Mass shofar blowing on Tuesday will call for peace
LA JOLLA (Press Release)–Members of the San Diego Israel Coalition will gather at Congregation Beth El Tuesday for a 10 a.m demonstration that the Jewish community supports peace in the Middle East.
The theme will be sounded with a mass shofar-blowing in the courtyard of the Conservative congregation at 8660 Gilman Drive.
“The shofar is the most common symbol of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year and beginning of the High Holiday season, which begins at sunset Wednesday September 8,” said Audrey Jacobs, a co-chair of the San Diego Israel Coalition.
“Jews blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah as a spiritual and intellectual ‘wake up’ call to examine our actions, and commit to personal improvement in the new year. The SDIC ‘Shofar for Israel’ gathering is a symbolic call to all people of goodwill here, in the Middle East and around the world to renew our commitment and efforts to pursue peace in the Middle East in the coming year. ”
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Preceding based on material provided by the San Diego Israel Coalition
Research sub Nautilus to explore Mediterranean floor
HAIFA (Press Release)–A unique and first of its kind project has set sail from the coast of Haifa. The Nautilus – a research ship owned by oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic – has set out on a voyage to research the sea floor off the coast of Israel, in those areas in which Israel has rights (which reach beyond the territorial waters).
Heading this expedition are marine researchers from the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa.
Nautilus is a research ship fully equipped with state-of-the-art technologies for sea-floor research, and includes diving robots, elaborate control rooms and more. Taking Ballard’s place as captain of the ship on this voyage is Israel Prize winner and Director of the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Prof. Zvi Ben-Avraham. He will be heading the ship over the coming two weeks, during which time the team will study the Mediterranean floor. Prof. Ben-Avraham, along with the School’s scientists, mapped out each and every step of this expedition.
“This unique collaboration gives expression to the central emphasis that the University of Haifa has decided to place on marine research, a resource that promises many discoveries in a variety of areas: economy, medicine, energy, biology, and more. The future is in the sea and this voyage is a first step towards understanding the mystery of a region that is so close to us yet still so far and unknown,” said Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze’ev, President of the University of Haifa.
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Preceding provided by the University of Haifa
Jews Down Under~Roundup of Australian Jewish News
Compiled by Garry Fabian
Ex PM’s love for Israel still steadfast
MELBOURNE, 2 September – Formet Prime Minister
John Howard was among firm friends on Sunday night at Lincoln of Toorak, delivering the keynote address at a tribute dinner for Isi and Naomi Leibler.
Acknowledged by Isi as “the statesman who displayed the greatest support for Israel of the time”, the former Liberal prime minister gave some insights.
“It is true that in my time as prime minister I stuck up for Israel because I thought it was right to do so, because I thought the homeland established for the Jewish people is their right.
“It still amazes me how undeniably reluctant so many countries are to recognise the fundamental right of Israel to exist.”
The former PM was introduced by master of ceremonies Sam Lipski at a recent
community function as a public figure with “a Yiddishe kop [Jewish head on his shoulders]”, which he described as a talent for thinking laterally and never giving up.
Australia’s second-longest serving prime minister recalled spending time with the Leiblers at a 1988 concert in Melbourne honouring Soviet Refuseniks, who Isi helped take to Israel.
And in a nod to recent political developments, Howard lamented he could no longer call himself “immediate past prime minister”.
Then he turned to the guests of honour. Naomi was feted for her world presidency of Emunah, particularly its Neve Michael children’s village in Pardes Chana, and Isi won plaudits for decades of service to Australian and world Jewry and paid tribute to the couple as “two remarkable members of the world Jewish community”.
Earlier, Isi recalled his trip with the then Australian prime minister to Ramallah in 2000, when the Oslo Agreement still had currency.
Isi received an unwelcome embrace from Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat, whom he had railed against throughout his years as the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s terrorist chieftain.
Afterwards, Isi had privately expressed scepticism to Howard about those peace overtures, and was struck by the Australian leader’s “principled approach and friendship”.
“I will never forget John Howard’s response,” said Isi, quoting the former Australian leader.
“‘If Arafat reneges on his commitment,’ he said, ‘the people of Israel and the Australian Jewish community should rest assured that I will not let them down’.”
