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Sunday, November 30, 2008
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DEDICATIONS
Each day's issue may be dedicated by readers—or by the publisher—in other people's honor or memory. To see today's dedication, please click here. Past dedications may be found at the bottom of the index for the "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" page.
JERUSALEM--This is a time of testing for Tzipi Livni. Does she have what it takes to be a prime minister?
Even if she passes the test, she may not win the election, scheduled for February 10. Benyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu has reinvigorated himself and Likud, and may become prime minister no matter what Livni does. If she does not measure up in the next few days, Netanyahu can walk into the prime minister's office without great effort.
The attorney general has announced that he intends to indict Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for one of the crimes being investigated. He is alleged to have billed multiple times for numerous overseas trips. Reports are that he put more than $80,000 in his pocket from prestigious Israeli and international Jewish organizations over the course of several years. The police and attorney general are still working on other allegations of criminal violations, involving envelopes stuffed with cash, and dubious personnel appointments made by Olmert when he climbed the political ladder from one office to another.
There is yet to be a formal indictment. Still pending is a hearing for the prime minister, meant to give him the opportunity to persuade judicial authorities to lessen the charges, or drop them altogether. The prime minister and his attorneys can drag out the process. They will demand an ample opportunity to study the file, and challenge its details. They may insist that the attorney general wait on this case until the police and his office finish with all the charges against Olmert. We will be much older before this is over.
Ms Livni convened an emergency meeting of Kadima office holders the day after the attorney general announced his intention to indict Olmert. She declared that Olmert must relinquish his office. She cited the precedent of Yitzhak Rabin, who suspended himself from the same office, also in the run-up to an election, when his wife was indicted for financial irregularities. She quoted Olmert demanding that Moshe Katsav suspend himself from the presidency when the attorney general announced his intention to present an indictment. All of Kadima's senior politicians (except Olmert, who was not at the meeting) joined Livni in demanding that the prime minister vacate his office.
Olmert's response was to charge Livni with using his misfortunes in order to advance her political campaign. His spokesman ridiculed the substance of the Attorney General's case, and claimed that it would collapse as soon as Olmert's attorneys began to show how flimsy it was. When saying this, the spokesman stumbled and stuttered from one phrase to another. One could imagine him thinking, "Do I really have to say this?"
Other news and Shabbat is giving the prime minister two or three days to consider his next steps. The terror attack in Mumbai (Bombay) has first call on the media. Here the attention is on the seizure of the Lubavitcher (Chabad) Center, and the murder of the young rabbi, his wife, and a number of Israelis and other guests in the building. News and commentary about Olmert is at the end of each broadcast and on the inner pages of the newspapers.
Livni has to get rid of Olmert if she wants to be prime minister.
What can she do?
She has the upper hand with the public, as well as her party colleagues. Olmert ranks somewhere along with George W. Bush in the basement of popular esteem. With an announcement of an upcoming indictment, his standing is dropping further.
If Livni is prime ministerial material, she will organize pressure that should build in days or a week to be irresistible. The treatment of Katsav provides a model. Politicians and other elites can refuse to meet with Olmert. Commentators are already ridiculing his efforts to shape policy, and demanding that he suspend himself. In such an event, Livni would become the acting prime minister. She will gain the incumbent's advantage in the election campaign, as well as showing that she is sufficiently forceful to lead the country.
Olmert's advantage comes from the political opponents of Livni. Several of them are demonstratively quiet. The head of the Pensioners' Party said that if he was in Olmert's place he would suspend himself. Then he praised Olmert for being the best prime minister ever for Israel's senior citizens, and said that Olmert has every right to defend himself. Olmert and Netanyahu have been praising one another for their efforts to deal with Israel's version of the international economic crisis.
Commentators agree that the issue is not a matter of law. Olmert does not have to leave office at this time. Livni is talking about morality. She says that Olmert has every right to defend himself, but as a citizen, and not as prime minister. The greater reality is politics. If Livni does not move Olmert, she will move to the back benches of the Knesset.
Sharkansky s professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted in msira@mscc.huji.ac.il
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TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
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All that Glitters: Open House/Trunk Show; Monday, December 8th at 6 p.m.
