| |
|
NOW-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 Temple Solel S'more Shabbat
________________________________________________________
MON., SEPT. 29-THURS., OCT. 9
.
FROM THE GATES OF THE NEGEV
'Best school in Israel' a matter of survival for planned Sha'ar Hanegev High School
By Ulla Hadar
 SHA'AR HANEGEV, Israel—School principal Aharon "Aharale" Rothstein's goal is to build a super magnet high school "based on years of educational experience in Sha'ar Hanegev and additionally incorporating ideas learned from long-term partnerships with the San Diego Jewish Academy and High Tech High located in San Diego."
The educator told me during an interview that to insure its survival, Sha'ar Hanegev High School must become the very best in all of Israel.
In a reference to the Kassam rockets that used to be fired by Hamas across the Gaza border prior to the current ceasefire, Rothstein explained; ""Our inability to predict peace and quiet in the future creates an enorrmous feeling of insecurity. To overcome and deal with this insecurity we are to create the best and most unique educational and social framework ever seen in Israel.
It might sound cliché and a bit arrogant but we are going to build the best school that will exist in this country. This fact will provide parents with a reason to stay in Sha'ar Hanegev despite the security situation."
Many opportunities lie ahead for this educational facility that eventually will educate 1,800 students located in buildings sheltered against the Kassams.
Construction of the new school is scheduled to begin next January with the first stage expected to be completed in the Summer of 2010. The overall project is expected to be completed within five years.
"When I look back at the last 15 years, Sha'ar Hanegev High School has undergone a quiet change from being an intimate, small kibbutz school into today's big, open heterogenic school," Rothstein said. "The changes occurring over the years reflected the changes undergone in the kibbutzim in the area with more privatization of the settlements. No longer the sole responsibility of the kibbutzim, the school had to be
responsible for its own economy, so it had no other choice thn to open up to a wider range of the population."
He continued: "The Sha'ar Hanegev school today is heterogenic and provides maximum choices for a maximum amount of students, enabling each teenager a possibility to choose among a wide range of opportunities available in order to succeed."
Accordingly, the new Sh'aar Hanegev Educational Village will be an educational complex comprised of three main components: The Junior High School, The Secondary High School, and Professional Centers for Communal, Arts, Science & Technology, and Sports.
The school will be divided into class clusters with each cluster consisting of homerooms as a base for the students. The school will contain classroom buildings divided into six independent units with each serving a different age group.
A major activity center for students will be a Community Center that will include an auditorium and arts workshop, and a a synagogue—the latter a new concept in a secular school. It will represent the school's pluralistic approach which recognizes that for many, Judaism is not only being an Israel but involves a connection to God and to fellow Jewish worshipers around the world.
The Community Center will serve the whole community of Sha'ar Hanegev from the age of kindergarden to senior citizens. It will offer opportunities of culture, education and other activities.
Rothstein explained to me: "The school has always been secular and I am sure it will continue to
be secular in the future, but we have included a synagogue in the plans.... The incorporation of the synagogue into the high school is something we learned from the San Diego Jewish Academy—a high school dealing with Jewish identity but at the same time teaching the students academic skills at a high level, something important to us too".
"All the schools' social programs have been integrated in the process," Rothstein said. "Historically the school of Sha'ar Hanegev was based mostly on a social level and did not focus a lot on academically based studies. In later years the educational staff has provided the students educational tools and at the same time taught them how to achieve academic skills.... "
Rothstein summed up:
"To be able to build a school like the one planned we need partners.Partners involved in the projects are The Ministry of Education,The municipality of Sha'ar Hanegev, World ORT, Noche Danker,
Sapir College and United Jewish Federation of San Diego.
"Luckily we have a community so dedicated and involved as the community of San Diego. The interconnection between the community of San Diego and the community of Sha'ar Hanegev is
special and unique and I am not sure it exist anywhere else. The exchange of delegations from both communities creates bonding and sharing.
"
In my future vision I see students from San Diego studying in our school and students from Sh'aar Hanegev travelling to San Diego to study there. I am looking forward to a flourishing and beautiful new campus that will bring challenging new aspects into our lives."
