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Sunday, April 20 Beth Am~Second Night Seder
FRIDAY, MAY 9Shabbat service celebrating Israel at 60
Sunday, May 18 Community Israel Independence CelebrationWednesday, May 28 JFS~Ellen Saks lecture on mental illness
THE VIEW FROM JINSA
Welcome back, welcome back Berlusconi
By Shoshana Bryen
 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The re-election of Silvio Berlusconi restores a good friend of America and a good friend of Israel to power in Italy. With Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany, Berlusconi brings Italy into the circle of European countries - the important countries of Old Europe - governed by people with a serious appreciation for America, small-d democrats, freedom and straight talk.
And Israel.
The Associated Press reports that Berlusconi announced his first foreign trip as Prime Minister would be to Israel, to mark the Jewish state's 60th anniversary. He called it a show of supp ort for "the only real democracy in the Middle East." We were surprised, frankly, at how emotional we were to hear the leader of an important European country tell a simple truth about the State of Israel - indicative, perhaps, of how accustomed we have become to hearing Israel vilified in Western Europe. We even imagine he will visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem; something President Bush's "handlers" have hinted will be too controversial.
From the US point of view, the election of Berlusconi ensures that American concerns about the future of Iraq - and Iran - will be heard. Berlusconi has said he will not reverse the Italian decision to remove its troops from Iraq, although they are still training Iraqi soldiers (and Italian troops serve in Afghanistan). He will surely not agree with the US on all things, but it is hard to imagine Italy not doing its best to ensure that our government and the Iraqi government have support in Europe. And Berlusconi is not one to minimize the destructive potential of Iran.
His domestic plate will be full when he takes office. Trash in Naples, a slow economy, tax evasion, streamlining government and electoral reform will have to be his priorities - because that is what the Italian people expect. In these, we wish him well.
But even as he turns his attention first to domestic politics, we are vastly reassured and happy to have a straight thinker and straight talker back in office in Rome.
For some time there was a tendency in Europe to think of the problems of Islamic radicalism, Saudi and Iranian support for terrorist organizations, al Qaeda, the future of Iraq and the future of Moslem small-d democratic thinking, as issues that came with President Bush and would (happily for them) disappear with President Bush. In France and Germany - and now in Italy as well - voters have elected leadership that understands that those problems confront all of the Western world, and millions of allies in the Moslem world who may not have a voice but who wish anyhow for freedom and liberty. The enemies of the United States are their enemies; the allies of the United States are their allies. The big war will be won or lost together.
America's current president, and our next president, should be reassured by the new constellation of leadership in Europe.
 
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THE POLITICAL GROTTO
Debating a professional at a 'big boy' retreat for Jewish leaders at Camp Mountain Chai
By Gary Rotto
 ANGELUS OAKS, California—While San Diego sweltered under unseasonable hot weather this past weekend, some 60 men gathered for the Big Boys weekend at Camp Mountain Chai in San Bernardino County.
High up in the mountains not far from Big Bear sits San Diego’s Jewish camp. Yes, there are other Jewish camps, but this is one that serves primarily the San Diego Jewish community. I had the “pleasure” of serving as one of the presenters during the weekend, as part of a debate with my friend Larry Greenfield, California Director of the Republican Jewish Coalition. I’m not sure how much of a pleasure it is to go up against a trained and polished debater such as Larry. More on that in a minute.
I had heard about the camp well before its establishment. I remember one occasion where Ed Ed Samiljan and Murray Galinson talked about the great contributions that such a facility could make to the community. And several of my daughter’s friends have attended the camp during the summer. But the camp functions as a true resource for the community, sponsoring programs for congregations, for single parent families as well as for the Orange County public schools.
As a former camp counselor for the summer camp conducted jointly by the Albuquerque and El Paso Jewish communities, I was curious about the facilities. Swimming pool, ropes course, indoor bunks, ga-ga pit and soccer field and very nice conference facilities are located on the camp grounds. And a lake operated by the camping association is only minutes away. While I was early for my program, I arrived too late to take in informative discussions lead by Professor Sandy Lakoff and Alan Nevin to name a few of the knowledgeable speakers.
I learned quickly that food was not scarce as we went from a late afternoon reception to dinner and then on to Havdallah. My hope was that Larry would be lulled into a satisfying and sluggish state between the food and the altitude. I also learned that there had been lively political discussions well before Larry and I arrived. Dan Schwimmer, our moderator set very strict ground rules not so much because he was concerned about us, but so that the adult campers would allow us to get a word in edgewise.
