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Friday, July 11 Congregation Beth El Kabbalat Shabbat Services
FRIDAY, JULY 18 Temple Solel Shabbat at Beach
MONDAY, SEPT. 29-THURSDAY, OCT. 9
THE VIEW FROM JINSA
Are the French modern-day Delilahs?
By Shoshana Bryen
 WASHINGTON, D.C—Editor's Note: Two people were wounded when three Kassam rockets hit Israel from Gaza. Islamic Jihad said that although they fired the rockets, Israel was to blame. A Hamas spokesman said the attack "came as result of Israeli provocation..." adding that Hamas was "committed to the calm."
Seduction is very French. President Sarkozy's speech before the Knesset was nothing if not seductive and most of his audience was nothing if not willing.
He touched some great notes, quoting the Bible a la President Bush, including the part about God giving the land to Abraham. He referenced Israel as the protector of Jews, present and future, calling Israel the "only place in the world where everyone is sure that Jews will never have to wear a yellow star, where Jews will not be prohibited from riding buses, going to cinema or theater or holding certain jobs, where they will not be forced to live only in Jewish neighborhoods or only go to Jewish restaurants, stores or schools."
 He said, "A nuclear Iran is intolerable... Anyone trying to destroy Israel will find France blocking the way...Israel must know it is not alone in the battle against Iran's nuclear ambitions." And, "My dear friends, the 21st century has arrived and I say this will be the century of peace for Israel."
All of this is very good, particularly from the man who assumes the EU presidency in July. But seduction is pressure to give in to an ill-advised desire. No matter how good the feeling engendered by the attachment of Nicolas Sarkozy to Israel's present and future, Israel and its friends have to be very clear-eyed about the difference between Sarkozy the man and French foreign policy as promoted by the French Foreign Ministry and the eternal French civil service. These have not changed.
All Israel has to do, he said, is remove the checkpoints that allow Israel to stop terrorist activity; stop building houses for Jews in places the Palestinians don't want Jews; and agree to use the capital city of the Jews as the capital city of someone else. There can be, he said, "no peace without a solution to the problem of the Palestinian refugees," and "no peace without a halt to settlement activity." "Peace is not possible if the Palestinians cannot move about freely." He suggested that Israel "encourage legislation that would entice settlers to leave the West Bank."
Along with what appeared to be a sincere profession of friendship, and a nod in the direction of Palestinian obligations to "fight terrorism," Sarkozy made a threat. "We must tell friends the truth, and the truth is that Israel's security can never be assured unless an independent, modern, democratic and viable Palestinian state is established finally beside it."
So is it Israel's obligation not only to permit the establishment of a Palestinian state, but also to ensure that it is modern, democratic and viable? And to ensure that it is Judenrein on their behalf?
"I didn't come here to preach morality," he said after the speech. Perhaps not, but seduction may turn out to be a problem.
FROM THE GATES OF THE NEGEV
No time for electioneering, Israeli
mayors in the Negev tell two Ehuds
By Ulla Hadar
 SDEROT, Israel--Three Kassam rockets fired at Sderot broke the five-day cease fire between Israel and the Gaza terrroists. The Islamic Jihad organization took responsibility for the rockets, saying they were revenge for the killing of one of their members yesterday in the west Bank by the IDF.
Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited the area alongside the Gaza strip today and joining him were several mayors from the municipalities of Israel’s southern area.
The mayors asked Barak to refrain from seeking national elections as they might cause political instability in Israel
They contended that an election at this point will adversely impact this region’s priorities of constructing rocket-resistant buildings and securing the whole area. It would cause a serious set back in the time schedule
The plea was included in a joint letter from Mayor Alon Schuster of Sha’ar Hanegev and Chaim Yellin of Eshkol to the leaders of the Kadima and Labor parties, Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak.
The two mayors stated that the situation is immensely fragile and that a political struggle
will add to the difficulties. They asked that the two rival Ehuds to cooperate in an effort to maintain governmental stability, and to stand together rather than electioneer against each other.
