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Thursday, June 5 Tifereth Israel's 'Girls Night Out'
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Friday-Saturday, June 6-7 JFS~Judaism on the Wild Side
Sunday, June 8 Temple Solel~Tikkun Leil Shavuot
SUNDAY, JUNE 8 Ohr Shalom Shavuout Service
THE VIEW FROM JINSA
Condoleezza Rice's stand over Gaza scholarships is counterproductive
By Shoshana Bryen
 WASHINGTON, D.C—News reports say Secretary of State Rice was surprised (and "not pleased," according to spokesman Sean McCormack) to find that Israel denied exit from Gaza to seven Palestinians the United States selected for Fulbright scholarships.
"If you cannot engage young people and give complete horizon to their expectations and to their dreams, then I don't know that there would be any future for Palestine or, frankly, since I believe the two-state solution is so important to Israelis and Palestinians, to the people of that region who want to have decent lives," she said.
John Branchizio, Mark Parson and John Martin Linde wanted decent lives, too, Madame Secretary.
The three young Americans were killed in a 2003 car bombing in Gaza as they accompanied an American diplomat to interview potential Fulbright scholars. The State Department offered a lame reward, banned travel to Gaza by U.S. officials and temporarily suspended funding for two water projects. An FBI investigation went nowhere, possibly because, according to the Israel Law Center, the Palestinian commander investigating the bombing - Col. Rashid Abu Shabak - was probably the man who planned it.
According to Israeli intelligence, Abu Shabak masterminded the attack in which two teachers were killed and three children lost parts of their legs from a bomb under a school bus among other terror activities including his reputation among Palestinians as a "collaborator hunter" Abu Shabak was removed from the terror list in 2005 to "strengthen Abu Mazen," and Abu Mazen made him chief of the General Security Service. (Are those the guys Gen. Dayton is training?)
If the State Department wants to say, "Bygones are bygones," and if they don't really care about justice for three young Americans working for the State Department, Dr. Rice should say, "Bygones are bygones and we don't care." At least we would know what we're dealing with - and so would people who enter State Department service. Note that it took more than 23 years for the Department to acknowledge that Yasser Arafat was directly responsible for the assassination of American diplomats Cleo Noel and Curtis Moore, and Belgian diplomat Guy Eid.
Just to round out the story: The State Department now admits it didn't tell Israel that the request for seven young Palestinian men to travel abroad was that they had been selected for American scholarships. U.S. officials said Israel should have anyhow have recognized that they were a "special case." Really? Young Palestinian men have been going to Iran from Gaza for advanced rocket/missile training. Israeli security concerns were entirely valid and there is no excuse for the State Department's (deliberate?) omission.
And finally, why Gaza? U.S. policy has been to isolate the Hamas government while investing its energies in Abu Mazen's West Bank. It is not a good policy, but if the goal is to "strengthen Abu Mazen," why allow Hamas to take credit for the restoration of Fulbright scholarships and a clear weakening of the American policy of isolation? Hamas wins and both Israel and Abu Mazen lose when the Secretary pick a stupid fight with her presumed allies on behalf of her announced enemies.
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
Elections, conversions, award ceremonies: the shehecheyanu moments of springtime
By Donald H. Harrison
 SAN DIEGO—June is the month of primary elections, school graduations, award ceremonies, Shavuot and conversions to Judaism. It is a time when we Jews, in our multiple roles as voters, teachers, and family members can’t help but kvell.
In San Diego County’s primary elections, most, although not all, Jewish candidates won their races for public office outright on Tuesday, June 3, or placed well enough to earn runoff spots in the general election in November.
For example, incumbent congressional representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis, both members of the Jewish community, easily turned back Democratic party primary challenges respectively by Daniel Ramirez in the 51st CD and Mike Copass in the 53rd District. Additionally, on election day, Filner announced that as a Super Delegate he will support Barack Obama for President, thereby helping the U.S. senator from Illinois to claim the Democratic presidential nomination.
In a contested battle for the Republican nomination to oppose Davis in November, Michael Crimmins crushed Naomi Bar-Lev, a member of the Jewish community.
In the Democratic primary in the 78th Assembly District, San Diego Community College Board Chairman Marty Block, a former regional American Jewish Committee leader, in unofficial returns prevailed over three other candidates for the Democratic nomination. Winning a plurality of the votes in the Assembly District's Democratic contest entitled him to face John McCann, a Republican candidate with a name that sounds very similar to that of the GOP presidential standard bearer.
