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Writings about Adolph Levi
-1922-
September 20, 1922—1) Samuel I. Fox, "Looking Backward," The Jewish Community News, page 6: Religion which is a part of our life, a guide to our conduct, has most to do with our future. But as the future is hidden from us, the past is therefore left as the only means whereby we may improve in knowledge. Le me then then tell you a little of the past; undoubtedly other men could tell it better than I.  About 1862, a few men residing in Old Town (now North San Diego), started a congregation called Adath Jeshurun. The leading spirits of that congregation were Marcus Schiller, J.S. Manasse, Louis Rose, Rudolph Schiller and I.J. Ashelm, all men whom it was my privilege to know. Services were held principally on the holidays at one of the residences, very often at the home of Marcus Schiller, who was the president of the congregation. In 1869, when our city was laid out and people began to come here, the congregation also was moved to the new city which was rapidly growing up. About the year 1886, the name of the congregation was changed to the one it now bears, Beth Israel. During the next few years, services were held in different places; at times in homes and at other times in halls; for some time services were held in Keener Chapel, a Unitarian church at the corner of Seventh and D Streets (now Broadway). In 1888, we conducted a drive (at that time they did not call it "drive" it was plain hard work) for funds with which to build our own house of worship. Mr. Adolph Levi and myself were on one of the committees to raise money and we were also place on the committee to select the building site. The sum of thirty-five hundred dollars was raised and we bought the plot of ground on which our present Temple stands. About twenty-five hundred dollars was borrowed from a building and loan association, and our Temple was erected. Heading the Congregation were Marcus Schiller, who continued president of it during his lifetime; Abraham Blochman, vice-president; and Simon Levi, Adolph Levi and Emanuel Lowenstein.  All of these men and others whose names I do not recall, were the most zealous workers for the Temple. After Mr. Schiller's death, Mr. Abraham Blochman became president and held that office for many years until he was force to resign because of old age, when Mr. Simon Levi succeeded to the office of president. Since his death, Mr. Adolph Levi and myself have thus been honored. In those early days, services were held whenever possible, particularly on the High Holidays.  We had no rabbi, so the members themselves had to conduct the services. Mr. Louis Mendelsohn, who was well learned in Hebrew, officiated as reader on numerous occasions. At intervals, as we progressed, we had our own rabbis. The congregation was still small and the pay we offered was therefore likewise. We had many excellent workers among them some very loyal women who took a great interest in Congregational activities.  Let us not forget the splendid work done by the wives of the aforenamed; they are deserving of great praise. Few of the men and women that worked so faithfully in the past, are alive now; let us be thankful to them for that which they preserved for us. While giving a slight review of the past, permit me to give you a vision of the future. Today we have a splendid congregation, small but energetic.  The members and their wives are taking great interest in the work; the Sabbath School has been enlarged and improved, and the future is bright indeed.  But a word regarding the present will not be amiss. Why should we have to ask our people to join our Temple?  They themselves should ask to join as soon as they arrive in this city. Our Temple is beginning to be crowded and we are fast outgrowing our present quarters. WE should begin to think about a new structure, adequate to meet the needs of a modern congregation. San Diego is growing fast and we should have as good a house of worship as any other denomination.  In giving this brief review of our Congregation's history, I want to offer my assistance in building it up, so that we may secure bigger and better results.

