INTERNATIONAL
Having China and Saudia Arabia as clients, not Israel's friends, were the real cause of Chas Freeman's problem ... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington D.C.
Politico reports that Charles "Chas" Freeman, "'requested his selection to be Chairman of the National Intelligence Council not proceed,' [DNI Dennis] Blair's office said in a statement. 'Director Blair accepted Ambassador Freeman's decision with regret.'"READ MORE

Haman! Hamas! Shalit debate gets intense in tents ... by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem
Displaying his legendary piety and love of Jewish tradition, Binyamin Netanyahu went Tuesday night to the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem to hear the reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther) to mark the celebration of the festival of Purim, which in this walled city occurs a day later than elsewhere. READ MORE

Jews Down Under ... Australian Jewish news roundup by Garry Fabian in Melbourne

—Jewish artists in running for Archibald Prize for portraiture
READ MORE

—Maccabi pulls off coaching coup READ MORE

LIFESTYLES
Understanding the "they" who control your life and work ... by Natasha Josefowitz in La Jolla, California
“They don’t allow it,” you’re told. “They wouldn’t like it…. They have decided…. It’s up to them.” READ MORE

A bubbly tale from Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School ... by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
SAN DIEGO—If you ever have heard a teacher talk about “bubbly pre-schoolers,” he or she may have been speaking literally not figuratively. READ MORE

ARTS
Carção explores history of hidden Portuguese Jews ... by Manuel Azevedo in Carção, Portugal
A new book in Portuguese, entitled, Carção, The Capital of Marranismo, was recently launched in the village of Carção, in the province of Tras-os-Montes (behind the mountains), in northeastern Portugal. READ MORE

Thursdays with the songs of Hal Wingard .. in San Diego

#147 -- Cherina: A Lullaby
#237 -- Darling Hannah Gail
#258 -- Anna Emily

ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
October 31, 1952; Southwestern Jewish Press:

Letters to the Editor ... from Mrs. Albert Krasnow, Irving Salomon READ MORE

Jolly 16 Autumn Dinner-Dance November 9th READ MORE

Holiday Plans for Children Told READ MORE

JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES
We continue our examination of Jewish entertainers

Hermione Gingold as Mme. Arnfeldt in A Little Night Music, with Elizabeth Taylor playing her daughter, Desiree VIEW VIDEO

Go to top of right column

Leslie Howard as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel
VIEW VIDEO

Michael Chekhov as Dr. Alex Brulov in Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound VIEW VIDEO


COMMUNITY WATCH/ ADVERTISERS' NEWS

Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School: Math & Dinosaurs at Soille Hebrew DayREAD MORE

TODAY'S ADVERTISERS

America's Vacation Center
Balloon Utopia
Carol Ann Goldstein
Congregation Beth Israel
Jewish Family Service
Lawrence Family JCC
San Diego Community Colleges
San Diego Jewish Academy
San Diego Jewish Chamber
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
United Jewish Federation
XLNC-1 Radio

STAFF BOX

Rabbi Dow Marmur, who writes for San Diego Jewish World frequently, also is a familiar voice on Canadian Television. Here is a television phone interview that was conducted with him during the Gaza War.


DEDICATIONS
Each day's issue may be dedicated by readers—or by the publisher—in other people's honor or memory. Past dedications may be found at the bottom of the index for the "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" page.


NOTE
PLEASE HELP US POLICE THIS SITE: If you see anything on this site that obviously is not in keeping with our mission of providing Jewish news and commentary, please message us at editor@sandiegojewishworld.com, so that we can fix the probem. Unfortunately, large sites like ours can be subjected to tampering by outsiders. Thank you!


EMAIL HEADLINE SERVICE

	Receive Email Headlines
	» Join Now

For Email Marketing you can trust

SEARCH THIS SITE

 

By Shoshana Bryen

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Politico reports that Charles "Chas" Freeman, "'requested his selection to be Chairman of the National Intelligence Council not proceed,' [DNI Dennis] Blair's office said in a statement. 'Director Blair accepted Ambassador Freeman's decision with regret.'"

