THIS MONTH

FIFTY YEARS AGO

COLUMBUS JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The top three TV shows 50 years ago were Gunsmoke, The Danny Thomas Show and Tales of Wells Fargo. No. 1 bestsellers: "By Love Possessed" (fiction, by James Gould Cozzens) and "Kids Say the Darndest Things" (non-fiction , by Art Linkletter). The Academy Award for Best Picture went to "Bridge on the River Kwai." In May, Walter O’Malley agreed to move the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles. The Dow Jones Industrial Average spent the year between 400 and 500.

Internationally: (From JTA’s Boris Smolar--) Mild differences of opinion are now developing between the United States and the Government of Israel over the passage of ships to and from Israel through the Gulf of Akaba. Although the U.S. is officially on record as considering the Gulf of Akaba as international waterway, it is anxious to secure a ruling to this effect by the World Court at the Hague. Israel, on the other hand, is afraid that too long a time may pass before a judicial decision of The Hague Tribunal is reached. Israel feels that a de facto situation with regard to free passage of ships through the Gulf of Akaba should be established while the United Nations Emergency Force has control of the Sinai section of the Akaba area. If such a de facto situation is established now, it would be difficult for Egypt to again blockade the Akaba waters when the U.N. forces leave the territory.

Nationally: (also from JTA’s Smolar--) With all the talk about religious revival among Jews, it was established at the recent conference of the Synagogue Council of America that the Conservative Synagogue does not seem to play a vital spiritual role in the lives of its membership. The Jewish background of Reform Jews and their observances and synagogue attendance are known to be even poorer than those of Conservative Jews. The picture of Conservative Judaism that emerged at the conference is not a very encouraging one. It was established that the leadership of the Conservative synagogue comes largely from middle class Jews. About 26% of them have an annual family income of between $6,000 and $10,000 while the income of 23% is between $10,000 and $15,000 a year.

Their secular educational status appears to be very high – about 50% have college education, in addition to 20 percent who possess a post-graduate degree. Their Jewish training is, however, very meager; about 60% had none beyond Bar Mitzvah. Only a little more than one-third of the synagogue officers and board members have kosher homes, while a similar percentage admitted that their homes are not kosher; the remainder have "partially" kosher homes, that is, they mix dishes. Only about a third of the leadership attend synagogue services regularly on Friday evening or Sabbath. The remainder attend "often," "once in a while" or "never." About 22% do not observe the lighting of Sabbath candles, and 57% never recite the Kiddush.

This brings many to the conclusion that the "religious revival" among Jews in this country is nothing but a matter of joining and dues-paying, and social location – rather than the product of genuine religious conviction.

Locally:

Curtain Time for "Finian" (by Al Lussheim:)

We need not tell you that Gallery Players are offering for the next four nights, the most wonderful show in their five year history. We urge you to go after your tickets now at the Jewish Center, at Hillel or Heaton’s.

Gallery Players were fortunate to find a gifted young man ideally suited right on their own board of directors. Audiences will be delighted with the humorous antics of Marv Bonowitz, who makes the most of some of the best this show has to offer so generously in rhythm and melody.

The story comes to a climax when the great merchants personally appear on stage, Mr. Shears being played by Earl Sonnenstein and Mr. Robus portrayed by Gallery Players’ most versatile showman Larry Kent. Sol Swack (sheriff) was last seen as Chris Keller in Gallery’s 1956 showing of "All My Sons." He is assisted in maintaining law and order in Rainbow Valley by Marvin Nesnowitz (deputy), who just recently made his GP debut as Tokio in "Golden Boy." In this same production Oscar Smilack lent pathos and dignity to the role of Joe’s father.

At the age of 18, Larry Wade (2^nd geologist) sings in many choirs and also plays piano with a dance band.

Evelyn Grigst, lithe and blonde and Gayle Du Bois round out the chorus except for young Andrea Gorensteinn whom we place last, not least, in order to put a bright spot light on the youngsters who add so much charm and vitality to the show. Andrea is, at 12, the oldest of this group and no newcomer on Gallery Players’ stage. Young Carl Basnett (10), son of Roberta Basnett, handles the solo part of Henry with the ease of an experienced trouper, but Greg Margulies and Arnold White seem to be equally at home on stage.

Set design is by Junius Hamblin, lighting by Marv Mentzer and Dan Stone, costume design by Wallace Michaels, costume production by our president, Irene Levey, Dusty Newpoff, and Alice Stone. In charge of make-up is Stan Johnson and chairman of props is Fran Kreisselman. And towering over them all, omnipresent and unruffled, the show’s production manager, Norman Gurevitz.

And now the curtain is going up on the splendid work these hardworking people have created for us. We shall wind our preview up by merely asking you: "Come and see for yourself. . ."

Radio Station WVKO, Columbus, will present a special program Monday, 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. honoring Israel’s ninth anniversary of independence. The half-hour documentary has been prepared by the American Zionist Council in New York, and relates the traditions, culture, history and current life in Israel. Title of the program is "Time and the Bridge."