I’m a policy wonk and a political analyst. Larry is the attorney, former radio talk show host and expert at rhetoric. My goal: not let Larry eat my lunch – though I took out the white, wheat and rye bread at the beginning of the discussion/debate. My strategy was to counter punch throughout the program.
How could Nancy Pelosi (a Democrat) visit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damacus demanded Larry? But Congressman Darrell Issa (a Republican) did exactly the same thing within in weeks I retorted. How do you condemn one but not the other?
We need energy choices like nuclear, wind and opening Anwar in Alaska to oil exploration, asserted Larry. But does not drilling for oil in Anwar only perpetuate our dependency on fossil fuels? Why don’t we invest in technologies that take us away from fossil fuels? General Motors will have the all-electric Volt automobile in mass production soon and Toyota is working on a plug in hybrid. Let’s encourage these innovations and even extend the tax credit on installing solar panels. If you have solar panels, you can produce your own energy for your plug in hybrid I retorted.
We need to cut entitlements at the federal level, implored Larry. But I did a very wonk thing and pulled out a chart of the National Debt showing that during the advent of the War on Poverty and the Great Society programs of President Johnson, the national debt barely moved. It was during the massive military build up and tax cuts during the Reagan Administration that the deficit boomed. That’s now being outdone by the military spending and build up in Iraq ... to the tune of nine trillion dollars and counting.
I was satisfied to get out without either loaf of bread devoured and some good conversation after the event. Maybe I’ll come back for the Single Parents weekend – but as a participant and not a speaker. That ropes course is calling!
Jews play prominent roles in S.D. politics
By Larry Gorfine
 SAN DIEGO—While it wasn’t a meeting of the United Jewish Federation board of directors, there were enough prominent members of the Jewish community introduced at the Saturday evening, April 12 Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt dinner of the Democratic County Committee, that there would have been no problem putting together a minyan.
For example, Marty Block, the president of the San Diego Community College board, was introduced as a candidate for the 78th Assembly District, and Marti Emerald, former “trouble-shooter" for Channel 10, was cheered as a candidate for the 7th District of the San Diego City Council.
Deputy State Attorney General Howard Wayne, another member of the community, was introduced as a former state assemblyman, and Chicana-Jewish activist Gracia Molina Pick was awarded lifetime membership in the Democratic County Committee. She dressed in traditional Mexican costume for the occasion.
Congresswoman Susan Davis was omnipresent, shaking numerous outstretched. Our other San Diego county Jewish member of Congress is Bob Filner, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, but he was unable to attend, although he has frequently done so in previous year.
But for me, the highlight of a county committee dinner is always the announcement of the winner of the memorial Henry Auerbach Leadership Award, who this year was Imperial Beach party activist. Claudia Satriano.
Not only was Henry my early mentor but he thought of me as a son and I thought of Henry as a second father. Through Henry’s generosity, political contacts, and courage (e.g. standing up to Grand Dragon/Nazi Tom Metzger when he tried to claim a seat on the Democratic Committee in 1980), he helped put the San Diego County Democratic Committee on the map. His widow, Thelma, currently lives in retirement in Carlsbad and has been poor health lately.
Overall the evening put me and many attendees in a nostalgic mood. Most counties in the United States have some type of annual Democratic fundraiser, whether it be a Jefferson Jackson lunch, Roosevelt dinner, or a county fair day. The genesis of San Diego County’s dinner came in 1980 under the aegis of Southern California Democratic chairman M. Larry Lawrence, a Jewish community member who owned the Hotel Del Coronado, where Democrats often gathered.
Past dinners attracted such keynote speakers as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Dianne Feinstein, John Kerry, Jerry Brown, Kathleen, Brown, Willie Brown and Maxine Waters. This year’s keynoter was San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the dinner emcee was Christine Pelosi, former chair of the California Democratic Party and daughter of Nancy Pelosi, first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Besides Lawrence, some Jewish community members who led the Democratic party in San Diego were former committee chairs Maureen Steiner and Rita Luftig.
The current county chair, Jess Durfee, announced at the dinner that the Republican registration lead in San Diego had been sliced in half from 80,000 to 40,000, and not wanting to take all the credit, Durfee noted George W. Bush has helped some too! The cities of La Mesa and Del Mar now have more registered Democrats than Republicans.
