Souvenir Programs (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 4

Now that the activities of the Jewish philanthropic organizations are in full blast, it may be opportune at this moment to issue a friendly word of warning and advice to those organizations who depend upon “souvenir program books,” so-called, to fill their philanthropic coffers.

We believe that the practice of soliciting advertisements for this form of publication is unethical and inimical to the best interests of the Jewish community.

There isn’t an organization following this practice of soliciting ads for a year book” or a “souvenir book,” that doesn’t insist on free publicity in the English Jewish press.  And rare is the organization that will buy a paid advertisement announcing the affair at which the “book” will be distributed.  And that means that the English-Jewish press is not only paying for the cost of advertising the affair, but is losing a potential advertiser who had been solicited by and given an ad to the organization.

These organizations do not seem to realize that by reducing the opportunity of the English-Jewish press to increase its revenue, it is reducing the amount of free space available to them in the form of publicity stories.

Far more serious however is the sorry exhibition made by some solicitors in their approach for an ad.  Nine times out of ten the request is in the nature of black mail.  There is the implied and more often than not, the explicit threat that unless the advertiser comes across with an ad, he’ll get no more “Jewish trade.”

The Gentile merchant who would be inclined to patronize a legitimate weekly English-Jewish newspaper because, primarily, he get a return on his investment, and, secondarily, he helps an organ, which through its news columns helps build our communal organizations, is quite often tempted to cry "A plague on both your houses!” And then mutter to himself something about “those Jews!”  In short, this form of solicitation is a fertile field for the growth of anti-Semitic virus. 

We doubt that the amount of money obtained for philanthropic purposes by such methods will ever pay for the harm it does not only to the English-Jewish press but to the Jewish community as a whole.

--Reprinted from the B’nai B’rith Messenger, Los Angeles, October 16.

Dollar Diplomacy (Editorial)

Mayor Butler’s recent visit to the Holy Land on behalf of the Christian Palestine Committee must have been an eye-opener for him.  His remarks to the press indicated that anyone who visits Israel, and is not biased, will reach the same conclusions.

No doubt his statements will surprise many people who believe that the poor Arab is a victim of the much-too-energetic Israelis.   Many ill-informed folks are not aware of the determined effort by the Arab countries to throttle the tiny republic.  What is not generally known by most Americans is that the Arab states are themselves on the brink of bankruptcy politically and economically.

The hatred whipped up by the entrenched leaders is nothing but a smoke screen to cover up the depressed state of the people.  It is the old story of diverting the peoples’ attention by “Bread and Circuses.”

Mayor Butler’s frank statement is to his credit and should go a long way in making clearer the whole picture of Israel and its problems.

The action of the State Department in cutting off aid to Israel without waiting to learn both sides of the conflict smacks too much of “Dollar Diplomacy.”   In spite of what many people may think, the U.S. needs Israel more than the other way around.  There are not too many Democracies in the Near East for us to value lightly their friendship.

Maybe more of our officials should be sent to see for themselves the real truth and make up their own minds instead of listening to propaganda.

New Manager At KFMB
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 4

Appointment of George Whitney as general manager of KFMB Radio and KFMB-TV in San Diego to succeed Howard L. Chernoff who resigned was announced Nov. 6 by J.D. Wrather, Jr., president of Wrather-Alvarez Broadcasting. Inc.

In announcing the changes which became effective today, Mr. Wrather asserted:  “Mr. Chernoff’s resignation was occasioned by his own personal reasons and because of the change in the nature of the office of general manager previously held by him.

Letter to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 4

Nov. 2, 1953
Mr. Maxwell Kaufman, Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press

On behalf of San Diego Post 185 and its Auxiliary, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, we wish to thank you for the fine editorial on behalf of the Jewish War Veterans.

We need more men of your caliber in the newspaper field who are ever on the alert for any threat to the American way of life and stand ready to defend our people.

The Jewish War Veterans is the oldest Veterans Organization in the United States.  They were organized during the Civil War to protect the good name of the Jew from the hate mongers who tried to spread the rumor that the Jew did not fight in defense of our beloved Country.

The greatest portion of our work is with the Service men and women on a strictly non-sectarian basis.  Nationally, it takes in many more phases such as United States-Israel relations.  At the moment our National Commander, Harry T. Madison, is requesting an immediate appointment with Secretary of State Dulles, to obtain all available information on the Israeli-Arabian border incident as well as on the subject of United States-Israel relations.

We feel that our National office will be pleased to receive your editorial and we are forwarding same to them as of this date.

Loyally yours,

Stanley S. Yukon, Commander Post 185, Lillian Yukon, Aux. Pres., Jewish War Veterans of the United States

Welfare Federation
Outlines Program
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 5

The Western Region of the Council of Jewish Federation and Welfare Boards will open its deliberations here on Thursday, Jan. 31, 1954 with a technical training institute on immigration for professional Social Workers.  The Institute will be led by the United Service for New Americans, National Jewish Agency working in the field of immigration.

Hostess for the conference will be led by Mrs. Gabriel Berg, a Vice-president of the United Jewish Fund and a past president of Hadassah.  Mrs. Berg is now recruiting women community leaders who will work towards welcoming the delegates from other communities.

