The High Holy Days this year are giving impetus to a round of activity being felt here in every phase of Jewish communal life.
It seems that the call to arms, the urge for action, has made itself felt in all quarters and among all groups. There are, in consequence, membership drives under way, inspired by the conviction that greater strength lies in greater numbers.
The San Francisco chapter of Hadassah, which has been growing by leaps and bounds, is one of the groups most active in the field for increased membership. An intensive membership campaign will be launched by this organization beginning Monday, September 25. Mrs. Morris Gallas, chairman of the drive committee, has been busy organizing teams and a thorough canvass of the city will be made. A rousing rally will be held on the following day and the speakers will stress the significant position of Palestine in the light of the German crisis. The drive will continue until October 2.
San Francisco Lodge No. 21 of the B’nai B’rith, largest of the local B’nai B’rith units, is pressing a campaign for membership. Henry Haskins, campaign director, states that the Nazi crisis has taxed the financial and administrative resources of the order to capacity and that increased membership is essential to sustain the work.
Sharing interest with these efforts is the activity of another group of prominent Jews who are planning the opening of San Francisco’s $650,000 new Jewish Community Center.
Announcement has just been made that the center will be ready for occupancy Sunday, November 5. This is the first time that the opening date has been announced definitely. Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel, president of the center organization, announces that a well-rounded program of activities is being arranged, to include every phase of recreational work. There will be gymnasium classes for men, women and children as well as opportunities for cultural development, lectures, study, circles and the like. And much attention will be given to the development of little theater work, featuring the production of short plays and a discussion of the drama.
It is expected that the opening of the center will be marked by fitting ceremonies participated in by leaders of the community.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