Amb. Freeman and his friends claim he was railroaded by the "Israel lobby" - which we think of as largely fictional. Politico reported that Nicholas Veliotes, a former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt said, "If they withdraw his appointment prior to the conclusion of [his formal vetting] that would be seen as abject caving in on people who are extreme partisans of Israel." Freeman himself said:

There is a powerful lobby determined to prevent any view other than its own from being aired, still less to factor in American understanding of trends and events in the Middle East. The tactics of the Israel Lobby plumb the depths of dishonor and indecency and include character assassination, selective misquotation, the willful distortion of the record, the fabrication of falsehoods, and an utter disregard for the truth. The aim of this Lobby is control of the policy process through the exercise of a veto over the appointment of people who dispute the wisdom of its views, the substitution of political correctness for analysis, and the exclusion of any and all options for decision by Americans and our government other than those that it favors.

As one of the few Jewish organizations that took a public position on the issue, we'd like to know if Amb. Freeman believes JINSA is part of a powerful and dishonorable lobby that distorted his record. We don't think so.

The directorship of the NIC is not a confirmable position. The vetting process was internal - no one but Director Blair and President Obama had to be satisfied with his credentials, and clearly Adm. Blair was satisfied. So why did he withdraw? Because once he aroused public and then Congressional interest and knew he would have to explain himself outside his cozy circle, he had neither the desire nor the ability to defend being paid by Saudi Arabia and sitting on the Board of a Chinese state oil company.

It would have been illuminating to watch him try.

Consider this - the Chinese state oil company, on whose board Freeman sits, pumps oil in Sudan. Two weeks ago, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Sudan's President Omar Bashir for crimes in Darfur. Bashir, in retaliation, ousted several of the nonprofit food and medical organizations that keep the people of Darfur alive even as they suffer the depredations of the militias supported by the Sudanese government. A few of the civilized countries, including the United States, tried to get a UN Security Council resolution condemning Bashir for tossing the food and medical people. China has a history of defending Sudan in the Security Council and in this instance threatened to exercise its veto on behalf of its state oil company.

Forget Israel. Try defending that in front of Congress.

Go to top of next column

JINSA is an unabashed supporter of the State of Israel - though not all the policies of all of its governments - and we believe the relationship between the United States and Israel is based on shared values and shared security requirements.

Lots of people stand where we stand - we don't need a "lobby." [You want a good lobby? Try the tobacco lobby - there is a "willful distortion of the record, the fabrication of falsehoods, and an utter disregard for the truth" - and the stuff is still legal.]

In this case, however, we think Israel and any presumed "lobby" had far less effect on the outcome than the common-sensical belief that the person who is the gatekeeper of intelligence information for the President of the United States should be unencumbered by payments from foreign governments.

Bryen is special projects director for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs. (JINSA). Her column is sponsored by Waxie Sanitary Supply in memory of Morris Wax, longtime JINSA supporter and national board member



Click above to visit San Diego Jewish Academy's website


_______________________________________

By Rabbi Dow Marmur

JERUSALEM—Displaying his legendary piety and love of Jewish tradition, Binyamin Netanyahu went Tuesday night to the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem to hear the reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther) to mark the celebration of the festival of Purim, which in this walled city occurs a day later than elsewhere. By sheer coincidence, no doubt, camera crews and TV reporters also happened to be there. How else would we know about it?
           
Not many yards away from the synagogue, outside the Prime Minister’s residence, the family of Gilad Shalit, the hostage of Hamas now for 990 days, set up a tent to attract public attention to his plight and to urge the government to release the prisoners that Hamas wants in exchange. The family is committed to stay there until Gilad is released or the new government is formed.

They know that they won’t get any sympathy from the next Prime Minister and his crew. Indeed, Netanyahu didn’t stop by the tent. Knowing that he’d soon be Prime Minister he may not have wanted to send a message to terrorists that it pays to kidnap Israeli soldiers, thus encouraging them to do it again. As far as I know, he himself hasn’t spoken in public on the subject but his Defense Minister in waiting, Moshe Yaalon, has said something to that effect.
           
Politicians on their way out aren’t under similar constraints and several of them have visited the tent. The wife of the outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had invited the Shalits into the house. President Peres, whose residence is nearby, gave them lunch and a lot of hugs. Ministers in the next government seem to have stayed away.
           
Go to top of right column

It may be legitimate to speculate that Netanyahu would like Olmert to strike the deal with Hamas and thus free him from having to face the issue once he’s in office. He could then distance himself from the arrangement, yet say how happy he is that Gilad had been reunited with his family.

