FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Awards, Lecture, Archives Open House Mark 150th Anniversary of San Diego Jewry
CONTACT: Renee Hix, (619) 594-5204, rhix@mail.sdsu.edu
SAN DIEGO, Monday, September 18, 2000 -- The Jewish Historical Society of San Diego and the Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies at San Diego State University will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the first Jewish settler in San Diego with an awards ceremony, a lecture on the Jewish pioneers of San Diego by noted author Harriet Rochlin, a kosher hors d'oeuvres reception following the lecture, and an opportunity to visit the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego Archives on October 29th in SDSU's Snyder Judaic Studies Reading Room (363 Love Library). It also will mark the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the Judaic Studies Program at SDSU, the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego, and the opening of the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego Archives.
In 1850, Louis Rose became the first Jewish resident of San Diego. By l861 Adat Yeshrun, the first Jewish Congregation in the city, began holding religious services. In 1889 Beth Israel opened the doors of its building which since has been renovated and now graces a site in Heritage Park. Although the size of the city's Jewish population was less than 3,000 before World War II, the postwar Sunbelt migration and rapid growth of economic and educational opportunities in San Diego attracted an influx of Jews whose numbers are now estimated at 80,000. The Jewish contribution to San Diego's history from Louis Rose's membership on the first San Diego County Board of Supervisors to Susan Golding's mayorship is an occasion that merits commemoration by San Diego in general and the Jewish community of San Diego in particular. The Honorary Chairs of this event are Congressman Bob Filner, Mayor Susan Golding, Dr. Bernard Lipinsky, and SDSU President Stephen Weber.
Between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on October 29th, the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego Archives, located in the Irving and Sylvia Snyder Judaic Studies Reading Room (Room 363 of SDSU's Love Library), will be open for visitors.
The Awards Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. in the Hardy Tower Lecture Hall. Bernard Lipinsky will be honored for his lifetime of philanthropy in San Diego. SDSU Professors Ita Sheres and Irving Alan Sparks will be honored for their roles in the development of the Judaic Studies Program at the university. Herbert Solomon, SDSU alumnus and president of Hillel, will receive a Jewish Alumnus Award for his contributions to, and leadership of, the San Diego Jewish community. Yale Strom, SDSU alumnus, will receive a Jewish Alumnus Awards for his achievements in documenting, performing, and reviving the culture and music of Eastern and Southern European Jewry. Irene Fine, the founder and director of the Woman's Institute for Continuing Jewish Education, will receive an award for her contributions to Adult Jewish Education. Ida Nasatir will be similarly honored for her lifelong contributions to Jewish education and journalism in San Diego.
Awards for the Preservation and Conservation of San Diego Jewish History will be bestowed upon Don Harrison for his editorship of the San Diego Jewish Heritage and his research on the Jewish experience in San Diego and Robert Levi, the great grandson of one of San Diego's pioneering Jewish families, for his work in preserving documents about his family. Henry Schwartz will be granted a posthumous award for founding the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego and for his well-researched articles about San Diego Jewish history that appeared in the San Diego Jewish Times and other publications.
At 2 p.m. in the Hardy Tower Lecture Hall immediately following the awards ceremony, Harriet Rochlin will present a lecture on "Jewish Roots in San Diego: 150 Years Deep." Rochlin is best known for the book Pioneer Jews: A New Life in the Far West which she co-authored with her husband Fred Rochlin. She has written two other books, The Reformers' Apprentice: A Novel of Old San Francisco and The First Lady of Dos Cacahuates, both of which vividly depict Jewish life in the Old West. She has a deserved reputation as an engaging public speaker.
At 3 p.m. in the central courtyard outside of Hardy Tower, there will be a kosher hors d'oeuvres reception and concert of Sephardic music by the group Musica Poetic. At the same time, those attending the event will have another opportunity to visit the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego Archives.
A souvenir program will be published to accompany the day's event. In addition to a timeline of San Diego Jewish history and Jewish life at San Diego State University, it will contain articles about the importance of local archives and other topics about San Diego Jewish history. The aim of the event is to raise both community awareness of the rich Jewish heritage of San Diego and funds for the start-up expenses of the archives such as the purchase of cataloging software and the hiring of a professional archivist to organize the collection.
Tickets to the awards ceremony, lecture, and reception will cost $50 per person. San Diego businesses, individuals, and organizations are encouraged to place dedications in the program. To purchase tickets or make a contribution to the archive by placing a dedication in the program, contact the Lipinsky Institute at (619)594-3503 or e-mail cmcmahon@mail.sdsu.edu
San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the University has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 76 areas, master's degrees in 59 areas and 13 doctorates. Students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with professors and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.
