Haitian earthquake victim to receive prosthetic feet in Israel
Sounlove, in wheel chair, and sister Baranatha await El Al flight at JFK
NEW YORK (Press Release)–EL AL, the national airline of Israel, recently hosted 19 year old student Sounlove Zamour on a flight from New York to Israel. Sounlove is a double amputee victim of the horrific earthquake that took place in Haiti this past January.
Sounlove is in Israel to continue with the next stage of her recovery process. She is being treated at the premiere high-tech rehabilitation center of the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital.
The plan is to fit Sounlove with prosthetics and have her walk again, as has been done with many previous patients. Her sister Baranatha is accompanying Sounlove in Israel for the four month long stay where they are guests of the Friends of Sheba Medical Center, a foundation based in Los Angeles.
EL AL has a history of providing humanitarian assistance during times of need. In keeping with this tradition, two EL AL aircraft carried more than 80 tons of supplies, dozens of medical personnel, search and rescue teams as well as a canine rescue squad from Israel to assist with the relief efforts in Haiti.
*
Preceding provided by El Al Airlines
Conference of Presidents seeks walkout from Ahmadinejad U.N. speech
NEW YORK (Press Release)–It is anticipated that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will once again seek the platform of the United Nations to spew his hateful rhetoric, threats and bigotry as he has done on several occasions, including at the Durban Review Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, and the UN Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference.
Alan Solow, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chair, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations have called upon UN member states to walk out of the UN General Assembly should Ahmadinejad be given the opportunity to address the international body.
“It is imperative for nations to cherish the values of freedom and mutual respect and absent themselves or walk out if President Ahmadinejad speaks before the UN General Assembly. We are issuing the call well in advance of the UNGA opening session so that nations have a chance to deliberate and ample time to make a decision. President Ahmadinejad’s rhetoric has only become more extreme as have the violations of human rights under his government.
“Optimally, we would like to see Mr. Ahmadinejad denied the opportunity to speak at the UN as he violates its charter by threatening and calling for the elimination of another member state. Failing that, we believe that the disapproval and rejection of his incitement, support for terrorism and gross violations of human rights by walking out of his speech is a critical message for member states who value democracy and freedom to send,” said Solow and Hoenlein.
*
Preceding provided by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Tifereth Israel names ‘Rav Shai’ as Torah School director
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– Rabbi Shai Cherry, Ph.D., has been engaged as the new Director of the Abraham Ratner Torah School at Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
Rabbi Cherry, or Rav Shai as he likes to be called, holds a doctorate in Jewish Thought and Theology from Brandeis University and was subsequently ordained as a Conservative Rabbi by the Ziegler School.
Among other publications he has written the first user-friendly text book on Jewish biblical commentary: Torah Through Time: Understanding Bible Commentary from the Rabbinic Period to Modern Times.
Rav Shai is the featured lecturer for The Teaching Company’s “Introduction to Judaism.” He spent 4 years as an assistant professor of Jewish Thought at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and four years as a lecturer at UCLA. After ordination, he served for one year as the Rabbi in Residence at the San Diego Jewish Academy.
Rav Shai is married to Rebecca Cherry, M.D., a pediatric gastro-enterologist at Rady Children’s Hospital. They have 3 children: Tehila, Rina, and Shalev.
Cherry is in the process of reviewing the curriculum at the Conservative-movement-affiliated Torah School, and has scheduled a preliminary Parents Meeting on “Morality and Dinosaurs: A Rosh Hashana Talk with Rav Shai” on Wednesday, September 1st at 7:00 p.m.
More about Rav Shai is available by visiting his webpage.
*
Preceding based on material provided by Tifereth Israel Synagogue
San Diegans meet poet Gertrude Rubin… and bid her farewell
By Donald H. Harrison
Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO—A small crowd gathered in the sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El on Thursday evening, August 12, to meet the poet Gertrude Rubin of Chicago, who was introduced by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Lawrence Baron.
Rabbis Martin Lawson and Lenore Bohm helped make the introductions, with Bohm reading two of Rubin’s poems and Lawson reaching into literature to help us define the context of our meeting with the poet.