The Young Adult Division, whose chairman is Gordon Zacks, and the Youth Division, whose chairman is Gary Cheses, report that all of the leaders and workers are geared for an all-out effort Sunday in joint co-operation with the United Jewish Fund Men’s Division. The enthusiasm which has developed to date augurs well for the most successful campaign in the history of both divisions. Debbie Subow is in charge of general solicitation for the Youth Division and Marty Adler for the Young Adults.

The New Winding Hollow Country Club was filled to capacity last Tuesday evening, when more than 300 persons met for the annual dinner of the Special Gifts Division of the United Jewish Fund. The enthusiasm of those present and the results made it the most successful annual meeting in the history of the Fund when it was announced that $531,000 was contributed.

Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, executive vice-chairman of the National United Jewish Appeal, as guest speaker, reported to the group on the immediate needs of the Emergency Rescue Fund, which will bring over 100,000 persons to Israel. Rabbi Friedman traced the beginnings of this tragic episode detailing the facts for countries behind the Iron Curtain, Hungary, North Africa and Egypt.

Presiding at the meeting was Aaron Zacks, general chairman of the 1957 United Jewish Fund campaign. Rabbi Friedman was introduced by Robert W. Schiff.

An interesting highlight of the meeting was a musical skit, presented by women of the Young Matron’s Division, entitled, "Your Help Parade." It was well received by the enthusiastic audience.

As a special event of the meeting, Samuel Shinbach, president of the United Jewish Fund of Columbus, presented to Leo Yassenoff a plaque "for outstanding campaign services to the community.

David Goldsmith, president of Temple Tifereth Israel, will be installed to continue in office for the coming year at the annual congregation banquet Sunday, 6:30 p.m. in the Temple social hall. Mr. Goldsmith has long served the congregation he now leads as president. He has been teacher, Sunday School superintendent, and leader of youth activities in the Temple during his earlier career in voluntary service.

Toastmaster for the installation banquet will be Edward Schlezinger, who has long been active in Temple Tifereth Israel

Rabbi Nathan Zelizer will install Mr. Goldsmith and the following officers and members of the board: Charles B. Margulis, first vice-president; Fred M. Roland, second vice-president; Martin J. Polster, treasurer; Morris Swedlow, secretary. Board members to be installed are: Reuben Abramson, Harry Getz, Joseph F. Kass, Julius C. Margulies, Irvin Roth, Kenneth Solomon, Sidney L. Wasserstrom, Arthur B. Westerman, Dr. Joseph Venook, Albert Blank, Gerald Rips, Mrs. Jack Schilling, Mrs. Richard Lieberman, Lawrence Polster, Ralph Cobey, Samuel Melton, Ira Monroe.

Included in the program for the installation banquet will be a dramatic presentation by the Sunday School’s Eighth Grade classes, entitled, "Jerusalem – City of Remembrance," in honor of Israel Independence Day.

Co-chairmen of the banquet are Charles Margulies, Fred M. Roland and Lawrence W. Polster.

Dr. Jack P. Brahms, chairman of the Center’s Aquatic committee, announced the opening of registration for the Center’s outdoor pool. With the pool scheduled to open Decoration Day, members are encouraged to sign up early to avoid the rush. Fee for the use of the outdoor pool will be the same as last year – adults, $6; youngsters, 10-14, $4.25; youngsters, 6-9, $3.50.

Columbus, O., will be the capital of the National B’nai B’rith Bowling Association this weekend. The 197 "champ of champs" roll-offs are scheduled Saturday night at Broad-Olympic, involving the team and singles winners of the five sectional tournaments held in March.

Teams from Omaha, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit and Chicago will compete for the "grand championship," as will these five B’en B’riths in the singles: Fred Glick, Lou Handelman and B. Nemerovski of Chicago and Herman Zimmerman and Lou Lumsky of Detroit.

Sunday morning at 8, new officers will be elected and installed, and memorial services will be conducted by Rabbi S.W. Rubenstein and Cantor Philip Gellman, for members of the NBBBA who passed away during the past season. Meetings will be conducted by I.M. Harris of Columbus, who concludes his term as president of the National, an office held previously by only one other local man – Ben Tolpen. Headquarters for the bowling "convention" will be the Deshler Hilton Hotel.

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Levy, 54 N. Remington Rd., have returned from Miami Beach, Fla., where they spent 11 weeks. They were guests at the Del Rio Apt. Hotel.

Miss Ruth Kaplan and her fiancé, Frank Uhlmann, have selected Sunday, June 9, as the date of their wedding. The 7:30 p.m. marriage will be performed in an open ceremony by the bride-elect’s father, Rabbi Harry Kaplan, and Rabbi Jerome D. Folkman in Temple Israel. Immediately after, an open reception will be held at B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation, 46 16^th Ave.

Rabbi Kaplan is issuing no formal invitations, but friends and relatives are invited to both the wedding and reception. Miss Kaplan is a senior at Ohio State and graduates in June. Mr. Uhlmann, son of Dr. and Mrs. Eric Uhlmann of Chicago, is attending graduate school at the University of Illinois working for his masters in Industrial Psychology. The couple plan to reside temporarily in Champaign, Ill.