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INTERNATIONAL Responding to random violence in Israel and U.S. ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem Last week a 16 year old Bedouin girl approached a base of the Border Police, pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the guard. The result was predictable. There were no injuries to the police.READ MORE
Report from a 115-kilometer bike ride through the Golan ... by Ulla Hadar in Dugit Beach (on the Kinneret), Israel
For the last two weeks Israeli nature has showed itself in its splendor whether in the South or up in the North of the country. The colors of yellow and purple dominate, but there are gentle intervening patterns of blue and red as well.READ MORE JUDAISM
Where did the kipah go? ... a story of the Jewish holidays by Sonia Snyder in San Diego
Daniel was smiling. His mother had just given him a beautiful kipah. She had made it for his seventh birthday. Seven blue and whitestripes and seven small silver stars encircled the round cap. READ MORE
ARTS
The ape effect: Diane Fossey and ballet class ... by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego Eileen was all legs. They seemed to have bypassed her hips and came directly out of her waist. I had seen her dance on stage and had also been in ballet class with her, so I knew she was a beautiful dancer. READ MORE
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
December 26, 1952; Southwestern Jewish Press
United Jewish Federation: Educational community ceremony slated to remember the Holocaust, and honor the survivors READ MORE
STAFF BOX Bobby Greene, left, led a celebration of husband Norman Greene's recuperation from surgery at a house party at which guests joined in singing show tunes to the Broadway-loving Norman (blue shirt, at right). Gamely, if not tunefully, the guests approximated the printed lyrics and we're very pleased to report that the cacaphony didn't drive the SDJW feature writer right back to the hospital! Wisely, Bobby invited the neighbors to the party so they couldn't complain about the noise.
JERUSALEM—Last week a 16 year old Bedouin girl approached a base of the Border Police, pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the guard. The result was predictable. There were no injuries to the police.
Over the past year, there have been three incidents of Arab bulldozer operators who used their vehicles to cause mayhem in the streets of Jerusalem. Two of them killed pedestrians. All three of the bulldozer drivers died at the scene.
Some years ago there was a wave of individual Arabs attacking Jews with kitchen knives.
What links these incidents is that one or more Palestinian organizations claimed responsibility, but Israeli officials discounted the claims, and attributed them to individuals acting alone.
It is difficult to know what Israel can do to prevent random cases of violence. Intelligence often discovers planning by an established group, and frustrates the plans. Explanations of unaffiliated individuals cite personal rage traced to a relative killed by security forces, sermons at the mosque that incite hatred of Jews, an individual shunned by friends or family who wishes to prove his or her worth, and/or emotional disturbance.
The stories are not all that different from Americans or Europeans who run amok in schools or other public places. Friday's killings in Binghamton were not the last. A domestic dispute in Pittsburgh on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three police officers.
An American incident typically occurs with a firearm, and produces another round of demands to restrict their availability, and predictable responses from the National Rifle Association and its friends. Even if Congress or the Courts revise the conventional reading of the Second Amendment to the Constitution, it might be impossible to account for an estimated 200 million weapons in anything less than several generations.
A wide distribution of personal weapons in Israel, along with procedures to screen those who have them, has resulted in the deaths of Palestinians at the scene of their rampages. Innocents have also died in other episodes, due to imperfections in the screening mechanisms.
Unorganized wrath in Israel does not only occur among Arabs. Baruch Goldstein was an American-born MD who killed 29 Muslims at prayer in Hebron. A soldier, judged unfit to carry a weapon but AWOL and not yet disarmed, took a bus to the Arab city of Shfar'am and killed four civilians and wounded 29 others.
Justifications of revenge and "they started it" are as predictable among Jews or Arabs, as are demands for restricting gun ownership after an incident in the United States.
Literature suggests that there have been mad individuals in all societies and historical periods. The availability of guns increases the damage in America. Organized violence provides the sparks and the rhetoric for unaffiliated Arabs and Jews in Israel. Only the nonviolent mad think that meeting all the demands of the Palestinians will end these incidents.
