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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Musical Selichot at Congregation Beth Am
Old Globe to premiere Back Back Back by Itamar Moses
 
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
Tough interview: a jet-lagged grandson, 7
By Donald H. Harrison
 SAN DIEGO—Ah, to be seven again! That’s the age of my grandson, Shor, who just returned here yesterday with his mom Sandi and dad Shahar and little brother, Sky, from a five-week visit to Israel. Shahar, who flew in and out of San Diego during this period, gave me personal updates, while Sandi, my daughter, who was in Israel the entire time, e-mailed me about their activities there, so I had a pretty good idea of what they had been doing. But I wanted to hear from Shor what had left the strongest impressions.
“Going to Mini-Israel” was definitely number one, he said, too jet-lagged to be very talkative. Mini-Israel is something like Legoland up the coast from San Diego in Carlsbad. Mini-Israel has numerous miniaturized representations of the interesting places to see in Israel. “It’s not just looking at places; they have activities too,” Shor told me. “Like what?” I pressed. “I don’t remember,” he said, yawning.
Second on the list was “going to the beach,” Shor said. He swam in the Mediterranean, which is warmer than the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.
Third was spending time at “Uncle” Yoni and "Aunt" Sigal Peres’ house, playing with their daughters Maya, 4, and Eden, 2, as well as with his own brother, Sky, 1. Yoni is not a biological uncle, but he has been in Shor’s life since my grandson’s brit milah, when Yoni served as the sandak. In that Yoni is a veterinarian, we thought the minor surgery involved in a circumcision wouldn’t bother him, so Shahar and Sandi asked if he would be the one who held Shor on a pillow while the mohel, Rabbi Moishe Leider of Chabad of University City, did the procedure. Yoni agreed, but later told me he almost passed out watching the operation. A case of empathy, I, as a fellow male, assume.
 
Among those things that made the Peres’ home in Israel so interesting to Shor was that it near the campus of the HaKfar Hayarok (Green Village) agricultural school. There are numerous farm animals to meet up close—an activity in which Sky participated far more enthusiastically than Shor, who tends to be a bit more cautious than his younger brother. Pictures taken by Sandi shows Shor standing at a respectful difference from the cows, whereas Sky got close and personal with them-particularly one cow that caused Sky to giggle when it lapped it tongue over his face. And, on field trips to such places as the Druze village of Daliyat al Karmel, there were abundant fruits to be picked.
I think if I had followed Shor’s schedule over the last five weeks, I would have placed other activities at the top of my list, even if I were only seven years old. As I’m a great admirer of Yoni’s father, Israel’s President Shimon Peres, I’d probably put having the chance to socialize with him at the top of the list. President Peres came to Yoni and Sigal’s home to join in the family’s celebration of 13 August birthdays, including those of the President, Yoni, Sigal, Maya and Yoni's younger brother, Hemi. Shor had the opportunity to talk with President Peres, albeit briefly.
President Peres “was nice,” Shor said. However, he added, after a little prodding, it was a lot easier to talk to San Diego’s Mayor Jerry Sanders than to the Israeli leader. He had seen Sanders campaigning for re-election outside a super-market. “Easier how?” I inquired. “Understanding him, “ Shor responded.
President Peres speaks beautiful English, but he has an accent that evokes both his native village in Poland (now in Belarus) and Israel.
Because Shahar is a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, he is able to take his family to various places as one of the benefits of his employment. So Shor has made several trips to Israel to spend time not only with his honorary aunt and uncle, but also with his paternal relatives, Shahar’s parents, brothers and sisters, and their children. Shor has many Orthodox cousins in Israel and a few became his playmates while he was over there.
 
As he had on a previous trip, Shor visited Ha Kotel, but it did not seem to have left such a strong impression as it did on the first trip. Then a diligent first grade student at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, Shor was in awe of “The Wall” and made certain that no one in his group turned their back on the Wall when leaving it. Instead, he had everyone in the group back away from the Wall until they had retreated a respectable distance, and only then, turn away. It would have been unseemly to turn one’s back on the wall, he had explained to those who had conducted him there.
Last time, Shor put a note into a crevice in The Wall, but this time he simply touched it.
If I were Shor, perhaps I would have been more excited than he was about sampling Israeli foods, watching Hebrew-language television other than the Ben 10 program, and needing to find some compromise between Hebrew and English to communicate fully with Maya.
I know Shor had a good time, because he wants to go back to Israel although “not for a month at least.” The flight between Tel Aviv and San Diego (with a stopover in Atlanta) is a long, tiring one, even when daddy works on the airplane and makes certain that no one ever lacks for service or attention.
When Shor returns to Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School in a couple of days as a second grader, he will be recovered from his jet lag, and probably will tell his classmates more about his trip than grandpa could pry from him yesterday. That’s one report about “what I did over my summer vacation” that I’d just love to hear.
 
REFLECTIONS
Bolshoi Principal Dancer Sulamith
Messerer centennial was August 27
By Sheila Orysiek
 SAN DIEGO—Sulamith Messerer is not a name with which most people are familiar - even those fairly knowledgeable in ballet history. Yet, she and her family were instrumental in influencing Russian ballet through the 20th century. As a rule Jews were covertly denied entry to the major ballet schools and companies. Even when accepted they were denied promotion within the ballet company. However, the Messerer family was so exceptionally talented that they could not be denied their due.