Gertrude Rubin, z"l
We learned that Gertrude Rubin had not started writing poetry until she was in her 50’s, en route to an MFA in poetry from the University of Illinois. We learned that many of her poems deal with social activism, reflective of the fact that she had been an important force in the 1970s in a group called Women Mobilized for Change.
There was one major problem with our introduction to this amazing woman.
She wasn’t there. She had died a month before in Chicago at the age of 89. We, a half continent away in San Diego, simultaneously were meeting her and bidding her goodbye, at a special shiva minyan arranged by the Reform temple to help comfort the Barons, both of whom are well known in the local Jewish community, along with their son Ari.
Bonnie, daughter of the poet, had worked as a social worker in adoptions for Jewish Family Service, and Lawrence, her husband, is professor of Jewish history at San Diego State University, located just a few blocks from Temple Emanu-El.
The crowd that assembled to honor a poet whom most had never met also was demonstrating its respect and affection for the Barons, whose lives of service and mitzvot exemplify some of the ideals Rubin had dramatized in her poems.
Reminiscing about her mother, Bonnie asked: “How many daughters had a mom who took her on her first peace march in Washington D.C.?” Or who published two poetry books, The Passover Poems, and A Beating of Wings.
Rubin, we learned, was a mother who washed Bonnie’s mouth out with soap for saying a swear word, who ran a Girl Scout troop for many years, who “showered her children with unconditional love and who glided with her husband (Philip, who died five years earlier) across the dance floor of life, with big band music in the background.”
Lawrence, whose friends call him “Laurie,” said that “as a historian by profession I believe that the dead leave behind an imprint on the present; their memory influences the lives they’ve touched.”
In 1973, Rubin gave an interview, from which Laurie read excerpts.
Once Rubin heard a school principal “speaking patronizingly about her Latino students.” She wrote a few lines in protest and “I was called down to the district superintendent, but for me it was a new beginning….
“Being Jewish I understood that the historic thrust toward the final solution, although sporadic, remains unsatisfied. But I came to realize that before they come to destroy me for being a Jew, I could be destroyed in many other ways.”
Rather than suffer such destruction by acquiescing to injustice, Rubin became involved with Women Mobilized for Change. The politically progressive women “lived, marched, traveled, laughed and cried together,” she recalled. In the process she met mothers on welfare, ex prisoners, and people with vastly different life experiences, and became “profoundly impressed that in this world their gifts go unrecognized….
“Years ago, some friends mentioned the Rosenberg trial to me, and felt that it was a government frame up. I thought they must be mistaken. The Rosenbergs must have been guilty of betraying state secrets. Otherwise our country wouldn’t have prosecuted them. Such was my belief in the credibility of authority. All that has shattered because time and time again, I have seen the evidence of the injustice of justice. This loss of belief was done without trauma, it was progressive…. What remains after the dust settles is not despair, not at all. There is a kind of joy, a belief in myself, of energy released for transformation…”
Some of Rubin’s political beliefs were expressed in her poetry:
Memories Of Vietnam
in the CuChi foothills. I’d get
to see the Bob Hope Christmas Show,
join the G.I. laughter, feel my
manhood swelling at the sight of
the All-American bosom, bouncing
in a patriotic frenzy, while I’d
clap my hands, and stamp both feet
(unless one was missing), and bawl
out loud to “Silent Night”, until
the last musician shut his case,
and Bob Hope’s starlets danced
into the sky like specks of flak,
and I’d go back to killing without
time to ask: what was I laughing at?
In other poems, she juxtaposed Jewish belief and present realities:
Passover For the Residents
early. For each: a small
Seder plate of matzos, apple-
sauce, parsley, roasted egg.
Horseradish and fish-balls.
All went well, but someone at
Table Six took a sip of wine
before the first blessing. Was
it Ida, who burst into tears
and begged to leave the room?
Anna was festive in black silk,
faux pearls. Her remaining leg
sported a T-strap sandal…
Later, they sang songs praising
(in unison) God’s miracles —
“Day-Day-Enu! Day-Daay-Enu!”
