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IANUARY ‘
13 1946
THE JEWISH ALLIANCE
Published bi-weekly by the Jewish Educational Alliance, Inc.,
328 Barnard Street, Savannah, Ga.
Affiliated with the National Jewish Welfare Board and the
Savannah Jewish Council
OFFICERS
Benjamin Silverman, president; Isaac Meddin, Sanford Wexler,
and Dr. William A. Wexler, vice-president; Mrs. Raymond Rosen,
secretary; Jack M. Levy, treasurer.
Paul A. Kulick, Executive Director
Jack Chilnick, Director of Activities
EDITORIAL STAFF IN FORMATION
Vol I JANUARY 18, 1946 No. 3
A Serviceman Views the Jewish Center
and Offers A Post-War Program
By Lt. Seymour Weisman
Lt. Weisman was enroute from Europe, where he served with
the 104 th Infantry Division, to the Pacific when V-J Day was an¬
nounced. In Europe he fought in the Battle of the Bulge; he has
been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the
Combat Infantry Badge. A graduate of the College of the City of
New York and a student at the New York School of Social Work,
before he entered the army, Lt. Weisman was associated with 'the
YM-YWHA of the Bronx, did volunteer work at Madison House and
was active as a member of several’ New York Jewish Centers.
Four years of the national emer¬
gency period has left its imprint
on the American soldier. From
his travels in the United States
and overseas, from his combat ex¬
periences, and from his relation¬
ship with the multitude of new
people whom he met. the soldier
has redefined his values of life.
The trend has been toward the
simple, basic satisfactions in life.
The combat veteran, particular¬
ly the infantryman, lived for sur¬
vival first, and then a return to
home and family. He sought to
re-establish the ties and bonds,
the security which home repre¬
sents to him. While in the serv¬
ice, he placed emphasis on mail
from home, family pictures, pack¬
ages and home town news. An¬
other significant development was
his strengthened religious identity
as evidenced by greater service at¬
tendance. Two factors explain
this phenomenon; First the man
needed spiritual help for survival,
and second, he wanted to meet
friends with whom he could share
common interests and renew cul¬
tural ties.
In general, this too has been
the reaction of most Jewish men
who have left home for the armed
services.
Challenge to Centers
With victory and the return of
these veterans to their communi¬
ties, the Jewish community center
faces an important challenge in
planning their post-war program.
What are they going to do to
keep alive this reborn Jewish atti¬
tude and feeling of group identi¬
fication? How will they help the
returning men to become re¬
oriented to Jewish community life
in their home town?
Remember that today, the G. I.
civilian is not looking for USO
parties and picnics, home hospi¬
tality, and bagel and lox sand
wiches on Sunday morning. That
was appropriate when away from
home. Now the Jewish veteran
wants an opportunity to partici¬
pate, to live as an integral part
of this Jewish life at home. He
remembered how the Jews in
France, Belgium, Holland and
those in Germany and Central Eu¬
rope envied him and prayed for
the day that they could once
again proudly live as Jews.
Here then are some suggestions
for a positive program of activity
that the Jewish community center
Things should soon be getting
pretty “hot* in our handball
court as many returned vets go
in for that game in a big way.
Among the outstanding are: Alex
“Lefty” Heyman, David “Duihpy
Dan” Rubnitz, Maurice “NoseAll”
Alpert, Joe ‘Rabbit” Dinerman,
and Henry “Iggy” Kaplan. That’s
all folks, see you next time.
can offer their returning service¬
men:
A Positive Program
First: The Jewish community
center can offer these new civil¬
ians a Jewish “home,” a true
Jewish community center, a place
where he can come and meet
Jewish friends, where he can fol¬
low his Jewish traditions, where
he can eventually bring his chil¬
dren and say, “Here is where
you will learn the 5000 year old
lore of Judaism.” And in this
modern world where outward
physical beauty and functionalism
have gained ascendancy, it is no
longer wise to attempt to convert
an old school building, tenement
house, or garage and call it jo
“Jewish community # center,” &
“home.” No, the Jewish commun¬
ity must provide a structure which
can meet specific requirements to
satisfy modern recreational ac¬
tivities, a swimming pool, bowling
alleys, gymnasium, playgrounds,
concert auditorium and stage, arts
and crafts workshop, photography
dark room, Boy Scout den,
lounges, library, music room, and
cheerful club meeting halls. To
be successful, a home must be
physically presentable.
