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Writings about Hyman S. Wolf

-1922-
September 20, 1922—
1) 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.

2) "The Tifereth Israel Synagog," The Jewish Community News, page 18: Many tasks, at first seemingly insurmountable, are overcome through hard work on the part of those interested in the successful completion of that task. So it was when a building to house the Tifereth Israel synagogue was first proposed. At first considered an impossibility, in time, thanks to the zeal and devotion of a few conscientious workers, the dream of an Orthodox Synaogog for San Diego became a reality.  For many a day the Orthodox Community felt the need of a permanent building to house the Congregation. Service were held now at one home, then at another, but as is often the case, under such circumstances, little interest was manifested. Today, the Congregation Tifereth Israel, in addition to having its own building, conducts a modern Talmud Torah or Hebrew School.  Thanks for the growth of the Congregation are due to Mr. Jacob Goldgraber, its former president. Associated with Mr. Goldgraber, who by their contributions and time made possible the present building, are Mr. Wrottenberg, Mr. I. Frank, Mr. Abraham Pomeranz, Mr. I.T. Davidson, Mr. H.S. Wolf, Mr. Wm Frieden, Mr. Wm. Plame and Mr. Breitbard.

-1949-
April 1949— "Cavalcade to trace record of Lasker Lodge," Southwestern Jewish Press, page 2: An open public meeting to which all members of the Jewish faith are invited will highlight the B'nai B'rith "Cavalcade" sponsored by San Diego Lasker Lodge No. 370 at the Temple Center, 3rd and Laurel, on Monday night, April 11th. Tracing the long history of the order's record of service to the Jewish community and the world at large, Lasker Lodge's "Cavalcade" will trace a century of progress for the order, and a half century of sensational growth for the local chapter. Tracing the long history of the order's record of service to the Jewish community and the world at large, Lasker Lodge's "Cavalcade" will trace a century of progress for the order, and a half century of sensational grrowth for the local chapter. Under leadership of William Schwartz, Lodge president, and Edward Solomon, chairman of the evening, a veritable 'Who's Who' of San Diego Jewry, past-presidents of Lasker Lodge will be singled out for special honors in the course of the evening.  Hyman Wolf, Jacob Weinberger, L.A. Unger, M.E. Meyer, Nathan Baranov, L.A. Frank, Sam Smith, Rabbi M. H. Dubin, Henry Weinberger, Samuel Brooks, Leo Loeffler, Frank Pomeranz, Paul Nestor, Ted Rosenfield, Nathan Schiller, Alvin B. Baranov, Robert M. Stone, Abe Dubin, Carl Essenoff, Morey Levinson, Harry Mallen, Victor Schulman, Lou Solof, William Starr, Sidney Goldstein, Eli Levinson, Morris Douglas, and Edward Breitbard are all expected to be present on this gala occasion. . More than 60 25-year or more members of the lodge also will be complimented on their long service. Significant B'nai B'rith activities will be graphically demonstrated. Refreshments and entertainment are offered without charge to all who attend the "Cavalcade" meeting, April 11th, 8 p.m., Temple Center, 3rd and Laurel.

-1951-

June 8, 1951— "Israel Bonds Chairman Appoints Strong Committee," Southwestern Jewish Press, page 1: Louis Steinman, Chairman of the San Diego Committee, Bonds of the Israel Government, today announced the appointment of many of San Diego's leading community workers to the executive committee.  Several meetings of the executive committee have already been held to plan activities and procedures necessary to fulfill San Diego's share of the $500,000,000 Israel Bond Drive.  Those who have been appointed to date are: Abe Abramson, Mrs. Gabriel Berg, M.S. Berlin, Ed Bland, David A. Block, Ed Breitbard, Lawrence Cantor, Sol Chenkin, Rabbi Morton Cohn, Al DeSure, I.L. Domnitz, Morris Douglas, Carl M. Esenoff, Harry Farb, Arthur Gardner, Mickey Goldfarb, Mr. Muriel Goldhammer, M.D. Goodrich, Leon Heiman, Dr. F. Hollander, Dave Horowitz, Rodin Horrow, Al Hutler, Joseph J. Kaplan, Maxwell Kaufman, Allen Lame, Arthur C. Lavine, Rabbi Monroe Levens, Dick Levi, Julius Levin, Louis Moorsteen, Mrs. Rose Neuman(n), Sol Price, Mrs. Sol Price, Nate Ratner Mrs. Sally Ratner, Dr. Oscar G. Ravin, V.J. Schulman, Mrs. Pearl Slayen, Abe Snyder, Dr. George Solomon, Rabbi Baruch Stern, Isadore Teacher, Rubin Umansky, Henry Weinberger, Frank Winicki, Hyman S. Wolf and Fred Yaruss.

-1952-
February 8, 1952—
"Lasker Lodge B.B.," Southwestern Jewish Press, page 5: The highlight of the last meeting was the honoring of Past Presidents. More than 20 former leaders were at hand to accept certificates to B'nai B'rith from toastmaster Morris Kraus. David A. Frank (1923) was the earliest office holder present.  Judge Jacob Weinberger (1917) and Nathan F. Baranov (1922) were unable to appear because of illness. Hyman S. Wolf (1911) was also too ill to attend.  New members elected were Rabbi Nathan Addleson, Ben Snyder, Al Rosen, Max Israel and Victor Silverstein.