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UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF SAN DIEGO January 29 Men's Event
LETTER FROM JERUSALEM
By Ira Sharkansky
 JERUSALEM—When Rahm Emanuel becomes Obama's chief of staff, there will be an African American president with an aide who speaks Hebrew. Fifty years ago I entered Wesleyan under a Jewish quota of 10 percent. Forty years ago I traveled throughout the South and saw water fountains and park benches with signs for Whites Only.
It is touching to see black Americans crying at the news of Obama's victory. Conditions do not auger well for early or extensive
improvements in their lives. Pride is important. Being the Chosen People carried the Jews through a great deal of unpleasantness.
The Israeli election does not promise anything so dramatic. Neither is there a specter like Sarah Palin hanging over the outcome. We are hearing that she thought Africa was a country, rather than a continent. True, or parody?
Here the heads of major parties are well known. All of them have been at the pinnacle of national politics for a decade or more, and have shown how they can manage a major ministry or even the office of prime minister. They all know that they will have to bend and scrape to put together a coalition, with parties they might not want to include.
Each party has a mechanism--either a primary restricted to dues-paying members or a committee of party elites--for ranking its candidates. Voters select among the parties, and the percentage each receives determines how far down the list its candidates become members of the parliament.
The parties are courting "stars" who have made a name for themselves in the military, business, media, or the universities. Some feel themselves important enough to demand a high place on a party's list, or even to be assured a role as minister if the party joins the coalition. Occasionally, one will demand a position as a "senior minister," i.e., something thought to be worthy of his or her expertise. Some stars are modest enough to reject the idea of assurance, and are willing to join the primary contest.
The Labor Party central committee decided to save most of the seats likely to be won for individuals currently in the Knesset. Commentators are calling this a symptom of organizational decay.
Not all the stars willing to enter politics "for the good of the nation" will obtain a high place on a party list. Some of those promised ministerial appointments will not get them, or will not get an appointment as important as they thought they were promised. Coalition negotiations are tough, and party leaders seldom end up with anything like their initial demands. After the last Knesset election, one senior academic resigned from the Knesset in a huff after not getting the position he thought he deserved. Another grumbled, but served as a back bencher until becoming head of a Knesset committee near the end of the session.
Condoleezza Rice came to the country again to keep the Israelis and the Palestinians working for peace. She now concedes that they cannot complete their task in 2008 as she wanted, but she sees real progress and hopes that they will maintain the momentum through transitions in both Israel and the United States. Tzipi Livni has signed on to Ms Race's vision, but she has shown herself to be more reserved in her promises than Ehud Olmert. Benyamin Netanyahu has positioned himself as more cautious than Ms Livni.
Mahmoud Abbas is saying that he and Olmert have made real progress. That is a change in tone from his usual dismal messages with respect to the achievement of Palestinian rights. At this point it is impossible to know if he is serious, or expressing a platitude for the new president (keep their feet to the fire until they give us what we want).
Whoever President Obama sends to the Middle East will have a difficult task, whether he or she speaks Hebrew or something else.
TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
TEMPLE SOLELNovember 8 Synaplex featuring Rabbi Daniel Gordis
One small rescue, revisited
by Mimi Schwartz
PRINCETON, New Jersey—Seventy years ago this week, a synagogue was burning in a little German village. Many smelled smoke wafting through the windows. Someone heard Mrs. Lowenstein shouting, “Our synagogue is burning. Please, help!” But the street remained silent. The only other voice was a man shouting, “Stay inside and shut the curtains!” People did as they were told—except for a few men from the Fire Brigade (including two Jews who were members before Nazi times). They ran to put out the fire, but strangers in brown shirts aimed rifles from a truck and said, “No!” Only when the house next to the synagogue started to burn did these “hoodlums from Sulz!” (that is what the villagers called them later) give the command to use the water hoses to quell the fire.
The next day the whole village of 1,200 knew that the heart of the Jewish community was destroyed. The synagogue’s beautiful interior had been ruined: the dark wooden benches for 500, the delicate candelabras hanging over the center aisle, the carved wooden balustrade leading to the women’s section, and the ark for the Torah with its sacred scrolls. All was lost, people thought. And with it, the optimism of those who had believed their Gentile neighbors who kept saying that “the crazy house painter from Austria will disappear and things will be as before!”
Half of this village had been Jewish when my father was born here in 1898, and, he’d tell me often in Queens, New York where I was born, that “everyone got along before Hitler.” But now, good neighbors or not, everyone knew that the Jews must leave 300 years of shared history if they still could. And Jews all over Germany watched their synagogues burn on that night of Kristallnacht and got the same Nazi message: Get out.