When the dinner was over, and before I could finally make my way to the bar of the Holiday Inn at the Bay, I thought I’d schmooze a bit. I find myself stunned by two things: Unlike the past 28 years, with the influx of young people in our beloved party, I didn’t recognize anyone to schmooze with and took the Great Circle route out of the room. Secondly, my Word software program recognized the word “schmooze”! We’ve come a long way. Happy Pesach everyone.
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ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Editor's Note: Following are some stories from the Southwestern Jewish Press from 1947. If you have historical topics about the San Diego Jewish community you would like us to explore, please e-mail your suggestions to editor Don Harrison at sdheritage@cox.net
Play Ball! First League Game Sunday
From Southwestern Jewish Press, May 29, 1947, page 5:
Sunday is the day, June 1st, when the first official softball game between the teams entered in the Jewish Softball League sponsored by the Southwestern Jewish Press will be played on the diamond at the Horace Mann Playground. Competition is keen with all participating organizations using their best athletes on their teams.
The following is the line-up for each club:
Alpha Phi Pi: Yale Naliboff, captain; Julie Schneider, Carl Naliboff, Irving Slayen, Arnie Margulis, Leo Beck, Ben Press, Kelly Lawrence, Irving Rawdin, Morton Altshuler, Milton Kraft, Ellis Jacobson, Morrie Frankston and Ted Teacher.
The Yo-Ma-Co {Young Married Couples}: Joe Kitaen, captain; Phil Goldman, Irving Kravitz, Manny Haffner, Sam Brenes, Henry Goldy, David Cohen, George Novak, Ray Lowitz, Byron Sharpe, Dave M. Schwartz, Herman Cohen, Jack Steran, Hank Harrison and Manny Klatchko.
The players for the Temple Men’s Club are Lee Richards, captain; Harold Lasher, Norman Ripps, Loenard Linn, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, Dr. Al Kornbluth, Jerry Greben, David Block, Norman Seltzer, Wm. Gerelick, Chester Toerner, David Nelson, Morris Pomeranz, Sam Adler and L. B. Kent.
B’nai B’rith, who had two teams playing in the practice games, will have Eddie Cantor, Lory Cantor, George Starr, Harry Mallen, Victor Schulman, Morris Wax, and the best players from their Lodge from the two teams making up the balance of the team, announced Lou Pollak, B’nai B’rith team captain.
The remaining teams are the Temple Youth League, who will have in their line-up Stuart Penther, captain; Herbie Schwartz, Ted Mintz, Eddie Lyle, Zane Feldman, Larry Gross, Sam Krasner, Bert Epstein and Jerry Azner.
The Haveros and the A.Z.A. are the remaining teams in this seven-team League.
The winning team will receive a trophy for their Club and each player on the winning team will also receive a trophy, those all being given by the sponsor of the League, the Southwestern Jewish Press>
Most competition thrives on spectators, so the players and all the clubs join in inviting everyone to be in the stands at Horace Mann Playground Sunday, June 1st at 10 a.m., to help root the best teams to victory.
“CARE” Office Opened in San Diego
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July 17, 1947, page 3
Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe, Inc., a non-profit service to the American people, announced its official outlet and information center to the Community Chest in San Diego at the Jewish Welfare Society at 609 First National Bank Bldg. recently.
The three essential services now being sent via the CARE Agency include food, woolen clothing and blankets. A service cost of $10,00 per package is extended to cover shipment to nearly all parts of Europe, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“CARE was organized by twenty-six voluntary relief agencies in 1945 to bring order out of the chaotic attempts of Americans to send individual packages of food and clothing supplies to needy people in war-torn Europe,” said Mr. Carl Esenoff, president of the Jewish Welfare Society. “Today, Americans are sending 12,000 care food packages daily, addressed to individuals in 14 countries in Europe.”
“Orders placed with the Jewish Welfare Society are airmailed to the appropriate country representatives,” said Mr. Esenoff, “and all deliveries are made from warehouse stock piles CARE maintains and operates in each of the countries.”
Ground Breaking Sunday for Tifereth Israel
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 7, 1947, page 1
Sunday, August 10, 1947, the Congregation Tifereth Israel will realize the culmination of years of dreaming and planning, when ground will be broken for the new Synagogue. The location of the new Synagogue will be at 30th and Howard Streets and there will gather the members and friends of Tifereth Israel to rejoice with them at this impressive ceremony.