Whether or not Olmert and his lame-duck cabinet will take the plunge remains to be seen. Not only is it a very heavy price to pay but also because it’s quite possible that his widely publicized commitment to the release of Shalit ahead of accepting a ceasefire with Hamas is only posturing. For all the care expressed for the Shalit family by politicians, it’s difficult to know what’s genuine and what’s fake.

I went by the tent earlier today, not because I knew anybody there or had anything to say to the Shalits. I just wanted to stand in silent solidarity. Many others who blocked the street where the tent stands seem to have been of a similar mind. It’s impossible not to feel desperately sorry for Gilad and his family. But those who say that Israel shouldn’t give in to the demands of Hamas also have a case.

People are divided. Though a day or so ago relatives of Israelis killed by terrorists who would be released in exchange for Gilad urged the government not to yield to the demands of Hamas, today I saw others with the same history who were there to support the Shalits. Supporters who came yesterday included the daughter of Ron Arad, who has been captured 22 years ago, and the widow of Ehud Goldwasser, who was kidnapped by Hezbollah and returned in a bag in exchange for many prisoners.
           
Standing there I wasn’t exactly imbued with joyous Purim spirit, yet I’m glad I went to be reminded how excruciatingly difficult it is to be an Israeli.

Marmur is rabbi emeritus at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. He divides his time between that city and Jerusalem, and may be reached in either place via marmurd@sandiegojewishworld.com

Jewish artists in running for Archibald Prize for portraiture

SYDNEY -Two leading Jewish artists are vying for this year's $35,000 Archibald Prize after their works were short-listed for Australia's most prestigious portrait prize.

Media personality John Safran is the subject of Jewish artist Yvette Coppersmith's Archibald entry, titled John Safran, which is one of 39 short-listed portraits vying for the Art Gallery of New South Wales' $35,000 Archibald Prize.

It was completed on two panels with oil and acrylic on plywood and depicts Safran with his shirt off.

"He's someone you wouldn't normally see with their shirt off," Coppersmith, 28, explained.

"It took a bit of convincing ... I wanted it to be quite frank and to get past the 'schtick' any person in the media puts up, where they get to a point where they stop trying to entertain you and just be themselves."

Meanwhile, Sydney artist Jenny Sages, 75, is a finalist for the 18th time for her Archibald entry Heidi & Sarah-Jane 'parallel lives', which depicts Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton, designers of fashion label Sass & Bide.

"I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to do the Archibald over the past 18 years -- I've met the most wonderful people," she said.

Adam Chang's entry, Spirit of an Ancient Culture features a portrait of Jewish philanthropist, business mogul and founder of animal rights organisation Voiceless Brian Sherman.

Since its inception in 1921, the Archibald Prize has been awarded to some of Australia's most renowned artists, including Jewish Archibald winners Louis Kahan and Judy Cassab.

The winner will be announced next week.

Maccabi pulls off coaching coup

SYDNEY - Sydney FC and Socceroo striker David
Zdrilic has joined the Maccabi coaching ranks and
will mentor the All-Age One (AA1) side in 2009.
(The Socceroo's are the Australian International football team)

Zdrilic, who played 30 times for the national side and netted eight goals in a World Cup Qualifier against American Samoa in 2001, will make his first foray into coaching with Maccabi
as he looks to finish his A-coaching licence later this year.

"I just want to stay in football and this is a good opportunity for me to get some good experience with a good bunch of boys," he said in a recent interview.

"I really like their enthusiasm -- already in the first couple of sessions I've seen they are really willing to do what it takes to get as fit as they can and there's already been quite a big improvement."

After a 15-year career including stints with Aberdeen in Scotland, Walsall in England, four years in Germany with
SSV Ulm and Unterhaching and 48 caps for Sydney FC, Zdrilic offers Maccabi a wealth of professional experience.

He does admit though that it will be interesting adjusting to the training schedule of an amateur side after so many years training at the top level.

Go to top of right column

"It's going to be a good challenge trying to get everybody working as a team with a limited amount of time," he said.

"You got a lot of dedicated players, but unfortunately it's hard to get them all together all the time. So it's a very interesting challenge."

Having learnt from a range of coaches, including Terry Venables and Frank Farina with the national side, Zdrilic has embraced a flexible coaching philosophy to suit the players.

"I'm very flexible to see how the players play, see their strengths and pick a formation based on that. You can't just do a 4-4-2 because you like it. I'm open to change to suit the way we want to play with the players we have."

He'll juggle his coaching opportunity with a return to NSW Premier League club Sydney United, the side he made his name with as the Golden Boot in the National Soccer League as a youngster in 1996/7.

