Report: U.S. to sell 84 F-15s to Saudi Arabia in $30 billion deal

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJC) — The United States government is set to sell Saudi Arabia 84 Boeing F-15 fighter jets worth US$ 30 billion over a ten-year period, despite Israeli “reservations” to the deal, the ‘Wall Street Journal’ reports.

However, the package would not include on-board targeting systems as advanced as those used in US or Israeli fighter aircraft in part to garner Israeli approval, the newspaper says in its report published on Monday. Otherwise, Israel could exert pressure on Congress to block the agreement.

Though overseas weapon sales are packaged and approved by the Defense Department, Congress can still hold up any deal or demand assurances of its own. It would be one of the biggest single arms deals of its kind. The Obama administration is expected to formally notify Congress of its plans as early as next month.

According to the ‘Wall Street Journal’, it has been a source of behind-the-scenes tensions, with Israeli officials having repeatedly conveyed concerns in private that the US risked undermining its military advantage by equipping regional rivals with new technologies. US officials told the paper they had provided “clarifications” in recent weeks to allay Israel’s fears.

Large-scale weapons deals with Saudi Arabia were spearheaded by President George W. Bush as a way of checking the regional influence of Iran. However, Iran is far from the only security challenge facing Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Saudi armed forces sustained heavy losses during extended skirmishes with Yemeni rebels on the southern border.

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress

New Zealand stays restrictions on kosher slaughtering

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (WJC)–Jews in New Zealand have won a temporary exemption from a new legal requirement  that animals must first be stunned before being slaughtered. Representatives of the Jewish community last week filed legal proceedings against Agriculture Minister David Carter and on Monday said said a Wellington court had ordered a temporary exemption until the case is decided next year.

Carter had announced in May that he was requiring pre-slaughter stunning for all commercial killing of livestock. About 300 lambs and 2000 chickens were commercially slaughtered according to ‘shechita’ last year. The minister later apologized to the Jewish community for any offense caused when he told veterinarians: “We may have upset a relatively small religious minority, and I do appreciate their strong feelings for this issue, but frankly I don’t think any animal should suffer in the slaughter process.”

More than half New Zealand’s sheep are killed by halal slaughtermen for the Islamic market, by cutting the throats of electrically stunned animals. However, shechita slaughter requires the trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries and jugular veins to be cut using a sharp blade to allow the blood to drain out. The animal cannot be stunned or unconscious.

The New Zealand National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee first recommended a dispensation for the kosher slaughter in 2001, but most recently said it would prefer there were no exemptions from the requirement that all animals slaughtered commercially were first stunned. It said there was evidence calves which simply had their throats cut experienced pain, and it had the “strongly held” view that the cattle, sheep, goats and possibly poultry would experience similar pain.

Wellington Jewish Council Chairman David Zwartz predicted the case would be argued on the grounds that the Bill of Rights allowed for freedom of religious practice, and the requirement for stunning was an infringement of the right of Jews to observe their religion.

Other countries to ban shechita include Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, and the European Parliament earlier this year voted in favor of a new regulation which could lead to kosher meat being labeled as “meat from slaughter without stunning”.

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress

Israel commission hears Netanyahu in Gaza Flotilla inquiry

JERUSALEM (WJC) — Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again defended the raid by Israel’s Navy on the Gaza-bound ‘Freedom Flotilla’ on 31 May 2010, during which nine Turkish activists on board the ‘Marmara’ were killed.

Netanyahu told the Turkel Commission – a panel investigating raid – that Israel’s actions were justified. The flotilla was trying to break an Israeli blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Netanyahu said he was sure the Israeli panel investigating the raid would find that military forces had acted according to international law.

“The appearance of the prime minister of Israel before this commission today is the best proof of the standards according to which Israeli democracy operates,” Netanyahu stated.

He defended the Israeli sea blockade against Gaza: “From the Gaza Strip, Hamas has been raining thousands of rockets, missiles and mortar bombs on the state of Israel, striking at our communities and citizens … Today, Hamas is stockpiling weapons that can reach Tel Aviv and other distant parts of Israel. As part of the effort to prevent weapons entering the Gaza Strip, my government has continued the naval blockade policy that was imposed by the previous government during Operation Cast Lead in January 2009, and this pursuant to the limitation and oversight on commercial traffic over the land crossings that were imposed in September 2007.”

Netanyahu criticized Turkey’s role in this matter. “Despite our continuous diplomatic efforts, ultimately the Turkish government did not prevent the attempt by the ‘Marmara’ to break the naval blockade. All our proposals to route the ships’ cargo for a security vetting in Ashdod, and later for transfer through the land crossings to Gaza, were to no avail. Nor did we hear any public message from the Turkish government aimed at calming the excitability of the activists aboard the ship. It appears that the Turkish government did not see in the prospect of a clash between Turkish activists and Israel, something that clashed with its interests, and certainly not something that would warrant applying effective pressure on the IHH activists,” he declared.

The prime minister is the first of several high-level officials set to appear before the panel, which includes five Israeli members as well as two international observers.  Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is also expected to testify.

The United Nations is due to begin its own inquiry into the raid on Tuesday.  That panel will be led by former New Zealand leader Geoffrey Palmer and outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, and will include one Israeli and one Turkish member.

Israel says its forces acted in self-defense after they were attacked by the Turkish activists wielding clubs and knives. The IDF held its own investigation and defended the use of force, whilst acknowledging that mistakes were made in the planning stages.

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress

French monument defaced by anti-Semites

MARMANDE, France (WJC)–A monument to the victims of World War II in south-western France has been spray-painted with anti-Semitic graffiti. French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux expressed “horror and sadness” after the discovery of anti-Jewish slogans and symbols at a memorial to the deportation and resistance in Marmande, in the Lot-et-Garonne department.

The words ‘lies’, ‘Zionism’, ‘interests’ and the dollar sign were inscribed in red paint on the monument which bears the names of Nazi concentration camps. Gerard Gouzes, the mayor of Marmande, said: “It is undoubtedly the act of a Holocaust denier, someone who knows very well what he did.”

According to the interior minister, the authors of the tags “clearly targeted the memory of the deportees and the Jewish community of France.” Hortefeux said: “I am more than ever determined to fight against all the obscurantisms, all racisms and all the forms extremism.”

Wednesday’s incident came after several other anti-Semitic acts in the country. Three weeks ago, dozens of Jewish graves were vandalized in eastern France. Vandals smashed or overturned 27 gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Wolfisheim, near Strasbourg. More recently, anti-Semitic slogans and Nazi swastikas were discovered on the walls of the Etz Haim synagogue in Melun, in central France, and on the windows and walls of a dozen kosher stores in Paris.

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress

Commentary: Scapegoating versus politics in the Middle East

By Ira Sharkansky

Ira Sharkansky

JERUSALEM–Some basic definitions useful for living in civilized societies and on their fringe:

A scapegoat is an individual or group blamed for faults properly due to some other individual or group. Scapegoating is a way to pass on responsibilities for offenses real or imaginary.

A minority is often chosen as a scapegoat, and Jews have been chosen for the role time and again. In the Middle East, that means Israelis.

Most recently Israelis have been blamed by Hizbollah for the murder of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Rafik Harari. These charges have come along with reports that an international commission is about to accuse Hizbollah of the crime.

Israelis are also being blamed for rocket attacks, apparently sent from the Sinai toward Eilat, which caused injuries and at least one death in the Jordanian city of Aqaba. Leaving aside the Egyptian claim that the rockets did not come from the Sinai, the indications are that they did, and were most likely fired by Hamas operatives or individuals allied with Hamas. Hamas is also the source of accusations against Israel. According to its logic, they were directed in a way to harm Jordanians and to give Israelis an excuse for retaliating against Palestinians.

