| |
|
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 Temple Solel S'more Shabbat
___________________________________________________________________
MON., SEPT. 29-THURS., OCT. 9
REFLECTIONS
Hanging conservative in a liberal closet
By Sheila Orysiek
 SAN DIEGO—At the Temple the twice monthly discussion group “Coffee with the Rabbi” brings together an interesting and friendly group of people - mostly seniors. Their experiences and opinions are fairly diverse except for one area; the tendency in a Reform synagogue setting is for a preponderance of liberal political opinion. However, there are a surprising - and to me, comforting - number of political conservatives. When I use the term “conservative,” it's not
in the religious context, but in the political meaning of the word.
Because of the preponderance of left leaning opinion present within the congregation - the insertion of inappropriate political comment is overwhelmingly from the left. Sometimes the comments are a statement of opinion - but more often than not it is coupled with an insinuated generalized negative (implying ignorance or worse) personality assessment of those of us on the right. It is disconcerting to have to deal with this constantly erupting undercurrent of left leaning political assault. From what I’ve seen, those of us on the right seem content to keep our opinions to ourselves while on synagogue property.
The Rabbi is careful - and is often sorely tested - to keep political discussion off limits; we are on synagogue property which adheres to the tax code exemptions. However, as is the case in most human endeavors political opinions, biases, and views will manage to creep out at unexpected times.
Even in Torah study, people manage to insert comments of a political nature - it often amazes me how strongly they feel the need to do so. Taking an event such as Moses bringing down the Ten Commandments at Sinai and reconfiguring that event to fit a current liberal left political agenda, takes either a need beyond my comprehension to drive a political viewpoint and/or a corkscrewing of germaneness beyond my ability to understand.
But sometimes it’s funny. My mitzvah project is to collect food coupons from the membership to send to the Navy Marine Relief Society for use by the military families at MCAS, Miramar. Arriving at “Coffee with the Rabbi” one morning with a tote bag filled with coupons that I was taking home to clip and mail, I sat down next to a lady - a lovely lady - with whom I’ve had many fine conversations. Seeing my tote bag filled with coupons she asked what I did with them (apparently she hadn’t read the Temple newsletter).
When I told her about the project, she asked me where I had come up with the idea. I replied that I belonged to a woman’s group which did this. Then she noticed that I also had with me several knitted blankets that other ladies had given me - my second Mitzvah project. She asked me about them (again, she hadn’t read the Temple newsletter). I told her the blankets were hand made by ladies in the congregation and being donated to the Linus Blanket Project which supplies them to children in stressful situations. She was impressed and again asked me where I had come up with the idea. And once again, I told her I belonged to a woman’s group which did this.
She asked “Which group?” I told her it was a woman’s group not connected to the synagogue. She pressed me - “which woman’s group?” I told her it was a political group. She pressed further - “specifically which political group?” Realizing she would not be satisfied with less, I told her it was a Republican woman’s group. There was a palpable silence. Had I identified myself as a Nazi - she could not have been more shocked. Her eyes were the size of saucers - her breath came in short gasps - her hand was on her heart, her hair turning whiter in front of my eyes. Then she gasped in horror, paused a long time, and in a whisper asked: “You are a Republican?”
“And, just think,” I told her - “you’ve been sitting next to me for months.” But to reassure her, I added, “I don’t think you’ve caught any germs, though.” To break through her horror, I said, “Let’s not talk politics, lets just be friends.” Slowly her face and body relaxed and finally a smile emerged. She said, “I didn’t think there were any Jewish Republicans.”
Though I didn’t pursue it, she is quite wrong. There are a number of us in the congregation - some reluctant to let it be known - they’ve identified one another by secret eye rolls (just kidding about that last part). I can understand their hesitation; I have several times been verbally accosted in the Temple parking lot. Or people automatically assume that as a conservative, I care nothing for the environment, or those in need, or human rights, or, or, or. I respond by refusing to engage. Anyone who makes those assumptions isn’t open to an exchange of views but more important - I don’t come to the Temple for politics.