Second: For a Jewish center to
achieve its mission, it must have
leadership, men and women en¬
thused with the positive values of
Judaism, and enriched with its
lore and traditions, aware of it*
current ally trained problems, and profession¬
to work with people.
Third: The Jewish community
can serve as a meeting
for the various special in¬
terest groups of Jewish life, the
Zionist organizations, B’nai B’rith,
Hadassah, Jewish War Veterans,
etc. This would give the veteran
an opportunity to become familiar
with these organizations and their
contributions to Jewish life.
Fourth: The Jewish Center
seems to be the logical agency to
coordinate a Veterans Counsell¬
ing Service, assisting the Jewish
veteran in vocational guidance
and placement, and specific prob¬
lems arising during this readjust¬
ment period.
The trauma of war has re¬
awakened the American Jew to
his role as a Jew and he turns
to the Jewish Community Center
as the agency, the medium,
express his interests in
Jewish life.
Welcome, New Civilians
We are happy to welcome back
home the following Savannah
service veterans, who have been
sent complimentary memberships
m the Alliance:
Frank A. Kelly, Martin S. Leff
ler, Max Levine, Joseph Price,
Sam Radetsky, Albert Slotin,
Frank F. Traub, Jr., Stephen
Traub, Louis Wexler.
THE JEWISH ALLIANCE
TTie fiaue&dtaoppen
What better to start off with
than Best Wishes for a Happy
and Prosperous New Year?
Judging from the sleepy-eyed
youngsters, tt was a cinch the At¬
lanta AZA Conference was just
too-too. That is, if utter exhaus¬
tion, and looking a little down
oeaten from wear and tear, means
anything. Congratulations to our
SAP A EH REN REICH for being
selected Regional Sweetheart o}
AZA. The same to IRVING
KONTER for becoming Alpha
S’pan for the Region.
“It Must Be Spring” is more
than just a song, because what
nappens in Spring, happened to
nappen in Atlanta in juecember.
So they say. To wit:- JtfUDDY
jOSELOVE lost his identification
bracelet and his heart to that
charming Atlanta Miss. And
whose PAG pin is Sweetheart
SARA EHRENRE1CH wearing?
Better titled “local boy makes
good.” Gives one a feeling of con
ndence and security . the way
Paula and Buddy continue to con¬
tinue regardless of where, what
or when.
Before I overlook seeing my
duty and doing it—Thanks to all
in Atlanta who so generously gave
of their time and hospitality to
these boys and girls so near and
dear to us at home.
Congratulations to MAXIE and
HELEN HORN STEIN on their
Tenth Anniversary. Their party
was lovely. Anyway a good time
was had by all. Blessings on
thee, Maxie and Helen. Always
and always.
Best wishes, too, to HARRY
and ROSE FRIEDMAN on 'their
19th Anniversary. Missed out on
this one, but hear tell it was a
wonderful celebration. Sorry havta
omit any details for lack of in¬
side information. Promise from
now on and beyond their Fiftieth,
to give this my personal atten¬
tion.
A little late but—hats off to
our Basketball Team for their
Victory over Jacksonville. Hard
to keep an eagle'eye on the game,
however, with .so many distracting
side-line scenes. Didja notice the
long lasting look exchanged by
ELAINE DIAMOND and her
newly returned Hero? And,
MUSKY, we 'were surprised as
much as you were by the Grand
Shot you so professionally execut¬
ed. Rah, Rah!
The New Year's Eve Dance
brings on more talk. Much. Too
many came in meek as lambs and
went out like lions. Or vice versa.
Wonder how it felt to find your
Exclusive Original worn by ex¬
actly two of your veddy best
friends? And what about EDITH
SILV ERMAN"S jitterbug ging ?
