Golden Years of Torah Fund at Pacific Southwest Region 

Pacific Southwest Branch’s (PSW Region) close relationship with the University of Judaism (UJ -American Jewish University) began in 1947 when our branch was formed. The university borrowed facilities from the former Sinai Temple where PSW also had its offices. Once UJ was established as the West Coast satellite of Jewish Theological Seminary, Torah Fund became important to our women. The UJ was both a recipient and supporter of TF as rabbinic and educational scholars such as Dr. David Lieber, Dr. Rabbi Elliott Dorff, Dr. Rabbi Bradley Artson, and Dr. Rabbi Wexler, to name a few, graciously spoke at our Torah Fund events. Our strong, mutually supportive bond has flourished and continues to this day. 

The first award event began a custom of culminating the year’s campaign with a Torah Fund luncheon honoring a prominent figure in the Jewish community. Notably, it was also a forum to express our collective gratitude to the hardworking women of our affiliates. Pacific Southwest Branch was the top fundraiser of all the branches for Torah Fund. 

In 1956, a two-day event was held at the famous Coconut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel with over 1,100 women from 28 sisterhoods in attendance. Charlton Heston, who played Moses in Cecil B. DeMille’s epic, The Ten Commandments, accepted the Torah Fund Award on behalf of Mr. DeMille. University of Judaism president Dr. Rabbi Jacob Kohn and PSW president Selma Crow made the presentation. 

During the “golden years,” Los Angeles was host to many Jewish cultural, artistic, and community leaders. By their participation at our events, these luminaries drew attention to the importance and purpose of our Torah Fund campaign. 

“Cecil B. DeMille to receive first Torah Award at Torah Fund luncheons… On February 15 and 16, the mirrored Embassy Suite of the Ambassador Hotel will indeed reflect the light of learning… Mrs. Pressman, Program Chairman, informs us that a highlight of the program will be the presentation of the first Torah Award to Cecil B. DeMille, outstanding producer and director in recognition of his contribution to one of the great mediums of communication—the motion picture, which continues to transmit the revelations of the past for the generations of the future.” (Chai – Lites, PSW Branch, January 1956)