Let's start with a little summer fun from just 56 years ago when the Cincinnati Jewish community attacked the perennial problem of keeping young Jews interested and engaged by sponsoring a "Summer Cutie Contest" open, it would seem to high school and college students.
"Miss Judy Sunshein, of Alpha Sigma Tau, won the Jewish Community Center's second annual Summer Cutie Contest at the Center pool Thursday, June 19. Miss Sunshein received the trophy at a dance at Le Centerville Gardens, following the contest."
American Israelite, July 19, 1952
The winner had the best possible name for such a summer contest. Jewish beauty contests would have been very appealing in the early 1950s, following up on Bess Myerson's crowning as Miss America in 1945.
The Jews of Cincinnati
illustration by Ursula Roma
As I research the history of Cincinnati's Jews, I find that those who thought about American Jews in earlier eras often offered intriguing -- and sometimes funny -- insights that reflect back upon the challenges of our own times.
"Cincinnati's American Israelites: THE BLOG" will allow others to share my enjoyment of these musings from the past without having to wait for THE BOOK.
All content copyright, Karla Goldman, 2007 - 2014.
"Cincinnati's American Israelites: THE BLOG" will allow others to share my enjoyment of these musings from the past without having to wait for THE BOOK.
All content copyright, Karla Goldman, 2007 - 2014.
3 comments:
Good luck with this new venture. Everyone can now come here and experience the wisdom and quiet elegance of a preeminent scholar and, most of all, a beautiful person.
Someone needs to bring back the "Summer Cutie Contest." Seems like a gem of a JCC event. Maybe a contest for senior citizens?
Do you think Judy Sunshein is a stage name... er, a Cutie Contest name? I'm skeptical of its authenticity...
Looks like Sunshein is an authentic name: A social note in the June 7, 1929 issue of "Every Friday," describes "a surprise miscellaneous shower" given in honor of Miss Doris Levine, the "bride-elect" of Mr. Robert Sunshein of Forest Avenue. Could Robert and Doris be the parents of the winner of the "Summer Cutie" context 33 years later? One nice additional note is that, prior to her marriage, Doris lived on Sunset Avenue.
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