SAN DIEGO--Join us for an evening of gorgeous jewels, gemstones and more when Barbara Wasserstrom and Stuart Benjamin will welcome us again into their store, Stuart Benjamin and Co. Jewelry Designs at 7510 Hazard Center Drive, #405, in the Hazard Brickyard. This time, it’s a special Open House Trunk Show featuring some of today’s most intriguing designers. Come alone, bring your spouse or grab a friend and join us!
The event will include designs by Israeli artist Nava Zahavi and Mauri Pioppo.
Nava Zahavi’s pieces have been featured in Vogue, O Magazine, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar and more. Purchased by Whoopi Goldberg, Debra Messing and others of similar stature, Zahavi’s jewelry has achieved an approval note from the most sophisticated international shoppers.
In addition to being a professional dancer and yoga instructor, Mauri Pioppo has become a well respected jewelry designer. Pioppo’s work has been embraced by celebrities including Eva Longoria, Kyra Sedgwick and Sheryl Crow who wears her breast cancer piece, and Barbara currently has it in stock.
A portion of each sale will be donated directly to Tifereth Israel Synagogue. As an extra incentive, Barbara and Stuart will also have all “in stock” items marked down by up to 50% for one night only! Enjoy appetizers, wine, beer, cigars and plenty of sensational pieces for you to consider for purchase.
The cost of the evening is $8.00 for members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue and $12.00 for nonmembers. our payment is your reservation and you may click here to purchase your tickets online or by phoning our office at (619) 697-6001.
Two San Diego Chabad rabbis react to the slaughter of their colleagues in Mumbai
CARLSBAD, California—Here we sit, yet again, in a state of intense emotional pain, sadness, anger, and frustration. Here we sit, yet again, contemplating the evil senselessness of Islamic terror. Here we sit, yet again, wondering when this long, bitter exile will finally end, and the whole world will be joined in true peace and harmony. But this time it is much worse and the pain hits much closer to home.
Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg were Shluchim - emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - in Mumbai, India. What is the job of a Shliach? A Shliach's job is to try and help people - all people - and to help them in all different ways. Some folks need spiritual guidance while others need a hot meal. Some want to educate themselves or their children while others need a Rabbi to help bury a parent. Many people don't realize that although Shluchim are primarily focusing on Jews they also make themselves available to non-Jews who seek their help. Shluchim embody goodness and kindness of the highest order. Shluchim are givers.
We have witnessed a despicable act of hatred and destruction. Islamic terrorists purposely snuffed out the lives of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Holtzberg. What terrible crime had the Holtzbergs committed? How could this young couple possibly be viewed as a threat to a religion with over one billion adherents worldwide?
In Judaism we learn that a person is judged by what he does. The Holtzbergs must therefore be viewed as righteous, and those who murdered them must be viewed as wicked and evil. These terrorists carefully chose their targets.
The Holtzbergs must obviously have stood for the opposite of what these dastardly terrorists represent. There is a war going on in the world. It is World War III. We have on the one side the good and righteous, people like the Holtzbergs. On the other side we have the forces of evil.
The war has been foisted upon the good and righteous. People who are good and righteous do not want war. People like the Holtzbergs don't want to fight with those who are dark and evil. They would prefer to continue to share their love with any who comes to drink of it. But alas, their beautiful and meaningful lives have been tragically and purposely cut short by some sick "religious" Islamic terrorists.
It is time for clarity. We cannot continue to allow equivocation by the mainstream media. When the media refuses to call terrorists by their rightful name and instead call them militants or freedom fighters the media is helping the evil ones win this war. A war cannot be possibly won unless the enemy is clearly identified.
I am waiting to hear the cries of disapproval from the Muslim community for this latest act of savagery. Where are the "moderates?" How come they are not fighting to expunge the evil from their midst? It is time that they are asked a direct question; "Are you willing to join us in this fight against evil?' "Are you with us or are you against us?"
We need to fight back. Never again must we allow ourselves to be led to the gas chambers like sheep to the slaughter. Never again can we allow these types of hateful people to gain control over us. We must fight now!
A Jew employs many types of ammunition in his or her fight against evil. Beyond the traditional weapons we look to strengthen our most important alliance; our connection with the Almighty. At this difficult time when even innocent and angelic people like the Holtzbergs are under attack because of who they are and what they represent, the rest of us must rally to this call to arms! Let us hone our weapons. Let us add in our Torah learning, prayers, and most importantly acts of kindness. Our acts of kindness will defeat their darkness.