In San Diego City Council races, Jewish community members Phil Thalheimer and Marti Emerald appeared headed for November runoffs respectively against Sherri S. Lightner in the 1st Council District and April Boling in the 7th Council District. Thalheimer and Emerald placed second in their multiple-candidate races.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders in unofficial returns won an outright majority of the votes, thereby escaping what many anticipated would be a runoff election against his well-financed challenger Steve Francis. Sanders claimed victory with his Jewish wife, Rana Sampson, at his side.
San Diego Jewish World had made three endorsements in this election: Sanders, Block and Emerald.
Although elections have been dominating the airwaves, they were but a small portion of the Spring rites marking new beginnings.
Shavuot, the holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, comes on June 8 this year. Traditionally, it is a time when converts to Judaism are welcomed as members of the Jewish people. In synagogues around the world, we read from the Book of Ruth to honor those who in a Biblical paraphrase of Ruth’s vow to Naomi, would goest whither we go. It is also the time for student confirmation ceremonies and, increasingly, for adult b'nai mitzvah.
Serving this year as a part-time high school journalism teacher, I have the pleasure of knowing that three San Diego Jewish Academy students who were my students soon will be launched on their college careers in any fields they choose to pursue. They are Michelle Rizzi, William Bohannon, and Charly Jaffe.
Jaffe, in fact, is already embarked on new ventures. Instead of returning to San Diego from Poland and Israel with the rest of the SDJA senior class following a five-week study trip, she diverted to Washington D.C. to be on hand as a youth delegate to what promises to be an exciting AIPAC conference. In the speakers lineup are the presumptive presidential nominees, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, as well as second-place Democratic contender Hillary Clinton. Israel’s embattled prime minister Ehud Olmert also was announced as a speaker.
Notwithstanding Jaffe’s absence, the name of the outstanding student was mentioned several times during an award ceremony presided over by Jeff Davis, principal of SDJA’s Maimonides Upper School. Bohannon was another senior award winner for excellence in mathematics. Although I had little or nothing to do with their successes, my teaching heart still swelled with pride.
 
Whether it is the candidate we voted for, a student we taught, or a child in our family, we tend to take vicarious pleasure in their achievements. Certainly that is how I felt when I heard the names called of two sophomores and a junior in my journalism class also called up for awards. Harry Doshay was called up for a high grade point average, while juniorAlexa Katz was honored not only for her grades but for her excellence in journalism. She was editor this year of the SDJA Student Quarterly. Eitan Frysh was awarded for his excellence in Judaic Studies.
Other teachers beamed as well over their students during an outdoor ceremony at the main steps of the hillside SDJA campus. In some cases, they had been teaching these high schoolers since they were middle schoolers. In his role as emcee, Principal Davis had a friendly quip or personal reference for each of the students who came down the steps to receive a medallion or a plaque.
On Sunday, I attended another Spring ceremony, this one at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, in my role as grandfather of first grade student Shor Masori, 7. He participated in the after-school taekwando program instructed by Christina Dawson, who handed out the awards. Shor bagged three of them—for being excellent, inspirational and improved.
 
The ceremony in an assembly area of the school was comparatively formal with awardees standing at attention in front of Taekwando Grand Master Larry Spears, receiving a formal handshake, and then being presented either a medallion or a trophy.
After the students were honored, teacher Dawson was called up by Grand Master Spears, who announced that she had completed her fourth Dan degree and had now earned the right to be referred to as a ‘Master.’ He said that she was the first women in San Diego County to have attained such a rank.
Elections, achievement awards, conversion ceremonies—these are as much a part of Spring as the fabled June wedding. Every one of these events are truely shehechiyanu moments.
 
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They dance, sing of Israel in Balboa Park
By Sandy Golden
 SAN DIEGO—Hava Nagila, Hava Nagila, the sounds of the popular Israeli melody rang out,
on Sunday, June 1, as hundreds of people gathered on the lawn outside the House of Israel (HOI) in Balboa Park, to sing, dance, and celebrate “ Israel at 60."
The weather couldn’t have been better for HOI’s annual Lawn program, which in addition to Dalya’s Israeli Folk Dancing group, featured “Kol Hakavod: The San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir,” under the direction of Rhoda Gaylis, and the “Klez Meds," a band of retired medical doctors. David Gmach, a member of the Mens’ Choir and co-organizer of this event together with HOI President Amnon Silberger, acted as the lead singer for the 5-piece Klezmer band.
Hebrew and Yiddish melodies filled the air and while balmy breezes gently blew on this beautiful sunny afternoon, spectators could be seen swaying and clapping to the music, as they relaxed in their lawn chairs, stood beneath shady trees, humming, nodding, or “noshing” Israeli food from a Shmoozer’s kiosk set up nearby.
