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Friday-Sunday, April 11-13 Mountain Chai~Big Boys Getaway
SUNDAY, APRIL 13 Beth Israel~Israel at 60 photo exhibit
Sunday, April 20 Beth Am~Second Night Seder
Wednesday, May 28 JFS~Ellen Saks lecture on mental illness
FROM THE SIDELINES
Israeli news diet: peace, democracy, sex
By Rabbi Dow Marmur
 JERUSALEM—We came back from Poland on Tuesday morning. Though it wasn’t a vacation but an opportunity for my wife and me to show our Israeli teenage grandchildren something of the Poland that abandoned us when we were children there - and where virtually all of Polish Jewry had perished during the Holocaust - we behaved a little like Israelis on holiday: we didn’t follow the news.
But as soon as I was back in Jerusalem I ran to get a newspaper. Three of the men I’ve been reporting on more than once were all on the front page: Marwan Barghouti talking peace, Arkadi Gaydamak making mockery of democracy and Moshe Katsav denying sexual misconduct.
1. Peace: Peace Now celebrated last night thirty years of its existence with a rally in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. In the course of it a letter was read out from Marwan Barghouti, the terrorist leader serving six life sentences in an Israeli jail. In the letter Barghouti promises to bring order to his people and peace to the region. By all accounts, he alone of the Palestinian leaders could deliver both. It’s understandably hard for Israel to let him go, but unless he’s set free, peace is not even on the horizon.
2. Democracy: Three Knesset members of the moribund Pensioners’ Party have defected to form a faction about to affiliate with the Social Justice party, one of many companies owned or controlled by the Russian-born tycoon Arkadi Gaydamak. The price for the faction supporting the government (which is essential for its survival) is a seat at the cabinet table. As ministers aren’t required to be Knesset members, Gaydamak may take it. He’s wanted for shady arms deals in France, suspected of cheap populism in Israel, is totally secular and ignorant of things Jewish, including knowledge of Hebrew, and thus a staunch supporter of Orthodox Judaism, especially Lubavitch.
3. Sex: Yesterday the former President of Israel, Moshe Katsav, appeared in court. He was meant to plead guilty to some relatively minor charges of inappropriate sexual behavior, agreed upon in an earlier plea bargain, to avoid standing trial for rape and similar offences. Instead, he reneged and chose to go to trial.
In the overall scheme of things, this may have been the least of the three weighty news items, but it received the most attention in the media. Not only was my “quality paper” full of it, but the main evening news devoted almost half of its time to the matter. Neither peace nor democracy seems to be as newsworthy as sex in high places.
Why did Katsav renege? At one end of the scale of possibilities is that he knows that he isn’t guilty and therefore would rather suffer the indignity and notoriety of a trial than admit even to a minor offence. At the other is the suspicion that his lawyers put him up to it because it enhances their reputation - they embarrassed both the State Attorney that worked out the plea and the Supreme Court that endorsed it - and it will bring them a lot of money which, in the end, will come out of the public purse.
Those who, in solidarity with all women treated badly by men, opposed the plea bargain saw Katsav’s action yesterday as a victory. Perhaps it was, but we will only know at the end of the trial if the accused is found guilty. By all accounts it’ll take years before the matter gets to court. In the meantime, therefore, we must continue to hope for Barghouti’s release, for Gaydamak’s failure and that justice will be done to Katsav.
A tricultural salute to Rosentals
By Janet Tiger
  SAN DIEGO -- Ohr Shalom Synagogue is well known here as a bicultural congregation, with its membership bringing together Americans and Latinos from Mexico and other countries. But it went tricultural on Saturday evening, April 5, to honor Ruben and Fanny Rosental. Chinese culture—both in the form of an auction and in the food served at a salute dinner—made the occasion one that culturally spanned the Pacific basin.
The Rosentals have been mainstays of the congregation which was fashioned in 1999 with the merger of two Conservative congregations—Adat Ami Synagogue and Congregation Beth Tefilah. Both Rosentals have served the congregation in leadership capacities—Ruben holding two separate terms as president and Fanny as a sisterhood president. Ruben continues to serve the congregation as vice president for long range planning.