Events in Finland, Germany, Britain, and Canada, which are relatively free of guns and violence, indicate that no people can feel themselves absolutely secure.
In this season of Passover and Easter, we celebrate different conceptions of freedom. We should enjoy the rituals, but realize that we are singing about aspirations and not reality.
Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. His email: irashark@gmail.com
IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNT HERMON—Our Sha'ar Hangev correspondent Ulla Hadar and Doron Meir pause on bike ride beneath
Mount Hermon during Golan Heights bike ride
Report from a 115-kilometer bike ride through the Golan
DUGIT BEACH, Israel--For the last two weeks Israeli nature has showed itself in its splendor whether in the South or up in the North of the country. The colors of yellow and purple dominate, but there are gentle intervening patterns of blue and red as well.
Over this last weekend was the "14th crossing of the Golan Heights," a bike ride organized and made possible by the municipality of the Golan in cooperation with the sports and tourist department, and the communities of the Golan Heights.
As a dedicated bike rider myself, together with six other riders from Kibbutz Ruhama, we decided to sign up for this two day adventure.
The flowering Golan
The ride started from Moshav Neve Ativ situated very close to the Mount Hermon. Because of the lengthy distance from our Negev home the drive up to the North was done the day before with a sleepover in a small hotel.
This year 260 riders signed up for the trip, a decrease from the 300- 400 riders in previous years. According to Iki Rahat, director of the sports department at the Golan Municipality, the decline is a result of the difficult financial times people are going through for the moment.
Iki told me that other bike trips are organized all year round in the Golan Height (except for the month of August). Every other month one day trips are available.
The variety of breathtaking views - waterfalls and canyons, nature reserves and the shores of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), the winter snows of Hermon and its summer blossoming, archeological sites and military history - all these join together in one striking whole, stunning in its variety and contrasts.
For those interested more information can be found on the website: www.golan.org.il
A short video movie from the 13th crossing that took place in October gives an idea what our ride was like, with one difference being that our crossing this past weekend had many more green views.
After finalizing the signing up all the participants at the meeting spot of Moshav Neve Ativ, the long line of riders were on the way. The first part of the route went through the breathtaking views of
MountHermon and the Northern part of the Golan Heights. In the initial six kilometers we went through the Druze villages of Ein Kiniaand Massade where some very steep climbs left most of the riders (including myself) with a feeling that our lungs had been torn out and shifted to an unfamiliar place.
The continuation of the ride brought us close to the edge of the mountains overlooking the Sa'ar River. We eventually crossed the river from whence our group ascended towards Mount Odem. Close to lunchtime we ended up in Kibbutz Ortal where a nice warm dish was served following a deserved rest break.
The afternoon brought another 30 kilometers through tank roads cutting through fields of beautiful wild flowers en route to the city of Katzrin. Here every one could put up a tent on the lawn of the country club. The visit included use of hot pools and showers.
As I am not a very good tent sleeper I got up around 5 a.m. the next morning to prepare for a new day of adventure. One of the advantages of being a woman on a bike ride, at least in Israel, is that not many women participate and hence there is little competition for toilets and showers.
I felt quite sorry for all the men waiting in line, while I had the luxury of being almost on my own in the women's section.
Salukiya springs
The morning started out with a "warm up" climb then crossing the Zavitan river going uphill towards the Salokiya springs where breakfast was organized. Enough time was scheduled here to have a walk around the small park surrounding the springs.
Tel Salukiya is located on a hill nearby a spring and is on the main road from the Galilee to the Golan Heights. Settlement began here in the Chalcolithic period and in the Early Bronze Age II. Later herders lived there and used the spring. A permanent settlement was built during the Middle Bronze Age II, the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age. In the Hellenistic period a fortress was build on the tel and was named Seleucus after the Seleucid king. During the Great revolt in the year 67 CE Salukiya was mentioned as a town fortified by the Jews.
