Sunday, May 18 Community Israel Independence CelebrationWednesday, May 28 JFS~Ellen Saks lecture on mental illness
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23-MONDAY, AUGUST 4 Temple Solel trip to Israel
LETTER FROM JERUSALEM
Clarity is a casualty of Mideast conflict
By Ira Sharkansky
 JERUSALEM--It is tempting to yearn for the good old days of warfare, when the forces of one state fought against the forces of another, until those leading the governments decided that they had enough. Most fighters did what they were told, and few journalists or non-governmental organizations muddied the issues with their pictures and demands.
Current wars are complicated by so many players, and more confusion than clarity in the nature of the conflicts, and what it may take to end them.
Perhaps the geniuses directing American combat in Afghanistan or Iraq can figure out who they are fighting and how to end it.
 I am more aware of Israel's problems. Or to put it more accurately, I am more aware of what no one seems to know about the numerous groups and individuals claiming to be responsible for Palestinian fighters, as well as organizations making demands about Israel's activities in defense of itself, and individuals wandering the region and talking about peace with various other individuals who claim to have some influence. The number of journalists and photographers, and the ease of sending stories and pictures internationally, make it impossible to isolate the battlefields in the fashion of the British in the Falklands. There is a flood of material, some of it fabricated, used to glorify Palestinians and condemn Israelis.
Currently Israel is talking peace with the President of the Palestine National Authority and head of the Fatah Party, Mahmoud Abbas. His power base is in the West Bank. However, various armed groups that claim an affiliation with Fatah, but do not accept Abbas' leadership, are continuing the armed struggle from their bases in the West Bank. A substantial portion of the Palestinian population is in Gaza, where the Hamas organization has forcefully expelled many of the Fatah operatives it did not kill. Hamas usually rejects a peace process with Israel, and does what it can to kill Israelis. But sometimes it expresses a willingness to arrange a long term cease fire that does not involve a formal recognition of Israel's right to exist. Occasionally the message is blurred further when the Hamas leadership in Gaza is out of step with the Hamas leadership in Damascus. A person claiming to speak for one may be talking cease fire while a person claiming to speak for the other asserts that there are no conversations about a cease fire.
Hamas seems to have the military power to impose its will on Gaza, yet it tolerates other organizations that operate independently. One of these has been holding an Israeli soldier for almost two years, and has its own price for his release. Another fires its rockets toward Israeli civilians, even when Hamas may be testing the prospects for a period of calm by not firing its rockets at Israel.
Non-governmental organizations compete with one another in judging the participants and advancing their own solutions. They do not wield arms, but they do affect the agenda. Several put their words into the reports of foreign ministries and the United Nations. Within two days of the recent death of a Palestinian news photographer, Human Rights Watch concluded, without anything close to a serious investigation, that Israeli soldiers had targeted him on purpose.
Foreign governments also pursue their own interests. Saudi Arabia and the Arab League claim to have offered peace, but on terms that would require Israel to turn back the clock by 40 or 60 years. At times it appears that Egypt would like to negotiate peace or a period of calm, while Egyptian soldiers look the other way as Palestinians "smuggle" munitions over the Egyptian-Gaza border. An Egyptian official has indicated that a deal is close whereby Hamas and Israel will agree to a cease fire and an exchange of prisoners, while a Palestinian claiming to speak for Hamas claims there is no such thing. Iran has bought a stake in continued Palestinian violence with money, munitions, and training. Syria is involved with Iran, Hizbollah, and other factions in Lebanon that are holding Israeli prisoners (or their bodies), and arming themselves for what may become another round of serious fighting.
Jesse Jackson was here a few years ago, and was roundly ignored. Jimmy Carter is weightier, and presents his own complications. His outspoken condemnations of Israel, including a book that accuses Israel of apartheid while he tries to deny making that accusation, has produced a situation where the three Israelis holding the most important positions (prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister) could not find time in their schedules to meet with him. Yet at least one other government minister urged Carter to work toward accommodations between Israel and its adversaries. Carter himself seems confused. He is both flogging the details of a deal between Israel and Hamas, and telling Hamas leaders that he does not want to be an intermediary between them and Israel.
He is still at work. By the time you read this he may have produced a real peace, and I will be embarrassed.
I will risk the conclusion that the multiplicity of organizations and individuals involved in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians renders impossible the complete description of who is fighting who. One should never say never, but so far these conditions have frustrated anyone who would produce a pause or an end to the violence.