The construction of reinforced buildings has been moving very slowly for a variety of bureaucratic reasons. Political and military calm will provide an opportunity to get those buildings constructed, the two mayors said,
MUSICAL NOTES
Cantor becomes a conductor—of a tour
By Eileen Wingard
 LA JOLLA,California—Cantor Arlene Bernstein, whose decade of service was recently celebrated by Congregation Beth Israel, embarks on a new role, leading a group of 70 people on a twelve-day tour to Israel. Departing San Diego July 2, the group consists of the members of Congregation Beth Israel’s Youth and Teen Choir and their families. The trip will combine sight-seeing with performances. They will be featured at the Reform Synagogue Ohr Hadash in Haifa, at the Hadassah Youth Village, Meir Shefaya, and
participate in services at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem and at the
Reform Synagogue Yozma in Modi’in.
The May 17 celebration of Bernstein’s outstanding service featured the
Adult Choir, the Youth and Teen Choir, the Chai Band, Cantor Bernstein herself, and guest vocalist, Danny Maseng. The memorable event began with two hundred fifty people dining at Congregation Beth Israel’s festively-decorated patio area.
Later, they assembled in the sanctuary for an impressive Havdalah service led by Cantor Emeritus Sheldon Merel assisted by guitarists Buddy Voit and Jeremy Gimbel. Although retired from CBI for eleven years, Merel continues to project a voice of beauty and warmth.
MC Marty Levin, news anchor for NBC, introduced the musical program which opened with Cantor Bernstein, accompanied by the youth and teen choir, in a rousing Yom Zeh L’Yisrael. The cantor’s full burnished mezzo soprano inspired the youngsters as they alternated in the spirited rendition. The Youth Choir followed with an Am Yisroel Medley, then came Mi Ha Ish by the Chai Band with
beautiful solos by violin and flute.
The featured performer, Danny Maseng of Hollywood’s Temple Israel, sang two selections accompanied by the Adult Choir and the Chai Band. This was followed by five of Maseng’s signature songs accompanying himself on guitar, rendered in his electrifying style. Concluding this portion of the program, Maseng was joined by Bernstein and Heidi Gantwerk in Shir Ha’emek and by Bernstein in
Asseh L’cha Rav.
Tributes to the cantor were delivered by the current CBI rabbi, Michael Berk; former CBI rabbi, Jonathan Stein, who proudly boasted, "I hired her!" and by Emily Jennewein, chair of the 10th Anniversary Event Committee. Bernstein offered eloquent words of thanks.
Danny Maseng again performed with the Adult and Youth Choirs and the Chai Band in a lovely arrangement of Anim Z’mirot by Chai Band pianist Andy Mayer. The musical program concluded with Katzir Baemek and Yerushalayim sung by Bernstein with her coach and mentor from Hebrew Union College, Joyce Rosenzweig, at the piano. All joined in for the concluding Hatikvah and Yerushalayim Shel Zahav.
Several of the songs sung that evening will be repeated in Israel. May the talented musical ambassadors from Congregation Beth Israel have a nesiah tovah –a good journey. Leading this trip is yet another crowning achievement of CBI’s beloved cantor, Arlene Bernstein.
 Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist
(619) 265-0808
THE JEWS DOWN UNDER
Long-running archives saga ends positively
By Garry Fabian
 MELBOURNE - The Jewish Museum of Australia (JMA) has taken possession of a rare collection of letters and documents involving a Carlton rabbi in the 1930s and 1940s.
Known as the Gurewicz Archive, the material which was collected by Rabbi Joseph Gurewicz of the United Hebrew Congregations of Carlton, was bought at auction for $22,000 by the JMA on Sunday.
JMA director Dr Helen Light said later that the collection, purchased from an unnamed vendor, was a rare and significant acquisition for the museum.
"We bought it for the community, working together with the Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS), and we're very pleased it will remain in Australia," she said.
"It's a record of the Melbourne community in Carlton over a very significant prewar and postwar period, which reshaped our community, and revolves around an important individual, Rabbi Gurewicz.
“It's got material that relates to so many of our families and so many of the organisations that enrich our community."
The archive, which now resides at the JMA, will eventually be housed at the State Library of Victoria, she said.
Dr Light made a plea for the owners of key letters originally part of the collection to donate them to the JMA.
The letters, many of them bearing the signatures of renowned European rabbis from before the Shoah, were sold on the world collectables market after Rebbetzin Shirley Lubofsky sold the archive to an unnamed American dealer for $25,000, igniting a bitter dispute with the AJHS.
Dr Light said the Pratt Foundation and Melbourne philanthropist Leon Haskin contributed significant amounts to the purchase price, but she did not divulge figures.