Emergency campaign to rescue the Jews of Georgia
Chief Executive Officer, United Jewish Federation of San Diego County
l
.
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
Surviving and transforming in widowhood
Epilogue: A Memoir by Anne Rolphe, HarperCollins Publishers, 2008, $24.95
By Donald H. Harrison
 SAN DIEGO—Epilogue: A Memoir is a widow's diary in which author Anne Rolphe shares some of her most intimate thoughts, and at the same time excludes us from information we might reasonably anticipate would be provided. It is an intriguing, fascinating technqiue—a well-executed literary striptease.
Her husband, whose collapse and death triggered this phase of her life, is identified only as "H," which could well stand for "husband." Why just an initial? In time we readers will learn so much about him—and them—yet the simple, non-controversial fact of his name is denied us. Is it because now that he is dead, her husband has been reduced from a personage to a memory, as a word may be reduced from a collection of letters to an initial? Or is it because she didn't want to invade the privacy of her daughters and grandchildren, and deciding upon initials for them, extended that solution to her husband? It is, as one sage, said, "a puzzlement."
What we can say, definitely, was that writing this book was a form of therapy for Rolphe as it enabled her to be an observer of her journey from grief to self-sufficiency. Writing occasionally even permitted her to put a brake on unwanted emotions. On one occasion, an unexpected reminder of "H" opened the dam guarding her tear ducts. To stop crying, she sat down at the computer--where her fear of shorting out the electronics blocked up her tears.
Were this just her personal journal, it would have been destined to remain in her computer, or, if printed out, consigned to the back of one of her many book shevles in her Manhattan apartment. What made it a book deemed worthy of publication was the insight it will provide to people who inevitably must pass through the same process--whether they as widows or widowers.
There is the sense of alienation one feels from couples who were friends before the death. Of course, they want you to continue to be part of their circle, but they keep talking about "couple" things such as the places they plan to travel together. You don't want to spoil the conversation, but for you there is no "together." And at first, at least, there's just no getting past that.
There is the learning of tasks previously done by the deceased spouse. Suddenly, you, who may never have learned to reconcile a checkbook, may be the one faced with decisions about family investments.
There is the problem of which things of his to keep, which to give to a member of the family, which to donate to charity and which to throw away. There are the memories that these various items--a tie, for example--may trigger as you touch them.
More existential questions arise as well. Now that his life is over, is mine also over? Is there any purpose to life? Perhaps it would be wisest to wrap up his affairs, and then....
The reverse kind of thoughts occur, too. Maybe I can begin life anew, move to some romantic location. Perhaps I will meet a new man and live happily ever after. Rolphe initiated a search for the right guy via Match.Com, and some of the people she met as a result populate her book. Dating for widows and widowers is not necessarily pretty.
There was a period where she felt safest in her apartment, reluctant to leave its warmth--and her cat--to face the world as a single person. Gradually, she overcame her reticence, and ventured more and more into the world on her own, each journey building new confidence.
She didn't want to be a burden on her daughters, so tried to keep a stiff upper lip for their sake and the sake of the grandchildren. Before you say such efforts are misguided, you need to try to understand this family's peculiar dynamics, which using initials as a shield, Rolphe felt free to discuss. Nevertheless, you can not but ache for her when she describes how she tried to hide her tears behind her sunglasses during one family visit to the cemetery.
Anyone soon to live on his or her own may benefit from reading this book, as might anyone who has a single surviving parent.
REFLECTIONS
Why ducks are wary—but not necessarily intimidated—by those human critters
By Sheila Orysiek
 SAN DIEGO--Lake Murray isn’t really a lake - well, okay, it is a body of fresh water surrounded by land, but it’s really the terminus of the California Aqueduct held back by a dam - a reservoir. However, that distinction so important to the dictionary matters not to the thousands of waterfowl that live there or stop to rest on their migrations.
The lake is also a favorite spot for our congregation to welcome the Sabbath during the summer months and it does lend additional meaning to celebrating the creation of which we are all a part. Even as we have to place a guard over the Challah to fend off the always hungry wildlife, especially the large Canadian geese, we celebrate their presence which enhances our world.