Or the fawncee hairdo concocted
—and worn—by SARAH GOTT¬
LIEB? MRS. HARRY MINKO
VITZ wasn't to be ignored either
with That Hat. Oh yes, and very
sweet and thoughtful of those
husbands who paid for all those
corsages worn—and ordered—by
their darling wives. Wonderful
seeing so many out-of-towners
joining in 'the fun. Regrettable
that ETHEL HALPERN had to
miss out on her very own party.
At the Tea New Year’s Day
it was amazing to see how really
spry everyone looked. My, what
wonders from cans of tomato juice
and gallons of black coffee!
Everyone looked super. Especial¬
ly outstanding was FRANCES
GOLDBERG, who looked for the
world like a Magazine Cover.
Was almost blinded by the gleam
in MOLLIE WEXLER’S eyes.
Didn’t you know, or haven’t you
heard that her Louis is back
borne? LEAH LONGWATER posi¬
tively glowed too, as who could
blame her? Thump thump
. . .
that’s my heart. News of a Bless¬
ed Event spread like wildfire.
Compliments to Bride SARA
KANTSIPER for looking the paidt
to perfection. So sweet and lovely
and obviously thrilled.
GA.
BENEFICIARY AGENCIES •
FROM THE 1945 CAMPAIGN
Savannah United Jewish Appeal and Federation
JEWISH CULTURAL ACTIVITIES t
in the United States
General
B’nai B’rith Wider Scope (includes the Hillel Founda¬
tions, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, Vocational
Services and Mayo Clinic Social Service)
Histadruth Ivrith
Jewish Braille Institute
Jewish Chautaqua Society
Jewish Teachers’ Seminary
National Farm School
Yiddish Scientific Institute
American Academy for Jewish Research
Theological Seminaries
Hebrew Theological College, Chicago
Hebrew Union College
Jewish Theological .Seminary
Reb Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
Lubavitcher Yeshivoth
Telse Yeshivah
Yeshivoth Chachmey Lublin
Yeshivah Torah Do-Vaath and Mesivta
Rabbinical Seminary of America
t
Miscellaneous
Synagogue Council of America
Agudath Israel Youth Council
Agudath Israel Youth Council
HEALTH AND WELFARE AGENCIES
in the United States
Jewish Consumptive Relief Society, Denver
Jewish Consumptive and Ex-Patients’ Relief Associa¬
tion, Los Angeles
National Home for Jewish Children, Denver
National Jewish Hospital
Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital
CIVIC-PROTECTIVE AGENCIES
in the United States
American Jewish Congress
Jewish Labor Committee
Joint Defense Appeal, including the American Jewish
Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of the
B’nai B’rith
National Conference of Christians and Jews
COORDINATING AGENCIES
in the United States
American Association for Jewish Education
American Jewish Conference
Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds
National Jewish Welfare Board
Jewish Occupational Council
Jewish Statistical Bureau
RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION
United Jewish Appeal
Includes the Joint Distribution Committee, the United
Palestine Appeal, and the National Refgue Service
Service in Europe and Elsewhere
American ORT Federation /V
Ezras Torah Fund
Vaad Hatzalah
Service in Palestine
American Red Mogen Dovid
Hadassah
National Labor Committee for Palestine
Immigration Service—Overseas and U. S.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Council of Jewish Women (for national program)
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OVERSEAS
American Friends of the Hebrew University '
Hebrew Institute of Technology—Haifa
American Fund for Palestinian Institutions
PRESS AND NEWS SERVICES
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
MISCELLANEOUS PALESTINIAN CHARITABLE
AND EDUCATIONAL
Through the Vaad Leumi (Jewish National Council)
of Patestme, for 64 miscellaneous Jewish Charit¬
able, educational, and relief organizations.
REGIONAL AGENCIES
Hebrew Orphans’ Home—Atlanta
Hillel House—University of Georgia
LOCAL AGENCIES
Savannah J. W. B. Army and Navy Committee U
Transients and Transient Rabbis’ Fund
miscellaneous
Nachlath Had^ffl
Tubercular Project in
Emergency Fund of the Chief Rabbi of the British
Empire
The “Eternal Light” radio Seminary program sponsored by the
Jewish Theological ’
r