August 9, 1946
From “Children at Jewish Community Center Typify Ideal Spirit of American Democracy”
The governor calls a special session of the legislature. There are grave matters of policy to be determined.
The group convenes. Reports are given by the surveyor on the condition of the land. The art commissioner discusses a proposed painting exhibition. The health director talks about vitamins, sunshine and rest.
The “governor” is 14-year-old Jerry Schiller. His “legislature” ranges in age from 7 to 13. They meet in the playfield in back of the Jewish Community Center every day to guide the destinies of the 125 participants in Camp Tiyatah, the center’s home camp for children.
This year, Camp Tiyatah is rebuilding the Bear Flag Republic. The children are divided into five groups, each of which portrays the contributions of one nationality to the building of California. The 7-year-olds are the Mexican and Spanish people; the 8- and 9-year-olds, the Chinese pioneers; the 10-year-old group are the Russians; another 10-year-old group are Jewish pioneers; and the 12- and 13-year-olds portray the Scandinavian peoples.
Each group has its own tent decorated by the children to illustrate the people of their group. The fourth group, the Jewish pioneers, are decorating their tent in accord with Jewish customs in Palestine. The Scandinavian group, dubbed the “Yumpin Yimminies,” have emblazoned the name on their tent.
Each morning the legislature meets to determine the program of the day. In addition to Governor Schiller, there are Peggy Layman, lieutenant governor; Donald Sugarman, surveyor; Myra Lipson, secretary; Pat Watson and Bud Frankel, health directors; Carol McDonald, office of camp information; Virginia Graham, art commissioner; and Jimmy Weinberger, landscaping chairman.
July 25, 1976
From “$9,500 Damage Reported At Beth David Break-in”
Vandals ripped through Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Ave., Saratoga, Saturday night or early Sunday morning, causing an estimated $9,500 worth of damage. The break-in was discovered Monday morning by members of the men’s club, which was scheduled to meet then.
Congregation Beth David dedicated this new building in February of this year.
“The vandals apparently entered through a window in the southeast corner of the building,” C. D. Marron of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said. All windows were reportedly locked prior to the break-in.
Among the things damaged were the altar on the west wall, an American flag in the sanctuary, a stereo control panel and speakers, a sliding door and a piano. Books in the sanctuary were strewn about.
Two Torahs were found unrolled and one was torn and totally destroyed, according to Selma Ramm, president of the Beth David Sisterhood. The vandals also entered Rabbi Jerry Danzig’s study and destroyed cassette tapes he used for Torah study. Other offices in the building were entered, but left untouched.
Obscene messages were written on the synagogue’s walls and in blood on the floor of the school’s administrator, Bernard Klein.
“The pen used to write the messages was kept in a nine-inch shadowbox and was used specifically for signing synagogue documents,” Mrs. Ramm said. “Some of Rabbi Danzig’s favorite prints in the hall were smashed with the olivewood box.”
Rabbi Danzig, Beth David’s spiritual leader, was unavailable for comment, but viewed the damages last Sunday before leaving on his vacation.
“We believe this was an act of anti-Semitism because only religious articles were destroyed,” Mrs. Ramm said.
“We’re going to have to look around for a pretty sick individual,” Marron stated, “because this was an atrocious thing to do.”
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