The Phoenix Jewish news., 1956-03-30
Yuma Community History Traced

Leading merchants who came
here between the two world wars
were Eddie Frankel, Sig Frug,
ter, and the GlaSserS of Somerton.
Kalsman served for some time as
deputy sheriff of Yuma County.
Another "old-timer" is Abe Mar
Gus, who has been in charge of the
city parks and recreation depart
ment for over 80 years. Joe Kivel
operated the r & B Drug Store
for many years, and in 1914 sold
out to Abe Leven, who is currently
operating this Main Street land
mark. Leven is chairman of the
community's forum and lecture
committee David Friedman, oper-
ator of the Daven Shoe Stores
came to Yuma in 1889. He was
the first president of the Yuma
Jewish Community Council.
WITH WORLD War II, a chal-
lenge was presented to the small
Jewish group at Yuma. There
were times when some 165, 900 to
10000 troops were on training
maneuverS in the area. The GisS
home became a veritable USO,
with Sunday morning brunches at
tended by as many soldiers as
could crowd into the house.
Passover 1914 presented a gigan-
tic problem. With over thousand
Jewish men and women in k
area, arrangements were made to
provide a Seder for them. With
Harold Giss as chairman, COM
mittee was formed. The large
group was divided into two, with
one meeting at the Masonic Tenn
pie and one in the school cafe
terra. Nearly HOO men participat-
ed in the SederS.
IN ADDITION, socials were
held every Saturday night in the
homes of. residents. An attempt
was made at that time to organize
Jewish group, but with the de-
parture of the military, these So
cials soon ceased.
Shortly after World War II, a
new influx of Jewish families oc-
Cured.
In March 1852, Herman Capsule,
Sephardic Jew from Chicago.
started to hold religious services
at his home for local residents and
personnel of the Yuma Air Force
Base, which had been reopened in
June 1851, and Yuma Army Test
Station, which was opened in April
1861. At the same time he started
a Sunday School for his son Bruce
and the children of the other local
residents.
IN 1868, THE first attempt at
religious services was undertaken
with a Yom Kippur celebration,
held at the Amerian Legion Hall.
A religious school was opened at
Carpenters Hall, under the joint
supervision of Capsule and Mrs.
Harold Gordon. The number Of
Jewish servicemen at the two mill
tary installations increased. The
need for an organized Jewish
group had now become impera-
tive.
With a group of parents, Capsule
attended high holy day services at
Congregation Beth Jacob, Ell Cen
tro, in 1854, and discussed the sit
uation with the author, circuit rab-
bi for the Imperial Valley. Cap
Suto offered to build a Succah in
his garden if the rabbi would con-
sent to conduct fectival services.
The invitation was accepted and a
service, marking the Sabbath of
Succoth, was held at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. David Friedman Oct.
Is, with almost every family pre-
sent.
Following the service, the Yuma
Jewish Community Council wa S
organized. This was the beginning
of organized Jewish religious and
communal activities in the city.
Next afternoon, the entire group
assembled at the Capsule home,
where the children helped to deco
rate the Succah, and celebration
was held. I remained in Yuma for
a celebration of Simchath Torah.
Subsequently, a siSterhood was
organized.
IN ORDER TO fit into the au-
| thOr'S SChedule, IL was agreed 10
have religious school sessions on
Monday afternoons, with services
for adults in the evening.
REVEREND Raymond C. Ache
son, minister of the First PreSby-
terian Church and dean of the
clergy of Yuma County, called on
me to announce that the member
ship of his church had voted unan-
imously to offer the facilities of
their building to the council, to be
occupied until the council would
have a home of its own. The offer