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INTERNATIONAL Poll shows Israeli electorate has low expectations of Bibi ... by Rabbi Dow Marmur The Israeli public is very generous. On the day the new government was sworn in, an opinion poll supervised by a professor at Tel Aviv University states that only 54% of Israelis disapprove of it and another 16% are unsure. READ MORE
The Jews Down Under ... A roundup of Australian Jewish news by Garry Fabian in Melbourne
Australia and Israel team up in battle against diabetesREAD MORE
Sydney's Hakoah Club stays put - for now READ MORE
An animated Torah lesson on Parshat Tsav VIEW VIDEO
LIFESTYLES
Three visiting ducks follow sage advice of Rabbi Hillel ... by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Kind reciprocity is one of the ethical teachings of Judaism, but I had no idea that animals might use it as a standard as well. On Tuesday, March 31, three mallards decided to come a-calling. I couldn’t be certain whether they were the same ones that I see on my regular walks around the Santee Lakes, but they sure looked like them. READ MORE
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY December 12,1952; Southwestern Jewish Press
Sammy Davis Jr. sings "I've Got To Be Me" on Playboy After Dark VIEW VIDEO
STAFF BOX
Fellow staff members have been helping music columnist David Amos prep for a vacation in Hawaii. "Aloha" is what most Hawaiians say to greet you and bid you goodbye. But Jewish Hawaiians have combined the greeting with the Hebrew "Shalom." Put it together and its "Shaloha" In Southern Hawaii, of course, its "Shaloha Y'all"
COMMUNITY WATCH/ ADVERTISERS' NEWS
Soille Hebrew Day School: Hebrew Day joins JFS to help
those in need for Pesach READ MORE
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JERUSALEM—The Israeli public is very generous. On the day the new government was sworn in, an opinion poll supervised by a professor at Tel Aviv University states that only 54% of Israelis disapprove of it and another 16% are unsure. This government can only count on 30% optimists who believe in it on its first day of work. As things can’t get much worse, there’re reasons to hope that they won’t be as bad as feared.
One of the many causes for the misgivings is the very size of the government –yes, the largest in the country’s history. Today’s main cartoon in Ha’aretz shows the new Prime Minister handing a document to a bewildered Knesset member that says, ”You’re the minister of ….” Netanyahu tells him: “Please fill in the blank.” Indeed, there’re several ministers without assigned portfolios and a large number of deputy ministers.
Some of those with assigned duties are singled out for loss of public confidence. Thus only 27% believe that Avigdor Lieberman is qualified to be Foreign Minister. 51% say they don’t know if Yuval Steinitz has what it takes to be Finance Minister. Netanyahu seems to confirm it by appointing himself a kind of super-minister for the economy. Will he also try to supervise relations with other countries?
The minister who scores best (69% approval) is Ehud Barak. Perhaps among the 24% who said that he’s the wrong man for the job are many who voted for him last time: 33% of Labor voters, with Barak as its leader, said that they wouldn’t vote for the party if the elections were held today. This was reflected in the fact that 5 of his 13-person Knesset faction didn’t vote for the new government. [Another one who spoke against joining the coalition when it was discussed in the party – Dr. Avishai Braverman, the very successful president of Ben Gurion University, who gave up his post to become an insignificant politician - succumbed to the lure of a minor cabinet post.]
But the disapproval isn’t primarily personal. Only 36% of those polled believe that the Netanyahu government as a whole is capable of responding to the economic and social challenges
the country is facing. 47% believe that it’s not; another 17% say they don’t know. One of many reasons for the negative score is that, despite the inflated cabinet, no Minister of Health has been appointed.
Notwithstanding the high regard for Ehud Barak, taken the disparate and fractious team as a whole and in view of the Prime Minister’s past record, only 42% have faith in the new government’s ability to deal with Israel’s defense problems.
The fact that only 36% of Israelis were happy with Ehud Olmert as Prime Minister should be of little consolation to his successor.
In view of the general dissatisfaction in Israel, we shouldn’t be surprised that, even allowing for their frustrations with Olmert, not only the Palestinians but probably also the Americans and the Europeans will find it difficult to deal with the Netanyahu government.
Of course, all of us, whether voters in Israel or not, owe it to the new Israeli administration to support it, despite its inauspicious start, unless and until we’ve evidence to the contrary. In the meantime, however, we should free ourselves from any illusion about quick solutions to the challenges Israel is facing. It’s too early to be critical but not too early to be worried - and never too late to be hopeful.