Zdrilic can also be seen as a football pundit on Fox Sports and ESPN, a gig he is enjoying as he finds his feet after finishing his time in professional football.

Please click the ad above

Please click this ad

_______
.

Please click the ad above

By Manuel Azevedo

CARÇÃO, Portugal—A new book in Portuguese, entitled, Carção, The Capital of Marranismo, was recently launched in the village of Carção, in the province of Tras-os-Montes (behind the mountains), in northeastern Portugal.

The book, 198 pages long, is based on primary research of50 Inquisition files out of 250 cases from Carção held at thenational archives at Torre de Tombo in Lisbon. Written by Maria Fernanda Guimarães and Julio Andrade, the work isbased on Fernanda's research at the archives. Fernanda, a retired travel executive, works full time studying and transcribing archival records at Torre de Tombo.

The Inquisition files are quite detailed and in most cases inexcellent condition. The files, totaling approximately 40,000cases, read like modern-day court transcripts, rich in details offamily genealogy, assets and business interests of the accused, Jewish rituals the accused allegedly participated in, the food they ate, the torture they underwent, particulars of sentencing, etc. The records survived the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 because they were housed in St. Jorge's castle, high up on a hill east of downtown Lisbon (Baixa), which was destroyed by successive quakes, a tsunami and three days of fire starting November 1, 1755. The largest Judaria in Portugal had been located in the area destroyed.


Go to top of right column

Portuguese-language video explores the town of Carção, where Jews pretended to be Christians to avoid the Inquisition

Portugal's national educational TV channel, RTP2, filmed a 10-minute segment on the book launch and story about the Jews of Carção, with some great interviews of older
local people who identify themselves as Jews to this day. The book launch, attended by over 100 people in a village of 400, included the local reeve and mayor who are sponsoring Fernanda in further research and who wish to reclaim the area’s Jewish heritage to promote cultural tourism.

The interview with the book's authors relates the story of a secret rabbi who travelled to Livorno to get instruction and brought books. He was the head of a Catholic confraria (fraternity) which was a cover for the secret Jews of Carção to carry out their rituals, including one entitled missa seca, (dry mass). To read more about the book, see the (Portuguese language) blog of the friends of Carção.

This article is reprinted from the Kulanu newsletter, a quarterly journal devoted to keeping far flung Jewish communities in touch with other Jews

By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D

LA JOLLA, California—“They don’t allow it,” you’re told. “They wouldn’t like it…. They have decided…. It’s up to them.”

But who are they? They are “the powers that be,” the nameless, faceless others who control our lives. They are the system, the institution, the organization, the board of directors, the trustees, the governing bodies, the upper echelon. They decide about the roles, they distribute the tasks, they allocate the resources.

Role deals with who you are, tasks with what you do and resources with what you have. If you can understand roles, tasks, and resources in terms of “their” expectations and yours—learning what is negotiable—you have a chance to exert some control over your work and life.

Role usually is determined by a formal title, by the responsibilities attached to the title and by specific behaviors. The way a specific role is performed determines influence. For example, the role of chairperson can be exercised democratically, seeing to it that all members have a say, or manipulatively, seeing to it that only those members who agree with you are recognized to speak.

Similarly, the role of a secretary may include typing, filing, sewing on the boss’ loose buttons, attending meetings, writing reports, and making important decisions.

Roles always have two aspects: others’ expectations and your own. The importance of others’ expectations is that it colors their perceptions of your performance. If managers are seen as needing to be tough and direct, they will have difficulty being empathetic and nurturing in that organization. If employees are expected to be self-starting, anyone who waits to be told what to do will not advance.

What strategy should you pursue? First, figure out others’ expectations, then start performing at a level that allows you to take on functions beyond your job description. You have to act like a vice president before you can become one! As you tread the fine lines between being demanding and
compassionate, having high standards and being flexible and attending to the task and caring about the people, ask for feedback on your performance from colleagues you can trust and bosses you respect. Your own comfort level also will be an indication of the appropriateness of your behavior.

Task is the work to be done. What you actually are expected to do and how you do it, is of critical importance. For example, when you write a report, you add a separate section of your suggestions or ideas and send it (with your superior’s approval) to several people in key positions. When something in the office needs to be done differently, initiate not only the idea but also the changes, asking other people to help.

