stairway.

Roles of the various young job hunters are portrayed by a half dozen of Italy’s most attractive and talented actresses, including Lea Padovani, Lucia Bose, Eva Vanicek, Cala del Poggio, Elena Varzi and Delia Scala.

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World Politics Course To Start Here
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 2

The University of California in cooperation with the American Foundation for Political Education is offering an extension course at the S.D. Public Library on “World Politics.”

Groups are limited to 32 people and registration should be made soon. The cost is $12.00 for one and $18.00 for married couples. A set of readings come with course.  No college education is required and no outside speakers will take part. No one particular point of view is presented as this is purely sa discussion group where some will agree or disagree.

More information can be obtained by calling the Library, BE-9-9221.  The discussion course starts Wed., Oct. 6.

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CMA Opens Season With Leonard Warren
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 2

San Diego Civic Music Association announces the first concert of the 1954-55 season by presenting Metropolitan Opera baritone, Leonard Warren, at the Russ Audit., Saturday evening, October 2, at *;30.  This world-famous artist will inaugurate the current Metropolitan season, stepping before the curtain on opening night to sign the Prologue from “Pagliacci.”

Leonard Warren is a frequent performer on such major radio and television programs as Voice of Firestone and Toast of the Town. The baritone is currently on a coast-to-coast concert tour under the  management of S. Hurok.

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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.