Politics is a way of dealing with conflict without violence. It involves discussion, negotiation, voting for the purpose of deciding which individuals or groups ought to have the most influence, and then deciding on matters of dispute in ways to preserve at least a minimum of the comity necessary to avoid violence.

Comity is a sense of community. It assumes a sufficient sharing of culture, language, and values to provide mutual trust that allows participants in conflict to believe one another, at least enough to give up some preferences for the purpose of keeping matters that are subjects of conflict from straying into violence.

The question at the bottom line of this discourse is, Where scapegoating is common, is there enough comity to support politics rather than violence? For us the practical question: Is peace possible between Israel and Palestinians when the Palestinians are closer in their culture to Hizbollah and Hamas than to Israel?

 
The matter is not only an issue at the upper levels of national and international politics. It also bothers us folks down in the neighborhoods of Jerusalem, where cultural clashes tempting violence are never far away. 

We usually pass by groups of young Arabs from the nearby neighborhood of Isaweea during our walks through French Hill. Usually the encounters are uneventful, and occasionally pleasant, but sometimes one hears insulting words in Arabic directed against us. Is it worth all the implications of confronting 10year olds in order to teach a  lesson?

More serious was the case of a young man who pushed a female jogger to the ground, and might have been intent on something more serious until we yelled and he ran in the direction of Isaweea. That was an occasion for delaying our walk, and staying with the young woman until the police arrived.

Jews are also guilty. An American visitor described meeting with an Arab merchant in the Old City, and going up on the roof of his store to look at the view.

“On the roof, there were yeshiva boys. Young orthodox boys with yalmakas and tzitzit and pay-itz around 12-15. As soon as he opened the door without any exchange of words,  they started swearing at him and taunting him.”

One of my neighborhood friends is a Dutch journalist who writes for a Christian newspaper. We often wave and say hello, and occasionally stop to exchange stories. On one occasion he told me that his church had been vandalized. It is located near an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood. While the guilty had not been identified, that is a standard way for some of the ultra-Orthodox to express their sense of righteousness. The church is also not far from an Arab neighborhood, and Muslims have a history of trashing the religious sites of others. A lack of information requires us to leave open the question of guilt. 

The wider madness that focuses on us comes from the daily threats of destruction by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the Jewish morons who join various Goyim in sending e-mails insisting that Barack Obama is a Muslim, most likely born in Africa or Indonesia, and intent on Israel’s destruction. No less disturbing are the students and faculty of universities of high and low status, and simpletons like those of Olympia, who are intent on punishing Israel for defending itself in ways that are less destructive of human life, and no less justified than what has been visited on various countries by the forces of the United States and its allies.

And do not forget the messianic Jews who want to populate Arab neighborhoods in ways sure to cause trouble for us all.

What to do in the midst of all this ignorance, animosity, and lack of comity?

Putting aside the occasional temptations for finishing my life in a more placid place with weather at least as good as Jerusalem’s (is there such a locale on the coast of Oregon, or would New Zealand provide a residence permit and access to health insurance?), the sole prospect is to continue coping. Avoid neighborhood walks too late at night or too early in the morning, and urge the hyper-actives in the Obama administration to stop making things worse by promoting a peace process that neither Israelis nor Palestinians are capable of producing. 

Both Israel and Palestine would be better off if their officials could spend more time dealing with their domestic issues, and less time being pushed by intense
Americans and having to maneuver around one another.

Most likely European politicians would stop if the Americans would stop. And no one else matters.

On objective measures of crime, poverty, family crises and other conventional social indicators, Jerusalem probably does as well or better than cities of comparable size. Israel as a whole performs better than a lot of the countries that produce individuals wanting to punish or destroy it. 

So why all the destructive attention?

Now we’ve come back to the topic of scapegoats.

There is also a nagging insistence by religiously-motivated Christians and
Jews that Jerusalem and Israel be better places than elsewhere.

Unfortunately, their persistence, combined with their ignorance, may prod the locals to make things worse. It is best to leave us alone. Good is good enough. 

   

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Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, December 10, 1954, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Jewish Center Plans Big Invitation Dinner
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Pages 1, 6

“You can help make a dream come true” will be the theme of the invitation on behalf of the Building Fund of the Jewish Community Center on Saturday, January 8, 1955, in the Don Room of the El Cortez Hotel.  In announcing the meeting, Harry Wax, campaign chairman, also stated that Rodin Horrow has accepted the chairmanship of the event.

Sidney Rose

Mr. Horrow is an active member of the Center board of directors.  He is also a director of the United Jewish Fund, the Federation of Jewish Agencies; the Hebrew Home for the Aged; and Beth Israel Temple.

An outstanding program is planned with Mr. Robert Levison of San Francisco, national vice president of the National Jewish Welfare Board, and former president of the San Francisco Community Center, as the principal speaker. Assisting Horrow in planning of the dinner are Leonard Zlotoff and Al Solomon.

John Ruskin

Horrow and his committee anticipate that by the time of the dinner meeting, more than $100,000 will have been secured in pledges for the building fund.

“The members of the board of the Community Center,” Horrow said, “have done an outstanding job I giving. They have demonstrated to the community that they are willing to back up their belief and their faith in the fact that San Diego Jewry can have a community building by giving generously. The only way that there will be a community building in which our children and ourselves can actively participate under Jewish auspices is that interested members of the Jewish Community participate in making it possible by giving.

William Schwartz

While money is being raised for the center, the building committee is continuing its work with center architect, George Lykos.  William Schwartz, Sidney Rose, John Ruskin and Maury Novak as well as all key people in the building committee have been meeting regularly in order to implement the needs as expressed by the various committees that met during the community Center survey.

A thorough and complete report both of the population study and center survey will be release to the community in the very near future.  It will contain a complete outline of the facilities that will be needed in the Jewish Community Center.

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City-Wide Observance of Tercentenary Set for Dec. 12
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Pages 1, 6

The American Jewish Tercentenary will be observed in San Diego by the entire Jewish community in conjunction with the 21^st annual meeting of the United Jewish Fund this Sunday evening, Dec. 12, 6:00 p.m.  diner at the House of Hospitality, Casa del Rey Moro restaurant in Balboa Park, Fund President Louis Moorsteen and Doctor A.P. Nasatir, Chairman of the San Diego Tercentenary Committee announced.

The joint program was approved by the fund board and has been planned under the direction of Milton Roberts who has been designated as the chairman of the annual meeting. Morris Douglas, First Vice President, will serve as Chairman of the evening.

Mr. Roberts announced tha an original narration in prose and music dramatically telling the story of the 300 years has been written by Mrs. A.P. Nasatir and will provide the main entertainment of the evening.  Appearing in “Roots in This Land” are Mrs. Nasatir, Mr. Alan Soule, Mr. Roberts and Albert A. Hutler.  Music will be by Cantors Julian Miller and Joseph Cysner, and Bruce Dennis.

Greetings on the observance of 300 years of Jewish settlement in America will be brought to the meeting form leading religious, political and civic leaders of the San Diego community.  They include Honorable John Butler, Mayor of the City of San Diego, the Honorable James Robbins, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, Bishop of San Diego, Dr. Leland Cook, President of the San Diego Council of Churches, Gerald A. Mokma, Consul General of the United States, and Rear Admiral T.C. Miller, District Chaplain, 11^th Naval District, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, Beth Israel Temple and Rabbi Baruch Stern, Beth Jacob Synagogue, will participate in the program.