Pratt Foundation chief executive Sam Lipski, who confirmed the organisation's grant of $10,000, said he was "delighted we've been able to contribute to keep the collection here... that it will be preserved and available for researchers and kept in trust for the community".
The foundation had earlier declined to assist because the seller was unknown, but the fact that the collection was being auctioned by a well-known auctioneer changed the circumstances, Lipski said.
Barrister Robert Richter QC, representing the JMA, secured the collection at auction for $3000 above its $19,000 reserve.
Auctioneer Charles Leski said that he made a small contribution to offset part of the 16.5 per cent commission, as he did for another collection sold during the session, documents relating to the World Maccabi movement.
The Maccabi documents were acquired by Maccabi Australia, with the organisation's president Harry Procel bidding successfully against another bidder, securing the collection for $13,000 -- $1500 above its reserve.
A third collection, the postal history of the Lodz Ghetto from 1940-45, remained unsold, but Leski said he received strong interest from Jewish community figures before and after the auction.
US academics travel 'Down Under'
SYDNEY- Two Jewish-American academics will spend July in Australia as visiting scholars-in-residence.
Professor Amy-Jill Levine and Professor Jay Geller (husband and wife) will visit both Melbourne and Sydney to conduct a series of lectures on behalf of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Jewish Museum of Australia, Victorian Council of Christians and Jews and The Mandelbaum Trust in Sydney.
Prof Levine spoke at last year’s Limmud Oz, to much acclaim, and is regarded as a leading international Jesus scholar, while Prof Geller is an expert on Freud and modern constructions of Jewish identity and anti-Semitism.
The two professors, who both lecture at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, will be the focus of the Winter School at Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation.
Last year, the school attracted large numbers during the visit of Zohar Raviv and the lecture formula from last year -– four stand-alone lectures and two four-week short courses -– is being replicated again.
The centre’s associate director, Paul Forgasz, said he was determined to bring Prof Levine back to Australia after hearing her speak in Sydney last year.
“When I issued her with an invitation, she was particularly excited at the prospect of returning for a more extended period this time with her husband Jay Geller,” he said.
“Each is regarded as a leading scholar in their respective fields, and for the community to have the opportunity to study with them for a whole month is a major coup for both the Melbourne and Sydney Jewish communities.”
Refugee Week: time for reflection, action
MELBOURNE- Anton Block, president of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) the peak body of Victorian Jewry, reflected on Refugee Week which is currently being held.
" As a young migrant to Australia from South Africa, I well remember the emotional and practical difficulties involved in relocating to a new country. My parents, brothers and I left behind good friends, family members and familiar surroundings to start a new life.
"Unsettling as this was, this was still our choice, freely made. The situation of refugees, however is completely different. Commonly they are violently ousted, suffering dispossession, violence and permanent loss of loved ones. They are dependent on the goodwill of others and often have no choice about where they end up. Even the lucky ones usually have to learn new ways of life, employment skills and languages. Many are permanently shattered by this traumatic experience.
"This Refugee Week and World Refugee Day will be commemorated Friday 20th June 2008. As a people whose history has been marked by wandering, this is an appropriate moment to reflect on our current good fortune, and more appropriately, a time to focus on those in need.
"This is not simply a moral issue. We need only look at the benefits that displaced Europeans after World War Two and subsequently fleeing Vietnamese bestowed upon this welcoming country. As Australians old and new, we have all been enriched, materially, culturally and spiritually.
"
Now is the time to give more charity, to invite people into our lives, to speak to our Federal politicians about enhancing Australia's Humanitarian Program and also to seek a resolution to the problems of Jews and Palestinians uprooted by the impasse between Israel and its neighbours. We too have been strangers in a strange land," Block concluded.
Church 'Middle-East statement' draws mixed reactions
CANBERRA- The Federal Government has welcomed a controversial statement on Israel from Australian church leaders, while the Israeli Embassy has called the same statement "cynical and naive."
Earlier this month the Heads of Churches called for the Australian Government to work harder for peace in Israel.
The church leaders' statement called for an end to violence on both sides "a freely and peacefully negotiated solution acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, whether in the form of two states or one" a quadrupling of aid to the Palestinians and a government-supported multi-faith delegation to visit the region.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) quickly condemned the statement, calling it unbalanced and silent on the "openly expressed ambitions" of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Following Foreign Minister Stephen Smith's visit to Iraq and Afghanistan last week, a spokeswoman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "The Government values its dialogue with church leaders and recognises their commitment to supporting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, including through inter-faith initiatives".
