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Honoree

                          Mort Vogelson

As a child growing up in Brooklyn, I received a Jewish education and was taught the mitzvah of “tzedakah.”  I remember placing a few cents in a tin box (pushka) that hung on the wall. The continuation of Judaism rests with future generations.  Jewish children growing up in our community should all have a religious education and be aware of their heritage. For many years I taught religion at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children at the Edenwold Center in Pleasantville, New York.  Although I was a teacher and administrator in the New York City Schools, I received the most gratification teaching Judaism to these children; many could not afford this education. It is my hope that all Jewish children in the San Diego community will grow up as delighted and grateful to be a Jew as I am.  To me charity and community are closely linked.  If we don’t help each other, who will? The giving of charity is greater than all offerings.
—Mort Vogelson, Book of Life Inscription, Jewish Community Foundation, October 2002 

Honored by: Gerry & Marilyn Greber, Carlsbad, California, July 17, 2005

I first became acquainted with Mort, on Sunday January 6, 2002, at a ceremony installing a plaque honoring San Diego Jewish War Veterans.  This plaque was being placed on a wall at the present JCC in La Jolla.  This plaque was originally placed on the grounds of the old JCC on 54^th Street in 1958.  This location was now was being taken over by the North Park Apostolic Church.   Mort, on his own, contacted the minister of the church and received permission to reclaim the plaque.  He found the plaque, removed it, and had it installed at its current resting place. Mort was Commander of the Jewish War Veterans Harry Apelman Post 185 here in San Diego.  At the time the plaque was re-installed at the present JCC, Vogelson said that he “wanted the memory of the Jewish War Veterans to be remembered by the people living here." 

He was also the driving force behind the saving of the Aron Kodesh  (Holy Ark) and bringing it from its former place, the Naval Training Center in San Diego, to its current home in The Veterans Memorial Center and Museum in Balboa Park.  It had been used for Jewish services at that location and was being stored in a warehouse. Mort has been very active all his life in the teaching of Jewish values to children.  He is quoted as saying “It is my hope that all Jewish children in the San Diego community will grow up as delighted and grateful to be a Jew as I am.  To me charity and community are closely linked.  If we don’t help each other, who will.”I have found that my all too brief associations with Mort on various occasions have been personally rewarding via the learning and warmth that he radiated.  He will be deeply missed by the Jewish community.
— Gerry Greber, July 17, 2005

Articles about Morton Vogelson