This woman who was sitting next to me is also wrong on the national level - there are many prominent Jewish Republicans. Kenneth Mehlman, the past chairman of the Republican Party, when he heard someone say that the party only consisted of WASP’s - replied that his Rabbi would be surprised to know that. The present Chief of Staff for President Bush is Jewish: Josh Bolton. Two members of the United States Senate are Republicans and Jews (they manage to do both at the same time without injuring themselves). The number of conservative activists, journalists and other movers and shakers on the right who are Jewish are too numerous to name - however, I do have a list if anyone is interested.
And, no, as a Conservative, I don’t want to rip away Bubbie and Zayde’s MediCare and Social Security and give them dog food to eat. And I don’t want to see children choking on dirty air and drinking dirty water, but I also don’t want them aborted. By the way, the caribou in Alaska like the pipeline - they enjoy its warmth on a cold Alaskan night. The caribou in ANWR, are hoping they get it, too.
And finally…..I think it is healthy for the Jewish community to span the political spectrum - there is no way that all the good people and all the good ideas are only on one side of the aisle.
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
Chance meeting leads to single-day, one-woman show for Israeli-born Shosh Ernst
By Donald H. Harrison
 SAN DIEGO—The paintings of Israeli-American artist Shosh Ernst—landscapes, nudes, abstracts, still lifes—were displayed in the various common rooms and in the showcase backyard of landscaper and pool builder Amnon Yaskil last Sunday. What was the connection? Are they family members? Long-time friends from Israel?
Yaskil laughed, and motioning to his wife Nurit, he responded that about two years ago, they were in Boston to visit their daughter who was attending college there. As they strolled down a street, they spoke together in Hebrew, catching the ear of Shosh Ernst, who turned around. “So you speak Hebrew,” Yaskil asked her in that language. Confirming that she did, the threesome struck up a conversation, which led to a friendship.
Yaskil grew up in Kfar Bilu, a moshav near Rehovot; whereas Ernst grew up in Tel Aviv. She made frequent trips to the Galil to visit relatives at Kibbutz Ginosar, where there is preserved the remains of a 2,000-year-old boat that many Christians associate with the life of Jesus.
Ernst has a daughter Tali who is a nurse at Scripps Hospital in San Diego, and another daughter Dorit who is a local ceramicist and hairdresser. To display so many paintings, a venue larger than their residences was needed—something closer to the size of Ernst’s own studio and gallery in Boston.
Within the last two years, the Consulate of Israel in Boston had sponsored an exhibition of Ernst’s evocative paintings of Israeli landscapes. Between 150 and 200 guests came to a reception opening night in her studio in the South End of Boston, about a half hour commute from her home in Brighton, Massachusetts. Some of the paintings from that exhibit were now arrayed in the Yaskils’ living room, as well as above the staircase leading up to the second floor of their Torrey Hills home.
Sunday’s was just a one-day exhibit, but it was long enough for Ernst to sell one some of her works and to get some exposure in a market that she anticipates visiting fairly often, given that two of her three children live in Southern California. Her son teaches philosophy at a women’s college in Seoul, Korea.
Ernst, 63, told me that whereas she always had enjoyed art; she did not try it for herself until she was 30 years old, when her children were young and she no longer could work as a nurse. She had worked in the burn unit of Tel Hashomer Hospital before moving with her American doctor husband to the United States, where she received board certification as a nurse.
However, at the time her husband did a one-year-residency in emergency medicine in Peoria, Illinois, Ernst decided to take a class with artist Judy Mussro, who later became a close friend.
Immediately, Ernst began painting semi-abstract landscapes, in which the human figure sometimes was a component. She also enjoyed abstracting the human body, but most of all, “I like to express myself in colors, to work with a lot of texture,” she told me as we sat in the Yaskils’ living room, surrounded by her works. “Texture means a lot to me, and I usually draw and paint together constantly, painting and drawing, trying and experimenting,” she said.