The Jews Down Under ...A roundup of Australian Jewish news by Garry Fabian
Australia and Israel team up
in battle against diabetes
MELBOURNE - Australia and Israel have joined together to fight one of the most dangerous pandemics in the Pacific region -- diabetes.
Diabetes has become a crippling problem for the Pacific Islands, which has recorded one of the highest rates of the disease in the world.
Rising obesity, aging populations and a sedentary lifestyle are contributing factors in the growing rate of diabetes.
Australia-based Insulin for Life (IFL) has sent boxes of syringes, blood-testing strips and blood-testing metres to the Solomon Islands and Nauru.The Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Embassy in Canberra paid the transport and handling costs.
IFL president Ron Raab said: "The support of Israel has made this humanitarian medical assistance project a reality because IFL operates its programs as partnerships and the government of Israel stepped in to cover the transport and handling costs.
"They are very aware of the enormous problem of diabetes in the Pacific."
Raab, who met embassy staff through his involvement in Jewish community organisations, said there were plans to extend the partnership between Israel and IFL to other Pacific Island countries.
"It's the beginning of a project I hope will grow," he added.
Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Kieren Keke and Secretary for Health Sunia Soakai released a statement thanking the Israeli embassy and IFL.
"This donation will be of valuable assistance to the Nauru Health Department in our battle to both educate and manage the large number of Nauruans with diabetes, and will be important tools in helping us reduce the immense burden we have with secondary complications."
IFL does not purchase its supplies. It receives surplus diabetes products through an agreement with the Australian Government.
It then relies on partners to pick up the cost of handling and transporting the supplies to countries in need.
"There is no doubt this will help save lives," Raab said. Sydney's Hakoah Club
stays put - for now
SYDNEY - The Hakoah Club has bought more time to resolve plans for its long-term future by securing another six-month extension on the lease at its current Hall Street location.
Hakoah's board announced this week that the club's lease, which was set to expire on June 4, had been extended to November 4.
Meanwhile, the board's plans to outline its strategy for the club's relocation at the annual general meeting on March 30 was pushed back.
"We've been aiming to get something together. But unless something swift happens, I don't believe we'll be in a
position to advise our members," club president Phil Filler said.
He promised, however, "something was in the pipeline".
Since the property was sold to the Toga Group in 2007, the club has remained at its long-time home in Bondi on a series of lease extensions.
Filler would not comment on what relocation proposals were being considered, but did offer some hints in the club's annual report released last month.
"Without giving away information that may be detrimental to our dealings, I can advise that the concept is certainly one that will appeal to a far broader base than our existing membership," Filler wrote in the president's report.
But in recent weeks, after years of waiting around for a new home, some disgruntled members are urging the board to dump relocation plans and cut its losses.
In the past three years, Hakoah has sustained a steady decline in membership and revenue.
Nevertheless, Filler is still optimistic. "This task has not been easy and the board has been working tirelessly within the limited time constraints available," he said.
"If all goes to plan, the future should be very bright."
SAN DIEGO—This week Hal shares some of his songs pondering some of life's eternal questions. What will become of us after we are gone? Do we have a purpose? Are such questions preventing us from living full lives? The songs:
Life is mere illusion,
Magician's sleight-of-hand,
A Santa Claus of wishful dreams,
A castle built of sand.
And we will never know,
Never know.
We make a mad assumption,
Accepting it as fact,
That mastermind reality
Determines how we act.
And we will never know,
Never know.
We simply keep assuming
That what we think or feel,
That what we do and what we say,
That all of this is real.
And we will never know,
Never know.
Let's face the truth, admitting,
As much as we resist,
That we aren't what we think we are.
We prob'ly don't exist.
And we will never know,
Never know.
Life is mere illusion,
Magician's sleight-of-hand,
A Santa Claus of wishful dreams,
A castle built of sand.
And we will never know,
We will never know,
Never know.
(c) 2009 Hal Wingard; December 13, 1996. Words completed September 27, 1996, on flights from San Diego to Oakland by way of Los Angeles. #190, Ever Wonder?
Who?
Do you know who
Do you know who. . .you are?
Why?
Do you know why
Do you know why you are you?
Ever wonder who you are
Or who you ought to be,
Or whether who you think you are
Is who your friends can see?
Who?