Clapping like children; like
Seers whose practiced hands
summon the past. After the
meal, they were wheeled down
a corridor, only to wait at
the Center’s stalled elevator.
Suddenly they were Israelites,
“come out of Egypt”. Huddled at
the edge of the Red Sea,
praying it would open.
*
It was a special occasion, meeting such a poet. My wife Nancy and I are grateful that Bonnie and Laurie as well as the two rabbis arranged such a nice introduction. May our new friend Gertrude’s memory be for a blessing.
*
Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World
Women of the Hebrew Bible, Part 2: Jochebed
Jochebed, (c) 2010, Sheila Orysiek
Jochebed
Determined to save the life of her infant son from Pharaoh’s edict to kill all the male infants among the Israelites, she wove a basket and sadly – but courageously – pushed it into the Nile River. Without her action our story may never have been.
One of a series of seven women of the Hebrew Bible illustrating the moment in their lives when they were at pivotal point, contributed significantly to subsequent events and/or set a precedent in the history of our people. — Sheila Orysiek
*
Orysiek is a freelance writer and artist based in San Diego.
What’s the meaning of the ‘eglah arufah’ ritual?
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO–Parashat Shoftim contains the obtuse ritual of the eglah arufah (heifer whose neck was broken).
If a murder victim is found outside of one or more towns and the slayer is unknown, the residents of the town closest to the victim must take responsibility for their burial. Before doing so they must perform the ritual of the eglah arufah and make a declaration that they were not responsible for the murder. They take a heifer which has never been yoked, bring it down to wadi (dry river bed) that has never been tilled or sown, and break its neck.
A Kohein offers a blessing and then the elders of the town wash their hands over the heifer and declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done. Absolve, O Lord, Your people Israel who you redeemed and do not let guilt of the blood of the innocent remain among Your people Israel.” (Deut. 21:7)
The ritual of “heifer whose neck was broken” is strange and the rabbis classified it as a law which lacks rational explanation; it is performed only because God says so. Some of the symbolism, however, is obvious-such as the innocent elders “washing their hands” of guilt after the murder.
Their declaration is nevertheless strange. Why should the elders of the town, who are obviously innocent, have to swear they were not involved? The Talmud explains that the elders were not declaring their own innocence, but that they did not permit lawlessness and violence that lead to murder to flourish in their towns. The Midrash adds: “in our community, no poor person goes unaided to the point of being driven to a life of crime.” (Etz Hayim, p. 1105)
What the rabbis were teaching us is, that while it is obviously forbidden to commit murder, it is also our responsibility to prevent murder and acts of violence from occurring in our society. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We prevent acts of violence by making every effort to insure that those around us are treated justly and equitably, and that poverty and need do not propel people to a life of crime.
When we see injustice and violence we may not just wash our hands of responsibility and walk away. We are obligated to work together to eliminate the causes, attitudes, and lifestyle which lead to a life of hatred and violence.
*
Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego
An encounter with the great Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman
Rabbi Baruch Lederman
SAN DIEGO–The Torah instructs us to find judges that are of flawless sterling character. One great trait is humility, gained as a result of compassionate human insight, as the
following true story, told by Dr. Isaac Steven Herschkopf, an attending psychiatrist at the NYU Medical Center, illustrates:
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the gadol hador, the greatest sage of his generation, was so renowned he was referred to simply as “Reb Moshe.” Every Rabbi would speak of Reb
Moshe in awe-stricken tones usually reserved for biblical forefathers.
One summer I was spending a week with my aunt and uncle in upstate Ellenville. Uncle David and Aunt Saba, survivors themselves, as the doctor and nurse in charge of the concentration camp infirmary, had managed to save the lives of innumerable inmates, including my mother and sister. After “the War” they had set up a medical practice in this
small Catskill village, where, I discovered, to my amazement, they had one celebrity patient – Reb Moshe.
My aunt mentioned casually that Reb Moshe had an appointment the next day. Would I like to meet him? Would I? It was like asking me, would I like to meet Moses.