Occasionally, perhaps they have reason to celebrate us, too. I like to think there is one mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos, who gives me a thought now and again. We met when I was sitting at a picnic table eating lunch and deep into reading a book. I was used to the various twitterings, quacking and other sounds of the feathered creatures, but angry duck chatter beyond the norm caught my attention. Looking up, I observed seven or eight large mallards swarming over one pathetically bleating duck.
Well, I thought, survival of the fittest; it probably happens all the time only this time I am witnessing the mayhem. The unlucky duck managed to squeeze out from under the pile and ran, but before it could become airborne was once again inundated with the bodies, beaks and wings of the others. In the short space of time it had broken free, I noticed that the victim was female, while all the aggressors were male. Hmmm, thought I, we do need ducklings and if this is love in the duck world, who am I to argue?
But, her cries became more pitiful and when she emerged a second time her feathers were terribly ratted, and after only a few steps she was overwhelmed yet again. Enough, I said, the duckling making task surely has been completed. Enough! Standing up I expected that my human presence (and height) would frighten off the male aggressors - but I overrated my importance as a human being to give them pause. I approached and stood directly beside them - almost touching them - but they were so intent on passing on DNA, they paid me no mind.
This challenged my concept of human importance which was further degraded when I couldn’t think of what else to do. However, though the males ignored me, the female did not. She managed once again to squirm free and this time climbed up on my shoes and turned to face her attackers. They formed a phalanx and advanced, but she and I stood our ground - a sterling exemplar of female solidarity. Only very reluctantly did the males stop - they couldn’t quite get up the nerve to attack the two of us and my legs prevented attack from the rear. Slowly, slowly, they turned toward the lake and waited. Mrs. Mallard continued to stand on my shoes until the males finally decided to look elsewhere for another duckling making opportunity.
I was impressed with the female’s ability to take advantage of a new element in the battlefield - to seek safety even from so unlikely a source as a human being. Her solution was intelligent. She had been quick to size up the situation and use it to her advantage. This shining example of problem solving stood in stark contrast to a subsequent event in which some humans were tested.
On another day - similarly situated - me sitting and reading at the same picnic table - I slowly became aware of a swirl of activity at a table near me occupied by several humans in their late teens or early 20’s. Since as I’ve gotten older this is not my favorite age group, I went back to my reading hoping whatever it was that had caused the elevated level of activity would dissipate. But it was not to be. “Hey, lady,” shouted one of them as he walked toward me, “Do you have pliers?”
Not usually traveling or reading accompanied by pliers, I didn’t have to search my purse to be able to honestly reply that I did not. He looked very disappointed, went away, only to return and ask me again if I was sure I didn’t just happen to have pliers. This aroused my curiosity - “Why,” I asked him, “do you need pliers?” He invited me to their picnic table and there I saw a male mallard duck wrapped in a towel with a large painful looking fishing hook clear through his beak.
“If you take that out with pliers the hook will completely tear up the beak, “I said. But this product of my education tax dollars ignored me and continued to ask various people if they just happened to have pliers. However, thinking that perhaps he hadn’t heard me - or I hadn’t been clear - I repeated: “If you pull that hook out with pliers you will completely tear up the beak.” There, that seemed plain enough! But it wasn’t. He ignored me and continued to ask people for pliers.
I tried another tack. “About two blocks from here is a vet, let’s take the duck over and have him remove the hook.” Then I put out my own “hook” and said, “I will pay for it.” (I’ve spent my money on less worthy things.) But once again, as if I wasn’t speaking the language of the Founding Fathers (good solid American English) - I was ignored. Realizing that though I’ve lived in San Diego for over four decades I’ve never completely lost my Philadelphia accent, I took a deep breath and broadening my “A’s” tried again.
“There’s a very good vet just two blocks away - I’ve taken my cat to him for years - he knows me - let’s take the duck to him - and I’ll pay for it.” That should do it - I had said it plain as day. And still I was ignored - amazingly he kept asking people for pliers. Thinking that perhaps he didn’t want to be bothered going to the vet I tried yet again: “I’ll take the duck to the vet and pay for it.” To no avail.