The evil ones, the Islamic terrorists, have tried to snuff out a beautiful Jewish Chabad community. Let us therefore respond by building 100 new beautiful Chabad communities! Our light will defeat their darkness! Our good will defeat their evil. We must not be complacent and we must not fool ourselves. We must not rely on others to do our job for us. We must be
ready, willing, and able to fight this final war.
Let our pain crystallize into a fiery resolve to complete our divinely ordained mission. Let us forge ahead with the courage born of the knowledge that G-d is most definitely on our side and we are fighting His war. We will receive the blessings of G-d. And Moshiach will come now!
Rabbi Eilfort is the spiritual leader of Chabad at La Costa
SAN DIEGO—I am writing this note to all of you today as we all have heard about the horrible tragedy in India: the loss of Rabbi and Rebbetzein Holzberg Za"l and the people there.
Our hearts are broken with the news of the loss of the Balie Meiras Nefesh Bepoel Rabbi Gavriel and Leah Holzberg. They are the paradigm of care and compassion to others, giving up friends, family and ultimately their lives in the service of the Jewish People. The attack on Chabad was an attack against all Jews all over the world and we are all mourning together today.
The Holtzbergs arrived in Mumbai in 2003 to serve the small local Jewish community, visiting business people and the throngs of tourists, many of them Israeli, who annually travel to the seaside city.
Gavriel Holtzberg, 29, was born in Israel and moved to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., with his parents when he was nine. A prodigious student, Holtzberg was a two-time champion in a competition of memorizing the Mishnah, a compendium of rabbinical enactments redacted in the second century C.E.
He studied at yeshivas in New York and Argentina, and as a rabbinical student served communities in Thailand and China under the Summer Rabbinical Visitation Program run by Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch.
His 28-year-old wife, born Rivkah Rosenberg, is a native of Afula, Israel. Chayki Rosenberg described her sister as dedicated to helping Jews.
Two years ago, the Holtzbergs raised funds to purchase the current location of the Rohr Chabad House, a five-story building in Mumbai's Colaba market area known as Narimon House. A trained ritual circumciser and slaughterer, the rabbi also conducted weddings for local Jewish couples in addition to teaching Torah classes and visiting with tourists.
Chabad has set up a fund to help the family and rebuild the Chabad House in Mumbai which was seriously damaged in the terrorist attack. Donations can be made online at www.chabadindia.org.
Mairav and I are truly saddened by all this. We want to remind every one that to fight darkness we must add in light!! Also attend synagogue and make your prayer in their memory!
Rabbi Boudjnah is spiritual leader of the Chabad House at San Diego State University
SOILLE SAN DIEGO HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
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Hebrew Day School
Learning Parshat Chayei Sarah at Soille Hebrew Day School
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—The Preschoolers at Hebrew Day traveled back in time earlier this monthto Parshat Chayei Sarah. In their class, all the children had a chance to dress up as one of the characters from this beautiful parsha. They chose to be characters such as Avraham, Yitzchak, and Eliezer. All the girls, of course, wanted to be kind Rivka! The children enjoyed making fresh Challot, just like the Challot that were always fresh in Rivka’s tent.
For 46 years, Soille San Diego Hebrew Day has championed Jewish day school education: instilling Jewish values and inspiring students to aim for excellence in a value-based, family environment. The school serves children from infants through eighth grade, and offers generous financial aid grants to families to make a Jewish day school education affordable to all. For more information on the school, visit the web site at http://www.hebrewday.org/ or contact Audrey Jacobs, Director of School Advancement at 858-279-3300 ext. 106 or ajacobs@hebrewday.org
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JFS Economic Crisis Response Program
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—Times are uncertain and people are anxious, stressed, and scared. The economic crisis is affectingeveryone. Some people need food, housing, clothing, others need support, counseling, advice.
In response to the economic crisis, Jewish Family Service has started several new programs, workshops,and services to meet the growing needs of our community.