One night, a month or so later, a young Jewish couple in the village heard a knock on their door. They were frightened. And even more frightened when they opened the door, and there was the local policeman. “Don’t be afraid!” he said softly. “I won’t hurt you. I have something to give for you.” The wife backed away, but the husband said, “What is it?” “A Torah.” “A what?”
This policeman, it turns out, had seen the Torah lying in the street as the synagogue burned and thought it was not right—a holy book, treated so badly. So he took it home, a heavy thing, and dug it deep into his garden. When he heard that the young couple who lived a few houses from his was packing to leave, he hoped they might take the ancient scrolls with them.
The wife suspected a trick, but the husband thought, This man is a good man, a decent man I’ve known all my life! He told him yes, bring the Torah. The next night, another knock, and there was the policeman carrying the sacred scrolls like a giant baby wrapped in a blanket. A day later this Torah, hidden in a rolled-up living room carpet, was placed in a huge crate that the couple was shipping by boat to Haifa.
I first saw this Torah in 1973, north of Acco near the Mediterranean Sea in Israel. It was in a Memorial Room built by those, including the young couple, who escaped the village in time to start again. On the wall beside the Torah are the names of eighty-seven village Jews who didn’t make it, weren’t rescued by anyone, and so were murdered in Riga, Teresienstadt, and Auschwitz. I bowed my head to honor them, but as I looked up, full of outrage and sadness, there was the rescued Torah. Its edges were soiled and slightly charred, and there was a knife gash; but its Five Books of Moses, saved by one honorable policeman was open for all to read as before.
Years later, on every November 9th, I see this Torah in my head and wonder how many like that policeman it would take to rescue goodwill and decency—in Bagdad, Darfur, Sarijevo, Gaza, wherever—from the ongoing fires of hate that consume them.
Mimi Schwartz’s latest book is Good Neighbors, Bad Times - Echoes of My Father’s German Village (pub date: March 2008), from which this essay was adapted. Other recent books include Thoughts from a Queen-Sized Bed (2002), and Writing True, the Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction (2006). Six of her essays have been Notables in Best American Essays and many have been widely anthologized. She is Professor Emerita of Richard Stockton College in New Jersey and has been a MacDowell Fellow, a Geraldine R. Dodge Fellow, and a Princeton University Faculty Fellow. Her short work has appeared in The Missouri Review, Creative Nonfiction, Fourth Genre, Calyx, The New York Times, Tikkun, The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, Florida Review, Brevity, Writer’s Digest, and Jewish Week, among others. For more information, go to www.mimischwartz.net
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Q: Which NFL player was nicknamed “The Intellectual Assassin?”
(a) Peter Max
(b) Ron Mix
(c) Tex Mex
(d) Marshall Goldberg
Background: The Los Angeles native was given his nickname because he earned a law degree at USC. He was called for only two holding penalties in 10 seasons, was a nine-time All-Star, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
RHODES MARKETING GROUP
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
San Diego Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith No. 92
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 14, 1950, page 9
A regular meeting was held on April 10, and the following roster of members were elected to serve as officers for the year.
President, Sarah Geller; first vice-president, Martha Feiler; second vice-president, Bess Borushek; recording secretary, Jeanne Camiel; corresponding secretary, Betty Freedman; financial secretary, Mitzie Ornstein; treasurer, Ethel Berwin; sentinel, Rose Aved; guard, Ruth Brav. Trustees elected were Anna Brooks, Edith Bennett, Rose Barries, Zena Frommer, Marie Richards, Goldie Schusterman and Ruth Silverman. Junior past president and counselor will be Bess Schissell.
Installation of officers will be held on May 8th, in the Marine Dining Room of the San Diego Hotel following a luncheon scheduled for 12 noon. Heading the committee in charge of the luncheon and program of entertainment is Ruth Aronoff with Jennie Siner, chairman of reservations. Every effort is being made to promote an afternoon of the utmost in enjoyment for all members and guests in attendance and it is anticipated that a capacity crowd will be on hand to welcome the incoming officers and out-of-town guests.
The following members were also elected to serve as delegates from our Chapter to the District Convention to be held in San Diego in August, Jennie Siner, Sarah Geller, Ruth Aronoff and Bess Schissell.
From all appearances, indications are that B’nai B’rith is going to furnish a bee-hive of activities for its members from now throughout the summer, so ladies prepare your best bib and tucker and be ready to join the fun.
*
$100,000 Mark For United Jewish Fund Reached In April
Southwestern Jewish Press, April 28, 1950, pages 1, 14
In the first two weeks of the campaign to “Keep the Miracle Alive,” one third of the $283,000 has been secured, reported Murray D. Goodrich and Nathaniel Ratner, General campaign co-chairmen.