I couldn’t sleep that night. I agonized over what I should wear. Should I approach him? What should I say? Should I speak to him in English, or my rudimentary Yiddish?
I was seated in the waiting room, in the best clothing I had with me, an hour before his appointment. It seemed like an eternity, but eventually he arrived, accompanied by an assistant at each side. He didn’t notice me.
I was frozen. I had intended to rise deferentially when he entered, but I didn’t. I had prepared a few sentences that I had repeatedly memorized, but I sensed that my heart was beating too quickly for me to speak calmly.
My aunt had heard the chime when he entered and came out of the office to greet him: “Rabbi Feinstein, did you meet my nephew Ikey? Can you believe a shaygitz [unobservant] like me has a yeshiva bochur [student] in the family?”
Reb Moshe finally looked at me. I was mortified. My aunt was addressing him irreverently. She was joking with him. She had called me Ikey, not Yitzchok, or even Isaac.
Then it got even worse. She walked over to him. Surely she knew not to shake his hand. She didn’t. She kissed him affectionately on the cheek as she did many of her favorite patients. She then told him my uncle would see him in a minute and returned to the office.
Reb Moshe and his attendants turned and looked at me, I thought accusingly. I wanted to die. In a panic, I walked over to him and started to apologize profusely: “Rabbi Feinstein, I apologize. My aunt, she isn’t frum [religious]. She doesn’t understand…”
He immediately placed his fingers on my lips to stop me from talking. He then softly spoke two sentences in Yiddish that I will remember to my dying day: “She has numbers on her arms. She is holier than me.”
*
Rabbi Lederman is spiritual leader of Congregation Kehillas Torah in San Diego
Holocaust survivor from Tcyzyn has renewed hope of finding his brother
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (Press Release)— George Salton is a Holocaust survivor who was born in the small town of Tyczyn, Poland. He was about to enter the 6th grade in September 1939 when the Nazis occupied Poland. His name was Lucjan Salzman(n). His family was forced into the Rzeszow Ghetto, and his parents, Anna and Herman Salzmann, deported to, and gassed at the Belzec Extermination Camp. George and his older brother Manek remained in the ghetto and worked as forced labor in a factory camp in Rzeszow. After George was imprisoned at the camp, Manek escaped from the ghetto. Over the next few months he somehow managed to pass several notes to George in the factory.
The last note stated that dangerous activities would make it impossible for Manek to contact him again and that they should meet after the war by contacting relatives who had managed to emigrate to New York before the war.
American soldiers of the 82nd Airborne liberated George on May 2, 1945 after 3 years in 10 concentration camps. He spent another 2 years in German Displaced Person Camps and eventually immigrated to New York. He never heard from Manek. Rumor was that Manek was killed in the forests with other young partisans fighting the Nazis.
Last week during an Internet search of newly digitized post war records, his daughter Anna Salton Eisen came across a list of Tyczyn Jewish Survivors. Manek Salzmann was on the list. On Monday, she contacted a researcher at the US Memorial Holocaust Museum who found a second document stating Manek Salzmann of Tyczyn Poland, son of Herman, was alive in Poland as of December 17, 1946.
George Salton has filed formal papers with the “The Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center” of the American Red Cross who will coordinate a search for documents or information across the globe. The US Memorial Holocaust Museum continues to search their records as Anna and George begin to contact agencies, archives and Holocaust related organizations to help track Manek’s path after December 1946. Emails regarding the “Search for Manek” are being copied and forwarded around the world. George is 83 years old and has new hope that his brother or any family he might have had may still be found.
*
Preceding provided by Anna Salton Eisen, who may be contacted via eisenfam@aol.com
Israel’s idealism often overwhelms its governmental delivery system
By Ira Sharkansky
Ira Sharkansky
JERUSALEM — Israel is too small and too poor for the demands that it lays upon itself, and are imposed by the world.
My favorite newspaper photo of the day shows a file room at a court house. It came with a story about a plaintiff’s case of medical malpractice that failed on account of a lost file. We see in the picture what we know about government offices, hospitals and other public facilities. There is too much to do in order to assure proper treatment.