ONGOING SUPPORT AND NETWORKING GROUPS
Coping With Loss During this Economic Crisis; Lost Your Job? Facing Bankruptcy or Foreclosure? Mondays • 2:00-3:30pm •Jewish Family Service • Turk Family Center • 8804 Balboa Ave, San Diego, 92123 •Childcare available upon request• Facilitated by Michele Laks London, MSW, LCSW
Living with Uncertainty: A Support Group for Coping During Tough Economic Times
Tuesdays • 6:30-8:00pm •Jewish Family Service • Turk Family Center • 8804 Balboa Ave, San Diego, 92123 • Childcare available upon request • Facilitated by Michele Laks London, MSW, LCSW
WORKSHOPS AND FORUMS
Benefits and Resources in San Diego County •Thursday, December 4, 2008 • 10:30am - 12:00pm • Monday, December 8, 2008 • 7:00 - 8:30pm •Jewish Family Service • Turk Family Center 8804 Balboa Ave, San Diego, 92123 •Speaker: Adrianna Gonzales, Jewish Family Service, and Gary Rotto, Director of Health Policy for Community Clinics
Path to Retirement for Pre & Post Retirees • How to Navigate Through Today's Economic Challenges•Thursday, December 4, 2008 • 2:30 - 4:00pm • Jewish Family Service • Turk Family Center • 8804 Balboa Ave., San Diego, 92123• Speaker: Sheldon Goldman, CFP, Senior Advisor at Hoyle Cohen Wealth Management
RSVP for workshops is preferred. To RSVP for a workshop, visit or call (858) 637-3380. More workshops are being formed. Stay updated at www.jfssd.org
If you or someone you know may benefit from one of our new crisis response programs,
please call the JFS Access Line at (877) 537-1818. All calls are completely confidential
SAN DIEGO—"And Esav said, 'Behold I am going to die, what good is a birthright to me?'" (Gen.25:32) Esav gave up hope and as a result made the worst decision of his life - to sell his
birthright. We must never give up hope, for where there is life there is hope, and where there is hope there is life, as the following true story illustrates:
Zevulun Portnoy* (*not real name) was a wealthy man. He inherited his wealth from his father. However, where his father had been a most generous and philanthropic man, Zevulun was known as a tight fisted miser. Often solicitors would visit his mansion (which he inherited from his father), beseeching him for alms only to be roundly refused. People used to sneer at him behind his back, for he was the luckiest man alive, being born into such an affluent family; yet he never gave any assistance to anyone.
They were even stingy with their own meals. When petitioners would stand by the door during meal time, they would see the Portnoy family eating the sparsest of meals, and never
did they offer to share a morsel with anyone. No, they never gave assistance to anyone.
With one exception. Dov Lerner* (*not real name) knew of Zevulun Portnoy and refused to give up on him. He used to visit Zevulun every year at Chanukah time, while the candles were burning. Dov was a Yeshiva student. He and his friends would come and sing Chanukah songs and dance and even play dreidel with Zevulun's family. At the end of this joyful interlude, Zevulun, inspired by the light and hope of Chanukah and by the young men's enthusiasm, would hand them a generous check for their Yeshiva. Funny, but as he would write the check, his hand would shake - as if it was killing this millionaire to spend a penny. As he would give over the check, with trembling hands, he would often add something like, "From the bottom of my heart."
As they would leave his fancy house and see his fancy limousine (which he also inherited from his father) they would laugh to themselves why he had to always make such a big
production out of handing over a check. What a tightwad!
One year, Dov and company arrived for their annual visit. Zevulun was delighted to see them. He actually looked forward to these yearly visits very much. Zevulun's teenage son was there. Dov had never met him. When he looked at the youth, his eyes almost popped out with disbelief. When the teenager saw Dov, his face froze and he turned pale white. They recognized each other.
Dov did volunteer work every Thursday night for an organization called Tomchei Shabbos. He would prepare Shabbos meals for poor people who would stop by to pick up their weekly package. Zevulun's teenage son was one of the Thursday night recipients. Dov had seen him many times, but until now never knew who the boy was.
Zevulun picked up on the tension. He understood exactly what was going on. He then broke down in tears as he explained, "My father had been very wealthy but toward the end of his life, between business setbacks, bad investments and medical expenses, he lost it all. We can barely afford food for the family. Our fancy car stays parked in the driveway because we can't afford the gasoline. I only drive it around town once a month so that people should not suspect our situation."