The nominating committee chaired by Mr. Carl M. Esenoff and consisting of Morris Douglas, M.D. Goodrich, Eli H. Levenson, Sol Price, Victor Schulman and Ruben Umansky will present the following names in nomination for the board of directors for a period of two years, 1955-56.  David Block, Mrs. Ted Brav, Zel Camiel, Mack Esterson, Manuel S. Fisher, Mrs. Dora Friedman, Irving Friedman, Arthur Goodman, Ben Harris, Harry Mallen, Jerome Niederman, Maury Novak, Dr. Walter Ornstein, Sol Price, Seymour Rabin, Mrs. Abe Ratner, Dr. Joshua Rittoff, David Sapp, Harry Sugarman, and Harry Wax.

Awards from the United Jewish Fund and the local community will be presented to outstanding community leaders for their services in 1954.

An award will also be presented to O.W. Todd Jr., business and civic leader, for his leadership of the Christian committee in the 1954 combined Jewish Appeal.

Business of the meeting will be kept at the minimum and will include election of the Board of Directors, voting on an amendment to the by-laws and whatever reports are necessary.

“We urge every member of the community to plan to attend the important community dinner and assembly,” Mr. Moorsteen said. “This will be one of the only citywide obsrvances of the significant anniversary of the 300 years of Jewish settlement in America to be held in San Diego and we sincerely hope that every member of the Jewish community will participate.”

Members are urged to attend the dinner if they possibly can at 6:00 p.m., but if they cannot, they are cordially invited to attend the meeting which will start at 7:45 p.m. sharp.  Reservations for the dinner, which will cost $3.50 per plate, may still be made by calling BE 2-5172 or AC-3-8223.

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B’nai B’rith Asks Bus Card Comments
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 1

The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith has placed 100 car cards in the San Diego Transit vehicles in this area.  The cards have been produced by the Institute for American democracy.

Comments on this project are wanted by the B’nai B’rith. It is also suggested that viewers write complimentary letters to the Transit System encouraging such cards.

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University Gets Gift From Local Resident
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 1

Irving Salomon has made a gift to California Western Univeristy which will enable the fast growing campus on Pt. Loma to remodel its Little Theatre. The  theatre will be called the Irving Salomon Hall and will be dedicated later this month.

Irving Salomon, a member of Temple Beth Israel, resides at Rancho Lilac in Escondido.  Currently, a representative of the Ford Foundation, he is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Educational Television in California.

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Fund Appeals For Cash
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Pages 1, 8

A reminder that pledges to the Combined Jewish Appeal made in 1953 are now overdue, and a plea for payment of 1954 pledges was sounded by Harry Snyder, Treasurer of the United Jewish Fund.

“Not only are the funds desperately needed so that our community can pay the allocations which have been promised to the various agencies included in the campaign, but also,” Snyder said, “everyone should take advantage of the provisions of our income tax law which makes charitable contributions up to 30 percent under certain circumstances by individuals deductible for purposes of computing income taxes.” This rate applies to individuals filing tax returns.

Snyder also pointed out that payments must be received this year if they are to be deducted from income taxes for the year 1954.

It was emphasized that the United Jewish Fund has been unable to make any payments recently to the many national agencies included in the annual campaign, because of lack of cash.

In March, the Fund borrowed $75,000 as an advance to the UJA as part of the refunding loan of $75,000,000 undertaken by the Jewish communities on behalf of Israel and thus far has not been able to make any repayment on this loan to the bank.  Payments must be met semi-annually for a period of five years.

“The United Jewish Fund,” Snyder continued, “will also be expected to make payments shortly to the various national, overseas and local agencies that depend on these grants for continued operations. They can only be paid if pledges are paid so that funds are available.”

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Takes Helm
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 1

Max Zemen has been elected president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, it was announced today.  He succeeds Edward Breitbard who served during the past year.  Mr. Zemen has been active in the Synagogue for many years and has pledge to continue to develop the programs and activities of the Synagogue and its affiliated groups.

Other officers elected are Irving Goodman, 1^st Vice President; Robert Cheron, 2^nd V.P.; Moss Addleson, Rec. Sec.; Joseph Finkleman, Fin. Sec., and Joe Kader, Treas.

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Morris W. Douglas Named New USO-JWB Chairman
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Pages 1, 6

Morris W. Douglas , outstanding community leader, was elected Chairman of the San Diego armed Services Committee of the National Jewish Welfare Board in a meeting of that group at Temple Center this week.  Henry Weinberger, who has been chairman for the past seven years, was elected Honorary Chairman, in which he joins Mrs. Rose Neumann and Judge Jacob Weinberger.

Other officers elected included Mrs. Sidney Newman, Vice Chairman; Milton Fredman, Representative to the National Jewish Welfare Board Council; and Messrs. Henry Weinberger, Fredman and Mrs. Rose Neumann, JWB Representatives to the San Diego USO Advisory Council.

Mr. Douglas immediately appointed the following sub-committee chairmen for the year 1955: Senior Host and Hostess, Mrs. Rose Neumann and Mrs. Samuel Friedman; Home Hospitality, Mrs. Sidney Newman; Religious, all rabbis plus Joseph Spatz; Junior Hostess-Senior Sponsor, Mrs. Joseph Kaplan; Military Relations, Alex J. Newman; Program, Julie Abraham and Mrs. Tom Turner; Community Liaison, Harry Mallen; War Records, Mrs. David Frank.

Elected to the Armed Services Committes were Mrs. Marcy Berwin, Mrs. George Katz, Mrs. Joseph Kaplan, Alex J. Newman and Chaplain E. H. Rickel.

With the advent of the new administration, the Amred Services Committee voted a special commendation to its executive Abraham Friedman, for his work since his arrival two years ago.

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To See or not To See
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 2

By Berenice Soule

Death on an Island – Anyone interested in building a mountain lodge, a summer home off the coast of Devon, or  rustic house near a stone quarry, should contact Robert Jillson.  Jillson, set designer-technical director for the Globe’s Ten Little Indians, has dressed up a beamed ceiling living room featuring a raised-hearth “natural stone” fireplace so attractive that through all the blood and gore of the Agatha Christie mystery it remains charming and inviting.

Eight corpses are stackled neatly (at least the audience assumes that the 2 remaining “Indians” treated death with respect and stacked them neatly) in the den (the glimpse of book-line walls off-stage rt, seemed attractive, too) in the last scene.  By this time many kinds of murder have been done, screams have torn the darkness and, in the words of an 11 year old friend who viewed it opening night, “It’s better’n Dragnet!”The “Ten Little Indians” refer to the ceramic Indian figurines on the mantel and the ten guests called together by a mysterious host in a house on Indian Island, off the coast of Devon. The guests are all accused of some form of murder and then are knocked off, one at a time.  It wouldn’t be cricket to divulge which cast members were “done in” early in the play, but we lost some of our best actors that way.

Most fascinating is Ava Carmichael, new-comer to the Globe – almost the makings of a young Katherine Cornell—that awkward gracefulness and mobility of expression. The cast as a whole is exceptionally well
balanced and capable. Due for particular mention are Mickey Kohut, Herb Cherin, Bernis Kennedy, John Murphy and Charles Turley. Also doing well are Burt Miller, Velma Jones, Jack White, James Howell and Fred Welch.

Because of the holidays, the show will run only through December 18.

Talk Pays Off—Our “Adventure in Living” man – John Robert Clarke—had been placed under the management of Edna Stewart, considered one of the top booking agents of New York and Beverly Hills. Clarke, in his fifth San Diego series of lectures, said he was “not expecting this to happen.”

He’ll be travelling among some of the best Miss Stewarts “Celebrity Management” handles, among others, Jose Greco, Lowell Thomas, Senator Paul Douglas, Drew Pearson and Eva le Gallienne.