At the least, this should soften criticism of Israel's leaders. They may know more than us common folk, but not enough to know exactly how to cut through the swamp of so many competing players.
Unlike them, we can avoid the struggle, and choose instead to have another portion of matzoh ball soup.
Chag sameach.
S
Carter is still trying to make peace
By J. Zel Lurie
 DELRAY BEACH, Florida--President Jimmy Carter, who brought Israel and Egypt together in a peace treaty twenty-nine years ago, is till trying to make peace between Israel and Syria and Israel and the Palestinians.
He arrived in Israel on Sunday, April 13, on the first leg of a journey to Israel, Palestine and Syria. Gaza was also on his itinerary, but Israel would not permit him to cross over.
“Perhaps I can circumvent it,” he told the Israel press. Later, he scheduled a meeting with Hamas leaders from Gaza in Cairo on Thursday, Among other things he wants to talk to Hamas about freeing their Israeli prisoner, Gilad Shalit.
His ultimate goal is to get Hamas to agree to sign on to the Arab League’s offer of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.
Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union.
He met in Syria with the man who pulls the strings of Hamas in Gaza, Khaled Meshal, Carter’s proposed meeting with Meshal added to the anger of the so-called pro-Israel community in the United States, who have never forgiven him for his best-seller “Palestine: Peace or Apartheid.”
 The book dared to compare apartheid, the term for the Jim Crow separation of races in South Africa for Israeli’s treatment of Palestinians, including forbidding Palestinian traffic on the main highways in the West Bank, built on Palestinian land, and confining Palestinian cars to mostly unpaved secondary roads. No better term than apartheid could be found.
The book was on the Jewish best-seller list in Hadassah Magazine for many months.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tsipi Livini could not “find the time” to meet with the 39th President of the United States, who had worked for two years arranging the first Israel-Arab agreement, the 1979 Israel-Egyption peace treaty.
President Shimon Peres welcomed him to the Israeli White House. But before he arrived, the President’s office had issued a press release attacking his proposed visit to Meshal in Damascus.
An editorial in Ha’aretz titled “Our debt to Jimmy Carter” caustically notes that the achievements of the Peres Center for Peace fall far short of that of the Carter Center
.
Jimmy Carter has traveled the world promoting democracy. Recently he was in Nepal, which has just held its first democratic elections. Former Maoist guerillas will participate in the government,
Carter headed the team of observers in the January 2006 Palestinian elections in which Hamas won a plurality but not a majority. He told Akiva Eldar of Ha’aretz that Israel and Fatah wanted the elections postponed, fearing a Hamas victory, but President Bush insisted that they be held.
As to the boycott of him by Israeli leaders, Carter told Eldar “I am disappointed but not distressed.”
Everything he has done in and out of office, has been aimed at bringing peace to the area. “The security of Israel is a paramount and integral issue.“ he said. “The things that I have done, the things that I have written, this long trip that we’ve been planning for months are, in my opinion, about consummating that goal.”
He hoped that Olmert and Livni would see him upon his return from Syria. If not, he pointed out to Eldar, “In a dictatorship, the dictator speaks for all the people. But, in a democracy, like Israel, there is a wide range of opinion, and that counterbalances my disappointment in not meeting with the people shaping Israel power now in government.”
Eldar asked him what he hoped to accomplish in Syria, which President Bush included in the axis-of-evil.
“We don’t talk to the Cubans, we don’t talk to the Iranians.” Carter replied. “But I believe that when you start a peace effort, all of the powers that will have to be involved on this agreement, ought to be involved in the negotiations to reach that agreement.”
Which means involving Syria and Hamas.
Going back to the 1979 Israel-Egyptian treaty, which included “full autonomy” for the Palestinians, Eldar asked:
“Do you suspect that Menachem Begin misled you on the Palestinian issue and that he intended from the outset to conclude a separate peace with Egypt?”
Carter denied that Begin intended to exclude the Palestinians. He replied:
“Begin committed to withdraw Israeli military and political forces from the occupied territories and also to give the Palestinians full autonomy. I had written in the text ‘to give the Palestinians autonomy’ but he insisted that we put in’ full autonomy.’ Begin was extremely courageous, honest and fair.”
I wonder. Ezer Weizman and Moshe Dayan soon resigned from Begin’s government because there was no movement towards autonomy for the Palestinians. The matter was placed in the hands of Joseph Burg, the genial head of Mizrachi. Minister Burg pondered and called a press conference for foreign press only.