A Jewish settlement including a synagogue from the Mishna and Talmud (Byzantic) period was discovered among the ruins of Katzabiya, located on the ridge of Salukiya. Later the place was settled by semi nomads, and became a village of armor makers and tanners.
After being exposed to this piece of history, riders continued towards the East, first going uphill and then downhill passing most of the rivers of the central Golan Heights, crossing them at their lowest points. At the same time we were surrounded with carpets of the most beautiful fields of wild flowers. Just the smell of the flowers can intoxicate all your senses completely.
After several stops to take in the beauty and the vastness of this part of the country, we began a slow descent towards the Kinneret. Some parts were more difficult than others, but the route was made easier by the great consideration that riders showed for each other. The finish was at the Dugit Beach and as far asI could interpret the riders all arrived very satisfied from a full weekend.
I take this opportunity to thank my fellow riders and to express my appreciation to the people who put such great effort into the organization of the trip.
Everything clicked as it should, timing and organization was done in the most professional way. The route was marked clearly, and people who stood at the junctions to direct us, all had a pleasant attitude, with smiles and kind words for everyone.
Daniel was smiling. His mother had just given him a beautiful kipah. She had made it for his seventh birthday. Seven blue and whitestripes and seven small silver stars encircled the round cap. A very tiny "D,"for Daniel, had been stitched at the top. "Daniel, I'm so glad I finished this in time for Rosh Hashanah. In fact, you can wear it when you start Torah School next week."
Daniel loved Torah School. He loved acting out the Bible stories, and celebrating all the Jewish holidays. When Daniel got to the Temple, he plopped the new kipah on his head. But as he ran to meet his friends, the kipah slid off.
A big dog playing close by saw the kipah fall on the ground.
"Oh, boy! Is that for me?" The dog rushed over and carefully sniffed the strange little object.
"Let's see if it squeaks." He picked up the kipah with his mouth. Then he crossed the street, ran down several blocks and scampered through a nearby park. The whole time, he was shaking his head back and forth, tossing the kipah from side to side.
"This toy doesn't make any noise, and it doesn't even taste good." So the dog let go, dropping the kipah into a busy street. Cars whizzed by and splattered it with lots of dirt and pebbles.
When Daniel got to his classroom, his teacher Miss Elkind was waiting at the door. "Shalom, children. It's nice to see all of you back after your summer vacation. Daniel, don't forget to get a kipah."
Daniel reached up to touch his head. "Oh, no! Did anyone see my kipah? It’s the one my Mom made just for me."
Everyone looked around the room for the kipah, but it wasn't there. Finally Miss Elkind said, "We'll have to start class now."
Daniel kept thinking about his kipah, but he loved what he was doing. He made New Year cards, and dipped apples into honey. He watched Miss Elkind's face turn red when she tried blowing the shofar.
But as soon as the bell rang, Daniel hurried out of the room. He went up and down the halls searching for his kipah. His friends helped him look out on the playground. He went to the lost and found in the school office. Where could his kipah have gone? How upset would his mother be? Daniel was very worried.
When his mother picked him up from Torah School, Daniel's eyes were filled with big tears. "I'm so sorry. How could I lose my special kipah the very first day I wore it?"
Daniel's mother hugged him tight, and patted his head. "Maybe I made it too small. After all, you are a growing boy."
"Do you think someone will bring it back to the Temple?"
"I don't know. But let's hope whoever finds it will take good care of it."
The next morning, Debra and her mother were walking along the street near the park. Debra was eight years old, and loved pretending she was a princess. She loved dressing up in pretty clothes and jewelry.
"Look, Mommy! There's a shiny little hat in the street."
Debra's mother carefully picked up the dirty kipah. "Hmm, this is a kipah. It looks hand-made. Someone must be feeling very sad to have lost it. I guess we should take it home and clean it up. Then you can wear it when we go to Temple."
"That'll be great! It'll match my blue and white dress. And I just love the silver stars on it."
Debra and her mother took the kipah home and cleaned it. Debra's mother gave her a lovely gold clip. "Use this to pin the kipah to your hair so it doesn't fall off."