Do you know who
Do you know who. . .you are?
Why?
Do you know why
Do you know why you are you?
Ever wonder why you do
The foolish things you do,
Or wonder why at certain times
You wish that you weren't you?
Who?
Do you know who
Do you know who. . .you are?
Why?
Do you know why
Do you know why you are you?
Ever wonder why you wonder
Long and frequently?
The reason's clear to all your friends:
Inferiority!
Who?
Do you know who
Do you know who. . .you are?
Why?
Do you know why
Do you know why you are you?
(c) 2009 Hal Wingard. August 6, 1987. Words written at Ton Kiang, Yenching, and Georgio's in San Francisco, September 22-23, 1984
#263, The Dull Despair of Doubt I'm so unsure of what I do
And what my life's about,
I find it hard to rise above
The dull despair of doubt.
For doubting rots the very core
Of all I do and say.
It holds me back in how I think
And how I act each day.
I know it takes great confidence
To meet life's ins and outs;
But whether I have what it takes,
I rather have my doubts.
I'm so unsure of what I do
And what my life's about,
I find it hard to rise above
The dull despair of doubt.
(c) 2009 Hal Wingard; December 31, 1996. Words written March 31, 1996, at the Cornell Hotel, San Francisco
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Hebrew Day joins JFS to help
those in need for Pesach
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Maot Chitim refers to the centuries-old custom of gathering wheat to provide the poor with matzoh and other items for the observance of Pesach. This year, Soille Hebrew Day is participating with HandUP Youth Food Pantry sponsored by Jewish Family Service of San Diego to provide Pesach packages for needy families. Each class in the elementary and middle school will provide Pesach food to fill one big package. Each Day School family is being asked to provide ONE item to include in the package. Thank you to all for helping us continue this century-old tradition of helping our fellow Jews.
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day 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
SAN DIEGO—Kind reciprocity is one of the ethical teachings of Judaism, but I had no idea that animals might use it as a standard as well. On Tuesday, March 31, three mallards decided to come a-calling. I couldn’t be certain whether they were the same ones that I see on my regular walks around the Santee Lakes, but they sure looked like them.
Nancy, sitting in our breakfast area, spotted them first. “Donald!” she called (everyone else calls me ‘Don,’ except my older brother, Bill, who persists in calling me ‘Donny’). The urgency in Nancy’s voice made me fear that a neighborhood cat had dragged another rat or mouse to our back yard. “Ducks!” she explained. “They’re in our pool.”
Sure enough, there were three males, whom we named “Huey,” “Dewey” and “Louie,” effortlessly floating back and forth in our backyard swimming pool, with one or the other occasionally climbing out to catch some rays on the deck.
On most Sundays in our publication we have a column by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal named “Torah on One Foot.” It refers to the famous story of an impatient questioner who demanded that Rabbi Hillel tell him the essence of Torah, while standing on one foot. “That which is hateful to you do not do to others,” responded the sage. “All the rest is commentary.”
Perhaps ducks live by this maxim as well. Because they would hate not being visited at Santee Lakes by human beings (especially those bringing duck food), they figured humans must also hate being without visitors. Who’s to say that couldn’t have been the reason for their dropping in? In their duck brains, were they performing a mitzvah?
It mattered not at all why they came; we were just delighted to have visitors—especially given the fact that the winged guests came in a threesome. When it comes to visitors, three is a biblically important number both for us Jews and for Christians. Abraham had his three visitors on the Plains of Mamre. Christians tell of three visitors arriving at Jesus’s manger in Bethlehem.
We took photos of our unexpected but welcome guests through a screen window, not certain whether the sound of our opening our sliding door would scare them away. (If our tent had been open like Abraham's we wouldn't have had that problem!) Ducks in our pool were indeed a novelty, and we wanted their visit to last for a while. But eventually we opened the door, and, sure enough, two mallards immediately flew away. One, however, seemed not to be paying attention. He swam alone, then climbed out of the pool, and sat for a while above the far end, apparently not realizing that his friends already had migrated. Then he looked around, and seemingly startled, he took off, all too soon.
Although I can entertain my grandchildren with a fairly decent imitation of the cartoon Donald Duck’s voice, I couldn’t help but wonder what it might have sounded like to have a conversation with our visitors. I’d have asked them if their visit was something of a spring fling, a “mallards’ day out” before they settled down with one the many female ducks residing at Santee Lakes. Nancy, I know, would have immediately inquired whether our guests were hungry or thirsty.