"Why don't you want anyone to know?" asked the sympathetic listeners.
"Because after losing our family fortune, all we have left is our good name. If we lose that, we truly have nothing," he said somberly, with a far off gaze in his eyes.
No one knew what to say. They were at the same time shocked at this revelation and shamed that they had looked so critically at this family for so many years.
The youths assured Zevulun that they would keep his secret. When it came time to give the donation, Dov did want to take the check. "How can I accept this now, knowing that you
are destitute and cannot afford it."
"You don't understand," said Zevulun, "This donation is the only dignity I have left. It gives me something to live for. Yes, it fills me with some trepidation but it is also what keeps me
alive and sane through my tribulations. It keeps me from sinking down to the depths of despair. Somehow, every year I manage to cover this check, I will continue to do so this year."
Zevulun sat down, and for the first time ever, he wrote the check without trembling, and handed it over with pride, joy, faith, and confidence.
Dedicated by Dr. & Mrs. Frank Felber in memory of Sarah bas Shmuel on the occasion of her yahrtzeit December 4, 2008.
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ARTS IN REVIEW
Stephanie St. James of Color Purple cast is grand daughter of Shoah survivor
SAN DIEGO--Oprah Winfry’s The Color Purple, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, will be opening this Tuesday, December 2nd at the Civic Center downtown in its first North American Touring Production. It is a story of family struggles and triumph over adversity and injustice before the Civil War. One of the characters in the musical is called ‘Squeak’ and is being played by the lovely Stephanie St. James (right) who dedicates her performances to her family and to the memory of her recently deceased grandmother Sofia.
St. James “has been singing and performing since she could talk” but there is a back-story to Stephanie that is more than just singing, dancing and performing. Her family’s story parallels so many, yet so few.
St. James’ grandmother was born in Russia. She thinks it was in Budslav (neither of us are sure of the spelling). Both grandparents were Jewish. Her grandfather was a Partisan or Freedom Fighter. When the Jews were being rounded up, her grandmother, Sofia, was hidden by neighbors who kept her safe. Eventually, she left her hiding in the neighbor’s cellar and hid in the forest. It was there her Partisan grandfather found and rescued her grandmother. It was also during this time that St. James’ mother was conceived.
Sofia was the only member of that generation of her family to survive the Holocaust. She was left by her husband to raise their only daughter alone. Sofia found someone who was relocating to Israel, and had him take her daughter there. And there she stayed on Kibbutz Kfar Harif near Tel Aviv until Sofia could make it to Israel to be with her daughter.
From the kibbutz, Sofia and daughter moved to Jerusalem where Sofia became a teacher. It was there also, that her mother studied at the Hebrew University. As fate would have it, St. James father, a Guyanese student on scholarship at the University and her mother met while waiting in line at the school cafeteria. They married shortly after. Both were studying math. St. James’ brother was born in Jerusalem during this time.
After graduation, St. James’ father got a teaching job in Miami, Florida. He moved to Florida to find housing (this was in the ‘60’s) and then sent for his young family and mother-in-law Sofia. There the family, an interracial couple with two interracial children and a holocaust survivor lived until they moved to the Bay Area in Northern California where her mother still resides.
According to St. James, Hebrew was the common language since they all spoke it in Israel. But after she came along, English was eventually the language of choice. I asked her if she spoke any Hebrew and she told me that she spoke very little and thinks her parents wanted it that way so they could speak Hebrew in front of her when they didn’t want her to know what they were saying. I understood that concept since my own parents spoke Yiddish in front of me for the very same reasons.
I asked Stephanie if her background caused her any stress growing up. She was so positive and told me that she was so lucky to have had the best of both worlds. She went on to expand. Since neither of her parents had family in Israel since all of her grandmother’s perished in the camps, they had surrounded themselves with dear friends who later became family. There were Jews from the Russian Village where her grandmother grew up as well as (as she put it) “characters” from West and East India. Till this day she calls some of those childhood friends ‘auntie’.
I also inquired about her own Jewishness, now. She confided that she goes to synagogue sometimes when she is back home with her mother. She now lives in Los Angeles. Her parents separated after 32 years of marriage but she is close to both. She did confess that as the only Jew on the set of Color Purple she steps up to the plate on Christmas and does chores to relieve others who want to spend time with their families.