Ohr Shalom's current president Susie Meltzer noted that leadership and volunteering come naturally to the Rosentals, who since arriving in San Diego from Mexico City in 1983, have been active in such organizations as the Jewish Community Junior High School (now part of the San Diego Jewish Academy), American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Anti-Defamation League Tel Aviv Foundation and the United Jewish Federation. According to tribute speakers, Ruben's best known saying is "I'll do it."
However, this was one occasion when neither of the Rosentals were allowed to do it. —instead Rina Moscona, Anita Szmuilowicz, Sarita Zands and the Rosental' two daughters, Sara Rosenbaum and Miryam Seid, coordinated the event. It included a Havadalah service, silent and live auctions, a tribute video and distribution of a tribute book. Rabbi Scott Meltzer and David Gaitman shared duties emceeing the light-hearted evening. The rebbetzin, Jennifer Meltzer, would up the top bidder on a big screen television.
Ohr Shalom's 4th Annual Gala Dinner at its synagogue at 3rd and Laurel Streets brought salutes for the Rosentals not only from members of the congregation but also from San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, and Members of Congress Susan Davis and Bob Filner.
About 150 persons gathered in the social hall that was specially decorated by Karyn Rovner Sklar, including spectacular centerpieces by Miryam Seid, Fanny and Ruben's youngest daughter. The guests were regaled with stories about the Rosentals, who were married in 1968 in Mexico City, and about their children Jorge, z"l; Sara (and husband Michael) Rosenbaum, Miryam (and husband Adam) Seid, and grandchildren, Noa and Benjamin Rosenbaum
There were numerous jokes during the evening, with ADL Regional Director Morris Casuto saying "We're here because we love Ruben and Fanny. Well, we love Fanny" However, Ruben got in a typical last word. Everyone, he said, should have fun, enjoy the evening, and "help build the synagogue."
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
Mayor envisions Lindbergh-Rodriguez solution for future San Diego air travelers
By Donald H. Harrison
 SAN DIEGO—Mayor Jerry Sanders painted a picture of travelers having a wide spectrum of air connections from San Diego—from both a modernized Lindbergh Field near downtown San Diego and a binational Rodriguez Field along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The mayor set out his vision of San Diego's air future during a Town Hall-style meeting Wednesday with representatives of the San Diego Jewish-American Chamber of Commerce (JACC) in the conference room of his City Hall offices.
The mayor told a questioner that he doubted that San Diego ever would be able to acquire the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station from the U.S. Defense Departments as the Marine Corps insists its continued usage of the base is vital to its mission.
That being the case, he said, the Pacific Coast Highway side of Lindbergh Field, which is now used by private aviation, should be reconfigured to become the major entry way to the airport, so that connections between airplanes, trains and trolleys can be eased and the bottleneck for automobile traffic along Harbor Drive and Laurel Streets can be ameliorated.
He also said that additional runway capacity should be added to Lindbergh Field, a plan that would require some accommodation to the city's needs by the neighboring Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Even with the improvements, Sanders said, Lindbergh Field is not in a position to become a true international airport. He mentioned two reasons for this. First, the Federal Aviation Administration has been pushing the concept of having a Southern California regional airport at March Air Force Base in Riverside County. Lindbergh Field and other smaller airports like John Wayne in Orange County would feed passengers to the regional airport. Second, he said, San Diego doesn't have suffiient population to make many non-stop international flights profitable. He noted that British Airways started a program from San Diego, but later withdrew it, because the city and county were not generating sufficient passengers.
Noting that Rodriguez Field in Tijuana lies on the border, the mayor said he would like to see a system whereby passengers could have the choice of embarking and disembarking either on the Mexican side of the airport or the American side. He said such a system would increase traffic at Rodriguez Field, which already has some international flights, such as to Japan.
JACC vice president Tibi Zohar presented to the mayor a copy of the United Jewish Federation-produced booklet, San Diego Builders of Israel, tracing the history of the interrelationship between this city and Israel. Asked if he envisioned other San Diego-Israel initiatives, Sanders said he believes the city government should be supportive of UJF efforts in its partnership region of Sha'ar Hanegev, Israel. He described as "fascinating" a briefing he recently received from Sha'ar Hanegev's mayor, Alon Schuster, on the problems that government faces as a result of the constant Kassam rocket attacks launched across the Gaza border by Hamas terrorists.