At Dalya’s invitation, the more physically enthusiastic members of the audience came up onstage to join in the folk dancing. Both the more experienced and the novices, the very young, and the young at heart of all ages, were welcomed, as all joined hands in spirited horas and other circle dances, which reflected the celebratory atmosphere.
On the lawn displaying a variety of hands-on arts and crafts activities could be seen groups of pre-teens and teenagers and their “Maz” (counselors), who represented the Young Judaea of San Diego County. Young Judaea “is an organization which is so fun," according to one of its newer members, Zak Schuter, an 8th grader at San Diego Hebrew Day School.
Together with his very close friends, Sagi Hebron, a school mate, and Avrami Gertz, also an 8th grader at the Chabad Hebrew Academy, they talked enthusiastically of the YJ program in general, and the monthly Shabbatons, in which they participate in services, learn to “daven”, and to perpetuate the ideals of Judaism in this non-political, pluralistic youth movement.
“The way I like to think about Young Judaea," said Zak enthusiastically, “ it’s like a family, it’s connected. There are many different aspects of Judaism. One of the most prominent things I like is the things we do for Israel. I love it so much," he said, as he chatted on, both about Zionism and helping out the homeless, in the next sentence.
All afternoon, outside the cottage, a volunteer wrote names of passers-by in Hebrew . Inside, refreshments were served by volunteers, some of whom have been volunteering for 30 years, like Thelma Menaker.
The House of Israel, open every Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. and staffed entirely by volunteers, is a Jewish outreach to the general public, and seeks to present a more accurate and positive picture of Israel than is frequently seen in the media.
Now in the midst of planning an expansion of the current building which dates back to the 1930’s, and up-dating exhibits to better portray life in modern Israel, the HOI’s current dedicated core of volunteers invites and welcomes new participants. For additional information, heck out the HOI website: or contact: Amnon Silberger, HOI President at: hoi07president@aol.com
San Diego County Jewish Trivia Women
Adapted from San Diego Trivia (1989) and San Diego Trivia 2 (1993)
{Editor’s Note: Retired librarian Evelyn Kooperman, a friend to the Jewish community, enjoys playing the cello and collecting trivia about her native city of San Diego. This column excerpts Jewish communal items from her two books, San Diego Trivia (1989) and San Diego Trivia 2 (1993). Readers should note that the information has not been updated since the books were published. Kooperman still has a limited supply of the two books, which cover the general San Diego community in all its aspects. Either of the two volumes sells for $5 and may be obtained by telephoning the author at (619) 461-6095.}
By Evelyn Kooperman
 SAN DIEGO—Q1: For whom is the main salon of the Civic Theatre named?
Hint: The grand salon was dedicated October 18, 1980, honoring the superstar who had been a major contribuor to the San Diego Opera Company's success. A watercolor of her as Juana La Loca, a role she orignated here, hangs in the salon.
Q2: In 1992, who became the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from San Diego County?
Hint: She won the seat of the 49th Congressional District in one of only three two-woman races in the country, against Republican Judy Jarvis. An attorney and businesswoman, she had previously served as the Deputy State Attorney General, as California's Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, and as a commissioner of the San Diego Unified Port Commission.
Please click here for answers
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Robinson-Rose House
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Old Temple Beth Israel |
Lawrence Family JCC |
Editor's Note: 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.
Kaufmans Feted on Departure
From Southwestern Jewish Press, January 9, 1947, page 4
Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Kaufman, who with their son, Paul, are leaving San Diego Friday morning for New York City as the first stop on their way to Europe, have been the guests of honor at many gala parties this past week.
Among those entertaining for the Kaufmans were Mr. and Mrs. Louis Steinmann, who gave a dinner last Sunday evening in their home in Point Loma; Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Gordon with a dinner at their home; Mr. and Mrs.Geo Neuman were hosts at a dinner at Valle's; Mr. Martha Hollander entertained at the San Diego Club; and the Coronado Community Council were hosts at a dinner for 30 at the La Avenida Club.
Mr. Kaufman, who was the executive director of the JWB-USO here until he resigned January 1, 1947, has taken a position with the Joint Distribution Committee. The Kaufmans will be in New York at the Embassy Hotel for about a month, arranging passports and getting necessary innoculations.
Their first stop in Europe will be Paris, where they will wait assignment to either Austria or Germany.
Jewish Labor Committee
From Southwestern Jewish Press, January 9, 1947, page 5
By Ben Feinberg
The wonderful attendance at the New Year's Eve celebration sponsored by the Jewish Labor Committee on Tuesday, December 21, at the Beth Jacob Center proved once again the deep responsibility of our San Diego Jewry to their unfortunate and destitute brethren in Europe. The generous response of the members and their friends was indeed an expression of praise of the work the Jewish Labor Committee carries on to relieve and rebuild the physical and cultural life of the surviving Jews overseas, and the marvelous work in combating anti-semitism in our country.