Well, as luck would have it, another large teen happened by who did have pliers. They put the unlucky duck on the table, took off the towel and prepared to operate. But the duck had other ideas - as soon as the towel was removed, it snapped sharply at the hand that held it which reflexively drew back, and the duck flew away. Flew away still impaled by the fish hook. No doubt it was condemned to a slow death of pain and starvation. The teen-twenty somethings were upset they were denied the opportunity to operate with pliers - I was devastated.
As I sat in my car I went over every word I had said. What was it that hadn’t penetrated those young heads? Was it the language? No, we had all spoken English. Was it the vocabulary? No, I hadn’t used many words beyond two syllables. Poor duck - it was the loser. One of our species had harmed it; another of our ilk had ignored an elderly woman because she didn’t have pliers. I do think our society is so youth oriented that it is difficult for them to put any credence in what someone with a few decades on her shoulders might have to say.
The inescapable overall conclusion is that ducks are smarter than people. In the first instance the female mallard was able to quickly take advantage of a new component to the situation and used it as a solution to her problem. In the second instance the humans (large brain case notwithstanding) couldn’t incorporate new information and reach a new solution.
I do think about this when the Rabbi asks us to sit quietly when we have Sabbath services at the lake and enjoy all the “wild” life around us.
.
.jpg)
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Editor's Note: To create a permanent and accessible archive, 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.
Plans Country Fair For Temple Sisterhood
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 18, 1949, Page 6
Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood has many ‘firsts’ to its credit. The Carnival and the Temple Show “So Let ‘Em Foreclose” among its most recent accomplishments, the Sisterhood now announces that it will hold a COUNTRY FAIR in Imig Manor on Sunday, December 18th as its main fund raising affair of the year.
This will be a ‘carnival’ with a new twist. Many additional attractions not formerly witnessed at the Temple Center carnivals will be offered at the COUNTRY FAIR. The Imig Manor management has offered all facilities at the hotel to aid the Temple Sisterhood in achieving its goal. The goal is, funds sufficient to further improvements in the Temple and the Temple Center, which so many people of the community enjoy.
Mrs. Carl Esenoff, capable chairman of the Ways and Means committee, announces that her committee is hard at work to make this fair one of the most outstanding events of the year for the Jewish community. Booths will be set up where merchandise will be sold or auctioned. Additional features of the Fair will include dancing and a floor show in the Terrace Room. Efforts are now being made to bring in a new and exciting floor show from Hollywood. And best news of all-admission is free!!
Mrs. Abe Sklar, whose culinary talents are reknowned in San Diego, is in charge of setting up a food canteen – so plan on having your dinner at the Fair,. You’ll be delighted with the excellent food!
The Monticello Room of Imig Manor will be decorated in keeping with the COUNTRY FAIR theme. Mrs. Mack Esterson, chairman of the decorations committee and Mrs. Morrie Douglas, co-chairman, are in charge. Knowing the capabilities of these two energetic women this should be a scene worth seeing.
The Temple Sisterhood knows that the community will support this ambitious endeavor – so put a ring around that date on your calendar, Sunday, December 18th is the date, Imig Manor is the place. Plan to be there for a wonderful time.
San Diego Birdie Stodel Chapter B’nai B’rith
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 18, 1949, Page 6
Only a few days remain until the annual main fund-raising of the San Diego Birdie Stodel Women’s B’nai B’rith will take place. This year’s Donor Luncheon, which will be an event on Monday, November 21st at the Hotel Del Coronado, promises to be one of the oustanding affairs of the year.
The main attraction in the entertainment will be the well-known Sheila Rogers of Los Angeles, whose songs and pantomine have been enjoyed in many of the finest nightclubs in the country. Rose Monique Lovell, noted San Diego artist, will also entertain.
Mrs. Harry A Schwartz, general chairman, with co-chairmen Mrs. Wm. Schusterman and Mrs. David M. Schwartz report that their committee has contacted all of the members and that reservations are coming in nicely. A fine afternoon’s entertainment is in store for all the guests and none of the members should miss it. The entire proceeds from this affair go to meet the assessments for the work designated for this worthwhile organization.