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Seven decades in the blue
MELBOURNE, 3 September – A book celebrating the history of Habonim Dror in Australia will be written to capture 70 years of memories from the Zionist youth movement. The initiative was announced at recent celebrations held to mark the movement’s seven decades.
Judy Becher, a former Habo leader, explained that the idea for the book was born at the celebrations when the microphone was passed around for people to share their stories.
“It was so clear that there were generations of Habo stories and memorabilia that are languishing around in the community,” she said. “A decision was made to write a book celebrating the history of Habonim in Australia, and capturing these wonderful memories that were bursting out of the audience.”
Hundreds of people involved with the movement over its 70 years packed Caulfield Town Hall recently, among them Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem, local Members of Parliament and Jewish leaders.
Master of ceremonies John Lawrence called on the audience to raise their hands if they had married someone from within the movement, with Becher saying that about half the people in the room responded.
Co-founder Shmuel Rosenkranz mentioned this achievement when he spoke about the movement, which he established together with Isaac Roseby and Gedalia Perl.
“He said he had always thought that it was important to have a place where kids could go to connect with their Jewish ideals and with Israel, and that was the the aim of the founders. But at that evening, when he heard stories of the marriages and multiple generations in families brought into existence by Habo, and was congratulated on the community he, in effect, established, he remarked that the development of
a community was something he had never thought of before,” Becher said, adding that he was “overwhelmingly touched” by the notion.
The 91-year-old community stalwart recounted stories about the movement and its origins. Many in the audience were also from this first Habo generation, enjoying the night with their grandchildren.
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AJAX Reaches for the ultimate prize
MELBOURNE, 3 September – AJAX football Club has advanced to the second round of finals, courtesy of a resounding 11-goal win over Old Camberwell in the first semifinal 15.17 (107) to 6.5 (41) at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday.
The Jackas put on a flawless display to brush aside the fourth-placed finisher, the likes of Warren Steinberg, Danny Weislitzer and Geoff Measey putting on a superlative display. The midfield returned to its attacking best with Ari Lewski winding back the clock, while Jake Lew and Jason Seidl provided plenty of options up
forward, kicking six majors between them. Ajax led the battle from the first siren, and will now face Beaumaris, which finished the regular season in second on the ladder, in a do-or-die preliminary final on Sunday.
Lew opened the scoring, thanks to a terrific assist from Jason Ritterman, and Eugene Routman quickly added another with a perfect left-foot snap. The Jackas controlled all the possession early and used the ball cleanly. Nick Marks converted from well outside 50, and Ajax might have streaked ahead further if not for some missed opportunities in front of goal. At the break, Ajax led by 15 points.
The Jackas lifted their work rate in the second term, kicking six unanswered goals in an excellent performance. Ben Hershan opened the floodgates with a great individual display, chasing, tackling and finishing truly. Lew slotted two for the quarter, and Ben Kalmus, Daniel Freed and Routman also added to the scoreboard, extending the lead to 59 points at the main break.
The midfield continued its dominance in the second half, winning most of the clearances and hitting up the forwards. Seidl took a couple of great contested marks, goaling twice from the boundary line, as Lew put through his fourth for
the day. Old Camberwell kicked two late majors, as the game began to heat up, with numerous scuffles breaking out around the ground.
The Jackas kept providing entertainment for the parochial crowd in the last quarter, Routman finishing off a great team play, and Freed roving a goal at full speed. Old Camberwell slotted late consolation goals, but tit was too little too late.
The Under-19s bowed out of their finals campaign, losing by seven goals to St Kevin’s, 6.7 (43) to 13.11 (89).
Stuart Fayman and Josh Berlinski attacked the footy hard all day, and Joel Gocs and Jesse Strauch put in solid performances in defence.
After putting through the opening two goals of the game through Matt Nissen and Michael Seltzer, St Kevins’ midfield started to get on top, kicking the next four. Josh Berlinski and Adam Caplan reduced the deficit in the second term, but at half time the margin was back out to four goals.
Richie Simons provided the only spark for the final term with a top mark and goal, as the side sank to a 46-point, season-ending loss.
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Australia condemns West bank attacks
CANBERRA, 3 September – Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith used tough words to criticise this week’s Kiryat Arba terrorist attack.