If you are blamed when a task goes wrong, you should also not miss out on the benefits of a successful outcome. Every major success should result in more chances to be creative and have more autonomy.

The allocation of resources encompasses such items as money, equipment, people, services, information, time, territory (both the physical space you occupy and the size of the territory you control or manage) and the opportunity to use your own knowledge, competencies and skills.

Decisions are based on information gained through both formal channels (e.g., written reports or exchanges at meetings) and informal networking (e.g., tidbits picked up during coffee break, the restroom, the car pool, or after hours over a drink). Many decisions are made, deals confirmed, and promotions promised via this informal exchange. Therefore, if you aren’t asked to join colleagues for coffee, then make the necessary contacts yourself. Information gained casually is often invaluable.

In crisis management, emergencies, or whenever a quick decision needs to be made, try to be the one who makes those decisions. Taking a chance gives you the opportunity to prove yourself.

The nameless, faceless “they”—who have given you an inconsequential role, assigned you an insignificant task, and allotted you limited resources—are in for a surprise.




Go to top of right column

Although I write here of the work place it applies equally well to any organization whether profit or non-profit, large or small, wherever there are people there are hierarchies, with its competitions and  rewards.

Josefowitz is an author, lecturer and poet. Her column also appears in La Jolla Village Voice
__________________________________
_________________________________________


Please click the ad above
__________________________________________

Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist



(619) 265-0808

nancy.harrison@americasvacationcenter.com

Friends: The slogan of San Diego Jewish World is "there's a Jewish story everywhere." I can help you travel to the locales of such stories. I'll work hard to find you the very best prices!


____________________________________________

Please click the ad above

Math & Dinosaurs at Soille Hebrew Day

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) —Second Graders at Soille Hebrew Day measured the lengths of dinosaurs as part of their dinosaur unit. They started this lesson by graphing the lengths of seven dinosaurs on a bar graph. Next they took out a yard stick and tape to really get a sense of how immense these prehistoric reptiles were. Did you know that the length of the Brachiosaurus was 75 feet? Brachiosaurus would take up the space from Mrs. Donnelly’s room to Morah Danielle’s!

Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School serves children from infants through eighth grade and offers generous financial aid grants to families to make a Jewish day school education affordable to all. For more information on the school, visit the web site at http://www.hebrewday.org/ or contact Audrey Jacobs, Director of School Advancement at 858-279-3300 ext. 106 or ajacobs@hebrewday.org

In this selection, Hal shares some songs he has written over the years for the children of his family.

#147 -- Cherina: A Lullaby
#237 -- Darling Hannah Gail
#258 -- Anna Emily

Here is a link to an index of Wingard's songs previously published by San Diego Jewish World. To hear Hal performing a song, click on its title below:

#147, Cherina—A Lullaby

Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Sleepy time is here.
Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Sleep, and have no fear.
Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Cherie, Cherina, my dear.

Hummingbirds will sing you songs,
Delightful lullabies,
While fireflies illume the dark
When you have closed your eyes.

Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Sleepy time is here.
Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Sleep, and have no fear.
Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Cherie, Cherina, my dear.

Little lambs and cuddly bears
Will guard you as you snooze,
While busy fairies flutter close
To bring the dreams you choose

Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Sleepy time is here.
Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Sleep, and have no fear.
Cherie, Cherie, Cherina. . .
Cherie, Cherina, my dear.

(c) 2009 Hal Wingard; To Cherina Eisenberg, June 15, 1982

#237, Darling Hannah Gail

A Lullaby--of Sorts

Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.

Close your eyes, sweet Hannah.
Let your thoughts flow free.
Go to sleep, sweet Hannah,
And dream of what you'll be.

Dream that you're a scholar,
Resourceful, bright, and wise;
Or pilot of a space ship,
Exploring unmapped skies.

Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.

Go to top of right column

Dream that you're a surgeon,
Saving lives each day;
An artist molding sculptures
From ordinary clay.

Dream that you're a starlet,
Among the Oscar greats;
Or dream that you're the President
Of these United States.

Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.

Close your eyes, sweet Hannah.
Let your thoughts flow free.
Go to sleep, sweet Hannah,
And dream of what you'll be.

Whatever dreams you're dreaming,
Or how your dreams unfurl,
We'll always end up happy
That you're a darling girl.

Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.
Darling Hannah Gail.

(c) 2009 Hal Wingard; July 2, 1994. To Hannah Gail Schiff in commemoration of her birthday, five days ago. Words and music composed as the first order of business at Hal's office on Saturday, July 2, 1994.