Just last evening on our walk around French Hill we encountered a problem that might have justified a call to the police, but where the prospect of quick service versus the severity of the problem deterred us from making the call.
We passed by a group of Arabs dressed as if they had come from a family feast to celebrate the end of a daily Ramadan fast. Suddenly a boy of about 14 jumped, yelled, smacked his hand against a parked car, and swaggered off as if he had rendered appropriate damage to a Jew’s property.
Call the cops and point out the vandal? Last time we called the police was a more serious event of an Arab assaulting a young woman. At that time our first call to the emergency number broke off in the midst of our report. When we did make contact, it took 10 minutes for the first patrol car to arrive. This in a neighborhood bordering an Arab community with a high incidence of minor and not so minor incidents.
So last night we continued on our walk, frustrated at the system and angry at ourselves for choosing the easy over what might have been the appropriate decision.
Another case: the Supreme Court has ordered the government to reconsider the appointment of a woman to the commission investigating the seizure of the Turkish flotilla.
What to do? The law requires that such bodies include a woman, but the Court made its decision after the commission had already heard what are likely to be the most important witnesses from the government and the military.
The entire investigation is a farce. So what that nine fighters (terrorists, if you will) were killed in a military operation? How many operations of American and NATO forces have caused as many casualties in the area from Iraq eastward without provoking the United Nations and pressuring the soldiers’ home country to conduct a public investigation?
Another case: Ha’aretz is exposing that several thousand illegals from Africa have been held in detention longer than the period of time allowed by law before their cases are settled. Many of these individuals have no documents and come from countries without functioning governments. But a judge may look at the law, and order that individuals held too long be let out on the street. The individuals waiting for such a determination look something like those files pictured above: too many to deal with according to requirements.
Who’s responsible? Both Israelis and the world. Seekers of justice work to impose whatever regulations they pick up from elsewhere in order to make things better here. The people making the demands are Israelis and Jews feeling that Israel must be at least as good as other countries.
Then there is the world, always on edge in search of a new accusation that can be made against Israel.
Remember those 400 children of illegal immigrants ordered deported. There are daily articles describing citizen and overseas activists–from Eilie Wiesel downward–concerned that Israel might despoil itself by expelling children who should not be here.
None of these are bad ideas, but Israel does not have the population or resources of all those countries serving as models of public policy. And the resources that it does have are allocated more than elsewhere to defense. Staying alive comes at the cost of an ideal public administration or an environment as clean as that of Germany.
Overall, the country does not do badly with what it has. Its health and welfare, the incidence of violent crime, and the safety of its prisons look better than in the United States, but that is an easy standard of comparison. There is no other country where all of the universities are on the Chinese list of the 500 best in the world.
Thinking about making it better, I return to those moments last evening when I considered calling the cops against that teenager from Isaweea. Most likely the police had more serious things to do. One of my neighbors has a dented car, and an Arab is feeling good that he did something to the Jews. I am angry at myself, but would have been even angrier if the call to the police did not go through, if the patrol car came too late, or was met by women screaming about a racist Jew who had summoned the police for no reason about a well behaved boy.
*
Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, December 24, 1954, Part 1
Morton Thaler Assumes Beth Jacob Presidency
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 1
Morton Thaler
Beth Jacob Congregation has elected Morton Thaler as its new president for 1955. Mr. Thaler, long active in synagogue and community activities, will be installed in an impressive ceremony to be conducted by Morris W. Douglas, prominent civic leader this Sunday evening at Beth Jacob Synagogue at 7 p.m. Elected to serve with the new President are the following: Vice Presidents, Dr. Walter Ornstein, Alvin Garber, Phillip Mollick; Financial Secretary, Max Leopold; Corresponding Secretary, Paul Schraer; Treasurer, Simon Glaser; Guardian, Sidney Ulansky; Gabbai, Israel Lebb. Board members include William Penn, Bernard Arenson, Zel Camiel, Norman Gelman, Tom Garber, Louis Thomas, Jerry Weiman, Julius Penn, Thomas Vetter, Dr. Harry Brookler, Morris Penn, Harry Evans, William Schusterman, Allan Lame, Max Popik, Joseph Kaplan, Ed Herman, Max Okum, Jack Brisker, David Schissell, David Hurwitz, Kurt Sax. Past President on the board include Chas. Press and Morrie Kraus. Honorary President for the Congregation is Abe Abramson.