Over $95,000 had been raised by April 24th, two weeks from the start of the campaign, from less than 400subscribers, according to the report which was given at a workers meeting held last week. The chairmen were convinced that they would reach the first step of their goal, which was to have over $100,000 by April 30th.
“On all fronts the campaign is moving forward in a very satisfactory and enthusiastic fashion,” Goodrich and Ratner said.
They pointed to the outstanding work of Elmer Glaser of Oceanside, who at the last meeting reported over a 100 percent increase, with $1800 collected to date, as compared to $890 in the entire 1949 campaign. In other outlying districts, Arthur L. Cohen, Chairman of the Coronado Campaign, showed not only increased contributions, but much wider coverage. William Schwartz and Jerome Freedman, Chairmen of the El Cajon, La Mesa and Grossmont district, reported an almost completed job, showing no cuts and several increases.
In the Women’s Division report, presented by Selma Getz, $12,500 had been secured from 30 women at an advance gift luncheon held last week, and addressed by Ida Nasatir. As we go to press, we do not have the results of the large Women’s Division Luncheon held yesterday, at the El Cortez Hotel, but every indication points to the fact that it will exceed last year’s Women’s Division effort.
Religious School Children of Temple Beth Israel and Tifereth Israel sparked the opening of the Young People’s Division of the United Jewish Fund last week.
The boys and girls for Beth Israel presented a check for $242.56 to Mrs. Arthur Goodman, co-chairman of the young People’s Division and Herbert Solomon, in which all religious school collections were contributed to “Keep the Miracle Alive.”
Tifereth Israel Youngsters pledged $150 of their Ts’dakah funds for the 1950 drive, both contributions exceeded their 1949 gifts.
According to Mrs. Goodman, Dave Anfager and Dick Silberman, Co-chairmen of the Young People’s Division of the Campaign, as far as the Youths of San Diego are concerned, the drive has just begun to roll. Mrs. Goodman reported a most successful luncheon for young women held last Saturday. On the same evening, the opening gun of the Young People’s Division was fired with a dinner dance attended by over 100 and addressed by Ernst Michel, Young Émigré, who told of the needs of the United Jewish Appeal. At a pre-campaign meeting for the Young People’s Division, a Sports Night was held under the leadership of Dave Anfanger, for Junior High School boys, some 50 youngsters made their contributions at that meeting. Scout Troops 99 and 15 participated.
Norman Holtzman, Al Davidson, Mitzi Schiller, Herb Solomon, Ben Press, Joan Steinman, Sid Stokes, Sylvia Winicki, Fran Winicki, Howard Esterson Joe Yaffee and Lew Winicki are active leaders in the Young People’s Division, which on opening day raised almost $2,000.
The Christian Committee under the leadership of Charles Davies, chairman, Bishop Buddy and Dr. Thomas Coyle, co-chairmen, reported that they had secured $5,461 from Christian gifts in San Diego and that they are anticipating many additional gifts.
Goodrich and Ratner urge every man, woman and child in San Diego to become a giver.
Work on the Magic Carpet but if you cannot be a modern magician stay at home and make your contribution to the Miracle Worker who calls on you on Sunday, April 30th.
*
History Making {Editorial}
By Julia Kaufman
Pick up your history book or your Bible. Fine me a page out of either to match the past fateful twenty-year period of the Jews. Six million tortured and murdered in a supposedly civilized world, the survivors stripped of their possessions and left to wander homeless.
When you gave your first dollar to the United Jewish Appeal, you entered the pages of the History Book that is yet to be written. When you helped create a Homeland for thousands of weary human beings, when you helped keep them alive in hostile countries, you became a part of the greatest pattern ever woven in the history of the Jews.
Admittedly, especially in our own great country of the United States, advancement is rapid. Yet read again your History “Book and watch the dates. What years of struggle and hardship went into making it the great country It is today. We have learned the names of the great men, but without the thousands of people with vision who were ready to sacrifice their own comforts and in large numbers their lives, this great country with its unified States would not exist.
Israel, a tiny infant of two years, also has its great leaders. We know them well, yet fifty years ago they were called “dreamers.” Perhaps if Hitler and his satellites had not rudely awakened the rest of the world, these men of vision still would be carrying around the dream. The pattern has been set for us. We, the modern history makers, have but to pick up the threads and get to work. Israel has gathered within its narrow confines Jews from every corner of the globe. Thousands, because of years of suffering, are broken, physically and spiritually. These are loose stitches which must be strengthened before they weaken the whole fabric. Willing hands are read to build. Here again, we history makes can supply the material.
