Celebrating 80 years ...

JWB 1937 Purim story

In anticipation of the 1937 community Purim Ball, the Jewish Western Bulletin’s Social and Club News page fêted “Past Queens Esther” and reminded readers of the rules for aspiring royalty:

“1. Candidates for Queen must be nominated on the evening of the Ball and everyone is asked to think of their candidates ahead of time.

“2. The number of candidates will be limited to six. The time of nomination will be from 9.15 to 9.30 p.m.

“3. Voting will commence immediately following nominations. Counting of ballots will take place every half hour and final counting will take place at 11.30 p.m. Each candidate will be allowed to have her representative present at the counting of the ballots.”

Other Social and Club News for Feb. 26, 1937, included the upcoming speaking engagement of Mrs. Arthur Brin, president of the National Council of Jewish Women, and “one of the most distinguished and civic leaders of the United States today.” There were many meeting announcements: Samuel Lodge, including an address “delivered by Mr. John Ridington, Librarian of the University of British Columbia”; Young Judaeans, with an open forum “on the topic ‘Resolved that an Arab-Jewish State in Palestine is Desirable.’ Jack Davis will speak for the House and Kenneth Kahn will uphold the opposition”; the Ivriah Club “in an attempt to revitalize this Hebrew-speaking group”; the B’nai B’rith Auxiliary, which was planning its 10th birthday party, “under capable Convenorship of Sister Anne Nemetz”; the Sub Junior Council, about their “Co-Ed affair” at La Fonda, for which “Girls wishing a blind date are asked to please get in touch with Esther Miller”; and Pioneer Women’s Group, which thanked several people “for their participation in the program for the National Fund evening, held recently.”

The annual shower before the Hadassah Bazaar was to be held soon and members were “reminded to telephone Mrs. J.L. Zlotnik if you have any bundles to be picked up for the Rummage Sale.” In “A.Z.A. News,” planning was underway for the International AZA Sabbath and there was “still time to order the new A.Z.A. sweater. All members who have not yet ordered theirs may do so by contacting Dave Braverman.” And, under the Junior Council item about their upcoming luncheon, the arrangement of which, was in the hands of “Ella Jarvis, Lillian Wolman, Sophie Rothstein and Sara Sweid,” is the somewhat out-of-place notice that, “The report of the British Royal Commission on Palestine will not be made public until after King George’s coronation in May.”

There were many, many more short Milestones-type announcements on this page, as well as Victoria news and information about what was playing at the Capitol Theatre (James Oliver Curwood’s God’s Country and the Woman, with the second feature being the comedy They Wanted to Marry). There were even a few advertisements. But there wasn’t a listing of the names of the four past Queen Esthers. If any Jewish Independent readers happen to know who these women are, please let us know!

Postscript: Thank you to Faye Shafron, who identified the Purim Queen Esther second from the left as her mother's cousin, Rhea Cohen. Cohen represented the group Poale Zion in the contest. She went on to marry Julius Blatte. They moved to Bremerton, Wash., where they had one son. Cohen had a twin sister, Clara, and an older brother, George.

^TOP