This new sponsorship will not affect his current local series of lectures; engagements this winter will be limited to the southern California area. He expects to soon start a Hollywood “Adventures in Living” series but it will not interfere with his Tuesday night talks here.

This personable young man found himself in San Diego completely by accident, but it has been a fortunate accident. Three years ago John’s yacht with himself and three friends sailed out of San Francisco headed for Ensenada. Due to slight miscalculations—just something trivial like losing a day or two—they entered San Diego harbor. John has stayed ever since, living on his yacht, tied up at Pot. Loma landing.

Whether people know how to communicate with one another, will be his subject on December 14^th when he speaks on “Finding Friends in Babel’s Towar” at the House of Hospitality, 8:00 p.m.

Talent and Red Hair –Don’t know if a raise in “pay” went with this promotion –but Eifi Schwitkis, who has been the Globe’s make-up artist, has now been made head of their art department. We’re not sure what the art department does, but doesn’t it sound good?  Maybe it’s because of all that gorgeous copper and enamel jewelry she’s been making.—Theodor Uppman, baritone, due here in concert January 26, is a native Californian. He won a scholarship to Curtis Institute and was a winner of the Atwater Kent auditions. Before entering the Army, he studied music and drama at Stanford and after the war he appeared in operettas and operas in Los Angeles and with the San Francisco Opera Company. He has been called “mellow voiced,” “a resplendent signer” and “a fine figure of a man, withu a personality that matches his vocal prowess.”

And He’s Pretty Too

According to reports, no build-up is too big.

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Famed Marionettes Here From Salzburg
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 2

Famed as a feature part of the Austrian village of Salzburg Music Festival, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre comes to San Diego to present three performances on Saturday, January 15, 1955, at Roosevelt Auditorium, Park Blvd at Upas Street. Two matinees at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. will show “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and the evening show at 8:30 p.m. will play the complete opera in English “The Fiedermaus” and “the Blue Danube” pantomime ballet.

Tickets are reserved for the evening performances only with prices of $2.76, $2.21 and $1.66. All tickets for the matinees are available at $1.66. It is suggested that patrons mail their orders immediately as Roosevelt Auditorium has a limited seating capacity.  Mail orders are accepted now by the deLannoy & Howarth box office, Room 230, U.S. Grant Hotel. It is thought that tickets to this interesting and exciting entertainment can very well serve as Christmas gifts for both adults and children.

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Dr. Baxter To Give Readings At Globe
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 2

As part of the extensive project whereby the University of Southern California is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee Year throughout the southland, the Globe Theatre will present Dr. Frank C. Baxter in a program of Christmas readings. There will be no charge for his two performances on December 16, at 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the Old Globe Theatre.

Besides having established himself as a leading television personality, Dr Baxter possesses many fascinating vital statistics.  He ranks among the eight most popular university professors in the U.S. Specializing not only in Shakespeariana, Dr. Baxter has made a study of the history of humor! Among his reading selections will be the works of such modern humorists as Ogden Nash.

The Old Globe Theatre takes pleasure in offering Baxter’s programs as a Christmas gift to its audiences. Free tickets may be reserved by calling the Globe Box Office (BE-9-9139) throughout the week of December 6-11.

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(Immigration Laws)
Southwestern Jewish Press, December 10, 1954, Page 2

“My ancestors,” boasted the blueblood society woman to Groucho Marx at a party, “came over on the Mayflower.”

Groucho nodded, “It’s a lucky thing they did,” he said quietly.  “The immigration laws are so much stricter now.”

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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.  

The Jews Down Under~Roundup of Australian Jewish News

Garry Fabian

Compiled by Garry Fabian

Jewish community alarm expresses alarm over terrorist affiliate

MELBOURNE, 5 August – The Victorian Jewish community has expressed concern that an extremist Islamic organisation with a history of incitement and antisemitism has begun holding meetings in Melbourne. Hizb ut-Tahrir is banned in the US, Germany,  Russia and many Muslim countries including Pakistan and Egypt because it is defined as a terrorist  group. Terrorists involved in 9/11 and the London bombings have been linked to the group.

In Australia the group has been meeting in Sydney since 2007 but over the past year has begun holding events in Melbourne. Jewish leaders are
concerned that the group held a meeting in theBrunswick Town Hall on Sunday, with the  permission of the Moreland City Council.
They will be writing to council to ensure it is  aware of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s history of incitement, rejection of democracy and race hatred.

The chairman of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria Mr John Searle said he was sure the Moreland Council would not wish to support a group that preaches violence and runs counter to the spirit of multiculturalism.

“This is an issue that anyone who respects democracy and the rule of law should be concerned aboutas this a group that rejects Australian values.
“Hizb ut-Tahrir in Sydney describes Israel as ‘a dagger in Muslim lands’ and argues that democracyis not for Muslims. We don’t want that kind of
divisiveness undermining multicultural Melbourne.”

A Jewish community organisation which monitors  antisemitism says internationally Hizb ut-Tahrir hasan appalling record of spreading hate against Jews, The chairman of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation
Commission Mr Tony Levy said Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ideology of destroying democracy and replacing itwith an Islamic Caliphate was partially
responsible for terrorist attacks like 9/11 and 7/7. In Britain Hizb ut-Tahrir disseminated material claiming Jews were “a people of slander” and in Denmark aHizb ut-Tahrir leader was convicted of inciting racial hatred after telling Muslims to kill Jews.

“Australians would be foolish to ignore the violence and hatred this group has expressed in othercountries. We have a wonderful tolerant multicultural society and we have to be vigilant in protectingit,” he said.

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Jewish school runs into resident objections

MELBOURNE, 4 August – While its new Minimbah  Campus on Orrong Road is set for completion within weeks, The King David School has been left
in limbo over the usage of its new multimillion-dollar facility.

The City of Stonnington issued a notice of decision to grant a permit for King David to use  the new classrooms and theatre earlier this year, but objectors quickly applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to have the decision reviewed.

Local residents are concerned about the opening times, the number of people permitted to use the new building and a lack of parking.

With the VCAT hearing only set for mid-October and the August completion date of the facility looming, school president Michael Lawrence sought
advice from local member Tony Lupton before  requesting an intervention from Victoria’s Planning Minister.

“Last time we had a VCAT hearing scheduled for October and we didn’t receive a response until March,” Lawrence said. “We are nearing completion
of the building and part of the Federal Government’s conditions for use of the site under the Building the Education Revolution initiative, under which we received funding, is for the site to be available for community use within a specific timeframe.”

Despite concerns from residents, a spokesperson for Planning Minister Justin Madden said it is in fact common practice for the minister to call in matters on the basis of land use, particularly when the site is to be used for educational purposes.

“With building works due to finish shortly it is common sense to address the matter of the building’s use quickly,” she said this week. “Calling the matter in from VCAT means a decision can be reached more quickly, while still considering the differing views.”

The spokesperson also confirmed a meeting had been held last month between residents, the school, council representatives and the minister’s staff. The department is currently reviewing the information and is expected to make
a recommendation to the minister shortly.

She said the matter is of state significance as it is a multimillion-dollar development, has an educational usage, was part of the Building the
Education Revolution stimulus package and was partly funded by the Federal Government.

*
Film Festival threatened over Israel link

MELBOURNE, 5 August – The Melbourne International Film Festival has been threatened with legal action for refusing to withdraw a film at the
request of its makers, who objected to the  festival receiving funding from Israel. Feature film Son of Babylon, which is set in Iraq, screened on July 26 and July 28 as scheduled, despite demands it be withdrawn in protest at
funding from the Israeli government. The funding  amounted to a return economy-class airfare for an Israeli director.