“Can I condemn in the strong possible terms the brutal killings of four Israelis by terrorists in Hebron on 31 August,” he told journalists.
The Hamas military wing, the Kassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the gunfire attack on Route 60, which killed four people from the town of Beit Hagai.
Smith, who spoke in the context of Australia’s long-standing bipartisan approach to the Middle East peace process during the current local political limbo, said the attack was aimed at disrupting the path to peace.
“Australia welcomes very much the resumption of the peace process with direct talks between Prime Minister [Binyamin] Netanyahu and President [Mahmoud] Abbas, but we condemn absolutely the senseless slaying of four Israelis, including a pregnant woman.”
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New plots at oldest cemetery
MELBOURNE, 6 September – It was a plot sell-out at the Melbourne General Cemetery last week, after 12 new grave sites were released to the Jewish community.
The $26,000 price tag did not deter keen purchasers, eager to follow family traditions and buy their place at the historic Carlton burial place.
“Victorian Jewry has a lot of history associated with the Carlton cemetery, it was heartwarming to see the response from our community, and we at the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha (MCK) were privileged to be able to facilitate the purchases,” MCK director Ephraim Finch stated.
MCK general manager Fred Grossman attributed the sell-out to the personal connection many purchasers had with the cemetery, having family members buried there or having lived in the Carlton area.
“People understood it was a scarce commodity, a once-in-their-lifetime opportunity,” Grossman said.
According to the MCK, enquiries are still being made with the Jewish burial society regarding the availability of plots at Carlton and other traditional cemeteries including Fawkner, Brighton and St Kilda.
The MCK received more calls than the 12 available plots and Grossman and Finch met with interested purchasers and took the opportunity to interview each to record their family histories in the MCK files.
“This is a unique service that we carry out for the Victorian Jewish community for all funerals we are associated with,” Grossman said, adding that Finch has been recording the community’s history for more than 25 years, including photographing numbered tattoos on Holocaust survivors upon their death.
The 12 plots were made available to the Jewish community after Carlton cemetery administrators made a small amount of extra space available in the Jewish sections. The Jewish burial sites were offered in a separate ballot to the general
community by arrangement between the MCK and Melbourne General Cemetery.
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Wishing all readers of San Diego Jewish World a L’Shana Tovah, and well over the last. May the year ahead bring peace in Israel and Jewish communities around the globe. All the best from “Down Under”
Garry Fabian
San Diego Jewish World Australia Bureau Chief
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Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, February 18, 1955, Part 1
Compiled by San Diego Jewish World Staff
Max Rabinowitz To Lead ’55 UJF Drive
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 1
Max Rabinowitz, long active in Jewish Community affairs, has accepted the post of General Chairman of the 1955 Combined Jewish Appeal of the United Jewish Fund, Morris Douglas, Fund president, announced.
Goal for the campaign in the amount of $220,000 was agreed upon at the last Fund Board meeting. The 25 percent increase over the amount raised last year is necessary I order to meet 1955 commitments.
Based on $220,000 distribution will be approximately as follows: local agencies, 24 percent; overseas and Israel, 67 percent; national 9 percent.
“I am very happy,” Mr. Douglas said, ”to report to the San Diego community that Max Rabinowitz has agreed to come out of his semi-retirement to once again accept top leadership for our Jewish Community Drive. This is a very fortunate choice and under his dynamic leadership we may look forward to an enthusiastic and spirited campaign supported by the entire community.”
Mr. Rabinowitz agreed to lead the 1955 effort after a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fun was presented to him a follows: — “The Jewish Community of San Diego and the Board of Directors of the United Jewish Fund join in urging Max Rabinowitz to honor the Fun by accepting the leadership of the 1955 Combined Jewish Appeal of San Diego: the Fund Board resolves that every member will support him with their finest effort and their best contribution.”
Active in the San Diego Jewish community for many years, Mr. Rabinowitz served as campaign chairman in 1947 and has been a member of the Fund Board for many years. An experienced campaigner, he has held every job from worker to top leadership I Fund drives. Recently he was a leader in the Food division of the United Success Drive.
In accepting the general chairmanship of the campaign, Mr. Rabinowitz said:
“For nearly a quarter of a century, the Jewish community of San Diego raised funds for Jewish needs everywhere through the Combined All-in-one Drive. This drive is not merely another campaign but supreme fund raising effort for some fifty agencies and institutions overseas, in Israel, in the United States and in San Diego.”
