CJN.ORG MAY 15, 2015 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS 25 Violet always got the Vi Scoop Cleveland Jewish News Vi became synonymous with Cavalcade columnist Violet the Cleveland Jewish News Spevack began her career on and she made the people she March 5, 1965 and wrote her wrote about celebrities. final column on Jan. 30, 2015. She also turned into quite a In those nearly 50 years, celebrity herself. she interviewed thousands of If Vi wasn’t there, it wasn’t people, including hundreds news. As her countless fans of celebrities, and wrote would say, “You weren’t really thousands of stories and in the paper unless you were columns that focused on in Cavalcade!” the society scene in Greater Vi, thanks for all the Cleveland. memories! Violet Spevack Retirement Ice Cream Social May 17, 2015 Temple Emanu El 2-3:30 p.m. ILLUSTRATION / FRIDA KON 26 CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | MAY 15, 2015 CJN.ORG Torah, lsrael, lox & bagels, the Cleveland Jewish News and Violet Spevack. The ties that bind us together. PHOTOGRAPH BY MARVIN FONG / THE PLAIN DEALER Thanks for the people, places and memories, Vi. From Tose Who Served as President of Te Cleveland Jewish News Max Axelrod* Lloyd Schwenger* Donald K. Freedheim Gary S. Shamis Marc W. Freimuth Wilton S. Sogg* Peggy Garson Harold S. Stern victor gelb Norman Wain Bruce M. Hennes James M. Yasinow Martin Marcus Ben D. Zevin* *of blessed memory CJN.ORG MAY 15, 2015 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS 27 Violet MaViolet wroterc her first5, 1965columnCAVALCADE WhenWhen it it all all beganbegan in in 1965 1965 ... American culture was awash ... Jewish Cleveland was in transition in soaps, musicals when Cavalcade debuted SEAN MARTIN “The Sound of Music” premièred at the Special to the CJN Rivoli Theatre in New York City. hen the Cleveland Jewish “My Fair Lady” won eight Academy News debuted in 1964, cre- Awards. Julie Andrews won an Oscar for Wated after the closure of “Mary Poppins.” The Jewish Independent and of The Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang ap- Jewish Review and Observer, Cleve- peared on the cover of TIME magazine, and “A land’s Jews were already successful Charlie Brown Christmas,” the first Peanuts suburbanites, living in Cleveland television special, debuted on CBS. Heights, University Heights, Beach- wood, and other suburbs to the east. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Cleveland’s foremost rabbi, Abba Voting Rights Act into law, guaranteeing Hillel Silver, had just died, in late No- African-Americans the right to vote. vember 1963. The May Company was The Beatles performed the first stadium still at the corner of Cedar and War- concert in the history of rock, playing for rensville Center Roads, and Corky & 55,000 at Shea Stadium in New York City. Lenny’s was just down the road on Rock group debuts throughout the year in- Cedar. cluded Jefferson Airplane, The Doors and The leaders of The West Side Tem- the Grateful Dead. ple had just begun their work on be- The soap opera “Days of Our Lives” half of Soviet Jewry, and Fairmount debuted on NBC. Bill Cosby, starring in “I Temple’s Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld Spy,” became the first African-American to returned home wounded from voter headline a television show. registration work in Mississippi, the victim of a beating by whites opposed The Temptations had their first hit, to civil rights. Dorothy Fuldheim “My Girl.” brought Cleveland the news on WEWS. The average cost of new house was In 1965, when Violet Spevack’s col- $13,600, a first-class postage stamp cost umn debuted in the CJN, Cleveland was The first Cavalcade column, March 5, 1965. Violet asked people to “keep 5 cents, a new car cost $2,650 – and gas cost “the best location in the nation,” and the me informed of interesting sidelights that you’d like to share with others … 31 cents per gallon. Jewish community poised itself for even anecdotes, personal insights, human highlights.” Medicare and Medicaid were created greater growth. The Federation made a as part of the Social Security Act. commitment to downtown Cleveland, opening a new building designed by Ed- Pope Paul VI issued the Nostra Aetate ward Durell Stone on Euclid Ave. at E. 18th St. Longtime community lead- Doctrine that established a bond between the Roman Catholic church ers Henry L. Zucker and Sidney Z. Vincent were both promoted at the and Jews. Federation, ensuring there would be a smooth transition to the new loca- The first Gen Xers were born. tion and continued growth. Jewish youth were in for a change, too. 1965 was the last year of Camp “Hogan’s Heroes,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Get Smart” and “Green Wise in Painesville before its relocation to the Eugene and Blanche Halle Acres” all debuted on TV. Park in Burton. Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched a perfect game It was the start of a new era to be chronicled by Violet Spevack. against the Chicago Cubs. (The Dodgers would win the World Series Sean Martin, Ph.D., is associate curator for Jewish history at The Western against the Minnesota Twins.) Reserve Historical Society. –Compiled by Bob Jacob 12 | CJN VIOLET EDITION | JULY 14, 2011 28 CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | MAY 15, 2015 CJN.ORG With much respect and admiration for all of your beautiful words and contributions to our community! Violet Fondly, Marilyn & Jerry Adelstein Chatted ywith multi-talented performer SInterviewept with. 20,Rabbi and1968 bestselling Jul 18, 1975 author Herbert Tarr Joel Grey of Cleveland during a long- distance telephone call To Vi, Talked to Mrs. A.J. Heschel, Junwidow of thee late, 8, world1973 – Interviewedy Canadian actor Lou Jacobi alsoJul known for 18, his personable1975 With love renowned Jewish philosopher Rabbi Herbert Tarr Molly Picon and friendship show-biz personalities Frida Kon and David Klein Talked offg stage with David Reminiscedg about the life and kids SteinbergAu about. 10, his life1973 as withAu Molly Picon,. 8, a 1975well-known an actor, comedian, producer, enduring personality of the theater and and director the television industry Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for all the wonderful At a dinner table at La Place Comedian Jan Murray discussed memories. Din Beachwood,ec. 7, Violet 1973 got Ofriendshipsct. 10, and Passover1975 dinners Mrs. A.J. Heschel with her to know TV personality and daughter, Suzannah with Violet Sharon & Jerry author Sam Levenson Schmelzer As a guest speaker at Fairmount A fun-filled interview with Joan Temple,Oct. show-biz 17, 1975 personality George My very best NRiverso aboutv. her15, upcoming 1974 fame as a Joel Grey Jessel talked to Violet about his wishes comedian personal life and growing up Jewish for a wonderful year ahead for you. Violet interviewed songwriter and musician Sammy Cahn You are Violet talkedy to actor and author Al most special. Jul 11, 1975 Oct. 31, 1975 Brown about his retirement as the .Joan Rivers Love, Council Gardens director Carol Landau Dear Vi, Congratulations To a Gifted Writer: Thanks for all Mazel Tov !To Vi, on an If you read your name in on such a great Vi- A lady outstanding Violet’s column, you made it our years of With Admiration accomplishment! of Vim & Vigor! career. in the Jewish community. friendship. & Love Happy Best Wishes Your sister Gertie Larry & Alison Stone Gardens for the Future. and the Winer Family retirement! !Cec & Jerry Borodkin Friends Lauren and Norton Laderman Annette & Burt Tara and Bob Love you, Randell Nina and Dennis Krupa Marilyn CJN.ORG MAY 15, 2015 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS 29 Mazel Tov Vi! Violet Loren Chylla The Adcom Group While in town directing, Jerome Lawrence Violet ptalked about her 18, 1975 Ntalkedo tov. Violet 21, about 1975 his childhood and JewishA rootsri withl 14, comedian 1978 how he became a writer and performer Victor Borge Thanks for all of the fond memories. Discussed Jewish heritage with super Laughed withy king of one- Congratulations on 18, 1975 linersJul Henny Youngman 28, 1978 again Dperformer,ec. Anthony 12, 1975Newley, and Sammy Cahn your retirement. popular composer Burt Bacharach after four years in a personal one-on-one interview Jim, Robert, Bill & Joe Applebaum Gorge Applebaum . 8, 1975 American stand-up comedian and actor Don RicklesJun talkede 11,with Violet1976 about his life and Violet talked with Nancy being Jewish Henny Youngman FKlopper,eb. known 12, for 1982being one of the youngest casting directors To Vi, With a Song SWhilee visitingpt. friends24, in1976 Cleveland, Swim Champ of Toronto Olympics Uri Bergman Did a telephone Interview with opera and Broadway performer Oct. 10, 1975 in My Heart discussed training and winning gold medals Don Rickles MaJan Peercerc 26, 1982 with Violet Love , Had a telephone interview with talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael Eppie Oct. 17, 1975 Violet psat down with movie and TV star Tony Curtis (Bernie Marc 29, 1985 Schwartz)A ri afterl a 29,Cleveland 1977 Press Book and Author luncheon to discuss Judaism and raising children We honor our darling Violet Interviewed local actor Larry Benjamin for his rave reviews in And really owe her a huge debt, FOscare Madison’sb. 7, 1986 CVLT production of “The Odd Couple” For all the love and fun since we’ve met Talked with Mickey Katz, an American comedian and actor who And lessons she’s taught us, Nspecializesov. in 25,Jewish 1977 humor, about his then newly released From Aleph to Zet. autobiography, “Papa, Play For Me” Telephone interview with solo performer and interpreter of With love, FJewisheb. music, 28, Paul 1986Zim Iris & Mort November www.novemberphilanthropy.org Violet- Violet, Congratulations, You are an Greetings to our friend Violet.