A very delightful installation banquet will be served to guests, with a cocktail hour preceding the festivities at 6 p.m.
David Schissell, General Chairman, has issued a cordial invitation to the entire community to attend this event and reservations may be made with Mrs. Schissell at Juniper 2-0161 or Mr. Thaler, Atwater 1-3275. Charge for the dinner and cocktail party will be kept to $3,00 per person.
In celebration of the closing of Chanukah holiday a musical program will be offered.
*
United Jewish Fund to Elect Officers
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 1
Election of officers for the United Jewish Fund will be held on Thursday, Jan 13, 1955, San Diego Hotel State Ballroom, according to Louis Moorsteen, president of the fund.
The present officers are Moorsteen; Morris Douglas; Milton Roberts and Al Steinbaum, vice presidents; Harry Snyder, treasurer; Manuel S. Fisher, secretary; Members of the Executive Committee for 1954 are Mrs. Gabriel Berg, David Block, Mack Esterson, Carl Esenoff, Rodin Horrow, Sol Price, Harry Wax.
Newly elected members of the Board of Directors of the United Jewish Fund elected an the annual meeting are Mrs.Ted Brav, Mrs. Dora Friedman, Irving Friedman, Arthur Goodman, Ben Harris, Maury Novak, Mrs. Abe Ratner, David Sapp, and Harry Sugarman.
*
Jewish Center Sets Jan. 8 For Big Dinner
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 1
The “Make A Dream Come True” dinner on Saturday, Jan. 8 will open the Jewish Community Center Building drive to the entire community, Rodin Horrow, chairman of the dinner committee announced this week.
To be held at the Don Room of the El Cortez the meeting at 6:30 p.m. will give San Diego Jewry an opportunity to participate in erecting a glorious monument to Judaism in our community.
Edward Breitbard, president of the center in joining Horrow in the announcement said, “The community is now convinced that the directors of the Jewish Community Center mean business and want to see a community building erected in the next year or so for our children, ourselves and our neighbors.”
“51 individuals,” he continued, “have contributed close to $80,000. These are board members. Now we are asking all to voluntarily participate by attending the dinner.”
Mr. Robert Levison, San Francisco Insurance executive, and National Vice President of the Jewish Welfare Board, will be the principal speaker. He is well qualified to speak on the center movement and the need for centers, having been president of the San Francisco Jewish Community Center, and at the present time is vice-president of the Jewish Welfare Board.
According to Breitbard, San Diego, a community of over 6,000 Jews, is one of the only cities in the U.S. which does not have a Jewish Community building or a center for its people.
*
Jewish Federation Plans 1st Annual Dinner Jan. 19
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 1
- Carl Esenoff
San Diego’s Jewish Welfare Agencies will meet in a joint annual meeting under the auspices of the Federation of Jewish Agencies on Wed., Jan 19, 1955, according to Carl Esenoff, Pres.
The dinner meeting in the State Ballroom of the San Diego Hotel at 6:00 p.m. will mark the first annual event of the Federation and the first joint meeting of all the agencies, which include the Jewish Social Service Agency, the Hebrew Home for the Aged, the Community Relations Council, the Jewish Community Center and the United Jewish Fund.
The theme of the meeting as announced by Harry Mallen, chairman of the annual meeting committee will be “Total Community Planning.” Julius Bisno, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Community Council and Executive Secretary of the Jewish Welfare Fund of Los Angeles, will be the principal speaker.
Several of the agencies, according to Mallen will elect their Board of Directors that evening. Each agency will display its work to the community.
Members of the Jewish community and board members of the various agencies are urged to place the date Wednesday, Jan 19 on their calendar and to make every effort to be present. Reservations may be made at the Federations office BE 2-5172.