April 23, 1950 marked the second year of this brave new State. History recalls the assistance given by freedom loving people to the United States in its fight for liberty. Less cannot be expected today. Israel can and must become a citadel of democracy in the East. A great deal is at stake. The next generation will judge the part that we have played.
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGES
SPORTS TRIVIA ANSWER: (b) Ron Mix, an original Los Angeles Charger in 1960, who spent nine more seasons with the American Football League team after it moved to San Diego.
BALLOON UTOPIA
TODAY'S DEDICATION:
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD: THE WEEK IN REVIEW
INTERNATIONAL
Obama election dominates Israel news... by Judy Lash Balint in Jerusalem
Europeans won't have Bush any more as their convenient scapegoat ... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Elephants, fallow deer and sand cats breed at Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem ...by Donald H. Harrison in Jerusalem
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Temple Beth Israel
—April 14, 1950: Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood
—April 14, 1950: Tifereth Israel News
INTERNATIONAL
Shimon Peres shares his personal memories of U.S. presidents—and the president-elect... by Donald H. Harrison in Jerusalem
CAMPAIGN 2008
Obama's victory and U.S. race history... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
America the Exceptional... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Outcomes were mixed in races in which San Deigo Jewish World made endorsements ... SDJW staff report
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ARTS
Thursdays With The Songs Of Hal Wingard:
#24 Persistent Perseverance
#73 Let The Racers Pass By
#21 By My Singing You Will Know Me
LIFESTYLES
Can gays be 'cured' after all? ... by David Benkof in New York
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Beth Jacob Congregation
—April 14, 1950: Men’s Club Formed Beth Jacob
—April 14, 1950: Beth Jacob Ladies Auxiliary
CAMPAIGN 2008
Obama election is an advance by America toward its highest ideals by Donald H. Harrison in Kfar Hayarok, Israel
INTERNATIONAL
Tel Aviv savors San Diegans’ financial support for environment, schools... by Donald H. Harrison in Tel Aviv
The Jews Down Under, a roundup of Australian Jewish news ... by Garry Fabian in Melbourne
—Lord's Prayer debate crops up again
—AIJAC testifies on academic freedom enquiry
—Jewish deputy mayor throws hat in the ring
—Prominent Jewish community figure honoured
—Ten million dollar commitment to Palestinians
—Home-grown terrorist attack just as likely
—Community alarmed over fascist visit
—Award winning Jewish author dies
—Shule input requested to solve traffic signal problems
—German prosecutors to appeal Toben's release
—Intercultural visit to synagogue
—Jews and Moslems cook for peace
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Pioneer Women
—April 14, 1950: Cottage of Israel Joins In Israeli Independence Celebration
—April 14, 1950: Council of Jewish Women
—April 14, 1950: Histadrut Council
CAMPAIGN 2008
The U.S. President and the Middle East... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ARTS
Especially in tight times, Tel Aviv history holds hope for fundraisers for the arts by Donald H. Harrison in Tel Aviv
David and Goliath's epic battle in music by Cantor Sheldon Merel with audio of the cantor's performance of "David and Goliath."
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: News of the Fox
—April 14, 1950: Jewish War Veterans Post No. 185 and Auxiliary
—April 14, 1950: Labor Zionist Organization of San Diego
—April 14, 1950: Junior Matrons
CAMPAIGN 2008
Two opposing viewpoints:
Why I voted for Barack Obama...by Donald H. Harrison in Kfar Hayarok, Israel
Why I am voting for John McCain.... by Isaac Yetiv in La Jolla, California
Monotheism is not mono-political...by Sheila Oryseik in San Diego
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
LETTER
Bergen Belsen bar mitzvah witness sought... from Alex Grobman
ARTS
Juber Jubilee in Santa Monica, San Diego by Cynthia Citron in Santa Monica, California
A touch of class at San Diego State by Norman Greene in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Second Anniversary of Israeli Independence To Be Celebrated
—April 14, 1950: Young People’s Division Plans Series of Events; April 22 Dinner Dance
—April 14, 1950: S.D. Hebrew Home for the Aged
—April 14, 1950: Cottage of Israel
Sunday, November 2, 2008 (Vol. 2, No. 261)
INTERNATIONAL
Israeli elections on simmer as the world awaits the results of the American one by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
CAMPAIGN 2008
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: The Center Side
—April 14, 1950: Overseas News and Views
—April 14, 1950: Fund Borrows On Good Name
—April 14, 1950: Letters to the Editor
Link to previous editions
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