From Peoria, the family moved first to San Francisco and later to Orange County, where they lived 17 years in Irvine. It was during this time, she recalled, that “we took a trip to Poland, and it was quite an experience for me…. I visited the camps, I visited an old synagogue in Krakow, and I met some old Jews who were around the synagogue. They were telling me that after the war they had to collect the old Jewish tombstones that the Nazis used for the roads, they had turned them upside down.” The old Jewish men said they had “picked up the stones and had built a wall around the synagogue. That inspired me to paint it. I took a tremendous amount of photographs of the wall and combined it in very large collages.”
I asked if she typically will take photographs of landscapes and then work in her studio.
“I photograph it, and I absorb it,” she said. “I internalize it.”
On location, there can be lots of problems. “It is very hot sometimes,” she said. “Once I took an easel and water colors to areas of Jerusalem and in no time, the yellow paint attracted the bees. They were buzzing around, and I had to run away from there. I prefer the studio where the temperature is optimal. I can set it up. I can get myself coffee and work. I don’t have to battle with mosquitoes, bees and snakes, and God knows what.”
I wondered how she went about deciding which landscapes to include in the show. Did she travel from north to south? Focus on various bodies of water? Although she travels in Israel extensively, returning there at least twice a year, she did not set out with any set parameters. “It was just landscapes in different parts of the country—paintings of Jerusalem, the Galil, the Kinneret, Yam Hamelech (Dead Sea), Yam Suf (Red Sea), Eilat.”
I wondered what it must have been like for landscape artists in the days before photography. Van Gogh, for instance?
“They must have stood in the fields and suffered,” Ernst said, “but I know that many of them took their work back to their studios as well.”
As Ernst had spent a lot of time in the Galil, I asked her if she found a similarity between its topography and that of San Diego County.
“Yes, I think some spots, especially because of the vegetation, the palm trees, and the smell of the earth after the rain—it’s much like the Galil.”
Ernst’s works are in the collections of various private collectors and corporations. Images of many of her paintings may be viewed on her website at www.shoshernst.com, through which she may be contacted.
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Robinson-Rose House
|
Old Temple Beth Israel |
Lawrence Family JCC |
Editor's Note: We are reprinting news articles that appeared in back issues of various San Diego Jewish newspapers. You may access an index of the headlines of those articles by clicking here. You may also use the Google search program on our home page or on the headline index page to search for keywords or names.
San Diego B’nai B’rith Women
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 1949, page 2
The newly proposed San Diego B’nai B’rith Women are completing final plans for a membership garden tea which will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 1949, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mrs. Irving Cohen has graciously offered her garden at her home, 4565 Norma Drive for the affair.
Co-hostesses for the afternoon are Mrs. Irving Cohen and Mrs. Sidney Rose>
Acting president Mrs. Harold Garvin announces that membership in this group is open to all women who have never been and are not now affiliated with other B’nai B’rith Women Chapters.
A cordial invitation is extended to all women not so affiliated and who are interested in the work of B’nai B’rith to attend this tea.
Birdie Stodel Chapter B’nai B’rith
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 1949, page 2
By Jeanne Camiel
Dear Members:
We wish all of ou could have seen our Junior Girl’s skit “My Kosher Gremlin” put on after our last meeting, July 25th. Those in the cast were, Barbara Shames, Esther Weinstock, Anita Weinstock, Linda Solof, Barbara Mallen, Lesliea Steffel, Edith Press, Rietha Stokes and Roann Tepper, who furnished the musical background. They are planning to entertain us again soon—it was really a treat!
Our next meeting is to be a nite meeting, August 8th, which will start promptly at 8 in order that we have time to hear Mr. Milton Senn, Director Southern California Disrict A.D.Lwho has a very important message to deliver.