Asked by Zohar whether he thought someday San Diego would have a sister city in Israel, the mayor outlined the practical problems that Sister City programs have in an age when cities are required to slash their budgets. Making an exchange visit to Sister Cities might cost as much as $6,000 in air fare, Sanders said. With people worrying about cuts in city services, such expenses would be seen by some taxpayers as a waste of their money.
Instead of cultural exchanges, the city would be better advised to help foster the location in San Diego of foreign companies, which might become employers. He said there are a "lot of good ties in the biotech and defense areas" between Israel and San Diego. In this regard, he said, Israel's Consul-General is interested in developing closer ties "and so are we."
The mayor said that in the 28 months since he has been in office, he has been working on issues that are not glamorous, but which are necessary for the well-being of the city, such as paying down debts, trying to fund the pension, and providing infrastructure maintenance which had been deferred for years. He noted that he is the first "strong mayor" to be elected since San Diego switched from the "city manager form" of government. In taking hold of the budget, he said, he found some unusual practices--as for example some 550 employees whom he said weren't shown in the budget but who were being carried on the books as expenditures within the streets division. He said the City Council didn't want the people of San Diego to know how large the city's work force was, so devised this way of disguising it. He said the 550 workers were nicknamed "The Lost Battalion."
GATES OF THE NEGEV
A new correspondent introduces herself
By Ulla Hadar
 SAN DIEGO—My name is Ulla Hadar. I am 49 years old and am a member of Kibbutz Ruhama, situated in the Sha'ar Hanegev municipality (close to the Gaza border). My relationship with the Jewish communities of San Diego started almost five years ago when the IAC Committee (Israel/American Committee) of Temple Solel was looking for soldiers in our area that they could “adopt."
The contact person was Lisa Sweet, a member of the Temple Solel congregation and the IAC committee. She and I immediately “clicked” and started to correspond by e-mail. The project between the kibbutz and Temple Solel extended from the soldiers to healing tapestries (the kibbutz had already created two), mitzvah projects, a tile artwork done by the temple for the kibbutz and more. The Temple Solel congregants also came to see me at my home when they arrived in Israel for a visit.
I will try to keep everyone updated on what is going on in the area of Sha'ar Hanegev, as well as in Israel in general. It will be a pleasure for me to do as I receive great fulfillment from the connections between Sha'ar Hanegev and Israel, which I felt in particular while visiting San Diego this last week. As a participant of the 2008 UJF professional exchange program from Sha'ar Hanegev, I had a chance to return to San Diego after also participating in the 2006 Exchange group.
It has been emotionally rewarding to meet with my numerous friends here and to be able to create new long-term friendships and relationships. Our delegation has visited many of the San Diego Jewish organizations like JCC, SDJA, UJF, JFS, as well as other temples and preschools. For many of my fellow delegates it was their first time ever in the USA and also the first time being exposed to the life of the Jews in the Diaspora. Hopefully, they will develop and nourish new contacts and relationships with organizations and temples so that together, we can grow connections. That will tie us all together, stronger.
I have to express my deepest thanks to the people that have embraced us all this week with the warmest kindness and hospitality. The way everyone opened up their houses and took us into their families and daily lives has been outstanding. For this, I thank you all. I am sure the friendships created will continue and be extended My hope is that through this column, I will be able to do something to build an even stronger bridge between Sha'ar Hanegev and the San Diego communities.
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ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO HISTORY
Editor's Note: We conclude our reprinting from the September 20, 1922 edition of The San Diego Jewish Community News—a benchmark edition that outlined the history of 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
The Tifereth Israel Synagog
From The San Diego Jewish Community News, September 20, 1922, page 18
Many tasks, at first seemingly insurmountable, are overcome through hard work on the part of those interested in the successful completion of that task. So it was when a building to house the Tifereth Israel synagog was first proposed. AT first considered an impossibility, in time, thanks to the zeal and devotion of a few conscientious workers, the dream of an Orthodox Synagog for San Diego became a reality.
