Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History

Newsletter #8: Our Picnic Introduces Louis Rose Point to Members and Friends

About 125 people attended the Louis Rose Society's picnic Sunday, September 25, on a beautiful balmy San Diego afternoon at Louis Rose Point. They  enjoyed music of the 19th century performed by Colette Thomas and Sanford Blaze, ate kosher hotdogs and hamburgers prepared by Oscar and Olga Worm, heard brief speeches by dignitaries from civic and Jewish organizations, and watched as their children enjoyed Balloon Utopia balloon creations and face painting by Shahar and Sandi Masori.  A photo essay by Sam Zeiden of Oceanside, a Society member, follows, with text and commentary by Louis Rose Society acting president, Donald H. Harrison.


Louis Rose Point—Officially designated as Louis Rose Point in 2004, the area is marked  by two palm trees at the end of Womble Road in what will be known at NTC Park.  The site is in  the former Naval Training Center adjacent to the area  under development by the Corky McMillin Companies as "Liberty Station."  The sign marking Louis Rose Point is along the boat channel that feeds into San Diego Bay.  Eventually Louis Rose Point will be an important venue along  a recreational path that will permit pedestrians and bike riders to enjoy outings along the boat channel and bay. The monument that our Society builds honoring Louis Rose will be a place to stop or to meet along what may become one of San Diego's most popular park properties.  Picnic Area—Arlette Smith, a member of the Louis Rose Society steering committee, put up a sign at the old NTC Child Development Building to mark the area where the picnic was held in view of Louis Rose Point.  Behind Arlette, one can see Linda Bennett, inquiring society columnist for the San Diego Jewish Journal, chatting with an early arrival.  The Old Town Trolley, seen in the background, provided a unique stage for the event.  This particular trolley is named "Louis Rose" after the pioneer Jewish settler and entrepreneur. 

Early Arrivals—Some of the Society members and friends who came early to stake out good spots for their picnic chairs included, in the foreground,  left, Ron and Betsy Baranov, talking to Michael Bennett and Dana Greene, singles columnist for The San Diego Jewish Times and daughter of Louis Rose Society co-founder Norman Greene.  Norman was supposed to have emceed the program at the picnic but the day before a tire blew on his bicycle while he was riding downhill near Mission Bay area and he landed on his elbow, shattering it in several places.  He was operated on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 24, at Sharp Memorial Hospital and a second operation was planned Tuesday, Sept. 25.  Many expressions of concern, sympathy and affection for Norman were expressed by picnic goers throughout the day.  In the group of three behind Betsy Baranov are Society members Shirley and Lou Berger and Michael Zaks.  Face Painting and Balloons—David Baron, an aide to San Diego's Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins, carries under his arm a proclamation declaring Sunday, Sept. 25, to have been Louis Rose Point day in San Diego.  Behind him, a happy girl and boy show off their balloons and painted faces, provided for the youngsters by Shahar Masori (pictured) and Sandi Masori of Balloon Utopia. 

  Click here to read the proclamation


Ticket seller—Society member Nancy Harrison readies the roll of tickets for the $10 per adult, $5 per child kosher barbecue. The
generator of the motor home in rear, provided by Society member Dr. Paul Thomas, powered the microphones and speakers for
the entertainment and program.  At right, Society member Cantor Sheldon Merrell, in foreground gives ticket to Arlette Smith. Peggy
Poliak can be seen immediately behind Arlette, and behind Cantor Merel is Hui-Wen Harrison. Peggy and Hui-Wen, both Society
members, helped lay out the salads, fruit and other side dishes.

Schmoozing—At left, Jeanne Gold, widow of Louis Rose Society honoree Rabbi Aaron Gold, catches up with Noreen Schiff Shenhav and Amir Shenhav of Fallbrook, who like Jeanne is a Louis Rose Society member.  In the photo at right, Donald H. Harrison, a co-founder of the Louis Rose  Society, chats with Kevin Faulconer, who serves on the San Diego City Parks and Recreation Board with Norman Greene. Faulconer now  is running for the 2nd District City Council seat left vacant by the conviction of Michael Zucchet in San Diego's strip club case.  At left is
Faulconer's campaign volunteer John Rivera.

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Singer and accompanist—Colette Thomas, singing from the open portion of the "Louis Rose" is accompanied in singing songs of the 19th century by keyboardist Sanford Blaze, who was set up in the area alongside the trolley.  Her repertoire included various songs of Stephen Foster's supplemented by 19th and early 20th century favorites.  At one point,  Colette and Sanford performed "Bicycle Built for Two," the lyrics of which they modified to make  "Normie, Normie," instead of "Daisy, Daisy" in salute to Society co-founder  Norman Greene, who had been hospitalized following a bicycle accident the day before.


Our ceremony—U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego) in picture at left surprises Louis Rose Society Acting President Donald H. Harrison with an announcement that he had named Harrison as his congressional citizen of the month for September in recognition of the work Harrison had done in co-founding the society and as the former editor and co-publisher with Norman Greene of the San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage.  At right, Ted Medina, director of the San Diego City Parks and Recreation Department, congratulates the Louis Rose Society on its campaign to raise funds for a monument to Louis Rose and pledges the Park and Recreation Department's cooperation in maintaining the monument once built.  Civic figures in the crowd included County Tax Assessor Greg Smith;  former State Assemblyman Howard Wayne; Noelle Dorman (a field representative to Congresswoman Susan Davis), and David Watkins, chief executive officer of the San Diego Historical Society.


Giving Thanks—Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal, spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, represented the San Diego Rabbinical Association in reciting for  the assemblage in a traditional Shehekiyanu prayer, which thanks God for allowing us to experience special moments.  At right, Michael Rassler, executive vice president of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego, thanked the City of San Diego for recognizing through its designation of Louis Rose Point the historic and ongoing contributions Jews of San Diego have made to the civic life of our region.

Money Shepherd—Charlene Seidle, associate director of the Jewish Community Foundation,  which holds and accounts for the money of the Louis Rose Society in keeping with governmental regulations for organizations eligible for tax-deductible donations, said how pleased she is with the partnership.  Those desiring to make a tax-deductible contribution  to the Jewish Community Foundation/ Louis Rose Fund may send a check to the Foundation at 4950 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92123, or you may authorize a charge on your credit card by calling the Foundation at (858) 279-2740. Bouquet of Roses—In photo at right, June and Harry Goldenberg came in the costumes they wear as docents at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in their portrayal respectively of pioneers Sarah Robinson and Louis Rose.  To their right are Gerry Rose and his father Harry Rose, visiting from Florida; a modern-day Louis Rose of Solana Beach (in hat), and Louis Rose Society President Donald H. Harrison.

Long-lost cousins? —The biography of Louis Rose with his best-known surviving photograph is held by Donald H. Harrison next
to Harry Rose of Delray Beach, Florida, who bears a striking resemblance to the pioneer.  Although Harry does not know for certain he is related
to Louis Rose, besides the similarity in their looks, there are some other clues. Both their families hail from Germany, and Harry's middle name is Simon, which was the name of Louis Rose's brother, who remained in Germany after Louis immigrated to the United States in 1840.  It has been suggested that Harry Rose—particularly when he smiles—may make a perfect model for any statue that is constructed of Louis Rose.

A hearty thanks to Sam Zeiden for shooting these pictures.