*
Please Take Note
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 1
Attention to all members of the United Jewish Fund is called to the fact that in order to get income tax deductions for charitable contributions, payments of pledges must be made on or before Dec. 31, 1954.
In making this announcement Harry Snyder, treasure of the United Jewish Fund also urged that payments be made now since the fund needs cash in order to meet commitments made during the year 1954.
Payments should be sent to the office of the United Jewish Fund, 333 Plaza, San Diego 1, California.
*
New Subscribers
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 1
Urban League of S.D.
Max Zemen
Nicholas Elbogen
Mrs. H.M. Horn
Samuel N. Hecsh
*
Iris Leeds Wed Charles Strauss in Double-Ring Rites
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
Iris Lynn Leeds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Leeds, was wed to Matthew Charles Strauss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Strauss, in a double-ring ceremony at Temple Beth Israel on December 19, at 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Morton J. Cohn performed the marriage rites with music by Cantor Julian Miller.
The bride’s candelight satin period gown featured alencon lace set into diamonds on the skirt from which pleated nylon tulle fell into a sweeping train. The portrait neckline and the pointed bodice were edged in lace. Her elongated fingertip illusion veil fell from a hand jeweled tiara. She carried a prayer book to which was attached a giant white orchid, white roses and stephanotis.
Maid of honor, Andrea Leeds, and matron of honor, Norma Dreifuss, were gowned in pale pink tulle with wine velvet hats, shrugs, and mitts. Bridesmaids Arlene Mihlman, Margie Goodman and Eileen Rivers wore aqua tulle with turquoise velvet hats mitts and shrugs. Marsha Starr, in aqua velvet, was junior bridesmaid.
Werner Dreifuss was best man and ushers were Ira Shames, Dan Weinberg and Lawrence Strauss.
A dinner dance for 250 guests was held immediately following the ceremony at the Mission Valley Country Club. Mrs. Leeds received in sequin embroidered satin with full skirted overdress of toast colored Chantilly lace. Mrs. Strauss, the groom’s mother, wore pink poie de sole.
After a week’s honeymoon in Palm Springs and Las Vegas, the young couple will make their home in San Diego.
Out of town guests were Mr. and MRs. Milton Leeds of Highland Park, Ill., aunt and uncle of the bride and Mr. and Mrs. Sid Stackler of Highland Park, aunt and uncle of the groom.
*
Personals
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
We hope the new Jewish Center will build good handball courts. We have a championship team all ready. Bill and Dave Starr just copped the doubles crown at the S.D. Rowing Club.
*
Did you catch the item about our swimming champs, too? Mission Valley Country Club has good prospects in Linda Press, Larry Cantor and Andy Beck.
*
In honor of Barbara Shames forthcoming marriage to Manny Barney of Los Angeles, Mrs. Jerry Krakoff (Brodman) entertained Barbara with a miscellaneous shower on December 11.
*
Flying to New York for the holidays are Sam and Bea Cohen and Irwin and Eleanor Kahn. They will spend two weeks in the east seeing the sights and shows in New York and visit with relatives.
*
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Belkin celebrated Chanukah with an Open House for friends on Sunday, Dec. 19th. For those unable to attend, they are extending an invitation to visit them anytime during the holidays.
*
Lawrence Schiller, Pepperdine freshman, was announced winner of the 1954 U.S. Camera Photo Contest last week. He was ranked, for the second year, as the number one photographer in the United States under 25 years of age and 187 in the world against all photographers.
Lawrence is attending Pepperdine on a four-year full-tuition scholarship earned throughhis photographic work. He became a professional at the age of sixteen and has been a consistent top honor winner in national and international contests ever since.
*
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lawrence Cohen, of Coronado, have recently returned home from a two and one-half months trip to 16 nations on four continents. Like all returning travelers they are full of their recent experiences and ready to share them. Mrs. Cohen says that “There is no place like Southern California.” The Cohens were particularly impressed with Israel. They heartily recommend the deluxe Mediterranean cruise which gave them so much pleasure.