As I continued speaking with Stephanie, I could sense a very strong bond between her and her grandmother. I asked her what lessons she learned from her grandmother and when she writes her book (a plan she has on the back burner) about Sofia, what she would say. First she told me that her grandmother had just passed this year so it was still very fresh in her mind. She then went on to say that her lesson was one of perseverance. “Keep going no matter what life throws at you. You can come out stronger.” “Anything in life is possible; let nothing get in the way.”
She told me that her grandmother left an apartment in Jerusalem and she plans to go there to spend some time. Since she is an independent recording artist, I asked her if she ever planned to record any Hebrew songs. She told me her mother is after her to do that very thing. She thinks her next trip to Israel, after her tour with Color Purple ends in March, will lead to her learning the language to enable her to make that recording.
Another passion in her life is speaking out and informing those who will listen about the effects of Endometriosis, a disease in which tissue that lines the uterus grows elsewhere in the body. It is a debilitating disease of which she is a survivor. She has had two major operations to help solve the problem. St. James spends her time acting, recording and advocating for Endometriosis sufferers.
“With her diverse family background and history and coming from the Bay Area music scene, Stephanie has been inspired by so many incredible artists. These influences have been profound and have helped to evolve an artist that is versatile in spirit, lyric, melody, and perspective. With her uniqueness and spirit, her mantra is, “When you want something, all the Universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
Before we said our goodbyes, I asked her what parallels she saw between her story and that of President Elect Barack Obama’s. She told me that her mother had been in Israel during the election. When the newspapers hit the street, she bought every edition to the puzzlement of her friends. Her mother replied. “This is an important time in history for us.”
In a way, the story in The Color Purple is about the same courage shown by Stephanie St. James’ family years before in a different place with different characters, but with the same struggles of a persecuted people for no reason other than the color of their skin or the God they pray to.
Stephanie will perform at the Civic Center this week.
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A bissel sports trivia with Bruce Lowitt
OLDSMAR, Florida—Q: Which major league left-hander was less famous for his pitching than his wooing?
(a) Larry Belinsky
(b) Bo Belinsky
(c) Fred Belinsky
(d) Craig Belinsky
Background: As a rookie, he pitched a no-hitter for the Los Angeles Angels in his fourth big-league start but finished his eight-season career with a 28-51 won-lost record. Still, his charisma, night life and womanizing - he was linked romantically to Ann-Margret, Tina Louise and Mamie Van Doren (the latter his fiancee for a year) - made him a national celebrity.
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TODAY'S DEDICATIONToday's issue of San Diego Jewish World is dedicated with happy birthday wishes to Steven Weening of Santee. JEWISH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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SPORTS TRIVIA ANSWER:(b) Bo Belinsky
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.
Al Hutler Attends Fair Employment Meeting Southwestern Jewish Press, May 12, 1950, page 8
Traveling to Los Angeles on May 6, Albert Hutler, United Jewish Fund executive, represented San Diego Council of Cultural and Religious Unity and the Jewish Community Relations Committee, at a conference held by the Council for Equality in Employment.
Judge Isaac Pacht is chairman of the Council and included among the sponsors of this group are Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin, Will Rogers Jr. and James Roosevelt. The group is formulating plans for the adoption of a State-Wide Fair Employment Act.
Observe ‘I Am An American Day’ Southwestern Jewish Press, May 12, 1950, page 8
“I Am An American Day” will be observed in San Diego at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21, in a civic program at Russ Auditorium in which more than one hundred people will win citizenship during an actual naturalization session of the San Diego Superior Court.
Incorporated in the program will be a presentation of music and pageantry interpreting the meaning of democracy. The program will be the local highlight of a national observance proclaimed by the President to honor the foreign born who have come naturalized citizens during the year and the youth who have attained full citizenship status by reaching the age of twenty-one.
The local observancehas been planned by the San Diego City Schools Adult Education Department in cooperation with Mr. R. King Kauffman, chairman of “I Am an American Day,” of the Sons of the American Revolution. It is being co-sponsored by seventy-six local civic organizations.
Hadassah Evening Group Southwestern Jewish Press, May 12, 1950, page 8
By Mrs. Ben Press
A delicious spaghetti dinner, charades, dancing and cards was (sic, were) on the agenda for the night of April 30, when the evening section of Hadassah gave a potluck dinner at the Landis Street center for members and their hus bands and escorts. A nominal charge for admission was made and all the proceeds will go to Youth Aliyah.