”The festival was informed in enough time to stop the screening . therefore if you have knowingly disregarded our wishes and screened the film, we will of course be left with little alternative than to take appropriate action
against the festival,” producer Isabelle Stead wrote to festival executive director Richard Moore last week in an email exchange leaked to crikey.com.au.

”You should not underestimate our resolve to ensure that our film is not associated with thestate of Israel as long as it continues itsillegal crimes against humanity,” she wrote.

There is, in the filmmakers’ stance, a distinct echo of Ken Loach’s decision to withdraw his film Looking For Eric from last year’s festival on the
same grounds. On July 18 last year, The Age broke the story that the veteran English filmmaker hadsaid ”if it did not reconsider the sponsorship,
he would not allow the festival to screen his film”. Mr Loach cited ”illegal occupation of Palestinian land, destruction of homes and livelihoods” and ”the massacres in Gaza” as reasons for the boycott.

Mr Moore said acceding to Mr Loach’s demand would be ”like submitting to blackmail”. That put him and the festival at odds with the Edinburgh Film
Festival, which had done precisely that. In acknowledgment of its stand and its response to pressure by the Chinese government over the
documentary, “The 10 Conditions of Love,” about Uighur independence leader Rebiya Kadeer,Victorian civil liberties group Liberty lastmonth gave this year’s Voltaire award to the Melbourne festival.

This year’s flare-up is a little more complicated, however.

Mohamed Al-Daradji, director and co-producer of “Son of Babylon,” wrote to the festival about 14 hours before his film’s first festival screening,
requesting that the festival cancel it and the second scheduled screening.

Within two hours, Mr Moore replied. ”To request a withdrawal of the film on the day of the screening is simply not acceptable and shows a lack of respect for our organisation,” he wrote.

”We are not able to replace the film at short notice and we will screen it today. I am prepared to consider other options for the second screening but I will also need to consider the financial ramifications.”

However, the July 28 screening went ahead, prompting an angry email from Ms Stead, who did not return calls or emails from The Age.

”When we grant a festival permission to screen a film that took us years to make along withdanger, blood, sweat and tears we do so with trust. I would have thought a festival would morally recognise the need to tell a Palestinian
co-production that it was funded by the state of Israel,” Ms Stead wrote.

The Zionist Federation of Australia president Philip Chester meanwhile wrote to festival director Richard Moore, and the film’s director Mohamed Al-Daradji and producers Isabelle Stead and Atia Al-Daradji saying “The request by the makers was completely inappropriate … “[The boycott] is part of a worldwide attempt to isolate Israel, to boycott Israeli products, creativity, programs
and culture. We’re seeing it everywhere and that’s the real worry.”

Chester praised Moore, whose wife and children are Jewish and lived in Israel for several years, for refusing to yield.

“Richard Moore has been very courageous in saying, ‘this is inappropriate. You don’t have to like every film we show, but that’s what art and
festivals are all about, don’t try and censor me’.”

Following the screening, the film’s producers again contacted Moore requesting the proceeds from ticket sales be donated to a charity of
their choice. The request was denied.

*
Fabian is Australia bureau chief for San Diego Jewish World

The Three Types of Fears

Natasha Josefowitz

By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D.

LA JOLLA , California –The newspapers are full of traumatic events—from wars to fires to floods to earthquakes, civil unrest seems to be everywhere, all contribute to understandable paranoia. I started thinking about the kinds of fears we all experience and have categorized them under three different types.

First, there is what I call the personal fears: the everyday kind of anxieties that many of us experience, usually as a foreboding that does not pan out. For instance, every time my husband was late coming home, I immediately visualized him in a car crash or having a heart attack, usually alone on a deserted road. Or if he was at a meeting in a hotel or an office building, I visualized him lying ill on a lobby floor. When I know that my children are flying, then there is the plane crash anxiety. Now that all of our grandsons are old enough to drive, I worry about their driving with friends (I read that the more kids there are in a car, the more likely an accident will occur). The personal fears can also be mild anxieties about a talk to be given at a conference or concern about the forthcoming dinner party where the mix of guests won’t work and the food won’t be good and the weather won’t cooperate.

Obviously being anxious about events that probably won’t happen is unpleasant and bad for our immune systems; feelings of anxiety impact our health. So instead of planning for a worst-case scenario, we should try to let go of the negative thoughts and think only about positive outcomes. If this is difficult, occupy your mind with tasks that need concentration. Being physically active also helps.

Then there are the universal fears—the kinds we’re all afraid of: getting sick, dying in pain, having Alzheimer’s (every time I misplace something I think, “This is it, dementia has set in!”), having a spouse die or dying before a spouse and leaving him or her bereft, or burying a child. Universal fears are shared by most people and are part and parcel of being human. In some parts of the world, fear of hunger is predominant, in others it may be fear of droughts or floods or of locusts, fear of war or civil unrest. In other words, there are realistic fears which may come to pass and about which we have little control except to prepare for disaster whenever possible. I go to the doctor for checkups and have a bag of emergency supplies in case of an earthquake.

The third type are the global fears:. These are fears of  buildings bombed, water reservoirs being poisoned, houses of worship being burned, germ warfare, economic collapse, war, and now even fear of pirates. Fear of the dizzying challenges we face as a species in the next few generations.

I worry about our grandchildren’s children—with coastal flooding seemingly inevitable due to global warming, by mid-century, where will those millions of newly homeless go but more inland—inland into already overcrowded places where they will not be welcomed—will there be strife or will there be a solution before it actually happens? What about our coming water shortages? What will happen if the aquifers are eventually drained? Here in San Diego, we are planning for desalination plants—a good thing!

These are the global fears, those that threaten our planet and about which we can prepare with wind farms, solar panels, artificial lawns, alternative fuels, new vaccines, recycling, going green, and generally making our voices heard for better planning for the inevitable problems that may occur not in our lifetime, but in the lifetimes of our descendents: leaving a legacy of a viable earth.

And so whether our fears are personal: just some of us—universal: that’s most of us—or global: that should be all of us, we need to acknowledge the reality of those fears and deal with them by being there for each other and there for all of us—all of us inhabitants of the same home.

*

Josefowitz is an author and freelance writer based in La Jolla, California.  This article appeared previously in La Jolla Village Voice.

 

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, November 26, 1954, Part 4

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Beth Jacob News
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

The Oneg Shabbat Service which takes place every Friday evening at 8:15 discusses great Jewish personalities and their works.  Each session is devoted to a different author – his work and times.  No former knowledge is required since each Friday session deals with a different subject.

The following subjects shall be discussed: The Talmud, “Rashi’s Commentaries,” “Sulchan Arcuch” and “Ahad Ha-Ams’ Essays.”

There will be no Friday evening session on November 26^th since our members are urged to participate in the Tercentenary Sabbath designated by the Synagogue Council of America, which will be held at Temple Beth Israel.

Annual Meeting – At the annual meeting of the Congregation the nominating committee proposed a new slate of officers for 1955.  There have also been nominations from the floor. The election of officers will take place November 30^th.

Auxiliary Dinner – The Ladies Auxiliary of Beth Jacob are having a delicious Roast Beef Dinner Sunday, December 5^th – 6:00 p.m. at Beth Jacob Center.  All are welcome to come – you may be the lucky winner of a Wristwatch. Donation will be $1.75.  For reservations call AT 2-2676.

*
City of Hope Pleads for Blood Donors
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

Blood is urgently needed for the Children’s Leukemia Wing – the Red Cross has been providing this service to the City of Hope free, but the increased requirements and the shortage in the Red Cross Blood Bank will force them to charge $25.00 per pint on future needs.  Unless the blood already used is replaced and a Blood Bank set up with the Red Cross, City of Hope will have to pay approximately $50,000.00 a year for this vital lifesaving blood.  Members, relatives and friends who give blood will also be setting up a personal reserve of blood when the need of a transfusion arises here besides giving the City of Hope credit for blood donated locally. If you can give blood please contact Muriel Strauss, JU 2-0788, or Jeanne Camiel, CY 5-2566 and BE 4-9595.

