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Community Currents
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 5, 1951, pages 2, 6

By Albert Hutler, Executive Director, United Jewish Fund

The Annual Meeting is over, awards have been made, speeches have now been forgotten, and 22 new members of the Board have been elected.  In looking over the list of Board members one is struck by the representative quality of the Board and the leadership it represents. Large givers and small sit together to make community decisions; Zionists and non-Zionists; local proponents and overseas; the three synagogues, major local organizations all act together for the best of the community.  There should be some good hard debate over questions that will arise in 1951.  Whatever the decisions San Diego Jewry can be assured that it has had a full hearing and that the majority will rule.

How Do We Meet the Influx—There is no doubt that there has been an influx of servicemen's families and war-workers into San Diego. The Jewish Welfare Society has felt this impact in requests for housing and in some instances financial assistance until pay day.  We've received numerous phone calls from young people and young marrieds about things to do, how to make friends, organizations to join. Each time after telling them of the three houses of worship, the few facilities we have, the meager programs offered, there isn't anymore to tell them, and we have to apologize. I'm sure each of the Rabbis have been up against the same problem. This is certain a demonstration for the need for some Central Facility in our community.

Servicemen Find Warmth—The Armed Service Program for servicemen is well underway.  More and more boys in blue are finding warm welcome at the lounge under Esther Siegel's direction. The Chenkins had an open house for servicemen last Sunday. Another with big enough homes? Let Esther know.

Emigre Report Satisfactory — Dr. Ornstein's report on Emigres in San Diego was an eye opener. Did you know that most of our families are self-sufficient? That we have some 14 children? That with all the problems involved there's a fine feeling of satisfaction in a job well done?

San Diego In National Limelight—Sa n Diego's $100,000 advance cash on 1951 electrified American Jewry because we wre only asked for $75,000. Commendation is coming from all over the country.