#258, Anna Emily

Anna, Anna Emily,
Welcome to the family.

We've waited now these nine months long
To hear your lovely new-born song.
The reason we make such a fuss
Is we love you. You're dear to us.

Anna, Anna Emily,
Welcome to the family.

Your aunts an uncles, cousins, too,
Your grandpas, grandmas--all love you.
Your sister Suzie thinks it's great
To have at last a new play mate.

Anna, Anna Emily,
Welcome to the family.

And now that you are fin'lly here,
You'll find your family always near
To dry your tears, if you should weep,
And guard you when you want to sleep.

Anna, Anna Emily,
Welcome to the family.

(c) 2009 To Anna Emily, whose whereabouts remains unknown because she chose the name Sara; October 5, 1996. Words and melody completed on a Saturday morning before getting dressed.

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO—If you ever have heard a teacher talk about “bubbly pre-schoolers,” he or she may have been speaking literally not figuratively. 

Bubbles were the topic of the day on Wednesday, March 11, in the pre-school class for two-year-olds at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School.  The children not only blew bubbles, but they also learned some facts about them, and even got to go inside them!

Bubble artist Ed Stanfield was the guest entertainer for a dozen pupils including birthday celebrant Sky Masori, 2, who seemed somewhat bewildered by all the attention he was getting. 

If someone could have put a cartoon bubble over Sky’s head, the thought written inside might have been: “What’s everybody doing here?”  He and his class at the Orthodox Jewish school were joined by his big brother, Shor, 7, a second-grader; his mommy and daddy, his grandma and grandpa, and even by his great-grandpa. 

Nearly all the adults, it seemed, had still or video cameras.  His mother, Sandi Masori, owner of Balloon Utopia, supplied enough character balloons for every one of his classmates and still had some left over.  And his daddy Shahar, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant, brought sufficient kosher donuts to serve the children; the teachers Mora Odeya, Mora Vivienne and Mora Dorit, all the visitors and still had more to leave in the lunch room for other members of the Soille faculty.

Stanfield brought bubble wands in many shapes, but he taught that even if the wand is shaped like a triangle, rectangle, or a polygon, the bubbles still will form themselves into circles or ovals.  This was more amazing to the adults than to the children, who probably never had a chance to form any preconceptions about the matter.

The entertainer also taught that one doesn’t need a wand at all to make a bubble, anything with a hole in it such as a fly swatter, or even a piece of string formed into a taut rectangle can be dipped into a bubble mixture and produce big bubbles.

The children learned that if the bubbles landed on their dry hands, they would pop.  But if the children’s hands—or any other surfaces—were wet enough, the bubbles would remain intact.  They would stick to the wet surfaces for a many more seconds. 

What’s a great surface for a bubble to stick to?  Why another bubble! Stanfield demonstrated to the children how to make foam towers and other bubble sculptures.

The bubble-ologist told the preschoolers that the membrane or skin of a bubble was so thin, it was just a fraction of the thickness of an ordinary piece of paper.  That was another of the facts that wowed the adults more than the kids.

After making bubbles of larger and larger sizes with various devices, Stanfield invited the birthday boy to stand inside the head of the wand he had placed on the floor.  Sky didn’t really cotton to that proposal.  So his big brother, Shor, bravely stepped onto the magic spot, allowing Stanfield to demonstrate on him.

Stanfield lifted the wand higher and higher encasing Shor in a large bubble.  Pop! Shor was back outside his ethereal cocoon.   While Sky wasn’t immediately convinced that the interior of a bubble should be in his future, the demonstration removed any doubts a number of his classmates may have had.  They crowded near the big wand and each in turn got to see the world bubble-side-out.



BUBBLE-OLOGY—Preschool class, with Sky in foreground and his mother Sandi in background, watch Ed Stanfield's demonstration of bubbles taking circular shapes; at right, Sky with father Shahar see the world from inside of bubble as Sky's brother Shor claps at the right.

Go to top of next column

Finally, Sky consented to go too— provided mommy or daddy held him during the exercise.  They took turns doing so, with Stanfield obligingly making a bubble for a double.

There was a donut break and Sky opened some presents that his parents were giving to the class in honor of his birthday.  There was a Thomas the Train, and a toy panda that walked on a table after you squeezed its front right paw held the children spellbound.