In response to the Heads of Churches request to quadruple aid to the Palestinian people, she said that Australia's aid commitment may change.
"The Government will continue to look for opportunities to provide practical assistance in our support of the Middle East peace process," the spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, Dor Shapira, spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Canberra, said that Ambassador Yuval Rotem knew from the start that the Heads of Churches statement would not be balanced.
"Reverend Gregor Henderson [president of the Uniting Church] acknowledged that Israel might be 'displeased' with the statement," Shapira said in a statement, adding that the statement does a disservice to the peace process.
"It systemically ignores the threat posed by Hamas in Gaza who deliberately target Israeli civilians on a daily basis," he said.
"The action of this Palestinian terrorist organisation is a proxy of the regime in Iran whose objective is to see a world with no Israel.
"Rev Henderson will only serve his church and their cause to bring peace to the Middle East by addressing the real threat in the Middle East."
 MELBOURNE COMMUNITY-VICTORIA POLICE DINNER … Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, receives an award of appreciation from Commander Ashley Dickinson at the Victoria Police Jewish community dinner held at the Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne on Monday, June 16. The framed photo features Rabbi Kluwgant with his father pictured at the inaugural police Jewish community dinner last year. Photo: Peter Haskin
The environment & 'The Jewish question'
MELBOURNE- In conjunction with the Australian Jewish Museum and the ‘Bal Tashchit – Thou Shalt Not Destroy,’ the environmental responses exhibition running at the museum until 29 June, JECO (the Jewish Ecological Coalition) is organizing its third Eco-Festival to coincide with the last day of the exhibition in the adjacent Adele Southwick Hall in St Kilda.
This provides an ideal opportunity to turn the response to the stimulating art and texts into practical steps in everyday life for both Jews and non-Jewish visitors. The Expo will be featured separately as well as in the exhibition ad campaign.
Even five years ago, many people considered that environmental concerns were a ‘fringe interest’ but today there can be no doubt that they are one of the most pressing areas in which we all need to be learning what we can do to make changes both individually and communally to try to minimize the damaging impacts for the present and future – to encourage the biblical prerogative of sustainability.
It is therefore significant that, earlier this year, JECO was approached by the Jewish Museum of Australia to stage another Eco-Festival to coincide with the conclusion of its innovative exhibition.
Bipartisan politicians visit Jewish Holocaust Centre
MELBOURNE—Politicians from Labor, Liberal and Green parties put aside their difference last week to learn some lessons at the Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre.
The excursion was organised by Jewish MLA Marsha Thompson, who is also the Parliamentary secretary for industry and trade. The Holocaust is a matter close to her heart: her Polish father escaped before the Nazis reached his homeland, but other in her family were not so lucky.
Throughout her childhood, Thompson's father impressed upon her the importance of tolerance and respect and it was this message, she said, she hoped her fellow parliamentarians could take back to their electorates.
 LEARNING ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST… a group of 25 Victorian parliamentarians and their staffers visited the Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre in Elsternwick on Tuesday June 17 to see the exhibits and hear firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors. Among the MPs were Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu, Marsha Thomson, Martin Pakula, Helen Shardey and Tony Lupton. Photo: Peter Haskin
"Having the survivors here hopefully will make it real and give us the understanding that there are people still alive today who actually went through this", Thompson said.
"I think it is important that the lessons of the Holocaust should be taught..the only way I know how to make sure this never happens again is to make people aware and to nip intolerance in the bud".
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu was part of the group touring the Holocaust Museum.
While it was his first visit to the Museum, Baillieu said he had grown up with an awareness of the atrocities commited in the Holocaust.
"This is a message that has to transcend generations and times. This museum and the people involved here can teach so much about ethics and morality."
Also part of the group were Jewish MLC Martin Pakula, Member for Caulfield Helen Shardey, Member for Prahran Tony Lupton and other parliamentarians from across Victoria, both city and country areas.
Canberra books a place in Jewish history
CANBERRA - Rosemary Block, curator of the oral history at the State Library of New South Wales, launched The Jewish Community of Canberra: Recollections in Oral History last week.
The book, which was compiled by members of the ACT Jewish community and funded by and ACT government grant, includes transcribed interviews with nine Canberra Jewish community stalwarts.