August 27, 2008 marked the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Sulamith. Her brother, Asaf Messerer, was a Principal Dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet for 30 years - a mega star of his time. Upon retirement he turned his hand to choreographing and teaching. In the legendary Bolshoi Ballet School he was the Master Teacher and his class was called “The class of Perfection.” He was given several coveted prizes: Merited Artist, Stalin and People’s Artist of the Soviet.”
Sulamith Messerer’s sister, Rachel - also a ballet dancer - was arrested by Stalin and sent to the Gulag prison camps in Siberia. Her small daughter, Maya, ended up in an orphanage. Sulamith traveled to where her sister was incarcerated and managed to get her sentence changed to banishment in Siberia rather imprisonment. She then rescued her niece from the orphanage and raised and taught the child to become the foremost dancer of her time: Prima Ballerina Assoluta Maya Plisetskaya. It was because of Sulamith that the ballet was graced by Plisetskaya.
From 1961 on she traveled to Japan, learned the language, and established the Tokyo Ballet. She also choreographed and coached: earning the “Order of the Sacred Treasures.” The Soviet Union bestowed upon her the “Stalin Prize.” In 1980 she defected and continued her work as a coach and was given the “Order of the British Empire.”
Sulamith was influential in other areas beside the ballet. She held the Soviet swimming record for the 100-meters crawl between 1927 and 1930. She died on August 27, 2004, leaving behind a legacy of tremendous influence on the ballet world.
San Diego Jewish World seeks historic newspapers to archive on the web
San Diego Jewish World, in its "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" column just below, is completing its transcription of stories from its pre-1950 archives, and soon will be posting stories from 1950 on.
However, our pre-1950 archives, unfortunately, are incomplete, so we appeal to anyone who might have copies which we have not already posted of San Diego Jewish newspapers from that period to allow us to copy them, so that we can put the historic stories up on the web for the benefit of the entire Jewish community.
If you have such back issues of the Southwestern Jewish Press, the Southwestern Jewish Review, the San Diego Jewish Community News or any other historicpublication of our San Diego Jewish community, please contact San Diego Jewish World editor Donald H. Harrison to arrange for us to copy it. Harrison may be contacted at editor@sandiegojewishworld.com, or by phoning (619) 265-0808.
Thank you
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Tifereth Israel Men’s Club
From Southwestern Jewish Press, December 16, 1949, page 26
By Henry Bowman
The second Semi-annual social function of the Tifereth Isael Men’s Club which was held on Tuesday, December 6th, at the Synagogue, was attended by approximately 150 people including members’ wives.
The highlight of the evening was an informal talk by Mr. Maxwell Kaufman, publisher of the Southwestern Jewish Press, who held the audience spellbound with stories of his experiences as Area Director for the Joint Distribution Committee while working in DP camps in Austria and Germany.
Following this talk, guests enjoyed an evening of games. The Men’s Club is indebted to many of its members for their generosity in supplying the beautiful gifts which were used that evening.
A delicious buffet supper was served during the evening by a capable committee.
The outstanding success of this affair can be attributed to the following men who gave unstintingly of their time and effort: Alex Newman, president of the Congregation; Sam Geller, Frank Sugerman, Moe Hershey, Moe Berlin, John Lowbenstein, Paul Nestor, Ben Levenson, Zel Greeberg, Herman Tulchinksy and Henry Bowman.
Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary
From Southwestern Jewish Press, December 16, 1949, page 26
By Binnie Brooks
The Auxiliary to Post No. 185 of the Jewish War Veterans is embarked on numerous projects in the month of December, all in keeping with their service work in the community.
From December 5th through December 10th some members of the Auxiliary spent each day assisting the Red Cross with wrapping gifts at Naval Hospital for hospitalized veterans.
At the last meeting Miss Dorothy Johnson, a representative of the Red Cross discussed a new project for the Tubercular Ward at the Naval Hospital which Jean Spatz, Hospital Chairman, and her committee will undertake. They will make monthly visitations and provide the men with books, magazines and delicacies.
The initial affair on this project will be a Christmas party to be held on December 20th, when Auxiliary members and Junior hostesses will bring games, gifts and refreshments.
Plans are complete for the gala New Year’s Eve Party for Post and Auxiliary members and their guests. Joe Spatz of the Post, who is in charge of arrangements for the Party announces that the affair will be held in th Exchange Hall, Meade Avenue at 30th Street beginning at 8:00 p.m. with a catered roast turkey dinner. Entertainment and dancing will be part of the evening’s fun. For reservations call Talbot 4739.
Nixie Kern is Auxiliary President and Manuel Fisher is Post Commander.
San Diego Birdie Stodel Chapter B’nai B’rith
From Southwestern Jewish Press, December 16, 1949, page 26
By Bess Borushek
B’nai B’rith Women’s Annual Shabbat Services were held at Temple Beth Israel on Friday, November 25th, through the courtesy and co-operation of Rabbi Cohn. Those participating were Anne Shelley, Jennie Siner, Bess Schissell, Esther Schwartz, Ruth Aronoff and Celia Schwartz and the latter’s survey of the role B’nai B’rith women are playing from their platform of activities was a stimulating feature fo the service.