I was in Israel at the time so I attended. Minister Burg outlined a Palestinian cabinet and their duties, There were various ministers but no foreign minister or defense minister. Autonomy did not include ambassadors nor an army. I noticed another omission.
“What about a Department of Finance and Taxation?” I asked. “Who is going to support this cabinet?”
Burg was taken aback. “That will be corrected.” he admitted.
Nothing was corrected. The Palestionian cabinet was never heard from again. Israel invaded Lebanon and Jewish settlers continued to flood into the West Bank. The Israel government has long forgotten its promise to “withdraw its army and political forces” . But Carter remembers.
As we go to press we learn that Carter succeeded in getting Hamas to agree to a two-state solution based on 1967 borders.
We are going to hear a lot more about Jimmy Carter’s travels for peace in the Middle East.
THE GATES OF THE NEGEV
Rocket whizzes over head of Mayor
Alon Schuster of Sha'ar Hanegev
By Ulla Hadar
 KIBBUTZ MEFALSIM, Israel—Mayor Alon Schuster of Sha'ar Hanegev municipality, which includes this kibbutz, was out for a run Monday morning when the red alerts sirens signalled incoming Kassam rockets. Four of them landed in open areas, with one exploding only 100 meters away from the mayor.
 "In the midst of my morning run, I heard the whizzing sound of a rocket passing over my head," related Schuster, whose photo by Amir Cohen is to the right. "According to proper procedure, I spread out flat on the ground. When I realized that no one as injured I reacted in the best Zionist way that I know—I continued my run."
Schuster said the rocket hit "right next to the kibbutz fence. There were several workers in the fields surrounding the kibbutz, but luckily no one was injured and no material damge was encountered."
Over the last several days, numerous rockets have been fired both at the kibbutzim and moshav of Sha'ar Hanegev as well as at the neighboring city of Sderot, where Schuster and the Sha'ar Hanegev municipality maintain offices.
Monday afternoon, Schuster had planned to play football with his son—who is out of school for the Pesach holiday—but another rocket landed in Kibbutz Gevim. This prompted Schuster and his son to promptly change their plans in order to visit Gevim. There they found that a 4-year-old child had been injured by shrapnel from the attack.
Schuster said his experience and that of the child belie the claim of Hamas spokesman Richvi Rantizi that only Israeli soldiers—not Israeli civilians—are being targeted by Hamas.
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Editor's Note: We are reprinting a series of articles that the Southwestern Jewish Press ran in July 1949 providing the history and purpose of numerous Jewish organizations in San Diego. 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
Junior Matrons
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July, 1949, pages 1, 2
The Junior Matrons is a group of young married women interested in the civic welfare of their community.
Our main project is a mobile library for patients of the County Hospital. Two of our members visit the hospital every Friday to distribute books in the Orthepedic (sic, orthopedic) wards.
We have sponsored a scholarship for the current Community Center Day Camp.
Our membership numbers 25; officers are: president, Mrs. Herbert Haimsohn; vice-president, Mrs. Richard Gerding; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Max Nelson; recording secretary, Mrs. Martin Borenstein; treasurer, Mrs. Max Glaser; ways and means, Mrs. Joseph Schwartz; membership chairman, Mrs. Sidney Rubin; publicity chairman; Mrs. Irvin Kravitz; social welfare, Mrs. Robert White; civic social secretary, Mrs. Howard Hoffman and parliamentarian, Mrs. Robert Penn.
Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at the members home. Anyone who is interested is very welcome and may obtain information from any of the above officers.
Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Chapt. 92
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July 1949, pages 1, 8:
The summer activity of the Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Chapter 92 is under way with a Mid Year Luncheon and Card Party to be held on Monday July 11th at Temple Center, 34d and Laurel Streets. Chaired by Mrs. Esther Cole, and assisted by an able committee, this luncheon, for which a nominal fee is being charged, will help raise funds for one of the many worthwhile projects of the organization.
On August 10th, there will be the Pre-Donor Luncheon at the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park; where the books for the prize to be given away at the Donor Luncheon will be distributed. Mrs. Sophie Himmel is the chairman for this affair. Further details on this party will b forthcoming at a later date.
The huge money raising event of the year for Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Women will be the Donor Luncheon, which will be held this year at the del Coronado on November 21st. All proceeds from this affair will go to making up the quota allotted the San Diego Chapter of B’nai B’rith Women.