Next, Stanfield and the teachers led the children outside to the preschool playground where bowls of bubbles, with little wands, had been set out for them.  Splash! Bubble! Foam! Froth! Giggle!  It was the kind of studies the kids could immerse themselves in.

Mora Odeya confided to the adults that while the activity was fun play for the kids, it also had fine educational value.  “They feel the texture, and see the shapes of the bubbles,” she said.  As she spoke, a fat oval bubble perhaps as long as my arm popped near the children’s heads.  “Look how excited they are,” she exclaimed.  “It’s exciting me!”


GREAT GRANDPA'S GREETING—Sam Zeiden displays poster he made for Sky Masori's second birthday
_____________________________________________
Harrison may be reached at editor@sandiegojewishworld.com


Please click the ad above


Please click the ad above



Please click the ad above

Letters to the Editor
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 31, 1952, page 2

Dear Editor:

May I urge all your readers to vote “Yes” on two important propositions, namely Prop. F concerning storm improvements and drainage and County Prop. A, “Hall of Justice” for a sorely needed new Court House.

San Diego is so beautiful in its physical make-up and byuildings, that we citizens need no longer feel ashamed of its nondescript, antiquated, and dilapidated Court House, on which money is wasted annually trying to maintain this obsolete structure.  Our law library, courts, Bureau of Vital Statistics, all should be housed in a fine edifice, befitting the Judicial services of this lovely city as in other municipalities.  Iat is incumbent for all residents, “old-timers” and “newcomers”—to activate sufficient interest and feel enough pride to earnestly talk about a “Yes” vote for County Prop. A.

Now regarding Prop. F, many residents were hit by flood waters twice during this past year’s rainfalls resulting in deplorable conditions and needless misery.  The filth, disease, and possible epidemic resulting from any flooded areas are a constant danger to everyone—you, your children, family and friends.  But your “Yes” vote and many more “Yes” votes will be needed to achieve the successful passage of this vitally important project.

With true civic spirit let us work together for a better and healthier San Diego through this necessary flood drainage measure (Prop. F) and for a dignified “Hall of Justice” that merits the loveliness of San Diego (Prop. A).

Mrs. Albert Krasnow

Dear Mr. Kaufman:
It seems to me that during the heat of this campaign a great many people have deliberately misunderstood the position of the Republican candidate for president, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Because of his keen desire to unify the Republican Party, “Ike” Eisenhower has not denounced certain Right Wing people in his own party.  We who know his character and his outstanding qualities for leadership recognize his motives in taking this action.  He has repeatedly placed himself on record as opposed to extremists on both sides, and has shown his great love for minority groups and the protection of their rights since his “Crusade in Europe.”

I am sure we can trust the good judgment of “Ike” in choosing men to work with him who will carry out the ideals of democracy and freedom that he holds so dear.
(Signed) Irving Salomon, Escondido


Jolly 16 Autumn Dinner-Dance November 9th
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 31, 1952, Page 3

The Jolly 16 has planned a gay, festive night of dining, dancing and merrymaking for you on Nov. 9th at 7 p.m. 

Go to top of right column

Top tunes, peppy music by Pauline Gleason will delight you.  The chef has promised his best steaks.

The ladies taking reservations and arranging tables will appreciate your early cooperation to assure you perfect satisfaction.

Soft candlelight, your favorite escort, excellent food and music—sound good?

Call any member for reservations.

P.S. We are still accepting recipes.

Holiday Plans for Children Told
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 31, 1952, page 3

Having had a wonderful time at the first Camp Jaycee Reunion, as pictured above, the youngsters are eagerly awaiting the next “Fun for Juniors” program on Sunday afternoon, November 9th at 1:00 p.m. at the 6th and Laurel entrance to Balboa Park. The youngsters will bring their own lunch and will participate in the birthday party with the usual birthday cake and mike being served.  Mrs. Sam Bennett, chairman of the junior activities, announced that the Padre Puppeteers will perform and will feature United Nations characterizations. All youngsters age 5-14 are welcome to attend.

Plans for the winter school vacation are now being formulated and will include both day and country camping.  Camp Jaycee, the day camp will operate for 8 days during the 2 weeks vacation beginning on Monday December 22nd and closing Friday, January 2nd.

Both camps will be supervised by many of the excellent counselors of the past summer and excting activities will crowd the daily schedule.

Registration will be limited and so families who plan to participate are requested to inform the Jewish Center office, M-5172, immediately.

“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.