*
U.N. Study Groups
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

Mrs. D. Lee Worcester has begun her new study group this past Tuesday.  Next meeting: her home Tuesday at 8 p.m., 4027 Brant Street in Mission Hills, 1 short block off No. 3 bus.  It is hoped those who enroll will continue the entire 12 weeks since preparation of the course requires much time and effort.  Mrs. Worcester’s vast and up-to-date U.N. knowledge, plus her natural enthusiasm, makes her study courses most valuable.

*
Hebrew Home Aux. To Show Recent Films
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

Pictures of the recent groundbreaking ceremonies will be shown at the next regular meeting of the Hebrew Home for Aged Women’s Auxiliary on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m.  Additional movies will be shown and refreshments served, as announced by Mrs. Paul Cudney, program chairman.

Mrs. Rodin Horrow, chairman, with co-chairman, Mrs. Edward Addleson, has planned an interesting program and the distribution of gifts for the 4^th Annual Chanukah Party on Dec. 19 at 2:00 p.m.  The community is invited with a special invitation to the older members of the community.

*
Birdie Stodel Women Plan Open Tea December 11^th
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Women have invited women’s organizations throughout the city to an Oneg-Shabbat-Tea on Dec. 11 at the Alice Birney School, 4295 Campus at 1:00 p.m. Traditional Chanukah delicacies will be served.

Mrs. Ben Rosenthal of Los Angeles, immediate Past President of the Supreme Lodge of B.B. Women, will be guest speaker.  She has recently returned from a tour of Germany under the sponsorship of the American Heritage Foundation and will relate her experiences. The human relatios film, “Your Neighbor Celebrates” will also be shown.

The community is invited.

*
Telephone Company Explains Request For Rate Hike
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

Pacific Telephone today filed a supplemental application with the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco for additional revenue to meet the costs of higher wages recently granted.

Ben Gilmer, vice president of Pacific Telephone’s California Operations, said:

“This request covers only the cost of wage increases recently made effective following union wage settlements. These wage settlements were being negotiated at the time the July 6 order was issued, and their cost was not provided for in the order.  Since payroll costs make up more than half of our operating expenses, wage increases have a heavy impact on our earnings.

“Under the stringent regulation of the California Commission there is no room for absorption of such cost increases. The additional revenue the company seeks at this time will merely restore the company’s earnings to the level authorized by the commission’s decision on July 6 this year.  This is necessary if the company is to be in a financial position to provide for the full telephone needs of its service areas in California.”

The effect of the requested increase amounting to $4,980,000 annually would be relatively small when it is considered in relation to the over 4,000,000 Pacific telephones in California.

*
(“Wolf”)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

The boy who cried wolf has probably grown up to be the wolf who cries “Boy!”

*
Deceased
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 8

Mrs. Bella Lucow, on Nov. 15 at the age of 67.  Mrs. Lucow lived most of her life in Canada, but resided in San Diego the last six years. Services were conducted by Rabbi Monroe Levens and Cantor Joseph Cysner at Greenwood Mortuary on November 17.  Interment was in Home of Peace Cemetery.

She is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Edith Wernick and Mrs. Diana Phomin of San Diego; Mrs. Frances Berger of Los Angeles and Mrs. Goldie Nelson, New York; and four sons, Dr. William Lucow and Martin Lucow, Winnipeg; Sam Lucow, Vancouver, and Benjamin Lucow, a University of California instruct assigned to the armed forces in Japan.

*
The Jewish Center Goal (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

The goal of $269,000 for the new Center Building was set by the Federation and the Board of the Center after careful deliberation. It was known at the time that the sum would not be sufficient to build the kind of plant which San Diego deserves and needs.

The leaders of this movement were actually fearful of setting a realistic figure to cover the cost of a completely equipped Jewish Community Center. They did not know or couldn’t guess the response their appeal would make. The Jewish Press knew all along the $269,000 would not build even a minimum Cenjter, no less a facility that Jews of this community could be proud of for years to come.

When you invest this kind of money, it is not for a few years but for a great many years to come.

1.  It’s got to be big enough, for one thing. (Ask L.A. about their newly completed Center—built for 7500 members, now with 8200—6 months old and it’s already outmoded.)

2. Best advice obtainable is to build now – not to add on later.  Costs keep going up – not down!  And you lose good money when you tear down to build up!

3.   Now is the time to do it right – not to be sorry you did “too little and too late!”

The realistic goal for a real Jewish Community Center should be $500,000!  Why?  Because that’s the least you need to build a center with decent facilities and equipment. We don’t blame the board members who were timid, they really didn’t know that 31 board members would pledge almost $70,000 in none night. But they are taking heart at this demonstration of faith and raising their sights to $500,000.

Some examples: Allentown, Pa, 3000 Jew — $1,000,000 –building going up now!  Scranton, PA, 6,000 Jews (same as our community) –$1,000,000—building just completed.  Oakland, Calif., 7500 Jews –$600,000-plant going up soon!  We could cite many other communities but we are sure you get the idea.

Let’s not be sorry we could not think big.  Let’s do it and do it right!  Get behind the drive and put up a structure we will be proud of for many years to come. The board cannot do it alone.  They have shown the way – now we must follow and put over the campaign for $500,000.

*
German Sovereignty (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

Several years ago the American Government made the restoration of full sovereignty to a reamed Western Germany, within the framework of the Western alliance, one of the keystones of its foreign policy.  Since then there was little doubt that it was but a matter of time until this goal of American diplomacy would be achieved. The path, however, was strewn with obstacles, and the jubilation in American circles over the signing of the agreement a few weeks ago undoubtedly reflected a deep-felt satisfaction over the final attainment of an arduously sought objective.  But Jews through the world are likely to feel little jubilation over what has occurred. And it might have been better, too, if some of the statesmen involved, particularly from the Unite States, had tempered their own jubilation with some reservations and misgivings.

That is not to say that the argument for the restoration of ‘German sovereignty is without a strong logic of its own. Then strength of that logic ultimately brought even France to support the final scheme.  Whatever one’s views about coexistence with communism, there is general agreement that democratic strength is an important deterrent to communist aggression. The West German contribution to the military strength of the West world can be considerable and even decisive.  Hence the importance of bringing the West German Republic into the Western Alliance. But whatever the logic, Jews everywhere have and will continue to have an instinctive fear of a rearmed Germany.  And that instinct is rooted in some very real and ineradicable memories of people and places—of parents and children and friends, of Belsen and Auschwitz and Buchenwald.  Those memories cannot coexist with jubilation over the prospect of the emergence of another German Wehrmacht – by whatever name.

*
Letters to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

Dear Mac:

With unbelief and dismay, I read the following in the “To See or not To See” column of your Nov. 2 issue (referring to an evening of one-act plays in Balboa Park): “If only one evening’s attendance is possible, may I suggest Friday…”

While the sanctities of our religion and the spiritual significance of the Sabbath may have little or no meaning for some individuals of Jewish affiliation, it is inexcusable for a publication serving all elements of the Jewish community to permits its columns to advocate activities which are an obvious desecration of the Sabbath.

The Synagogues have no desire to act in a totalitarian manner and impose their will on any indifferent Jew.  How the individual uses or abuses the Sabbath eve hours is his own concern (although I deplore his absence from worship).  But it becomes a matter of concern and indignation on the part of the synagogues when a publication ostensibly dedicated to Jewish values permits those values to be flouted by such indiscretions in its columns.