There are recollections from community founders Earle Hoffman, and the late Dr Ron Mendelsohn, as well as Sir David Smith, the former secretary to five governors-general as well as several others.
The book was edited by Adele Rosalky, a committee member of the Australian Jewish Historical Society (ACT) and one of the city's first locally born Jewish residents.
Queensland Opposition Leader at AICC
BRISBANE - Lawrence Springborg, Queensland's opposition leader, will address the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in Brisbane at the end of July. Springborg became Queensland's youngest Member of Parliament when he was elected at the age of 21.
According to the AICC, Springborg has been one of Queensland's most active opposition leaders, introducing more private members' bills than any other leader.
Perth Walks for JNF
PERTH - Northern Suburbs Hebrew Congregation's Rabbi Larry Brown blew the shofar earlier this month to mark the beginning of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Walk the Land event.
About 200 Perth residents participated in the walk, which has been held in Jewish communities around the world to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary.
The walk began and ended at Perth''s Jewish community centre, where participants enjoyed then opportunity to view 15 posters depicting Israeli cities and their JNF parks.
Can your boss make you work on Shabbat?
MELBOURNE - A federal public service employee was initially refused a job this month because she was unable to work late winter afternoons because of her observance of the Jewish sabbath. The issue was resolved after discussions with the ADC but it raises bigger questions. Does this constitute discrimination? Can employees expect adjustments to their work conditions to enable religious observance?
For many years employees have taken sick leave for holy days and negotiated adjustments on a case by case basis. But now the Victorian Equal Opportunity review is considering whether adjustments to work conditions should be required under anti-discrimination law.
The ADC and Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) have lodged a submission arguing the case for reasonable adjustments. We have also supported extended powers to enable the Equal Opportunity Commission to initiate research and investigations.
Pratt steps down from Blues, but AJAX remains firm
MELBOURNE- Richard Pratt, a prominent Jewish business tycoon, who is listed among the five top richest in Australia, has stepped down as president of the Carlton Football Club - The Blues" - in the wake of allegations he lied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) during its investigation into a price fixing deal between his company Visy and rival cardboard giant Amcor in 2005.
Carlton CEO Greg Swann made the announcement at a press conference on Friday after Pratt was formally charged with giving false and misleading evidence to the ACCC inquiry.
"Richard Pratt has today advised the Carlton Football Club of his intention to stand aside as president of the club," Swann said."Richard's decision is effective immediately he is to stand aside until this matter with the ACCC is resolved."
Swann went on to say that vice president and club champion Stephen Kernahan would take over as president and acknowledged Pratt's contribution to the club over more than 50 years.
"Richard's decision to stand aside from Carlton is obviously a disappointing development for the Carlton, which acknowledges the outstanding contribution he has made to returning the club he so genuinely loves to prominence in the Australian Football League (AFL) competition both on and off the field."
Meanwhile, Pratt will continue to remain as the No.1 ticket holder of the AJAX Amateur Football Club, with the Jewish club maintaining that Pratt was welcome at the club at any time.
“We will continue to invite him to our functions and will include him in our legends activities later this year,” club president Brian Goldberg said.
“He has been a strong supporter of the club for a long time, starting when he was a champion player and we have long appreciated his generous support of our club.”
Chabad centre protested by neighbours
MELBOURNE- More than 30 objections have been received about a planned youth centre on the grounds of Yeshivah College in St Kilda East.
It is understood that Yeshivah will lease a parcel of land to Chabad Youth for 99 years at a minimal cost. The youth movement hopes to use the land on A’Beckett Street to construct a three-storey building, plus a basement, for Jewish youth from primary-school students to young couples.
Craig Brown, an architect engaged by Chabad Youth, told The AJN the centre would include a theatrette, an area for art and woodwork, a library and classrooms. The first floor will house a 200-square metre “multi-purpose room," which Brown said would be the size of four classrooms, plus a small kitchen.
The second storey will be “somewhere kids can hang out” and Brown said it could be a place for children to play pinball or video games.
But 33 local residents have written to the Glen Eira City Council to object to the new Chabad Youth centre.
The residents, most who live on Hotham or A’Beckett streets, are disappointed the plans do not include any new car parks. They are also concerned that the scheduled long opening hours will result in loud noise late at night.