A few weeks later, Daniel's family and Debra's family both went to visit the Temple's big sukkah. The outside of the sukkah looked like a large plain tent. But inside, colorful paper chains were draped around the sides and across the top. Real fruit and twinkling lights hung from a roof made of palm tree branches.
Debra was wearing her special kipah with the gold clip. "Let's see if this really stays on my head." She leaned way back to look at the stars through the leafy roof.
Daniel ran to get in line at a long table. It was covered with all kinds of cakes, cookies, bowls of fruit, and lemonade. Daniel's family walked down one side of the table, choosing treats. Debra and her family were moving down the other side. The two families had been friends for a long time, and celebrated many Jewish holidays together. They stopped and wished each other "Hag Sameach" (Happy Holiday).
Daniel and Debra reached for the same giant chocolate chip cookie. Debra smiled, "You can have it."
"Oh, no! You can have it."
"We can break it in half."
"No, it's okay. I've changed my mind. I want this big brownie".
They laughed. Daniel didn't notice his kipah on Debra's head because it was tucked deep into her brown curly hair.
After the week of Sukkot, Daniel and Debra were back at the Temple celebrating Simchat Torah. Debra carried her small cloth Torah as she followed the Torah procession around the Temple. She loved watching the people dancing and lifting the Torahs up and down into the air. And as she danced along, her kipah bounced up and down on her head.
Daniel came skipping by waving three paper flags. "Here, Debra, take one of my flags. I want to hurry and get over to the Rabbi before he gives away all the chocolate bars."
When Debra got home that night, she gently laid the kipah inside her treasure box. "I'm going to save you for all the special Jewish holidays."
Chanukah was coming. Jacob, Debra's little six-year-old brother came dashing into her room. "Please, please, can I wear your blue and white kipah tonight? I get to hold the shamash when we light the chanukiah at our Chanukah program."
Debra knew her brother didn't always take good care of his things. "Jacob, I can never say 'no' to you." She got the kipah and very slowly handed it to him. "Just remember, this is my favorite kipah."
"Don't worry!" Jacob called as he ran out the door. "I'll take good care of it. I promise."
After Jacob's program, each child in his class received a bright red school cap as a Chanukah gift. Jacob wanted to wear it right away, so he took off the kipah. The whiff of frying latkes and the sounds of kids playing with dreidles came from across the room. Jacob wanted to see what was happening. Without thinking, he dropped the kipah on a table where people had been leaving dirty cups and napkins. Soon the little kipah was buried under a pile of trash.
Daniel was wearing a brand new blue backpack. "Come here, guys! I want to show you what I got for Chanukah." Daniel scooped up the pile of trash and dumped it into a nearby trash can. Then he pulled five Maccabee soldiers from his backpack and very carefully stood them on the table.
"Now watch what these can do!" As Daniel pushed buttons on a remote control, the soldiers marched around, calling out facts about Chanukah.
When Jacob came back to get the kipah, he couldn't find it anywhere.
"Oh, oh! What am I going to tell Debra? She'll never let me use any of her things again. I'll bet Mom makes me buy her another kipah with my piggy bank money."
Later that night the custodian was emptying the trash cans. The silver stars on the blue and white kipah caught his eye. "This sure doesn't belong in here. I'll just clean it off and put it in the Temple kipah box."
The little kipah lay in a big box filled with lots and lots of kipot. Most of the kipot were black. People's hands reached into the box and pulled out one kipah here and one kipah there. The blue and white kipah was pushed all around.
Then one day some small fingers reached down into the box and brought up the little kipah. The fingers belonged to Alan, one of Daniel's best friends. "Look at this! It's exactly what I need to wear when I'm Mordecai in the Purim play."
Lots of people were sitting in the Temple's large social hall. A group of children was on the stage. Jacob, Debra's little brother, was wearing a purple robe and gold crown. He had to stand on his tiptoes to speak into the microphone. He said in a very low voice. "I am King Ahasuerus. I must choose a new queen because I am very lonely." Everyone laughed.