It is hoped that henceforth “if only one evening’s attendance is possible” at plays or concerts, the Jewish Press will recommend some evening other than Friday.  Let all Jews ask themselves the all-important question, “Are you consecrating the Sabbath – or desecrating it?”

Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Morton J. Cohn

Editor’s Note:  The Jewish Press has no desire to advise people to “desecrate” the Sabbath, if that is what happens when you don’t go to shule and go to a play, instead.  But we are willing to take the good grey Rabbi’s word for it.  The Jewish Press wishes to go on record as advising all Jews to attend to the Sabbath by going to the Synagogue of their choice – no matter what they read in the paper.

For the record, though, we must report that only two Jews were present at the plays in question last Friday and that one was in them and the other reviewed them for the Evening Tribune.

*
“Heart Clubs” Help Overweight Reduce
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

San Diego overweight adults are losing weight by the ton!  Enthusiasm for the San Diego Heart Association’s free and voluntary weight-reducing “Heart Clubs” is running high and members of the first five charter clubs have already pledged themselves to lose over 2,000 pounds on the advice of their physicians.

The Heart Association cordially invites any adult 15 or more pounds overweight to get together a group of their own overweight friends or neighbors and form their own “Heart Club.”

Based on the idea of “group dieting”, these Heart Clubs have had excellent success in other cities and states in helping overweight adults lose weight through weekly meetings, weekly check-up on their weight loss, and association with members of a group having the same weight problems. There are on dues or fees.

Complete details may be obtained from the San Diego County Heart Association, 1651 4^th Avenue, San Diego 1.

*
Christmas Seal Drive Opened Monday
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

San Diego County’s 1954 Christmas Seal drive opened Monday, with more than 180,000 local families receiving personal envelopes of the colorful anti-tuberculosis seals in their mail boxes.

“Tuberculosis strikes on American every five minutes,” Mrs. Anderson said.  “Christmas Seals offer every resident an opportunity to strike back at the disease that is the nation’s number one killer among contagious disease.”

*
(Death Rate Cut)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

The death rate from lung cancer could be cut in half if all men over 45 years of age had chest x-rays twice a year, according to the American Cancer Society.

*
Chapter 47: More About Three Hundred Years in America: Jewish Contributions To American History
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

By Dr. Philip L. Seman, University of Judaism

There is no such word as charity in the Jewish Code.  Charity is not something left to the individual will or whim. It is not a matter of patronage, but rather of duty.  One may search the whole credo of Biblical or rabbinical regulations providing for the relief of every condition of want, from the cradle to the grave, and the word charity in the usual interpretation, or as it is commonly accepted can not be found. That which is exemplified as the highest virtue in Jewish life is not called charity, but rather justice and righteousness.

The Hebrew word Tzadokah means justice, and when the Jew speaks of doing a service to his lest fortunate fellowman, in any form he speaks of it as a Tzadokah. The word indicates the true attitude toward helpfulness. Tzadokah is help given because it is right, just, fair, kind and merciful. All of these motives are blended into this one word.

In the obligations of human relations, one principle is fundamental and paramount – it is voiced in the outburst of the Psalmist: “Blessed are they that consider the poor.”

Consideration or the last fortunate is the key to the Jewish Social Service: The poor must never be put to shame. All emphasis was put, not on the gift, but on the spirit in which it was given. Thus an astute and exceedingly interesting description of the eight classes or types of givers was offered by Maimonides, the Jewish sage, whose Eight Hundredth Anniversary was celebrated eighteen years ago, the world over.

Not for the rabbis or scholars is the following of Maimondies who spoke of these eight classes presented, but rather for those who are not acquainted with these principles that the best in Jewish as well as non-Jewish social service servants, have looked with great conviction that these principles are ideal in the fullest sense, even if to some extent impractical, nonetheless a goal to strive for. Indeed the story to be told of Jewish social service is this and a number of future chapters of this series will indicate how and two what extent Jewish social service has made a real contribution to American history, particularly during the last sixty years, though there are indications of these ideals in the history of the Jews in America over three hundred years. Maimonides speaks off these eight classes referred to in the following manner.

“The meanest type of giving is that of the one who gives relief, but does so with bad grace, i.e., in a reluctant manner, and with a sour countenance. His gift is thereby wanting in the true spirit, and is deemed next to worthless. A little better is the next type, the one who gives very graciously, but yet very sparingly.  (To be continued)

*
(Jewish Canadians)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 9

Of 85,765 immigrants who entered Canada in the first month of 1954, only 786 were Jewish.

*
“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.  

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, November 26, 1954, Part 3

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Free Jewish Press Makes Better Jewish Community
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 5

(Jewish Communal Leader in Los Angeles)

It is not enough for the Jewish business or community leader to insert an occasional “greeting” in the independent Jewish newspaper. They must, instead, recognize their economic soundness is the only solid foundation upon which a newspaper’s editorial freedom can be built.

Without support from the business community, to augment that of the readership, the free press cannot expand in terms of more service to the community.  More expansion, of course, means more readers who will be informed, integrated and made aware of their Jewish heritage and its values for today.

Such support will provide more direct contact, on a genuine readership level, with a vast and growing audience whose cultural and spiritual heritage is both Jewish and broadly American.

Such support will return extra dividends to both advertisers and the community in the form of alert and loyal readers.

*
Pioneer Women Plan Bazaar and Carnival
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 5

The annual Bazaar and Carnival of the Pioneer Women Negba Club has been set for January 30, according to Rose Brooker, chairman.  She is assisted by Rose Abrams and Goldie Kitaen in the task of encouraging members to collect and make articles to be sold. Proceeds from the Bazaar will be used for Pioneer projects in Israel.

Pioneer Women have launched a collection of Chanukah gifts for children in Israel, with clothing the most needed item.

An interesting program has been planned for the next regular meeting of the Negba Club on Thursday, Dec. 2, at noon, at Beth Jacob Center.

*
Harmony Homes Offers ‘College View Estates’
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 5

Harmony Homes is showing one of the finest community of homes ever to be offered in San Diego.  “College View Estates” was planned and designed by Charles and Arthur Schreiber, nationally known architects who are associated with Harmony Homes in this development.

College View Estates will be open to the public for the entire month of December and is reached by driving out Montezuma Road to 55^th Street and then turning north.

*
Israel-Arab Problem At Open Forum Dec. 5^th
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 5

The San Diego Open Forum, 1541 Sixth Ave., will present twin speakers on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 8:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church. This will be the first pro and con discussion held at the forum in many years. The topic, “The Israel-Arab Conflict” is one of the world’s most controversial issues.

Dr. Guy Davis, Professor of Religion at Chapman College, has recently returned from Israel and the Arab states.  Many people in the community have heard him and know of his sympathetic interest in the new state. Taking the Arab side will be Dr. John Boles, a Moslem, who is professor of Economics at Loyola University, formerly with the U.S. Government in Saudi Arabia.

Admission is free to the public after 7:45 p.m.

*
Birdie Stodel Hold A.D.L. Workshop
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 5

An open board meeting in which all members are invited is set for Dec. 6 at noon by Birdie Stodel B.B. board members. Cake and coffee will be served while members become better acquainted with the function of the board.

An Anti-Defamation League Committee Workshop under the direction of Mrs. Ted Brav will be held on Dec. 2 at 590 N. Vermont, Los Angeles at 10:30 a.m.  As Southern Area Americanism Chairman, Mrs. Brav has announced “Our Concern and Responsibility in Public Education” as the subject for discussion. For further information regarding attendance at the Workshop, call AT 4-3434.