*
Dick and Jane Lustig got off to a flying start with their family on December 24th, when they headed East. They will join a large family group at Wooster, Mass., in celebration of the 75th birthday of Jane’s father.
*
Venis-Rimland Vows Told
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Rimland of San Deigo announce the marriage, on November 25th, of their daughter, Rose, to Matin Allen Venis, son of MRs. Edith Venis and the late Meyer Venis of Toronto, Canada.
The wedding took place at the Synagogue Mogen David in L.A. with Rabbi Abram Maron officiating.
Rose is an honor graduate of S.D. State College and has a M.A. degree in business education. Martin is stationed with the Air Force in San Diego. The young couple will reside here.
On December 19th an Open House was held at the Rimland home in honor of the newlyweds.
*
Council Sets Valentine Ball
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
National Council of Jewish Women has scheduled its Valentine Ball for Saturday evening, February 12, at the Mission Valley Country Club. Tickets will be available after the first of the year.
*
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
8 little candles sitting in a row
Telling the story of the Macabees’ woe
Then wishing a happy Chanukah to you.
Especially from yours truly, Janet and Sue.
“It was a wonderful party,” said Adrian Sachnoff, Sandy Ratner, Jan Klaskin, Joan Breitbard, Ed Ruskin, Andy Leeds, Gordon Levitt, Susan Solof, Gary Cantor, Sharlene Stone, Herb Wenig, Sigmund Urbach, Janet Sheldon Golden, Zena Feurseig, Bob Myers, Robert Wylogue, Stan Breitbard, Judy Aved, Roger Brenes, Debbie Strauss, Linda Douglas, Seymour Pomeranz, and Larry Ratner, of the affair given by Harry Ratner at the San Diego Club with dinner and dancing and a fabulous evening.
All bedecked with corsages, the girls sat around the beautifully decorated table waiting anxiously for the arrival of Henrietta Faguet who was a mighty surprised girl. The scene was the Mission Valley Country Club and the hostesses were Jan Klaskin and Barbara Silverman.
Scoop: Hanukah vacation is a time for us “Kosher Kids” to make some green “lettuce.” Those filling their pockets are : Rocky Goodrich, Sharlene Stone, LuAnn Blumbereg, Dan Weinberg, Bob Beck, Donn Kobernick, Sheldon Golden, Janet and Susan Solof, Jane Cohn and Sherry Newman.
Bye now.
*
(Departure time)
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
No man goes before his time – unless the boss has left early.
*
Calendar
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
December
Sun., 26th Poale Zion Chanukah Party – Tifereth Israel Center – 8:00 p.m.
Sun., 26th – Beth Jacob Installation, 7 p.m.
*
January
Weds, 5th – Israeli Delegate, Speaker at S.D. Chapter, A.A. U.N., 8 p.m., Florence School
Sat, 8th –“Make A Dream Come True” Dinner, J.C.C., Don Room, El Cortez, 6:30 p.m.
Sun, 9th – Lasker Lodge Installation, Dinner-Dance, Mission Valley Country Club.
Thurs, 13th – Election of Officers – United Jewish Fund, State Ballroom, S.D. Hotel, 6:30 p.m.
Wed., 19th – Annual Meeting S.D. Jewish Welfare Agencies, 6:00 p.m., State Ballroom, San Diego Hotel
*
Classified
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
Women Wanted – Make extra money. Address, mail postcards, spare time every week. BICO, 143 Belmont, Belmont, Mass.
Man Available – For gardening…Trucking Service … Pick-Up and Delivery… Call after 5 p.m. BE -9-2780
*
Nursery School
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 24, 1954, Page 2
Jean Fry, Director of the Cooperative Nursery School of the Jewish Community, will conduct an orientation meeting Monday, Dec. 27, at 8:00 p.m. at the home of Mrs. Seymour Gates of 2440 Meade Street.
The dynamics and techniques of child care will be discussed. A typical nursery school day schedule will be examined for the purpose of understanding the aims of each activity, and knowing the role each mother is expect to play.
After the question and answer period, refreshments will be served.
*
“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.
sdjewishworld 