La Jolla in Jewish History Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0597

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The La Jolla in Jewish History Collection documents the community of La Jolla, California from 1967 to 2014 and includes materials regarding housing discrimination; an organization called the Jewish Community of La Jolla, started in 1964; newspaper clippings regarding the Mt. Soledad cross controversy; Jews at institutions of higher learning in La Jolla, and materials from Congregation Beth El. The collection also includes a copy of the large B’nai Aron scrapbook compiled by Rabbi Idell (1970-1973).

Dates

Creation: 1967 - 2014

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Historical Note

For many years in the mid 20th century, a housing covenant existed in the village of La Jolla which prevented Hispanics, Blacks, Jews and other ethnic groups from owning property there. Mary Ellen Stratthaus's 1996 thesis and article "Flaw in the Jewel: Housing Discrimination against Jews in La Jolla, California" which was published in "American Jewish History Journal," Vol. 84, No.3 Sept. 1996 is the definitive article on the subject. When UC San Diego was built in the 1960’s, the covenant was ended and the Jewish community has flourished there ever since, starting with the La Jolla Jewish Community (organization) in 1964; Temple B’nai Aron in 1970 and then Congregation Beth El as well as a number of other congregations. Rabbi Maurice Idell (1918-1973) founded Temple B’nai Aron in 1970. It was the first congregation in La Jolla and services were held at the Methodist Church at 6063 La Jolla Blvd. A scrapbook compiled by Rabbi Idell & Mrs. Anita Idell documents the congregation’s functions and Rabbi Idell’s involvement in an international campaign to save eleven Soviet Jews from execution and/or prison in the early 1970s.

Extent

.42 Linear Feet (One Hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

This collection was put together with material collected over several years (JHSSD #2012.03). Mrs. Anita Idell allowed Stanley Schwartz to copy the Temple B’nai Aron Scrapbook.