Then six girls walked across the stage turning once to show off their costumes. Debra had on a beautiful white lacy dress, and pretty gold beads. She turned around twice to show off her costume.
Next someone in a black cape and black three-cornered hat marched up to the microphone. It was Daniel. He'd been chosen to play this part because he was such a good actor. He slowly looked around the room scowling, and bellowing. "I AM HAMAN! I am just as important as the king, so all of you must bow down to me RIGHT NOW!" Everyone in the hall started hissing, booing, stomping their feet and twirling their noisy greggers.
All the children on stage bowed low so the tops of their heads could be seen. But Alan, who was dressed as Mordecai and wearing the blue and white kipah, called out, "I am a Jew, and I will not bow down to you; I bow only to G-d." Everyone clapped, and shouted "Yay!"
"Haman" stomped angrily off the stage. "We'll see about that!"
After the play the children went outside to enjoy carnival games, and eat yummy hamantaschen. The sky turned gray and cloudy. The wind was blowing papers and decorations everywhere.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew the kipah right off Alan's head.
"Hey! Come back here!" Alan yelled as he chased the kipah. "I like being Mordecai!" But the wind carried the kipah over a tall fence and out of his sight.
A few days later Zaydeh was coming home from Shabbat services. On the ground in front of his house he spotted the blue and white kipah with the silver stars. "What a nice kipah this is. I wonder how it got here. Hmm! I have an idea. I know just the person who might like to have it."
Zaydeh's family and friends gathered at his home for the Passover seder. They sang songs, recited prayers, and ate lots and lots of good food.
Then Zaydeh said, "Okay, It's time to look for the afikomen. Remember, whoever finds it gets a prize." The children got excited as they spread out to search for the mysterious piece of matzah. They checked under pillows, behind furniture, and inside closets. Then one boy shouted, "Zaydeh, I found it! What will I get if I give it back to you?"
Zaydeh pulled the kipah out of his pocket. "I think you might like this, Daniel. I found it lying on our front lawn. It appeared out of nowhere."
Daniel took the kipah in his hands and turned it over and over. "Wow! This looks exactly like the kipah I lost in Torah School last year. Mom, could this be the kipah you made for my birthday? It has seven blue and white stripes and seven silver stars going around the ed ge."
Mom looked carefully at the kipah and then with a gigantic smile exclaimed, "Yes, this is the one! Remember I sewed a very tiny 'D' for Daniel at the top? See it's right here!"
Debra and Jacob's family, and Alan's family were at the seder too.
Everyone gathered around to see why Daniel was so excited. "How did my kipah get here?"
"This is amazing!" said Debra. "I found that kipah in the street. Remember, Jacob, that's the one I let you wear."
"Yeah, and I lost it and had to buy you a new one," muttered Jacob.
"Hey!" Alan shouted. "That was in the Temple's kipah box. I used it as part of my Mordecai costume. But when I went outside the wind took it right off my head."
"Do you think Elijah brought it back to me?" Daniel's face glowed with wonder. He lifted his kipah, and then gently, but firmly pressed it down on his head.
(c) 2009 Sonia Snyder. Snyder is a Jewish educator based in San Diego.Her mail can be sent via editor@sandiegojewishworld.com
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Educational community ceremony slated to remember the Holocaust, and honor the survivors
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–The annual Community Holocaust Commemoration, which has been ongoing for more than three decades, will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2009 beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the David and Dorothea Garfield Theater of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla.
The theme for this year’s program is Remember, Honor and Teach. Remember the victims of the Holocaust, honor the survivors, and teach future generations. The program will include a military color guard reminiscent of camp liberation, and a candle lighting and brief memorial prayer service led by local rabbis and cantors.
The focus of this year’s program is teaching future generations about the Holocaust. Kirk Ankeney, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the San Diego Unified School District, will highlight the district’s new emphasis on teaching the Holocaust The program also will include a presentation from the Carlsbad High School students documentary film project “We Must Remember,” and a presentation from two former participants of the Agency for Jewish Education’s March of the Living program in which teenagers visit several death camps in Poland, and then travel to Israel.