For many a day the Orthodox Community felt the need of a permanent building to house the Congregation. Service{s} were held now at one home, then at another, but as is often the case, under such circumstances little interest was manifested. Today, the Congregation Tifereth Israel, in addition to having its own building, conducts a modern Talmud Torah or Hebrew School.
Thanks for the growth of the Congregation are due to Mr. Jacob Goldgraber, its former president. Associated with Mr. Goldgraber, who by their contributions and time made possible the present building, are Mr. Wrottenberg, Mr. I. Frank, Mr. Abraham Pomeranz, Mr. I.T. Davidson, MR. H.S. Wolf, Mr. Wm. Frieden, Mr. Wm. Plame ad Mr. Breitbard.
Hebrew Sisterhood
By Mrs. M.L. Sokoloff
From The San Diego Jewish Community News, September 20, 1922, page 19
The Hebrew Sisterhood of San Diego was organized on July 8, 1918, with but seven members: to-day (sic) its membership roll includes more than ninety names. Although the dues are but twenty-five cents per month, the organization, has done, and is doing, noble work with its funds.
Last year, the Sisterhood expended $852.24 in its charitable work amongst the worthy poor of San Diego.
While our funds are at present very low, great hope I entertained that as a result of the affairs planned for this winter, we may secure enough to carry on our work.
The present officers of the Sisterhood are: Mrs. Al Neuman, president; Mrs. B. Ginsberg, vice-president; Mrs. L. Naiman, secretary and Mrs. I. Frank, treasurer.
U.S. Chaplain
By Lieut F. L. Albert (Ch. C), U.S.N.
From The San Diego Jewish Community News, September 20, 1922, page 20
“The commander of vessels and naval stations to which chaplains are attached shall cause divine service to be performed on Sunday, whenever the weather or other circumstances allow it to be done; and it is earnestly recommended to all officers, seamen, and others in the naval service diligently to attend at every performance of the worship of Almighty God.” (Section 1, article 2 of the Articles for the Government fo the Navy of the United states). From the beginning, in spirit at least, our sailors have been a body of God-fearing men.
But there was a time ‘in this man’s Navy’ when the office of Chaplain was considered by many as a spare part, and the Chaplain himself was too often regarded as ‘an extra pump handle.’ However, as the old colored preacher, Jasper, proved to his own satisfaction at least, “the sun do move” —and things have changed.
Thanks largely to the vision and energy of older members of the Corps, the Chaplain’s ministry is no longer limited to the performance of Divine Worship, but includes as well a variety of week-day tasks whose doing is limited only by his time and his ability. In these days a candidate for the chaplaincy must not only be well recommended by his denomination as to character, educational attainments, and professional ability, but he must be a young man, between the ages of twenty one and thirty-five, interested in the affairs of young men, keen about sports and able to coach, with a personality that appeals to men.
At the present time the Chaplain Corps is composed of eighty-eight men of caliber and character, representing eleven different denominations. The Chaplain with the larger conception of his calling, makes no distinction between Jew or Gentile, Romanist or Protestant, endeavoring to serve all with fairness and equality, irrespective of religious affiliation.
That Chaplain has lost an opportunity for large practical usefulness who specializes in religion to the exclusion of other matters which affect the welfare and active life of his men. And no Chaplain, who is paid with public monies to minister to the religious and moral lives of all the men has any right to carry on in the Navy a narrow sectarian program.
The Chaplain is not only the spiritual adviser of the men, but finds more frequent opportunity to counsel with them regarding their social and domestic relations as well as about more material matters. When the man of God has proved his capacity, it is quite customary to assign him other duties, as Athletic Officer, Librarian, Educational Officer, Entertainment Officer, etc., in addition to the multitudinous welfare duties that naturally come under the supervision of his office.
The Chaplains of the Navy are one of the best means of service contact with the civilian public. In various ways the Chaplain endeavors to promote the spirit of cordiality that happily continues to exist. Almost every Chaplain gladly accepts invitations to speak to congregations and welcomes individuals and groups who come to worship at his services, to assist with the music, or just to visit.
The Naval Chaplains on duty at this port at the present time are: F. H. Lash, at the Marine Base; A.N. Park, at the Air Station; H.M. Peterson, on the Melville; F.E. Moyer, at the Hospital; G.G. Murdock, at the Fleet Air Station, and F.L. Albert, at the Destroyer Base. These men are carrying on their good work in a manner that deserves the cooperation of every patriotic citizen and lover of righteousness.