Chairman for the evening was Mrs. Eugene Janoff with Mrs. Robert Epsten as her co-chairman. Mrs. Leroy Cohn was in charge of the dinner and Mrs. Milton Schwartz and Mrs. George Dubau took charge of decorations.
According to Mrs. Harvey Steinman, chairman of the evening group, the next meeting will be held May 16 at 8:00 at the home of Mrs. Harold Lehrer, 3437 Boundary. A slate of officers for the new term will be presented and plans for an annual summer dinner dance will be discussed. Any young Jewish woman who finds evening meetings more convenient to attend is invited. For information call T. 1-3907 or T-9647.
We want to congratulate several of our members who have had new arrivals in the last two months. They are Mesdames Bert Eifer, Morris Naimann, Arnold Marguilis, Martin Altshuler and Carl Naliboff all new mothers of baby boys, and Mrs. Robert Epsten who has become the mother of a baby daughter.
Jr. Pioneer Women, Shoshana Club Southwestern Jewish Press, May 12, 1950, page 8
By Alma Yaruss and Frieda Ensel, Publicity
The Shoshana group of the Junior Pioneers is giving a membership luncheon at the home of Mrs. Milton Kraft, 4574 Rolando, on May 27th, at one o’clock.
Sylvia Busch, our membership chairman, with the assistance of her committee, expect to make the affair a great success. A special invitation will be extended to all the new Shoshana members.
We will be honored by the presence of the Regional Chairman, Ann Lebow.
Let’s have a big turnout.
Another Square dance will be held by popular demand on June 24th, at 8:00 p.m. at the Temple Center. Chairman of the affair for the Junior Pioneer Women will be Sylvia Shulkind. |
Everhyone had such a wonderful time at the first square dance held last fall, that there were many requests for a return engagement.
Shine your hob-nail boots and get out yur Sunday blue-jeams. Limber up your knees and elbows for another Junior Pioneer square dance.
Tell your friends and keep the date open.
“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" series will be a daily feature until we run out of history.
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD: THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Thursday, November 27, 2008 (Vol. 2, No. 283) INTERNATIONAL Chabad emissaries missing in Mumbai terrorist attack; may have been targets ... by Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort in Carlsbad, California
Olmert politically embarrasses Livni ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Real peace comes from a change of heart, not from the adjustment of boundaries... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Bene Israel teacher in Andhra Pradesh... by Sharon Galsulkar in Kotha-Reddy-Pallem, India
ARTS
Thursdays with the Songs of Hal Wingard:
—#83, Diner A La Mode Française
—#107, Life's Great Table
—#43, Wholly Fish
The lady who saved a city library ... by Sara Appel-Lennon in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
May 12, 1950: Hadassah ‘Mother-Daughter’ Lunch A Success
May 12, 1950: San Diego Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith No. 92
May 12, 1950: Home for the Aged
May 12, 1950: Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary
SPORTS
It was an exciting SDJA girls' volleyball season, but like all good things.... by Gary Rotto in San Diego
COMMUNITY WATCH (Link to previous postings)
Jewish Community Foundation:Jewish Community Foundation launches web site, releases annual report
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School: Soille Hebrew Day School’s First Grade Tabachs (Chefs)
Tifereth Israel Synagogue: Tifereth Israel to participate in today's 'Run for the Hungry'
United Jewish Federation: United Jewish Federation of San Diego County Turning Unused Gift Cards Into Cash; An Opportunity To Help Those In Need Like Never Before
INTERNATIONAL Some Jewish internet material is bizarre ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
The Jews Down Under, a roundup of Australian Jewish News ... by Garry Fabian in Melbourne
—Baptist minister raises Jewish anger
—Commentary on preacher's outburst
—The Power of One
—Changes at B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission
—Singing for our supper
—From Chelm to Carlton - and extraordinary journey
—Jewish welfare organisations to merge
—US Vice-President's Link to Melboune
—Jewish Dancer wins Dancing with the Stars
—Fears over Australia's stand on Israel
—Zionist Federation Applauds Government Stance