One local resident requested that frosted glass be used, so Chabad Youth members could not see into her garden, while another said he was not anti-development, but he believed the centre was too large for the location.
Zephaniah Waks, a long-time resident of A’Beckett Street and a Yeshivah parent, said he opposed the building because it would be run independently from the Orthodox school.
“It is not the fact that they want to build, it’s what they want to build,” Waks said. “It’s not really for the Yeshivah, the bulk of the events, I think, will not be used by the Yeshivah.”
When asked to clarify, he said he believed the centre would contradict Yeshivah College policy and host mixed functions with both male and female participants.
“Moshe Kahn [Chabad Youth director] thinks we, as Jewish neighbours who have kids, should have just given in as we have done for all these years,” Waks said.
Waks added that the Jewish neighbours and Chabad Youth management should resolve their issues in a beth din.
Meanwhile, Kahn confirmed the building would be used by both males and females, but that “it is a program-based centre, rather than a drop-in centre. There will be different programs servicing different groups of the community,” he said. “For the Yeshivah students there will be separate programs.”
“The building has been specifically designed in such a manner with different entrances and levels that can accommodate different activities at the same time.”
He added that he believed a beth din was not required to mediate and that council channels would be adequate.
The architect also said that neighbours had no reason to be alarmed about the development.
“We have consulted with neighbours and listened to their concerns,” Brown said.
The current drop-off and pick-up area in front of Yeshivah on Hotham Street will be used by parents to collect their children from the proposed Chabad Youth centre and Chabad Youth staff will use the existing car park on the school grounds.
“Of course, there are five neighbours in A’Beckett Street who would choose for this not to be in their neighbourhood because they’d probably like to have a bowling club that meets there once a month,” Brown said.
“But this is about addressing a real need in the Jewish community.”
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EIGHTEEN
{Editor's Note: In this column, in cooperation with San Diego Jewish Academy, San Diego Jewish World will be republishing works that appeared in Eighteen, a student publication emphasizing creative writing.}
Remember
By
Rebecca S. Rudin
Remember
the hot tears
falling down frozen faces
and shattering on cold pavement
slowly turning
to watery cinders
like extinguished flames
they are sitting,
waiting,
dreading,
hearing footsteps, nearly stomping
causing lungs to almost refuse to breathe
and then
the creak of a door
the slicing breeze as it swings open
hands clenching
hearts pounding
and the split second
that feels like an eternity
when one is awaiting the truth to his fate
murder
to an innocent child
his mother
the life in their eyes swept away
like ashes on a windy street
in the dead of night
their throats pulsing with screams
six million screams
that never escaped
they were silenced
never forget
Remember your loved ones on-line
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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.
That’s What I Think
From Southwestern Jewish Press, May 22, 1947, page 2
{Editor’s Note, 2008: ‘Released time’ referred to in Ray Solomon’s column below was a proposal to give public school students a brief recess or partial dismissal from each day of school to allow them time to pray}
By Ray Solomon
Sitting here as editor of the Jewish Press with a more or less “bird’s eye” view of the community, it never ceases to be a wonder to me, how many dissenting voices there are on every action taken in the community. Every speech, every move, everything and everybody has two or more camps. There are always those who take a negative and those who take a rallying stand—though I’m afraid those who find fault are usually louder than those who praise.
The latest such dissention (and most surprising of all to me) came to my attention this week, when I learned that criticism was aimed at the Jewish “objectors” of the released time plan—and that, in the following words: “That Rabbi Cohn, and those others who wrote letters and took an active part in the fight (which must also mean me) were unduly stirring up the muddy waters of anti-semitism.”
First, I must say that those who found such fault, could not have had much interest in the issue, because if they had, they would have attended the open meeting … and if they had attended the meeting, they could not possibly have made such remarks. Because I, and I am sure every open-minded person (Jewish and non-Jewish) that was there, approved of every word that Rabbi Cohn said in opposition to the plan. When Orton E. Darnall, president of the Board of Education asked that someone be chosen from the opposition to represent them, it was a spontaneous action on the part of one of the spectators, to call out the name of Rabbi Cohn. Since no one else was called upon, and since rabbi Cohn was well qualified from the standpoint of information and representation, he rose and spoke briefly and effectively on the evils of released time—to the complete satisfaction of the more than one-hundred non-Jewish opponents of the plan. As spiritual leader of one of the church groups that took a stand against the plan—as a member of the local Community Advisory Committee, that represents every walk of Jewish life in San Diego—and as a private citizen who is well acquainted with the problem—who was better qualified to speak than he?