The Building Committee has been working diligently for many months to bring about the erection of the new building, which in addition to the Synagogue proper, will contain an auditorium, a center and other meeting rooms.
Many State, County and City officials, including Mayor Harley E. Knox, will be present to help the Jewish Community commemorate this occasion. Judge Jacob Weinberger of Los Angeles and some Hollywood celebrities will also be present.
The untiring efforts of the committee and members of the Congregation Tifereth Israel will be rewarded when this new, modern building will be completed and ready for occupancy. They heartily extend a cordial invitation to every member of the Jewish community to participate with them this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the ground-breaking ceremony.
Tijuana Jewish Community to Dedicate Sefer Torah
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 7, 1947, page 1
The Jewish Community of Tijuana, known as Mageun David, announces a momentous occasion in their progress. Their first Sefer Torah will be dedicated on Saturday evening, August 16, 1947, at 8:00 p.m. A reception given in honor of the dedication will be held at the Mageun David Congregation at 507 2nd St. in Tijuana. The committee in charge announces a special court of honor for the solemn ceremony.
Dancing and refreshments will follow the ceremony. The entire Congregation invites the San Deigo Jewish Community to attend and celebrate with them.
Dr. A.L. Sacher to Install Hillel Unit
From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 7, 1947, page 1
When the new Hillel Unit will be installed at San Diego State College on September 30th, it will have the honor of having Dr. Abram L. Sacher, national Director of all Hillel Activities, as installing officer, announced Morris Douglas, president of Lasker Lodge B’nai B’rith, and Morrie Kraus, Hillel chairman of the Lodge.
In addition to being National Director of all Hillel Foundations, Dr. Sacher also serves on the Supreme Executive Council of B’nai B’rith. An educator of note, he has devoted many years to the growth and development of this, one of the most important phases of the B’nai B’rith program.
The committee which is making plans for the installation announces that the ceremony will take place on Tuesday evening, September 30th. Officers of the Grand Lodge District No. 4 and officials and dignitaries of San Diego State College are being invited to participate in this community-wide project. When details for the installation are completed and the place where it is to be held is known, the information will be given to the public some time in September.
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Judy Lash Balint in Jerusalem: 20 ways you know it's Pesach in Jerusalem
Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.: Iran becomes increasingly frustrated in Iraq
Donald H. Harrison in La Jolla, California: Congregation Beth Israel's exhibit shows Israel that American visitors photograph
Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem: Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) provide necessary peace presence in Hebron
Adventures in San Diego History: In 1947 the community was focused on helping survivors of the Holocaust and on establishing such new institutions as Hillel at San Diego State University and a Jewish summer camp.
Donald H. Harrison in Spring Valley, California: Bancroft probed then dismissed 'Lost Tribes of Israel' origin for Native Americans
Lloyd Levy in Eilat, Israel: Eilat: Both a historical and tourist gem
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Way it was—a Jewish innocent strikes out
Adventures in San Diego History: Some items from 1947 include a refugee family reunited in San Diego; a new Conservative rabbi takes his post; and a seder is conducted for the residents of the San Diego Hebrew Home for the AgedBarry Jagoda in San Diego: Biblical scholar David Noel Freedman dies
Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego: He flew literally on a wing and a prayer
Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem: Eric
Yoffie v. John Hagee: Round One
Marissa Palin in San Diego: And what of the women of Passover?
Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem: Should Palestinians be rewarded for seven years of violence and intransigence?
Adventures in San Diego History: Today we feature stories from the immediate Post-World War II period.
Donald H. Harrison in San Diego: Stop trying to turn Obama into Foxman
Eran Lerman in Jerusalem: Gaza terrorists apparently want to make their own people absolutely miserable
Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem: Jews must recognize the new Poland
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Chapter Three in the serialization of her novel, Reluctant Martyr
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego: Ridding ourselves of spiritual chametz
Adventures in San Diego History: Stories of pre-World War II San Diego
Ulla Hadar in San Diego: A new correspondent introduces herself
Donald H. Harrison in San Diego: Mayor envisions Lindbergh-Rodriguez solution for future San Diego air travelers
Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem: Israeli news diet: peace, democracy, sex
Janet Tiger in San Diego: Salute to Rosentals goes tricultural
Adventures in San Diego History: We conclude our series of stories from 1922 in which members of San Diego's Jewish community looked at their past, present and future.
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