Our December 12th regular meeting was devoted to an outline of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization work which included an enjoyable skit by our own B.B. girls. It is the aim of our program chairman, Celia Schwartz, to present in due order, an informative outline of every one of the projects B’nai B’rith Women promote and foster so that the membership may be full cognizant of the valuable service we are rendering and invited other women to join the ranks of our workers.
Also on December 12th the joint Chanukah and Christmas party sponsored by the Interfaith Council at State College was held at Scripps Cottage. Since Hillel, who presented the Chanukah program, is one of our own particular “babies,” a further report of this affair will be given some time later.
Something worth considering…do you know that since the end of World War II, 82 qualified Jewish young men and women have been brought to the United States by the Foreign Student service of B’nai Brith with the promise they would be maintained until they complete their college education. 18 have already concluded their training. This has been done at an average cost of $1,100 per year for each student without any special appeal and only through our regular budget allocations. So when we work so diligently to send in our quotas to Grand Lodge, remember this is one of the worthy projects it helps support.
San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged
From Southwestern Jewish Press, December 16, 1949, page 26
On Tuesday, December 20th, the San Diego Hebrew Home Auxiliary will host a Chanukah Party for the guests of the home at 2750 Fourth Avenue.
Mrs. Abe Sackheim and Mrs. Joseph Goldhammer, the ladies in charge of arrangements for the Party, have an interesting Program planned.
Traditional refreshments will be served and movies will be shown.
The Auxiliary will present Chanukah gifts to the residents of the Home.
This Party to which Auxiliary members and members of the Happy Old-Timers Club are specially invited, will get under way at 2:00 p.m.
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 Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist
(619) 265-0808
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SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
InternationalCampaign 2008: Biden wrong on Iran, inconsistent on Israel by Matt Brooks in Washington, D.CThe 'Leviticus Trapsby David Benkof in New York
EducationSan Diego Jewish World seeks historic newspapers to archive on the webDecember 16, 1949: December 16, 1949:December 16, 1949: December 16, 1949:#217,#200,#2, Emperor's New Clothes
by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.a in MelbourneMove to block anti-Semitic 'Terror TV'San Diego Jewish History—December 16, 1949: Letters to Southwestern Jewish Press from Rabbi Monroe Levens, Lou Mogy, Rabbi Baruch Stern, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, Wm. B. Schwartz, Manuel S. Fisher, Julia Steinman, Marie Berg, Clara E. Breed
—December 16, 1949: Senior Pioneer Women (Negba) Clubby Bruce Lowitt in Oldsmar, FloridaLifestylesby Donald H. Harrison in San Diegoby Lynne Thrope in San Diego
by Congressman Bob Filner in Washington, D.C.Energy Freedom Summit planned in Chicago by Tom Neumann in Washington, D.C. from Mitchell Finkel in North Bethesda, Marylandby Gail Umeham in San Diego by Donald H. Harrison in San Diegoby J(ulia) Kaufman Labor Zionist Shekel Campaign Continuesby Maxwell Kaufman
International
Their limited knowledge does not prevent 'intellectuals' from Middle East punditry by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
National
A private concert on a sultry Philadelphia night by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
San Diego County
Jewish Family Service showcases its service to refugees at New American Museum reception by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
San Diego History
—December 2, 1949: Jewish Labor League
—December 2, 1949:Temple Senior League
—December 2, 1949: 'Hay In Your Hair' by P. Kaufman
—December 2, 1949: T.Y.L. 'Hello Dance' by Joel Goldfus
—December 2, 1949: ‘What’s Cookin’ at Troop 99?’
Arts
The future in The Pavilion just goes on and on by Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles
Jewish License Plates
"Feigele" adorns a Lexus in New York City, photo by Bill Swersey
International
Do missile defense systems really defend? by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Cracks appear in U.S.-Israel alliance against nuclear Iran; what is trigger point for attack? by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Campaign 2008: Senator Obama and his positions on Israel by Ambassadors Dennis Ross and Daniel Kurtzer
Judaism
Judaism's tradition of putting study first by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego
Remembering Rav. Henach Leibowitz by Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego
San Diego County
First Shabbat in Emanu-El's new hom; 'We are finally facing Jerusalem' by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
Tall ships on parade on San Diego Bay by Dan Schaffer in San Diego
San Diego History
—December 2, 1949: San Diego Birdie Stodel Chapter B’nai B’rith by Bess Borushek
—December 2, 1949: Women’s Auxiliary, San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged
— December 2, 1949: Council of Jewish Women
— December 2, 1949: Hadassah
Sports
The embarrassment of Israel's 'pro' baseball by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
A bissel sports trivia with Bruce Lowitt in Clearwater, Florida
by Donald H. Harrison in San DiegoSan Diego HistoryDecember 2, 1949:December 2, 1949:December 2, 1949:December 2, 1949:
Link to previous editions
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