“Were it not for this United effort, there would be a multitude of campaigns which would quickly demoralize the entire community to the detriment of the many agencies we support through this one drive.”
Because of the incentive plan of pre-campaign allocations, explained further in this edition of the Southwestern Jewish Press, it is anticipated that local organizations having national and overseas affiliations will take much more responsibility for raising money in the 1955 campaign.
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Famous Jewish Artists Here in Concert March Sixth
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 1
The Jewish Labor Committee will present a group of artists of the Jewish stage on March 6th, 7:00 p.m., at the Beth Jacob Center. An evening of Jewish humor, songs and entertainment will reward those who attend.
Dora Kalinova is a famous European actresss-singer; Shmuel Faber, an outstanding character-comedian from Israel, and Pola Kadison, a well known concert pianist. These talented artists are making every effort to keep alive the great traditions of the Jewish stage for the American Jewish community since the great centers of Jewish life have been wiped out.
For an evening of nostalgic Jewish humor, drama and songs, don’t miss this outstanding event,.
Make your reservations early by calling Ben Feinberg, BE-3-5525 or BE -2-3524; Morris Penn, HU 8-5906; Sandor Goldberger, AT-2-2244.
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Fashion Show Slated By Council Of Jewish Women March 1st
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 1
“Through the Looking Glass” into a “Wonderland of Fashion” is the theme for the Fashion Show and Luncheon to be given by National Council of Jewish Women on Tuesday, March 1st, at 12 o’clock, noon, at Mission Valley Country Club. Assisting will be Mmes. Ray Lieberman, Milton Effron (decoration chairman), Robert Kaplan, Ben Lemson, Hugh Wolfe, Wm. Kenton, L. Richmond and Allen Price; invitation chairman, Mrs. Morton Kantor. Members of the Glee Club who will participate are Mmes Edward Merkin, chairman; Leo Sarfan, Sidney Silverman, Robert Beitcher. Lyrics were written by Evie Greich, Dorothy Merkin and Ronda Furgatch. Molly Morse will be commentator for the Fashion Show. Mrs. Burton Ross is in charge of the models who will be drawn from the Council membership.
Props used in the decoration were furnished through the courtesy of American Housing Guild; manikin was furnished through the courtesy of Chenkin’s Children’s Shop.
The luncheon will feature exotic Polynesian dishes. Make reservations now with Mrs. Fritz Lavendar, BE 9-6712. Admission will be $2.00, with a bundle for the Thrift Shop, and $2.50 without a bundle.
Council has designated March as “Thrift Shop Month” and all proceeds from this event will be turned over to this project. Chairman in charge of “Thrift” is Mrs. Alex Wise.
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Overflow Attendance At Levenon Funeral
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 1
The Jewish Community mourned the passing of Morey S. Levenson, attorney, former city official and civic leader. Services were held Sunday, Feb. 13, at Temple Beth Israel, conducted by Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, assisted by Cantor Julian Miller.
In addition to his many civic interest, Morey Levenson was chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Council; a member of the board of the United Jewish Fund; the Home for the Aged; the Federation of Jewish agencies and a past president of Lasker Lodge B.B.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys, his son Barry, his brother and law partner, Eli, and an uncle, Its Penter.
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New Subscribers
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 1
Marvin Baranov
Ralph Cohen
Dr. Daniel Harris
John F. Kurbitz
Dr. Philip Rand
Roslyn Steffel
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Labor Zionist Organizations To Meet With West Coast Regional Director
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 1
Rabbi Yosef Miller, western regional director of the Poale Zion Organization will be a guest in San Diego, from Feb. 17th to 20 inclusive. His visit is being made in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Labor Zionist movement in the United States, the month of February having been designated as “Membership Month.”
The following program has been scheduled:
Friday, Feb. 18th—Beth Jacob Synagogue at 8 p.m. Rabbi Miller will conduct the services to be followed by an Oneg Shabbot planned by the Pioneer Women Organization in his name.
Saturday, Feb. 19th –Open meeting at the home of Mr. and MRs. George Alpert , 4044 Illinois St. at 8 p.m. This meeting is being sponsored by the Ben Zvi Poale Zion.