SANTEE LAKES DENIZENS—Top left, mallard and mate; right: wood duck; middle left, Mandarin duck; middle right, egret. Bottom: coots on shore, heron in water.
Careful to avoid leshon hora (evil speech), or in this context, any statement that might be considered a “base canard,” I also would have asked them how the mallards get along with the wood ducks who also populate the lake, and whether they have made the acquaintance of Santee Lakes’ lone Mandarin duck, who can be differentiated from the others by his “beard.”
Being interested in politics—wherever they might occur—I’d have asked our visitors if they are familiar with the three large birds—cormorants, I'm told—who have claimed a rock in the middle of one of the lakes as their own. They sit there so self-importantly that my neighbor, Bob Lauritzen, has nicknamed them the “board of directors.”
And, I’d also have inquired how the ducks are getting along with the other feathered denizens of Santee Lakes—the herons, the egrets, the pelicans and the omnipresent coots, which some people also call “mud hens.” Are the mallards as surprised as I am to find at Santee Lakes seagulls visiting from the Pacific Ocean? How, indeed, are all the water birds getting along?
Further, I’d want to know if they have any protocols for dealing with their cousins in the trees—the ravens, blackbirds, doves and sparrows?
Top: blackbirds, and bottom, dove along Santee Lakes shores
And, how well do they get along with other species that populate the lakes’ islands and shores, including turtles, squirrels and, humans?
Oh, I’d have asked so many questions, if only they had stayed. It was a fowl, fowl thing that they left. I’d have asked how they liked the chlorinated water of the swimming pool, and how did it compare with the recycled water which the Padre Dam Municipal Water District fills the Santee Lakes? Were they in search of a perfect stream, clear and pure like those in which their ancestors once swam? How do the Santee Lakes compare in their estimate to nearby Lake Murray or to the San Diego River after a rain?
So many questions I’d have asked our visitors. But by leaving, they ducked them all.
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History With thanks to Gail Umeham for the transcription
Bay City B.B. Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 11
The Bay City Women’s B’nai B’rith Chapter 713, are making plans for their 3rd Annual Dinner-Dance, at the San Diego Hotel, on Sat., Jan. 17 at 8 p.m.
The following women under the chairmanship of Mrs. Norman L. Wolf are on the committee for the gala affair: Mrs. Joe Kagan (Ticket Chairman), Mrs. Oscar Burlin, Mrs. Max Selsman, Mrs. Sydney Rose, Mrs. David Schloss, and Mrs. Tom Turner.
There will be dancing to the scintillating music of Jack Sparhawk and his orchestra. Entertainment has also been planned for the evening. The tickets are $3.50 per person.
Mrs. Sanford Sack, the president of Bay City, will present a handbag to the woman selling the most tickets.
Letter to the Editor Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 11
The Jewish Press
333 The Plaza
San Diego 1, California
Gentlemen:
Regarding our conversation of about a week ago, we are happy to add our thanks and appreciation to the other recipients of Mr. Moses Kaufman’s generosity. For several years, Mr. Kaufman has been a kind friend to the youngsters in the San Diego Children’s Home bringing them fruits and vegetables frequently. We are particularly appreciative of his gifts because we know the effort it takes to bring them to us. We would also like to add through your paper our very best wishes for many more birthdays for Mr. Kaufman and hopes for his continuing friendship for many years to come.
Sincerely yours,
(Mrs.) Alice B. White
Director
S. Rich’s Meat Department
Offers Special Service Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 11
Si Rich, owner of the meat department at Ferguson’s Market, 604 12th Avenue, has a new service for housewives.
Si will roast Madam’s turkey, duck, goose or chicken to a beautiful uniform brown after stuffing them with delicious, zestful dressing in huge ovens guaranteed to cook the meat uniformly and retain the juices.
Fowl are weighed at the dressed-out weight and sold at ready-for-the- oven prices at the raw weight.
Roasting in the huge bakery ovens is done scientifically with heat control and all the other gadgets which feature modern kitchen operations.
After the fowl are “done,” they can be rushed home to be served immediately or they can be frozen cooked and stored indefinitely until they are wanted, Si says.
He also offers special rates to organizations who plan to serve large dinners and parties.