This year, more so than before, the quotas have been raised, because of the dire necessity, especially in the work and rehabilitation undertaken by B’nai B’rith Women in Israel. Mrs. Celia Schwartz is chairman for this Donor Luncheon. Plans are under way for the entertainment for this party and Mrs. Schwartz will have an interesting announcement to make in the near future.
Samuel I. Fox Lodge, No. 1747 B’nai B’rith
From the Southwestern Jewish Press, July 1949, pages 1, 2
By Irving N. Cohen, pres.
The Samuel I Fox Lodge was formed in June, 1948. On the ninth day of that month, it officially joined the family of B’nai B’rith. While still in its infancy, it founded the Cottage of Israel as a part of Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations. On August 1, 1948, members of the lodge raised the flag of Israel over a public building for the first time in the history of the United States. Shortly afterwards, the entire Jewish community was invited and agreed to share sponsorship of the House of Israel. First under the operation of the Samuel I. Fox Lodge, and then as a community project, the House of Israel has attracted thousands of visitors from all corners of the world.
During this same summer period, the lodge captured the Rabbi Moise Bergman Memorial Baseball Trophy. Its winning baseball ways have continued to the current season. At this moment it is slated to defend its championship in a playoff game to be held at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, July 10, on the school playground at Park Blvd. and Meade Ave.
Early in 1949, the Samuel I . Fox Lodge joined with the San Diego Lasker Lodge in sponsoring interfaith Boy Scout Troop 99.
As it has entered into these and other activities, the lodge has grown in numbers. Today, its membership is double that off a year ago. In addition, it is now organizing a companion B’nai B’rith women’s chapter. More important, the Samuel I. Fox Lodge has reached maturity and looks with enthusiasm to the years ahead.
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SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Donald H. Harrison in Escondido, California: 'Fifth son' at our seders—the captive soldier
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Matzo sandwich: is the Earl laughing?
Fred Reiss in Winchester, California: Evangelicals: good or bad for the Jews?
Adventures in San Diego History: The Southwestern Jewish Press in July 1949 printed articles detailing the histories and purposes of various Jewish organizations in San Diego. Today we reprint the stories about Hadassah and the Junior Section of Senior Hadassah.
Carol Davis in La Jolla, California: 33 Variations probes Beethoven's obsession
Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel: Battle to bring, keep water in the Negev
Donald H. Harrison in Jamul, California: On the land-use warpath in rural Jamul
Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego: Rav Henoch Leibowitz dies at 92 in Queens
Dov Burt Levy in Peabody, Massachusetts: A miraculous report from Sderot
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego: Do free people have to attend a seder?
Adventures in San Diego History: The Southwestern Jewish Press in July 1949 printed articles detailing the histories and purposes of various Jewish organizations in San Diego. Today we reprint the stories about Hadassah and the Junior Section of Senior Hadassah.
Carol Davis in San Diego: Speaking of Pharaoh's Egypt: Aida is back
Eran Lerman in Jerusalem: Israel has domestic political chametz which
it would be well to sweep out before Pesach
Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem: In Israel, water is an issue that is of both technological and theological concern
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Chapter Four in the serialization of her novel, Reluctant Martyr
William Propp in La Jolla: David Noel Freedman: an appreciation
Adventures in San Diego History:We begin a series of stories from the 1949 Southwestern Jewish Press in which each Jewish organization was asked to tell its history and activities.
Carol Davis in Coronado, California: If your family made its fortune by theft, would you willingly return the money?
Dow Marmur in Jerusalem: Jimmy Carter's unwelcome benevolence
Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem: Notes from ever-changing Haggadot
Adventures in San Diego History: San Diego's Jewish community focused in 1949 on the resettlement of refugees in Israel and on aid to needy Jews in San Diego and abroad
Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.: Welcome back, welcome back Berlusconi
Larry Gorfine in San Diego:Jews play prominent roles in S.D. politics
Gary Rotto in Angelus Oaks, California: Debating a professional at a 'big boy' retreat for Jewish leaders at Camp Mountain Chai
Adventures in San Diego History: In 1947, the Jewish community in San Diego was alive with fresh beginnings: A new softball leage, a CARE office, groundbreaking in North Park for Tifereth Israel; a new sefer Torah in Tijuana, and the installation of a Hillel unit at San Diego State
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