Sunday, Feb. 20th – Chaim Weizmann Labor Zionist Branch will hold a cultural meeting at the Tifereth Israel Center at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Miller will be guest speaker, the latest Israeli moving picture will be shown after which a social and refreshments will follow. There will be no admission charge.
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Betrothal Announced
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Sarfan of 4660 E., Talmadge Dr. announce the betrothal of their daughter, Shirley Mae, to Jordan Norman Lansky, son of Mrs., Rose Domnitz and Sam Lansky. The young couple plan a summer wedding.
Shirley was graduated from Hoover High and studied at Woodbury College, L.A. Jordan was graduates from san Diego High and State College where affiliated with Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
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Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 2
Dr. and Mrs. Louis Applebaum of Sharon, Penna, were houseguests of Rabbi and Mrs. Morton J. Cohn. Dr Appelbaum admitted that he was flattered when two former patients from the East, whom he hasn’t seen for over 15 years, recognized him in downtown San Diego. Mrs. Applebaum, sister of MRs. Cohn, attended the National Sisterhood Convention, in Los Angeles, as a delegate from Sharon.
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The Maxell Kaufmans unearthed a heap of old memories when they were packing to move recently. One of these issuers there will be a “ten years ago today” column. The Kaufmans’ new address is 5715 Montezuma Rd., Apt. 1.
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Visitors Feted – Mrs. Kate Silverglade, aunt of Gertrude Harris, spent three weeks with her niece in San Diego on a merry round of luncheons and dinners. Hostesses were Mesdames Harry Townes, Harry Rose, Geo. Solomon, David Millsberg, Joe Goldhammer, Ben Rothman, Wm. Gordon, L. Levitt, Harry Stone, Sam Solomon, Jane Drexler and Essie Ehrlich.
Mrs. Silverglade, who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a member of theBoard of Directors for the City of Hope and will visit that institution before returning home.
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Thank You – Mrs. Robert Miller wishes to thank her many friends for their kindness during her recent illness.
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Mr. Victor Weiss wishes to thank his many friends for their thoughtfulness during his recent hospitalization.
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Mr. and Mrs. S. Gotkin, Mr. and MRs. J.N. Medak and Mr. and Mrs. L. Backman wish to thank all the organizations and friends for their thoughtfulness during their recent bereavement over the deth of Mrs. Gotkin’s mother, Ida Sklar, at Ocean Park, Calif., on Jan. 28th.
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Sought – Esther Grunbaum, Haifa, Israel born 1928 in Bacau, Roumania; daughter of Israel an Malka Grunberg; seeks a friend, Itsi9g Pinetzki, born in Radau, Poland. Believed to reside in California. In 1947, Esther Grunbaum was in a camp in Italy with the person sought.
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Stan Camiel brought three fraternity brothers home at the recent semester break, to meet his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Zel Camiel, and enjoy some San Diego hospitality.
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Mrs. Libbie Braverman, eminent author, lecturer and authority on Jewish Education, who flew West to attend the Convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, took time out to speak to and inspire the members of the Beth Israel Sisterhood at their last meeting.
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Friends of Paul Kaufman will be glad to know that he has been accepted by Reed College, in Portland. He began his studies there on Feb. 1st, majoring in political science and journalism.
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Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mandell plan to tour fifteen countries including Israel, during their six months’ trip. They will sail on the SS “America” on March 25th.
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Dr. and MRs Seymour Kuntz will attend the 50th Annual Convention of the Californioa Optometric Association, being held in Fresno on February 18th.
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Hostess of the Month Chosen by USO-JWB
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 2
Dorothy Hess, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hess of La Mesa, was chosen “Junor Hostess of the Month” for February, it was announced by Mrs. Joseph Kaplan, Chairman of the Senior Sponsor-Junior Hostess Sub-Committee of USO-Jewish Welfare Board.
Presentation was made by AK An Kenneth Weiss, the serviceman who has attended USO-JWB affairs for the longest period of time. Miss Hess will further be honored by having her picture on a poster in the Temple lobby for the entire month.
Each month a Junior Hostess will be so honored. Junior Hostess service is open to young ladies in the age group 17 to 25. Further information can be had by contacting the USO-JWB office at Belmont 9-3712, or Mrs. Kaplan at Atwater 2-5136.