Mrs. Louis Schissell, president of San Diego Birdie Stodel , is looking forward to greeting the many ladies who will be guests at this annual Donor Luncheon.
The roaster and stand which was donated by the organization to help its members to earn their Donor Fund was given to E. W. Tobinson of Ramona.
San Diego Birdie Stodel will observe their annual Thanksgiving Sabbath at the regular services Friday, Nov. 25, at Temple Beth Israel, 3rd and Laurel Streets. All members are invited to attend this annual event.
Addleson Calls Meeting For Home
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 18, 1949, Page 6
Mr. Sam Addleson, president of the San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged at 2750 Fourth Avenue, has called a general meeting of all the affiliated bodies of this organization for Tuesday evening, November 22nd at 8:00pm.
This very important meeting will be held at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 30th and Howard Streets.
The Founders of the Home, the Parent Body, the Ladies Auxiliary of the San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged, and the Guardians, all interested groups, have been invited to the meeting where the main topic of discussion will be plans for a new Home. Committee reports from all the groups will also be given.
Mr. Addleson extends an invitation to anyone interested in this most worth while local project to be present at the meeting and take part in this new endeavor.
35th Anniversary Observed by Jolly 16
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 18, 1949, Page 6
Autumn colors and candlelight set the mood for the Jolly Sixteen 35th Anniversary Dinner-Dance held at the El Cortez Hotel on Sunday evening Nov. 6th.
One hundred and ninety-five people entered the Don Room to dine on sumptuous fare and dance to the music of Jay Eslick. Beautifully gowned women and their handsome escorts were greeted by members of the Jolly Sixteen. Each woman received a lovely gift. Tables were set banquet style and beautifully
decorated by Hancock Florists in Autumn colored Chrysantheumums. Silver candelabra with lights tapers, graced the tables as dinner was served by candlelight.
Rabb i Morton Cohen of Temple Beth Israel gave the invocation. Ida Nasitir was Toastmistress and in her own inimitable style gave the history of the Jolly Sixteen.
An impressive candlelighting ceremony was enacted by Bess Breitbard, Julia Neumann, Freda Nestor, Ida Lipinsky and Rose Neumann. Each represented 20 to 30 years of individual service to the Jolly Sixteen.
Highlight of the evening was the presentation of a check for $1500.00, to the Hebrew Home of the Aged. This sum represents the proceeds from the sale of Jolly Sixteen Cook Books, consisting of recipes received from women in the community and compiled and edited by Mary Kantor, as a means for the Jolly Sixteen to raise funds for the Hebrew Home.
Sam Addleson, President Of the Hebrew Home, accepted the gift on behalf of all guests and members of that organization. Rabbi Monroe Levens of Tifereth Israel Synagogue gave the closing prayer.
Mr. and Mrs. Blakey, and group, gave an exhibition of square dancing.
Rose Neumann President, Mary Kantor, Rose Gordon, Co-Chairmen and members of the Jolly Sixteen express their gratitude to all who made this 35th Anniversay Dinner Dance a success through their efforts and patronage.
Tifereth Israel Sisterhood
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 18, 1949, Page 6
The members of the Tifereth Israel Sisterhood wish to thank the hundreds of women who attended the first luncheon of the season. In spite of a heavy rainfall, reservations were filled and it was with regret that the Sisterhood had to turn friends away.
The original comedy “Women in White” was received with gales of laughter. The encouragement encountered by this first venture, will probably result in monthly luncheon-meetings.
Reserve the evening of December 13th….
Do Not make other plans….
THAT’S THE DATE FOR THE TIFERETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD’S MAMMOTH CELEBRATION OF THE CHANUKAH SEASON.
Hadassah Study Group
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 18, 1949, Page 6
The Hadassah Study Group will meet on Monday, November 28th at 7:30 p.m. at the Moorsteen residence, 4370 Arista Drive.
All members of Hadassah are urged to bring their husbands and not to miss the showing of Mrs. Moorsteen’s Technicolor movies accompanied by her thrilling account of her recent trip.
{Return to top}
 Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist
(619) 265-0808
|
|