Secondly—in answer to the statement that the plan would not have been accepted anyway—that it is not too likely, as told to me personally by one of the members of the Board, who said, “Last year when the plan was first introduced, I, and others on the Board were not particularly in favor of it, but you must realize that public opinion must be the determining factor in our decision. I am glad to know of your stand now.”
Contrary to the implication that the “released plan” issue was a Jewish issue, let me point out that the number of Jewish people attending the open meeting was perhaps less than ten percent, and the number of letters far less Jewish than Christian. The Jewish angle was brought up, yes—but only by a bigoted few, who were answered immediately by many men and women who were there—all of them not Jewish and saying so.
Above all, it is important to note that there were many liberal and progressive church people, who did not approve of introducing religious segregations in the school and they were not ashamed to say so.
S.O.S. Wants Books!
From Southwestern Jewish Press, May 22, 1947, page 3
With the realization that emigration will be slower than expected, it is necessary to provide for a longer stay of Jewish survivors in Displaced Persons’ Centers. Therefore, books for educational, cultural and leisure-time activity have become increasingly important. To date, communities have been slow in responding to this part of the collection campaign. San Diego is asked to collect as many books as possible during the months of May and June, so that the first shipment will be available to go to Europe by July 1, 1947. Books should be mainly in Yiddish or some foreign language useful to the survivors such as Hebrew, Polish, German, Hungarian, Roumanian, Bulgarian, French and Russian. Very important, medical journals in all languages, including English, are needed. Picture magazines can be used. The books must be in good condition.
Bring your contributions to Douglas Tire Col, 11th and Market St., or go to the Hebrew Home for the Aged. Don’t delay! Surely every family can spare two books.
Home Camp Registration Now Being Taken
From Southwestern Jewish Press, May 22, 1947, page 3
Registration opened Monday, May 19, for the home camp to be operated by the Community Center Planning Committee. The registration schedule has been set up running from May 19 to May 30 as follows:
May 19 to May 30, 209 First National Bldg, 5th and Broadway, 9 to 5 P.M.
May 26 through May 30, Beth Jacob Center, 3206 Myrtle, 3 to 5 P.M.
May 26 through May 30, Beth Israel Center, 5th (sic) & Laurel, 3 to 5 p.m.
Attendance at the home camp will be limited so that all are urged to register as early as possible.
The home camp has the answer for your question, “What are you going to do with the kids this summer?” It is a camp at home for children from 6 to 13, operating five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are six glorious, fun packed hours a day loaded with trips, hikes, sports, nature study, camp-lore, swimming, camp dances, cook-outs, arts and craft and other activities. All children will be under the supervision of paid, trained counselors.
Including all expenses, the fee for enrollment for the full five weeks will be $35. A minimum enrollment of two consecutive weeks will be $35. A minimum required “Camperships” or “scholarships” will be available for children. Those interested in obtaining a campership are asked to consult Mr. Hutler.
A typical week at the camp as announced by Albert T. Hutler, who will direct the program, is as follows:
Monday—Trip day, tour Naval Training Base.
Tuesday—Nature hike, camp songs, arts and craft, sports, story telling.
Wednesday—Beach day.
Thursday—Farm day.
Friday—Organized games and activities in the park, lunch at the Center, square dancing and children’s services.
It is also planned, Mr. Hutler announced, to have two over-night camp-outs and several cook-outs.
Children will be grouped by ages and each counselor will have a maximum of ten children. Two counselors, both social service students at San Diego State College, have already been hired and others will be hired in the near future.
Rabbi Wolf to Speak For Sisterhood
From Southwestern Jewish Press, May 22, 1947, page 4
The next regular luncheon meeting of the Temple Sisterhood on Wednesday, May 39th, will have as guest speaker Rabbi Albert Wolf of Los Angeles, whose subject will be “Ladies First.”
Upon his graduation from the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 1941, Rabbi Wolf served as rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in Dothan, Alabama, from 1941 through 1946. Rabbi Wolf came to Los Angeles in July 1946 to open the UNION’s Western regional Office and to serve as its first director. He represents in this Region all the affiliates of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, which co-ordinates activities in the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Idaho. The affiliates are the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, Temple Brotherhoods, and Temple Youth as well as the Hebrew Union College.