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Classified
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 2
Wanted – Middle-aged woman to share nice apartment for companionship – North Park. Call AT 4-2798,
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Calendar
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 2
February
21st – Mon., 8 p.m. – National JWVA Prexy, speaker at Meeting – War Memorial Bldg.
March
1st –Tues—Council of Jewish Women Luncheon – Fashion Show – Mission C.C.
5th—Sat, 7:30 p.m. – Pioneer Purim Ball – Beth Jacob Center.
6th—Sun, 7:30 p.m. – Jewish Artists – Jewish Labor Committee- Beth Jacob Center/
13th – Sun., 5:30 p.m. – Daughters of Israel Purim Dinner and Package Party – Tifereth Center.
27th – Sun, 6 p.m. – Annual Dance of Bay City B.B. Women – Mission C.C.
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City of Hope Needs Your Discards
Southwestern Jewish Press, February 18, 1955, Page 2
Why don’t you rummage around through your drawers and throw those old things away that you have been saving and hoping to use perhaps on a rainy day.
“’Cause we got it right from the weather man’s mouth “it ain’t gonna rain no more!” .. and you’ll have more room for those other new things that you’re planning to buy at the store
We’ll pick up anything that others will buy … from Aardvarks to Syzzles –it’s true’ Just give us a buzz and we’ll be delighted to send someone to call upon you!
Phone Jeanne, CY-502566 or Sally, CO-4-0972.
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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.
‘Waiting for Lefty’ portrays Depression-era exploitation
By Cynthia Citron
LOS ANGELES — As a passionate piece of 20th century history, it works. As a parable for the present day, not so much.
Clifford Odets’ 1935 Depression-era play Waiting for Lefty is a rabble-rousing tirade against big business and its heavy-handed control of the “downtrodden masses.” A situation that might resonate with Americans today, except for the out-of-date solution Odets offers: Russian-style socialism.
Nevertheless, Director Charlie Mount has assembled a truly committed and convincing ensemble—extraordinary actors, every one of them. They represent a branch of the taxi drivers’ union, shouting their stories from the stage and from the audience. And the stories themselves are, sadly, relevant today.
A young couple (Heather Alyse Becker and Adam Conger) can’t afford to get married. A charity patient dies during routine surgery. A man (Paul Gunning) is verbally attacked by his wife (Kristin Wiegand) for not standing up to his bosses. (”You are stalled like a flivver in the snow,” she tells him.) A doctor with seniority (Elizabeth Bradshaw) is “down-sized” because she is a woman and a Jew. “You don’t believe a theory until it happens to you,” she says. And another man (Jason Galloway) is rudely turned away when applying for a job. He is comforted by a secretary (Sandra Tucker) who offers him a book that she suggests will help him. It is Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ Communist Manifesto.
The vignettes are gripping and filled with pathos and elicit an emotional response from the audience. As does Anthony Gruppuso, who plays Harry Fatt, the representative from Management. If anyone can steal this excellent show, Gruppuso does. He is a fireball, charging all over the stage, one moment cajoling, another shouting disputations, getting into a fistfight, and holding back the union’s decision to strike. He is everywhere at once, and if the audience had been provided with eggs, he’s the one they would have bombarded.
In another telling vignette, a worker in a chemical plant (Donald Moore) is offered a huge pay raise by his boss (Roger Cruz) to spy on a fellow scientist who is working on poison gas. True to Odets’ socialist philosophy about the goodness of “the common man,” the compromised worker refuses, even though it means he will lose his job.
Capitalism, the clash between the various classes, and the ever-present bigotry against immigrants and other outsiders, is what the play is all about. It was a dark time, the ‘30s, when up to 25% of the American work force was out of work. Almost makes the current recession, with just under 10% out of work, look easy. But unfortunately, the roots are pretty much the same.
And I think that’s the point Director Mount is trying to make.
He does this on a nearly empty stage and with a few wooden chairs put together by Set Designer Jeff Rack. And skuzzy outfits, including scuffed and battered shoes, as well as dramatic lighting designed by Yancey Dunham.
Just about the only things that don’t work well are the great billows of mist that are extruded periodically onto the stage in an attempt to simulate a “smoke-filled” union hall. Since nobody on stage is ever seen smoking, the mist sort of misses the point.