NATIONAL
Yahoo clicks earn $$$ for charities ... by Hannah Miller in Brooklyn, N.Y>
JUDAISM A primer on Progressive Judaism ... by Fred Reiss in Winchester, California
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY May 12, 1950: Tifereth Israel News May 12, 1950: Sisterhood Mother-Daughter Luncheon May 12, 1950: Pioneer Women
May 12, 1950: Temple Beth Israel May 12, 1950: Labor Zionist Organization~ Chaim Weitzmann Branch of San Diego
INTERNATIONAL
Compared to West Bank, Gaza may be the lesser of Israel's strategic problems.. by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Plants, fish, tourists thrive in Hatzeva ... by Donald H Harrison in Hatzeva, Israel
JUDAISM
The biblical roots of Thanksgiving ... by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego
The power of a stranger's good deed... by Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego
SPORTS
A bissel sports trivia with Bruce Lowitt... in Oldsmar, Florida
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
May 12, 1950: Jewish Labor Committee
May 12, 1950: Histadrut Council of San Diego
May 12, 1950: New Americans To Be Greeted by Mayor and Mrs. Harley Knox
COMMUNITY WATCH
San Diego Jewish Academy: San Diego Jewish Academy Students Earn AP Scholar Awards
Tifereth Israel Synagogue: Tifereth Israel Men's Club Football Bash
INTERNATIONAL
Wiesels dedicate Yemin Orde youth home.... by Jeremy Wimpfheimer in Yemin Orde, Israel
Survivor Corps: War-wounded learn skills to rebuild lives and give to others ... by Sara Appel-Lennon in La Jolla, California
JUDAISM
The eyes seen through the mehitza ... by Dawna Cosme in Brookline, Massachusetts
ARTS
Seeing Miss Daisy after Obama's election ... by Carol Davis in San Diego
Leonard Bernstein will be subject of tribute by Israel Philharmonic tomorrow night... by Eileen Wingard in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
May 12, 1950: It’s Worth The Effort {Editorial on primary voting}
May 12, 1950: They’re Off Again (Editorial on baseball)
May 12, 1950: Letters to the Editor
—On synagogues from Florence Barach
—On Merchant of Venice from Adelk Firestone
—On UJF Allocations from A. Fisher
COMMUNITY WATCH
Lawrence Family JCC: Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices scheduled December 10
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School: Time Travel to 1910: History Comes Alive at Soille Hebrew Day
Tifereth Israel Synagogue: Be Here Tonight (Friday) when We Introduce Jamie Cohen
United Jewish Federation: A message from the United Jewish Federation: Hillel Needs Our Help Again!
SPORTS
SDJA women volleyballers seek title .. by Gary Rotto in San Diego
JERUSALEM--This is a time of testing for Tzipi Livni. Does she have what it takes to be a prime minister?
CARLSBAD, California—Here we sit, yet again, in a state of intense emotional pain, sadness, anger, and frustration. Here we sit, yet again, contemplating the evil senselessness of Islamic terror. Here we sit, yet again, wondering when this long, bitter exile will finally end, and the whole world will be joined in true peace and harmony. But this time it is much worse and the pain hits much closer to home.
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—The Preschoolers at Hebrew Day traveled back in time earlier this monthto Parshat Chayei Sarah. In their class, all the children had a chance to dress up as one of the characters from this beautiful parsha. They chose to be characters such as Avraham, Yitzchak, and Eliezer. All the girls, of course, wanted to be kind Rivka! The children enjoyed making fresh Challot, just like the Challot that were always fresh in Rivka’s tent.
SAN DIEGO—"And Esav said, 'Behold I am going to die, what good is a birthright to me?'" (Gen.25:32) Esav gave up hope and as a result made the worst decision of his life - to sell his 
SAN DIEGO--Oprah Winfry’s The Color Purple, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, will be opening this Tuesday, December 2nd at the Civic Center downtown in its first North American Touring Production. It is a story of family struggles and triumph over adversity and injustice before the Civil War. One of the characters in the musical is called ‘Squeak’ and is being played by the lovely Stephanie St. James (right) who dedicates her performances to her family and to the memory of her recently deceased grandmother Sofia. 
OLDSMAR, Florida—Q: Which major league left-hander was less famous for his pitching than his wooing?