This important commemoration is a collaboration of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County, the New Life Club, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Jacobs Family Campus, the Agency for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Community Foundation, and the San Diego Rabbinical Association.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the 2009 Community Holocaust Commemoration contact Lisa Haney at the UJF, 858-571-3444, lisah@ujfsd.org or visit www.jewishinsandiego.org.
SAN DIEGO—Eileen was all legs. They seemed to have bypassed her hips and came directly out of her waist. I had seen her dance on stage and had also been in ballet class with her, so I knew she was a beautiful dancer.
While intelligent and quick, her general manner was cool and distant thus upon learning that she was to be the new teacher for our advanced ballet class, we were a bit apprehensive. It didn’t help that she was replacing a beloved teacher who knew us all very well.
There was no doubt that Eileen loved the ballet and her passion showed immediately in her teaching. The dance sequences she created were unusual. The choreography of the exercises that are set by a teacher is like a fingerprint - a window into the thought patterns of the teacher’s mind. Most ballet sequences follow a logical pattern, almost mathematical, like a perfectly balanced algebraic equation. Dancers call this format “square.”
It quickly became apparent that Eileen’s creations - though they worked out rhythmically and were fun and challenging to do - were not “squarely” balanced or obviously logical. Some of the dancers in class refused to acclimate and quickly the atmosphere grew tense. Instead of seeing this as an opportunity to inform and a chance to introduce a different view of dance concepts, Eileen saw it as a blatant undermining of her authority. For some reason she settled on me as the instigator and author of the opposition. This surprised me since I was one of the few who enjoyed her refreshing presentation of dance concepts. And, I certainly appreciated her innate passion for the ballet.
She was not an easy person to like. She was suspicious of everyone and everything. On one occasion when I raised my hand to brush a fly away from my face she thought this was a signal to the rest of the class indicating my displeasure with her. Though I was not at all sure I liked her personally, I did not question her knowledge and in fact enjoyed her approach to the ballet. Her rather asymmetrical but lyrical choreography appealed to me. She placed great weight on nuance and style as well as technique and that was important to me, too. Eileen recognized my affinity for her style but nevertheless she still regarded me as a threat and this began to undermine any benefit I might derive from her teaching. Since I took the class daily and finding another one at the professional level was almost impossible, her antagonism became quite a problem.
As the days went by our relationship grew more tense and I was close to despair. Everything I tried to do to ameliorate the situation instead exacerbated the problem. Eileen was Jewish and when I attempted to connect with her through our mutual heritage - that didn’t work either. Once I brought her a beautiful rose from my garden - she scowled at the flower and looked suspiciously at it. I was dumbfounded at this reaction.
My problem was solved, however, in a most inexplicable way. I saw a TV documentary on the research done by Diane Fossey with the great apes; especially gorillas. Fossey explained that whereas humans consider eye contact to be a virtue the gorillas do not. We interpret it as a sign of a truthful, trustworthy, direct sort of person. The gorillas see eye contact between individuals as a threat. Fossey said she was careful to keep her eyes lowered during any interaction she had with the gorillas and in that way she had been able to approach the largest of them and had never been harmed. It suddenly occurred to me that this might be the solution to my problem with Eileen. It certainly was worth a try - nothing else had worked.
The next day in class I never looked directly at Eileen. Whenever she looked at me I quickly lowered my gaze to the floor. Even when she stood directly in front and spoke to me, I answered or nodded but kept my eyes steadily downward. Immediately I encountered another problem. In order to learn what dance sequence she wanted me to perform it was necessary to look at her. I solved this by watching what she did in the large studio mirror but then, of course, I had to reverse everything. It was a real challenge, however, when I saw the results of my little experiment it was worth the effort. From the first day my “eyes downward” campaign disarmed Eileen. Suddenly she no longer considered me a threat. In fact she expressed concern for my welfare and was anxious to help me. Once
while talking to me she actually stooped down on the floor to try to capture my gaze from below.