But this is a small nitpick in a classic play about a time that older viewers will remember ruefully and younger people will learn about with astonishment and, perhaps, incredulity.
Waiting for Lefty will continue Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 through October 10th at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, in Los Angeles. Call (323) 851-7977 for tickets.
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Citron is Los Angeles bureau chief for San Diego Jewish World
Summer Time debate is another of Israel’s peculiarities
JERUSALEM–Lots of countries do something nutty. That’s a practice that does not make sense, but has the support of entrenched politicians and much of the public as “the way things are done.”
In Germany it is superhighways without speed limits. In the United States it is easy access to firearms. In Britain it is the definition of one’s body weight in stones.
In Israel it is what the locals call Summer Time, and what is known in the United States as Daylight Savings Time.
Israel’s nuttiness may not be as dangerous to life and limb as those of Germany and the United States, but it is no less nutty.
The deal is that Israeli Summer Time must end on the weekend before Yom Kippur. Advocates claim that it makes fasting easier, but skeptics note that the fast lasts 25 hours, whether from a clock hour later or earlier on one day to a later or earlier clock hour plus one hour on the next day.
Could the fast be easier when it begins at 5 PM and ends at 6 PM than when it begins as 6 PM and ends at 7 PM?
I know of no survey that answers that question. However, the ultra-Orthodox parties are insisting that it stay that way.
The coming Sabbath begins at 6:12 and ended at 7:27 in Jerusalem. Summer time ends between this coming Saturday and Sunday. The Yom Kippur fast should begin no later than 5:03 the following Frday and end no earlier than at 6:16 on Saturday. The times for other cities differ by a few minutes, and can be found on published calendars.
An industrialist, who may or may not be planning to fast, has begun to wage a campaign to do away with the nuttiness. He asserts that it costs money, puts Israel out of sync with its overseas markets and suppliers, and that he will order his company to stay on Summer Time until Europe makes its change at the end of October.
The head of the SHAS delegation in the Knesset and the Minister of Interior, Eli Yishai, is the man in charge of this, and he insists that Summer Time must end on the weekend before Yom Kippur. But whether he is serious or not, he is proposing a super-nuttiness: re-instituting Summer Time after Yom Kippur.
This would mean that Israelis would move their clocks back on the coming weekend, them move them ahead after Yom Kippur. Since the fast falls this year on Friday-Saturday, that would presumably mean that Israelis could be changing their clocks soon after breaking the fast. So far Yishai has not said when he would suggest going back again to Winter Time.
Insofar as there is less than a week to the scheduled end of Summer Time, Yishai’s super nuttiness probably won’t be vetted by the professionals in his ministry, formally proposed, debated, and voted on this year.
But maybe next year.
Doubtful.
There is only so much that the Israeli majority can demand from its minority of religious extremists. It is pressing hard, with tiny results, to induce ultra-Orthodox youth to spend a bit of time in the military; to end the rejection of Sephardi pupils by Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox schools; to facilitate the continuation of construction projects whenever there is a discovery of ancient bones that may be Jewish; and to insert courses in English, mathematics, science, and technology to the ultra-Orthodox curriculum.
No one should expect that the Education Ministry would try to impose on the ultra-Orthodox anything like evolution or sex education, and maybe not anything to do with biology, history, or social science.
Ultra-Orthodox kids are as bright as any. They begin school at the age of three, handle Aramaic as well as spoken and Biblical Hebrew (and the Ashkenazim Yiddish), and understand convoluted Talmudic logic by their teens, and can be taught to make a living doing computer programming.
Israel has been able to create technological colleges for ultra-Orthodox post-teens, with the young men separate from young women, but putting those subjects in the curriculum of most schools for ultra-Orthodox adolescents has so far eluded the Education Ministry or the Government.
Putting off the end of Summer Time until after Yom Kippur?
It’s less of a priority than the army, ethnic segregation, finding a solution for bones that may be Jewish, and the school curriculum.
One should not expect Israel to get to it in our life time.
In the event that this nuttiness may represent my last note of the year, let me wish you all that is good for the coming year, whenever it comes on your clocks this Wednesday evening.
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Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University