*
As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 6

Irving Stone

By Irving R. Stone

Childhood Fantasies—The late Fanny Brice is remembered for her many roles but that of her later years as Baby Snooks stands out in our memories as being one of her most beloved.  Among the many atnics of Baby Snooks was the telling of fanciful tales about lions jumping in the window or elephants walking about the room.  Her exaggerations, perhaps, were real to her just as to the young child, calling out in the middle of the night, “Mommie, there’s a bogey man in my room,” it may be as real as the atomic bomb is to adults. It is a threat that is not easily banished.

Childhood fantasies often are a source of irritation to adults because they seem to be so far from reality that they are without basis of fact and not even containing an ounce of probability. As a result, they scold, scorn, and shriek at the children because they believe that the youngster is “making it up,” trying to get attention or doing it to get out of some disliked activity such as going to bed.

Fantasy to the child is as real as taxes, germs and the need to make a living. What we know has been the result of our experiences and as we grow in age, so do we grow in experience.  The ability to differentiate between fantasy and fact is possible only when the store of experiences reaches the point where reality outweighs fantasy.

The child sees Captain Jet, Superman, and Space Patrol as being entirely within possibility because they have no other yardstick of measurement. When the younger child plays house and fills the role of father, mother or baby sister, she is using the one means of instruction open to her, the daily experiences in her own home.  How she behaves is merely how she sees the household and its members.

The child who swaggers around in a cowboy suit feels like a real cowboy, and attempts to act like one. Too often we are prone to criticize him because we view his antics through adult eyes, forgetting that the child sees thing on another level of experience. Let him have his moment of childhood for too soon will he have to face reality. As he grows older there will be a gradual shift so that fact will become greater than fantasy.  Only the emotionally immature remain in that childlike state where reality cannot be accepted and fantasy remains dominant.

*
Israeli Teacher On Exchange Visit Here
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 6

San Diego has an official visitor from Israel in the person of Haim Dagan. For the next month, Mr. Dagan will be the guest of the City Schools on a grant from the Office of Education, to participate in the Teachers Education Program of the Department of State and the U.S. Office of Education.  Mr. Dagan specializes in the field of administration and supervision.

The visitor, who lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and daughter, is a supervisor in the youth bureau in the Ministry of Education and will spend his time in San Diego studying the City Schools and the recreation features in our community.

To give Mr. Dagan an opportunity to meet the Jewish community, plans have been made for him to live with different families during his stay,.

*
Jewish War Veterans
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 6

It is expected that Hy Weitzman, Dept. of California Commander will shortly confer with JWV leaders  in San Diego concerning the sale of tickets which is a statewide project to retire the Department debt.  Tickets are offered by all Post members.

The next meeting will be at the War Memorial Bldg., Balboa Park, December 1^st.

*
Jewish Center News
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 6

Ballet and Creative Dance Classes—Classes are now being held at the Jewish Community Center for juniors, ages 5 to 10, in ballet and creative dance and arts and crafts. Mrs. Irene Timen, dance teacher, has had many years of teaching, both classical and modern ballet.  She has studied with Mikhail Mordkin, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, Jose Limon and Pavley and Oukrainsky.  Classes are divided according to the age group.  Miss Ethel Mallinger, J.C.C. staff member is in charge of the Arts and Crafts Classes.

Winter Day Camp—Two weeks of guaranteed fun are available to all youngsters participating in the Winter Camp JC program sponsored by the Jewish Community Center beginning Monday, Dec. 20^th and continuing for 10 days through Friday, Dec. 31. Parents are urged to register their children ages 5 to 11 before Dec. 15, as registration will be limited.

Among the special events scheduled are roller skating, swimming, hiking and trips to interesting local sites.  Several member of the summer day camp JC staff including Dave Anfanger, Dorothy Hess, Mike Soule will assist in the program. Limited pick-up and delivery service will be provided. The fee for the two weeks is $20.00 to Center members with an additional charge for pick-up and delivery.  For further information, call the Jewish Community Center, AT 1-7744.

Rhythmic Exercise Class—An opportunity for all women to relax is provided on Tuesday morning 10 a.m. and Wednesday evening 8 p.m. in the rhythmic exercise and modern dance classes held under the leadership of Mrs. Eugene Berger at the Jewish Community Center. Baby care is provided for the housewife on Tuesday mornings at a slight additional charge.  All women are ivnited to participate in the stimulating activity.

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An Invitation to Good Living (Advertisement)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 6

The Foreign Club Restaurant Café and Hotel in Tijuana Old Mexico offers your family and friends the best in food—fun—entertainment.  International dishes, Mexican specialties, Italian food. Courteous and rapid service. Nice atmosphere.  Plus the finest in drinks, in our most modern bar. Fifty spacious rooms, modern in every respect. Good music for your pleasure.  Dancing to make your evening a gay one. We solicit your patronage.  We invite banquets, weddings, club meetings and conventions, plus your personal private parties… You will enjoy every minute you spend in Old Mexico.  Our location is … 364 Revolucion Ave. (Next to Capri Restaurant).

Nathan Golden and Simon Silvershotz, Props.
For Reervation Phone in San Diego, the Jewish Press, Belmont 3-8992.  Tijuana phone 1701-1305. 
We wish you one and all a happy Chanukah.

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Baja Opens 15-Day Festival of Freedom
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 7

A 15-day fiesta opened in Baja California Saturday with continuous day-to-day entertainment scheduled at Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada and Tecate.

The fete was announced at Mexicali today by Gov. Braulio Maldonado, first elected governor of Baja California. The start of the statewide celebration was set for Saturday—Mexico’s Labor Day – as a salute to labor, the governor said.

The fiesta then will continue through Dec. 5 in commemoration of Baja California’s first year as a free Mexican state, and in recognition of Maldonado’s first year in office.

Events schedule3d include a 24-hour telethon, or TV broadcast in which funds to be contributed to the Committee for Social Assistance, which is headed by the Governor’s wife.

Sra. Maldonado reported all funds realized from the telethon and the two-week fiesta will be earmarked for construction of a hospital for victims of tuberculosis.

Events planned at the four cities include parades, carnival attractions, street dancing, fun rides for youngsters, athletic contests including boxing and wrestling matches, and dog and horse races. There will be an international yacht race Dec. 2 from Newport-Balboa, north of the U.S. Mexican border, to Ensenada.

On Dec. 5, bull fights and a Governor’s Ball are planned at Tijuana.

Hollywood movie stars have booked for many personal appearances. Gov. Knight and several other American officials have been invited to participate in one or more of the statewide events, according to Frank Leyva and Herman Prujan, fiesta directors.

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Seven Danger Signals
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 7

According to the American Cancer Society, the 7 Danger Signals are (1) Any sore that does not heal; (2) A lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere; (3) Unusual bleeding or discharge, (4) any change in a wart or a mole; (5) Persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing; (6) Persistent hoarseness or cough; (7) any change in normal bowel habits.  They may not mean cancer, but they should always mean a trip to your doctor.

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(Efficient Transportation)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 7

When the Chicago subway was being dug a drunk stopped beside the excavation and called down to the man at the bottom of the pit, “Shay, watcha doin’ down there?”

“We’re building a subway,” the workman responded.

“How long is it goin’ to take to build it?”

“Three years,” came the answer.

“Three years! (hic) To heck with it, I’ll take a cab.”

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Promotes Good Will
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 26, 1954, Page 7

Popular Frank A. Thornton, Collector of Customs, Port of San Diego, has been in that position for two years. In that time he has made many friends on both sides of the border. As far as the Mexican nationals are concerned, he has sold America and San Diego to them.  The U.S. Government has a brilliant and loyal servant in this thrifty Scotch-Irishman.

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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.