Eli H. Levenson, President of the region, stated that the Conference, under the general chairmanship of Murray D. Goodrich, President of the local Fund, will spend three days discussing problems of Jewish communities in the South-west and Pacific coast.  Jewish community leaders, including several from San Diego, will take part in the discussion in which challenges and problems for 1954 will be presented.

Jewish War Veterans
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 5

A Membership Dinner will be served to the Post members and their wives November 16th at the War Memorial Bldg., Balboa Park.  Members are urged to bring prospective members to the dinner.  The dinner is free, reservations should be made by calling the Adjutant, J. David Brooks, W7-0867.

Stanley Yukon, Post Commander, announced that a meeting of Posts will be held Sunday, Nov. 29 at Los Angeles.  There will be several cars leaving from San Diego and he would like to see as many San Diegans as possible make this one day trip.

Jewish War Veterans
Auxiliary No. 185
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 5

On Monday, November 16th at 6:30 P.M. the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary will hold their membership dinner, at the War Memorial Building, Balboa Park.

Mr. Eddie Klein, Field Executive for the Jewish War Veterans will be guest speaker, and all members are cordially invited to attend with their prospective member guests.  A delicious menu is being planned, and it promises to be a very enlightening and entertaining evening.

The next hospital party at the Naval Hospital will be on Wednesday evening, November 18th, under the chairmanship of Esther Frank and her committee.  They expect to serve approximately 200boys, and anyone wishing to attend and lend a hand, contact Esther Frank.

Beth Jacob Has Chanukah Gifts
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 5

The Beth Jacob Sisterhood Card Party Social on November 19 at 8:00 p.m. promises a pleasant evening for friends and members.  Chairman and co-chairmen are Mrs. Louis Schissell, Mrs. Sid Rose, and Mrs. Harry Schwartz.

Mrs. Fritz Bobroff, chairman of the Gift Case in the lobby of Beth Jacob Center, has announced the arrival of beautiful new merchandise for Chanukah.

The next regular luncheon meeting will be held at the Center on Nov. 23, at 12 noon.

Deceased {Simon Prager, Benjamin Lubin)
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 6

Simon Prager, aged 67, on Oct. 31.  Born in Russia, Mr. Prager came to America in 1910.  He was a member of Beth Jacob Synagogue and San Diego Eagles Lodge. Services were conducted on Nov. 2 in Merkley-Austin Mortuary with Rabbi s Baruch Stern and Monroe Levens officiating.  Interment was in the Home of Peace Cemetery. Survivors are his widow, Anna, a son, Jack, a brother, Nathan, and grandchildren Karon and Larry Prager.

Benjamin Lubin, aged 79, on Nov. 7.  A native of Germany, Mr. Lubin had made San Diego his home for 51 years. Services were conducted on Nov. 19 in the Benbough Downtown Mortuary with Rabbi Morton J. Cohmn officiating. Entombment was in Cypress View Mausoleum.
Survivors include a son, Robert P. Of San Diego; two sisters, Mollie Gordon of Los Angeles and Ethyl Levinton of New York.

Cottage of Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 6

Work has already started on the remodeling of our kitchen and preparations are also being made for renovation of displays.  Our fiscal year ends Dec. 31st. and those members who have neglected sending in their annual dues of $1.00 per member are urged to do so by mailing same direct to Bess Borushek, financial secretary, 4902 67th St.  New members now joining will be paid up to December 31st, 1954.

B’nai B’rith Offers Unique Resolution On Policy
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 6

The B’nai B’rith Coordinating Council today made public a Resolution adopted by all chapters outlining the dedication to community work in San Diego. 

Fulfillment of this statement will offer the opportunity of leadership to these groups never achieved in this city—Editor’s Note.

Resolution
The San Diego B’nai B’rith Coordinating Council, consisting of San Diego lasker Lodge, Samuel I.l Fox. Lodge, San Diego Birdie Stodel Chapter, and San Diego Bay City Chapter, reaffirm that all worthwhile Jewish community wide projects in this community are part of its state program and responsibility.

That it also recognizes its responsibility in the American scene and thus supports community wide projects such as Community Chest, U.S.O., Blood Bank, etc.

It is therefore resolved that all B’nai B’rith organizations in San Diego will support as a unit such projects as Hebrew Home for the Aged, Jewish Community Center, United Jewish Welfare Fund, Federation of Jewish Agencies and its constituent agencies and others that it may consider as community projects.

It is further resolved that B’nai B’rith organizations not only will give their support to such projects but will aggressively urge their members to make their time available for such projects when called upon.

Young Jewish Couples
Club Ready for Holiday
Southwestern Jewish Press November 13, 1953 Page 6

A Hanukah workshop presentation held at the Tifereth Israel Center Nov. 15 at 8:00 p. will be part of the celebrations put on by the Y.J.C. in recognition of the coming holiday.  Rabbi Monroe Levens will give an address interpreting the meaning of this joyful holiday and Cantor Joseph Cysner will lead the group in a song fest.  Refreshments and social hour will terminate the evening’s activities.  A cordial invitation is extended to all.

In response to many requests made concerning the Y.J.C. please note that club membership is open to young Jewish couples with the urge to enrich their religious, cultural and social life.  For further information call Sandy or Shirley Alter, Randolph 1681.

Go to top of next column