Reservations for the luncheon should be made not later than Monday, May 26th, with Mrs. H. Haimsohn, T-4090; Mrs. M. Schreiber, J-7391, or he Temple Secretary, F-9-4631.
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SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
The Arts
What You See Isn't Quite What You Get by Ronit Hakakha in Netanya, Israel
The awful revenge of a mediocre artist by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
TICO builds reputation as soloist's haven by Eileen Wingard in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
Become a sponsor of the ‘Adventures’
—May 8, 1947: Victor Schulman Heads Allocations, Budget Committee
—May 8, 1947: Hadassah
—May 22, 1947: Flash! {Hillel}
—May 22, 1947: Women Raise Record Sum
Middle East
How Sha'ar Hanegev elementary school protects Israeli kids from the rockets by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
Possible attack on Iran, negotiating for hostages prompt many ethical questions by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Israel is now appeasing its Arab enemies by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
San Diego
Jewish-Catholic dialogue focuses on the crucifixion and on the Holocaust by Donald H. Harrison in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
Become a sponsor of our ‘Adventures’
—April 24, 1947: Lasker Lodge B.B. {Hillel}
—April 24, 1947: Jewish Labor Com
—April 24, 1947: Birdie Stodel B.B.
—April 24, 1947: Variety Show Saturday Nite
The Arts
My Old Friends a joyful romp of the aged by Cynthia Citron in Burbank, California
A Jewish dancer’s road to freedom by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
)Middle East
Murtha owes Marines an apology by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Judaism
Conservative movement insists kosher processors treat employees humanely by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego
The importance of a Hebrew name by Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego
San Diego
Garden and square memorialize two favorite professors at San Diego City College by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—April 24, 1947: 'And A Little Child Shall Lead Them'
—April 24, 1947: Beth Jacob Congregation
—April 24, 1947: S.O.S. Still Needs Your Support
—April 24, 1947: S.D. To Have Summer Camps
The Arts
S.D. weighs festival of new Jewish plays by Carol Davis in San Diego
Middle East
Costs, benefits to Hamas regularization by Eran Lerman in Jerusalem
Wars among the Jews heat up in Israel by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
U.S. and Israel prefer stability among Arab nations rather than real democracy by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
San Diego
UJF backs programs to transport local seniors, build school in Sha'ar Hanegev by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Jackie Gmach receives Marla Bennett Humanitarian Award from AFMDA by Yvonne Greenberg and Paul Greenberg in La Jolla, California
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—April 10, 1947: Organizations 'working with' UJF
—April 10, 1947: USO-JWB Activities
—April 24, 1947: San Diego Sends $50,000 From Emergency Fund To Aid European Jews
The Arts
Chapter Thirteen of Reluctant Martyr, a serialized novel by Sheila Orysiek of San Diego
)Middle East
Skepticism over Israel-Hamas ceasefire by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Canada
Jews and Canada's First Nations have much to learn from each other's experiences by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Toronto
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—April 10, 1947: Prof. Sheldon Warns of Bundist revival
—April 10, 1947: We Were There by Albert Hutler
—April 10, 1947: Eminent Speakers to Appear in San Diego This Week
The Arts
Thursdays with the music of Hal Wingard
—#14 The Dog, The Cat And Me
—#153 Have You Hugged Your Cat Lately?
—#278 Boasting
Lifestyles
Have you ever tried making 'old' friends? by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Middle East
Hamas will rebuild during the ceasefire by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Australia-New Zealand
The Jews 'Down Under' by Garry Fabian
—New Zealand TV group apologizes for slurs
—Jewish achievers honored in Queen's birthday list
—Community event makes comeback
—Police allegations rattle Adelaide community
—Victoria and Israel—Best of friends
—Jews champions for indigenous rights
—Community celebration for Israel's 60th
—Anti-Semitic graffiti marks disturbing trends
—World B'nai B'rith President to visit 'Down Under'
San Diego County
Russert's death prompts walking regimen by Donald H. Harrison in El Cajon, California
San Diego Jewish Trivia: Journalists by Evelyn Kooperman
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—March 20, 1947: UJF Youth Division Organizes
—March 20, 1947: Sergeant Inspires Youth Division
—March 20, 1947:‘Personality’ Talk Impresses TYL
Arts
—L'il Noodle, a kid who'll steal your heart by Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles
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