Beth Jacob News Southwestern Jewish Press, December 12, 1952, page 12
Sunday School Children Plan Chanukah Affair Children of Beth Jacob’s Sunday and Hebrew School will hold a Chanukah Party and festival Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. A Chanukah play called “The Dreidle” will be performed by the post-confirmation group. Customary favors and refreshments will be available to all children. Parents and friends are invited.
Jerry Mendell, Bar Mitzvah Sat., Dec. 20 Jerry Mendell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mendell, will be Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, December 20, at 10 a.m. in the Beth Jacob Synagogue during the regular service. Kiddush in honor of the Bar Mitzvah will be served by the parents. Go to top of right column
Beth Jacob Congregation Installation
of Officers Set for Fri., Dec 26
Installation of officers will be the highlight of the Friday services to be held Dec. 26. Services will start at 8:15 p.m. and the installation ceremony will take place at 9 p.m. sharp. Morris Penn, in charge of arrangements, promises a special and unique affair. Following the services refreshments honoring the special event will be served. All members and their friends as well as the affiliates, are expressly welcome to attend.
David Roisman Bar Mitzvah Sat., Jan. 3rd David Roisman, son of Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Roisman, will be Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 3rd at 10 a.m. in the Beth Jacob Synagogue during the service. Kiddush in honor of the Bar Mitzvah will be served by the parents.
City of Hope Sr. Aux. Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 12
The Senior Auxiliary of the City of Hope will hold its annual “Break the Bank”Luncheon at their next regular meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 16th at 12 noon, at Berh Jacob Center. Mrs. Zel Camiel, President, informs us there will be no charge for Luncheon, if you bring your City of Hope Blue Banks. Be sure to come and enjoy a nice afternoon, of Luncheon, and social Hour.
Beth Jacob Sisterhood Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 12
Mrs. F. Bobroff, chairman of our Gift Case, wants to tell members and friends there is still time to do your Chanukah and after Chanukah shopping from the Gift Case of Beth Jacob Sisterhood on display at Beth Jacob Center. Gwen Bobroff’s phone number is T-7584 and she will be happy to serve you, should you want any merchandise.
Mrs. Bernard Godes, president, is again reminding members and friends there will be no Beth Jacob Sisterhood meeting in December, because of the Chanukah-Xmas Holidays. However, be sure to attend January meeting and bring White Elephants merchandise or canned goods for our Spring Festival to be held March 8th.
Bay City B.B. Aux. Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 12
On December 17th, at 8:30 p.m. the Bay City B’nai B’rith is giving a Chanukah Party at Temple Beth Israel. This is in cooperation with the SUO services to our armed forces in this area. Love Sack and Rose Felsman, Chairman and Co-chairman of Veterans’ Affairs, advise that appropriate gifts will be offered and that they are prepared for as many as will arrive. Give the girls a hand and volunteer your services in so heart-warming a project—bake cakes, present donations, act as hostesses, but dig in with your assistance.
At Landis Hall, on Landis near University, on December 20th, all children of B’nai B’rith members are in for a treat. There will be a Chanukah party with all B’nai B’rith ceremonials to mark the occasion then a cartoon will be shown to delight them and a little play. Jean Schreibman, chairman, promises all manner of goodies in addition and is ready to welcome scads of children.
Watch for more details about our forthcoming dinner dance, January 17th. Birdie Stodel Southwestern Jewish Press December 12, 1952, page 12
Our membership drive is still on, and Mrs. Max Strauss, chairman or Mrs. Henry Gardner, co-chairman, will be happy to bring you in as a new member. Do come to our next regular meeting, Dec. 22nd, a luncheon at 12 noon, to be held at Berth Israel Temple Center.
We would like to inform our members and friends, that several books entitled “What the Jews Believe,” have been distributed to teachers in some grade schools.
“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. Please click the ad above
JERUSALEM—The Israeli public is very generous. On the day the new government was sworn in, an opinion poll supervised by a professor at Tel Aviv University states that only 54% of Israelis disapprove of it and another 16% are unsure. This government can only count on 30% optimists who believe in it on its first day of work. As things can’t get much worse, there’re reasons to hope that they won’t be as bad as feared.
SAN DIEGO—
SAN DIEGO—Kind reciprocity is one of the ethical teachings of Judaism, but I had no idea that animals might use it as a standard as well. On Tuesday, March 31, three mallards decided to come a-calling. I couldn’t be certain whether they were the same ones that I see on my regular walks around the Santee Lakes, but they sure looked like them. 