The pianist who played for our ballet class was having a great deal of trouble with Eileen, too. She also envisioned him as a threat. He told me about his problem and added that he could not afford to lose his job. I explained to him what had happened to me and how avoiding eye contact with her had resolved the situation. He was enchanted with the concept and embarked on this course of action. He got the same positive result.
As other members of the class had trouble with Eileen, both the pianist and I explained the “no eye contact” method. Everyone had the same happy ending. Though the tension in the room was erased it did make for a strange picture. There was Eileen standing in front of the class while all of us were looking anywhere but at her. Every time she spoke directly to anyone, that person’s eyes immediately went down to the floor. The pianist kept his gaze on the keyboard or on the ceiling.
So my thanks go out to Diane Fossey and her research. Though we are created in G-D’s image (“And G-D created the human in His image. He created it in the image of G-D; He created them male and female.” Gen. 1:25-27) we are also related to the great apes.
Remember if you meet one, keep your eyes down and you’ll be O.K.
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History With thanks to Gail Umeham for the transcription
Personals Southwestern Jewish Press December 26, 1952, page 3 •Engagement— Mr. and Mrs. Julius Mansbacher announce the engagement of their daughter, Hannah, to Jose M. Weill. Mr. Weill is in the Air Force and has just returned from the Orient. The young people plan a summer wedding.
• We’re glad to be able to report that Frances Berenson Tolman has returned from an extended visit in San Francisco with son, Jerome and family. Grandson Jeffrey, is everything a grandmother could desire, says Mrs. Tolman.
• Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tobias spent the Thanksgiving holiday with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Kriss (Kathryn) and grandson, James, in Downey, Calif. This week finds them in San Francisco visiting daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Webster Philips (Jeanette).
• The many friends that Mr. and Mrs. George Katz made during a visit to San Diego are happy to learn that Detroit has lost them and San Diego has won them as permanent residents. They are now living at 4821 Louise Drive. Mrs. Katz is a sister of Rabbi Morton J. Cohn.
• When Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Shapiro returned to their home, having been coaxed out of the house for the day, they realized more than just pleasant daylight hours had been planned for them. Their friends and relatives, Messrs. and Mms. Ray Smith, Sam Smith, Abe Smith, R. W. Smith and Mrs. David Horowitz, had moved in, decorated the house and prepared a surprise party for the Shapiros in honor of their 20th anniversary.
• Mrs. Carl Umansky was guest of honor at a stork shower given by Mrs. Sol Goodman in her home on Dec. 17th. About forty guests attended with gifts for the coming “little one.” The beautiful pink and blue decorations were done by Mrs. Sidney Wieder, mother of Mrs. Umansky.
• Miss Ida Urbach arrived in town last Sunday to spend the holidays with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Urbach. Ida is a student at U.C.L.A. and is majoring in bacteriology.
• In honor of his 59th birthday, Mr. Isaac Domnitz was given a surprise dinner party by Mrs. Domnitz in their home on Monday, Dec. 15. The guests who joined in celebrating the occasion were Messrs. and Mms. Rubin Umansky, Morris Jacobson, Nathan Raitzas, and Sol Goodman.
• Mrs. Harold Garvin has been elected 1st Vice President of the San Diego Toastmistress Lodge No. 141.
• Jerry Schissell, son of Mrs. And Mrs. Louis Schissell is home for Christmas – New Year vacation from U.C.L.A. He is pleased to be here for the next few eeks, and visit with his family and many friends.
• Mrs. Elias Berwin (Ethel) wishes to thank all her friends for their kindnesses and good wishes shown her during her recent hospitalization.
Cradle Southwestern Jewish Press December 26, 1952, page 3
• Mr. and Mrs. Irwin B. Sklar announce the birth of their first child, a son, David Allan, born December 15th at Mercy Hospital.
The joyous grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Hy Kobernick and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sklar.
• Mr. and Mrs. Harry Schonfeld (Barbara Hurwitz) of Pomona, announce the birth of their first child, a daughter,
Rochelle Ann, on November 19th, weighing 6 lbs. 9 oz.
Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sklar and Mrs. David Hurwitz, all of San Diego. Jr. Charity League Southwestern Jewish Press December 26, 1952, page 3
The Annual Valentine Luncheon and Card Party to be held Thursday, February 5 at Temple Center will raise funds for the purchase of two “Signal Alarms,” used on the Iron Lungs for the victims of polio. This very important and much needed equipment was suggested by the Polio Foundation of San Diego.
Everyone is invited to buy a ticket and help this important project. The ticket will also entitle the holder to a delicious luncheon and afternoon of cards and bingo.
This small group of 21 members is “Junior” only in numbers but mighty “Senior” in its activities and philanthropies. For information tickets, and reservations, call Mrs. Nathan Schiller, W-2796, or Mrs. Harry Epsten.
B.B. Young Adults Southwestern Jewish Press December 26, 1952, page 3
“Lets have fun.” was the password for the Cuyamaca outing—and that’s just what was had.
On the bus ride back and forth entertainment was provided by the B.B.Y.A. Harmony Warblers, emceed by Howard Panish and his pet “Tiger.”
Next B.B.Y.A. meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 8th at 8 p.m. Temple Beth Israel. Election of officers, followed by a social—everyone is welcome.
Tifereth Israel Installation Southwestern Jewish Press December 26, 1952, page 3
Mr. M. S. Berlin was re-elected to a second term as president of Congregation Tifereth Israel, and will be installed into office at a special installation service on Friday, December 26th, at 8:15 p.m.
Other officers and directors to be installed are:
Irving Goodman, 1st Vice President; Moss Addleson, Rec. Sec.; Edward Baranov, Fin. Sec.; Max Zemen, Treasurer; Board of Directors: I. Teacher, Sam Brenes, Julius Levine, Sidney Newman, Alex Newman, Robert Cheron, Frank Pomeranz, Sam Addleson, Henry Bowman, Harry Zell, Joe Lamon, Sam Sklar, Herman Tulchinsky, Maurice Zahalsky. Harold Steckel, Joseph Finkelman, Mary Schwartz, Frances Moss, Dr. John Bloomenthal and Victor Weiss.
Following a tradition of many years standing the officers and directors of the Daughters of Israel will also be installed this Friday evening. They are: Pearl Shulack, President; Rosalie Stolurow, 1st Vice Pres.; Mollie Prager, 2nd Vice Pres.; Fanny Addleson, 3rd Vice Pres.; Elsie Meyer, Fin. Sec.; Edith Naiman, Rec. Sec.; Ida Pearl, Corr. Sec.; Jennie Kochberg, Soc. Sec.; Jennie Siner, Treas.; Laura Simon, Publicity.
The Daughters of Israel are a group of senior women who serve the interests of ther Synagogue. They have a continuous record of over forty years of service.
Members of the Synagogue Board will participate in the services. A special reception honoring all of the newly installed officers and directors will follow the services. Rabbi Monroe Levens will share as installing officer and deliver the charge. All are cordially invited.
“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.
JERUSALEM—Last week a 16 year old Bedouin girl approached a base of the Border Police, pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the guard. The result was predictable. There were no injuries to the police.
DUGIT BEACH, Israel--For the last two weeks Israeli nature has showed itself in its splendor whether in the South or up in the North of the country. The colors of yellow and purple dominate, but there are gentle intervening patterns of blue and red as well.
Daniel was smiling. His mother had just given him a beautiful kipah. She had made it for his seventh birthday. Seven blue and whitestripes and seven small silver stars encircled the round cap. A very tiny "D,"for Daniel, had been stitched at the top. "Daniel, I'm so glad I finished this in time for Rosh Hashanah. In fact, you can wear it when you start Torah School next week."
SAN DIEGO—Eileen was all legs. They seemed to have bypassed her hips and came directly out of her waist. I had seen her dance on stage and had also been in ballet class with her, so I knew she was a beautiful dancer. 