2) L.A. Blochman, "Lasker Lodge, The Jewish Community News, page 11: In the year 1887, San Diego was visited by a "boom" and with the prosperity that took place at that time came an influx of Jews. With the added Jewish population, naturally came added Jewish activities, and then was found the need of an organization—representative of the entire Jewish population. A movement was then started, with the result that the active Jewish workers of that time banded themselves together and organized Lasker Lodge, 270, I.O.B.B.  On June 26, 1887, Grand President Marcus Levy came to San Diego and assisted by Past Presidents Schoenfeld and Linoberg, initiated into the order Albert Herz, H.J. Wurzburg, J.S. Schiller, Isaac Levi, Wm. Cline, Louis Speyer, L.A. Blochman, L. Epstine, Adolph Levi, A. Fortlouis, F. Brown, M. Pearlstone, Chas. Wolfsheimer, Abe Spring and Louis Lemline. At that time the order did not cover the scope of the present organization. In addition to its fraternal character it also was a beneficiary order. It paid a stipulated benefit to the family of deceased brethren. This necessitated a strict medical examination and kept out of the order many who had the interests of Judaism at heart, but who could not be admitted on account of the age limit or their physical condition. Also it necessitated the payment of high monthly dues which kept out of the order many who were financially unable to pay the amount charged, and many unmarried men having no family responsibilities who did not feel like paying the insurance on the lives of their more fortunate brethren. Eventually all of this changed and the insurance feature was eliminated, the scope of the order enlarged and broadened and put upon the footing we find it today. The history of the local lodge is a series of ups and downs. The growth and stagnation of the City is reflected in the members hip of the Lodge and it has had its fat years and its lean years. The Jew has always been regarded as progressive and one who flocks to cities where business is good, and so at times became worse and business slack, many left San Diego, and when times got better returned. The changing membership roll of Lasker Lodge is a mirror of San Diego's varied career. The minutes show that from January 1899 to December 1904, only 36 meetings were held, and that from April 1905 to July 22nd, 1980, was a lapse where not a single meeting was recorded. From 1908, however, a steady growth is shown. All during the period of darkness and gloom, to a handful of faithful members goes the credit of holding the organization together. Many a night the faithful few met together and saw the meeting adjourned for the lack of a quorum.  Still undaunted they held the charter and on the old foundation, stronger than ever before is built the present prosperous structure.  the first President of the Lodge was Simon Levi. Our late and highly beloved brother had the distinction of s(te)ering Lasker Lodge in the capacity of President at various times for a period of eight years.  Brother Levi, though a very busy man, and one who in addition to his large business interests held offices in many clubs and orders and was prominent in civic and social activities, always found time for his brethren at the B'nai B'rith.  He considered it a duty of all Jews to give of their time to elevate and to instruct Jews less fortunate than he was, and to realize that the acts of all Jews in the community reflected on the individual. Our late Brother Julius Nauman had the distinction of filling the Presidency for four consecutive years and was also one of those whose precept and example stands before us today as a guide to our fraternal duty.  Adolph Levi has served faithfully for three years. The late brethren, I. Kaufman and Isaac Kuhn, each served two consecutive terms and we find amongst our list of Past Presidents the following; some of them removed to the other parts, some of them still active for the good of the order, others resting on their laurels, but all having played an active part in the history of the Lodge: E. Lownstein, A. Lippman, S.I. Fox, Sam Brust, R. Schiller, Gus Kuhn, H.S. Wolf, H. Lischner (two terms), M. Binnard, Harry Goldberg, I.T. Davidson, J. Weinberger, A. Rosenthal, L.A. Unger, M.E. Meyer, E.H. Samisch, and Nate Baranov (our present incumbent).  Though the I.O.B.B may look with pride on its past achievements and the part it has been called upon to perform in the upbuilding of Judaism, and the protection of the Jewish interests, never before in its history did it occupy the position it does today. It is the one organization where all Jews, irrespective off ritual, nationality or personal belief can meet upon a common ground, all for one and one for all. Never, since the United States has been established, has there been the open attacks on the Jews that there is at present, not only individual attacks but organized anti-Semitism, and in no way can the Jew defend himself to better advantage from such attacks than by giving his support and encouragement ot the order that is his benefactor and protector. Lasker Lodge today fills a more important place than it has ever occupied before and it is the duty of every Israelite to become a member and work for the good of all.

-2006-
February 1, 2006—"Photo Essay: January 29, 2006  Jewish Tour of Old Town San Diego," Louis Rose Society Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 2