The Jewish Welfare Board
By Jacob Weinberger
The San Diego Jewish Community News, September 20, 1922, page 20
The Jewish Welfare Board was created in the spring of 1917, by the joint action of representatives from some ten or twelve National Jewish organizations, in order to meet the emergencies precipitated by the war and branches were formed in every center within the United States and foreign countries where the work of the Board was to be carried out among the men in the service of the United States.
The San Diego branch was organized shortly after the United States entered into the world war, and committees were appointed to carry on the work under the direction of the National headquarters in New York City. The need for such service was quite apparent. In view of the fact that a large number of service men were being concentrated in and about San Diego, and while it was the aim of the Board to make adequate provision for the special needs of the Jewish soldiers and sailors, there was no distinction made, however, and the needs of men of all creeds were provided for.
The National headquarters provided a Field Representative who made his headquarters at Camp Kearney, where club rooms were established, and the local board worked in conjunction with the Field Representative, and a Club room was provided in San Diego, at which rooms entertainments of various kinds, such as dancing, and other forms of entertainment were provided. Thousands f service men took advantage of the entertainments provided, and the citizens of San Diego contributed liberally, not only in money, but in time and service, in assisting this work.
The officers of the San Diego branch were as follows:
Chairman: Jacob Weinberger; Vice-Chairman and Treasurer, S.I. Fox; Secretary, L.A. Unger; Entertainment Committee: Mrs. S. Schoenbrun.
The following ladies, among others, did splendid work in connection with the activities of the local board: Mrs. L.A. Blochman, Miss Beatrice De Lac Krombach, Mrs. E. Hamburger, Miss Seiller, Mrs. Charles Lowenstein.
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Garry Fabian in Melbourne, Australia:
—Anti-Defamation Commission seeks race ban on hate literature on the web
—Jewish community deals with child abuse
—Jewish Musician receives top honour
—Jewish representation at summit
—Israel sparks union spat
—UN bid could hurt Israel
—Bialystock Comes back to life in 21st Century
Donald H. Harrison in Rancho San Diego, California: Searching for the 'Lost Tribes of Israel' at the Heritage of the Americas Museum
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Tales From My Garden:The Third Day...
Adventures in San Diego History: Members of San Diego's Jewish community in 1922 looked at their past, present and future. Our series continues.
J. Zel Lurie in Delray Beach, Florida: Israel again promises checkpoint removal
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego: Welcome strangers to our congregations
Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem: Ultra-Orthodox face challenge of policing deviants and miscreants
Adventures in San Diego History: Members of San Diego's Jewish community in 1922 looked at their past, present and future.
Donald H. Harrison in San Diego: Congresswoman offers some Super Sunday advice to those who solicit by telephone
Dov Burt Levy in Salem, Massachusetts: Why Israel @ 60 is a big deal
Lloyd Levy in London: Is British anti-Semitism just a bad dream?
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Stay the Hand envisions peace
Adventures in San Diego History: Members of San Diego's Jewish community in 1922 looked at their past, present and future.
Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.—Why is the U.S. sanctioning the arming of Palestinians; who will be the beneficiary?
Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles: Survivor Mitzvah Project brings help, caring to elderly Jews in Eastern Europe
Donald H. Harrison in San Diego: American Jewish POW, held by Nazis, brings history alive for SDJA students
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego: Lingering over seder: A sign of freedom
Alan Rusonik in San Diego: Educating our students about Israel
Adventures in San Diego History: Members of San Diego's Jewish community in 1922 looked at their past, present and future.
Rabbi Michael Berk in La Jolla, California: All deaths by violence are not the same
Sherry Berlin in San Diego: A U.S. Civil War story—for Passover
Sheila Orysiek in San Diego: Chapter Two in the serialization of her novel, Reluctant Martyr
Rick Schwartz in San Diego: Seders connect family and community
And:
San Diego Builders of Israel, published by the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County in celebration of Israel's 60th year. Free download
Adventures in San Diego History: Members of San Diego's Jewish community in 1922 looked at their past, present and future.
Link to previous editions
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