Wednesday, August 10th at 12 noon, Birdie Stodel Chapter promises a lovely social afternoon at the Café del Rey Moro, House of Hospitality. Luncheon will be served at 12 noon on the Terrace, one of the loveliest spots in our beautiful Balboa Park. This is a pre-Donor luncheon (non-profit to our chapter). Reservations must be in not later than August 6. Phone one of the following: Sophie Himmel, Luncheon Chairman, J-2310; Sarah Geller, President Pro Tem, R-2992 or Anna Brooks, Reservation Chairman, W. 8-2457.
The following members are on the luncheon committee: Sophie Himmel, Chairman; Anna Brooks, Ruth Aranoff, Esther Schwartz, Ruth Silverman, Betty Gendelman, Rose Tepper, Sally Anfanger, Molly Benzinger, Sarah Geller, Anna Shelley, Ruby Breslauer, Edith Naiman, Goldie Goldstein, Elinor Gordon and Jeanne Camiel.
J.W.V. Auxiliary
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 1949, page 2
By Binnie Brooks
Numerous veteran activities are on the agenda for the Ladies Auxiliary of Jewish war Veterans Post 185, but hospital work heads the list. Weekly visits to the Naval Hospital are made by Hospital Chairman Jean Spatz and her assistant, Teresa Furst. They bring with them the atmosphere not found in a hospital room. Then too, numerous ward parties have been given in the Naval Hospital. Senior and junior hostesses attend, distributing gifts and prizes for the men. Refreshments are served and a good time is had by all.
During the baseball season, 25 hospitalized veterans are guests of the Post and Auxiliary every Saturday the San Diego Padres are in San Diego. Mr. William Starr, Padre president, donated an entire section of box seats and the ladies see to it that the boys get hot dogs, soda pop and the usual refreshments conducive to an enjoyable afternoon. Joe Spatz, from the Post, and Teresa Furst, Auxiliary, are regular workers on this project and receive excellent assistance from the membership.
J.C.R.A.
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 1949, page 2
By Anna B. Brooks
The officers and members of J.C.R.A as well as the patients of the sanatorium at Duarte, and the chairman of the benefit picnic held recently at Mission Beach wish to thank the community for their patronage of the buffet luncheon and package sale.
It was a huge success not only from a financial standpoint but from the individual standpoint of friends and guests who enjoyed the good food enhanced by a day of sunshine and relaxation at the beach.
All this was made possible by the generous donations of packages, food and cash by the many well wishers of J.C.R.A. It is much appreciated. All funds are sent to further the work of healing men, women and children suffering with tuberculosis and for research which will make it possible to save not only the lives of all persons so afflicted but to reduce the time it takes to arrest the disease.
Many thanks go to the Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Chapter for the trinket booth they sponsored chairmaned by Mrs. Lena Kimmel, assisted by Mesdames Rose Tepper, Goldie Goldstein, Anna Goldstein, Anna Shelley and Miss Roann Tepper, a BBG.
Anyone wishing to remember the yahrzeit of a dear one by donating to the work of the living is invied to call the J.C.R.A. president Esther Schwartz at J. 8447.
Yo-Ma-Co News
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 1949, page 2
By Alice Solomon
Last Sunday night the Don Room, alias “The Golden Nugget Saloon,” witnessed the semi-annual Yo-Ma-Co Installation dinner dance, done up in the spirit of 1849. With a studied lack of decorum and dignity, the outgoing officers were relieved of their duties a la Kangaroo Court, and the new officers were installed to pick up the “reins of government” for the next six months. Heaven help them!
Three new couples were initiated and welcomed into the fold. They were Edith and Norman Gellman; Lucille and Ben Weisel and Eleanor and Jack Spatz.
The entertainment program was outstanding and ended with square dancing and ballroom dancing. The committee, headed by Harold Keen, did a splendid job, presenting everyone with an evening of fun that will long be remembered.
The new regime promises interesting meetings and lively affairs for the coming term.
 Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist
(619) 265-0808
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
International
Senator Obama in the Middle East: Part III by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Judaism
Bearing false witness: a compassionate lie by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
California
Two emotional rites in the land of the free by Donald H. Harrison at Camp Pendleton, California
Arts
Play is searing indictment of Roosevelt and his 'accomplices' Wise and Rosenman by Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—August 1949: JWV and Auxiliaries Convention Held
—August 1949: Awards Given at Hillel Banquet
—August 1949: A Miracle Conceived and Born Can Yet Become A Mirage
—August 1949: Senior (Negebod) Pioneer Women
International
Senator Obama in the Middle East: Part II by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
China: A link in the Jewish diaspora by Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles
Judaism
A biblical lesson in setting priorities by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
Arts
'Phantom' is ba-a-ack, and she's loving' it by Carol Davis in San Diego
How love conquers even humongous birds by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Sports
A bissel sports trivia with Bruce Lowitt in Clearwater, Florida
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 1949: Ladies’ Auxiliary S.D. Post No. 185 J.W.V. of the U.S.
—June 1949: Tifereth Israel Sisterhood
—June 1949: Women’s Chapter, Samuel I. Fox Lodge
—June 1949: Registration Opens for Day Camp
—June 1949: Alpha Phi Pi
Middle East
Senator Obama in the Middle East: Part I by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Israel's embarassments: Katsav, Olmert by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
San Diego/ Sports
Maccabi Games: 'portals' for Jewish youth by Donald H. Harrison in La Jolla, California
San Diego Jewish Trivia: Sports by Evelyn Kooperman in San Diego
Arts
Chapter 18 of Reluctant Martyr, a serialized novel by Sheila Orysiek
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 1949:Welfare Society Adds New Service
—June 1949: J.C.R.A by Anna Brooks
—June 1949: Daughter Born to Rabbi and Mrs. Stern
—June 1949:Ida Nasatir on Speaking Tour
—June 1949: Poale Zion
The Arts
Former Navy base bursts with creativity by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Thursdays with the Songs of Hal Wingard
—#71, The Magic of Love
—#125, Camaraderie
Author believes Israel's salvation is secular by Fred Reiss in Winchester, California
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 1949:Shevous Services Feature Confirmations
—June 1949:Leaders Spur Activities to Complete 1949 Fund Drive
—June 1949:Hillel Awards Interfaith Scholarships at San Diego State College
—June 1949:Developing Youth Leadership
Middle East
Key to Mideast peace not change among the Israelis but among the Palestinians by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Australia
A Roundup of Jewish news of Australia by Garry Fabian
—Jewish scholar sees softening attitudes among Jews towards 'Messianic Jews'
—Alarm about Messianic Jews
—Star studded line-up for Sydney Jewish Writer Festival
—Makor Jewish Resource Library to expand
—Courage to Care - A tool to fight racism and prejudice
—Should Shoah education be made compulsory?
—From Jakarta to Perth
—Jewish Community Chatfest
—South African Community continues consolidation
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—April 1949: Caravan of Hope Arrives April 11th
—May 1949: Fund Leaders Attend Celebration of First Anniversary of the Republic of Israel
—May 1949: Hadassah
—May 1949: Beth Jacob Auxiliary
—May 1949: Nu? by Red Borscht
—May 1949: Ceremony May 30 {Decoration Day}
—May 1949: Personality of the Week (Levi Eshkol)
Arts
A lesbian comes out to the Orthodox followers of her father, the Rav by David Strom in San Diego
Israel's history, geography, customs for preschoolers before the High Holidays by Donald H. Harrison
Middle East
U.S. should heed Israeli lesson in Lebanon by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Some questions Obama should ask Abbas by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
The New York Times & 9th Commandment by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
San Diego/Arts
Strom's klezmer hero helps save Pinsk by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—April 1949:Our Policy
—April 1949:Introducing Our Columnists by Lewis Solomon and Ray Solomon
—April 1949:Leaders Herald Return of Jewish Press
—April 1949: United Jewish Fund Campaign For $309,000 to Open This Week
Lifestyles
Cane-raising at 60th college reunion by Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D
Link to previous editions
< BACK TO TOP
|
— |