The supper was deliciously prepared and served by our very able committee consisting of Mr. Goldberger, chairman; Ida Feinberg, co-chairman; Lena Penn, Anna Shelley, Anna Lazarowitz and Rose Miroff.
We take this opportunity to thank all participants and committees who helped to make this worthy affair successful. The Jewish Labor Committee sends its holiday greetings to the Jewish community of San Diego for a happy and prosperous 1947.
Pioneer Women's Organization
From Southwestern Jewish Press, January 9, 1947, page 5
The public is cordially invited to attend a card party on Sunday evening, Jan. 12th, at 7 p.m. at the Beth Jacob Centre. An attractive plate lunch will be served.
This affair is being sponsored by the three sister members of our organization, Mrs. George Shelley, Mrs. Milton Rawdin and Mrs. Juilius Reisman for the specific benefit of our Child Rescue Fund. Reports of the Youth Alijah Conference in Basle show that the Youth Immigration Dept. at the Jewish Agency is ready to accept 54,000 refugee children who are being held in D.P. camps in Europe. It becomes all the more important that the Pioneer Women's Organization provide the means for caring for these children whom we anticipate will be brought into Palestine soon as well as caring for those children that are already there.
So please remember the date and help to make this another successul affair wherein we may not only save a Jewish child but continue to maintain, educate and rehabilitate him in Palestine.
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San Diego Jewish Trivia Answers: 1) Beverly Sills; 2) Lynn Schenk
Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist
(619) 265-0808
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Middle East
Israel, at 60, has many kvelling points by Dorothea Shefer-Vanson in Mevasseret Zion, Israel
Syria's 10-meter problem at the Kinneret by J. Zel Lurie in Delray Beach, Florida
The Arts
Masterful retelling of Shoah in Vilna by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
From Red Diaper Baby to Citizen Josh by Carol Davis in San Diego
Lifestyles
Are you lazy? You can put the blame on your genes—when you get around to it by Natasha Josefowitz in La Jolla
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—December 16, 1946: That's What I Think by Ray Solomon
—December 16, 1946: J.C.S.C. by Joe Wertheim
—January 9, 1947: Robt. R. Nathan-Wollheim To Speak Here Monday
Middle East
Ehud Olmert, does clock tick for thee? by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Jerusalem Day at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva by Judy Lash Balint in Jerusalem
Operation Homefront: Helping our American troops, no matter our politics by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego
The Arts
Zohan restyles Jewish comedy by Rabbi Simcha Weinstein in New York
A production you'll get a big bang out of by Carol Davis in Solana Beach, California
Lifestyles
Why the Bella Family Circle stopped its annual tradition of selling white elephants by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—December 12, 1946: Bergen Belsen Director to Speak
—December 12, 1946: Black Book Now at Public Library
—December 12, 1946: Welcome Home...A Job Well Done
Middle East
Zbig's efforts to accommodate Iranian mullahs didn't work then; won't work now by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Author asserts Palestinians' ancestors converted under pressure from Islam by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Judaism
The Sinai and the modesty commandment by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego
Yes, she was Jewish, but she had to ask her father what Yom Kippur was all about by Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego
The Arts
'La Jolla North' at the Statford Festival with Des McAnuff; Shaw Festival also pleases by Carol Davis in Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—November 7, 1946: Junior Charity League
—November 7, 1946: Relatives Sought
—December 12, 1946: Maxwell Kaufman To Be Honored At Dinner
Yael Bugin in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Israel: Kfar Aza resident to Hamas: We are here!
Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles: Ford, Lebouef and Spielberg team up for another hilarious Indiana Jones adventure
Carol Davis in San Diego: Zeji Ozeri starts San Diego Jewish Art Festival off with a zesty Israel tribute
Ulla Hadar in Ibim, Israel: Students have village of own in Ibim
Donald H. Harrison in San Diego: WIZO dinner, JAFI director provide perspectives on North American Jewry
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Chapter Ten in the serialization of her novel, Reluctant Martyr
Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem: Olmert probe may trigger government crisis
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History: What was the Jewish community news in 1946? Who were the newsmakers? Our archives answer these questions in daily installments
Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.: Israel-Syria deal wouldn't sweep away Iran
Donald H. Harrison in San Diego: Songwriter versifies about religion, food, loneliness—'whatever is happening'
David Strom in San Diego: The Jewish boy who became a Nazi mascot
Janet Tiger in San Diego: Naval Supply Center hosts Holocaust survivor at remembrance days observance
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History: What was the Jewish community news in 1946? Who were the newsmakers? Our archives answer these questions in daily installments
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