Minutes of April 18, 2012 Meeting

Harding Club Meeting Minutes from the April 18, 2012 meeting:

The meeting that night assumed a more elevated level, both physically, because the club met in the upstairs dining room of G&G's, as well as in tone, because we were honored with the presence of Rabbi Rena Blumenthal, the Jewish spiritual leader of Vassar College. Rabbi Blumenthal, who was introduced by Rich Levine, was our guest in conjunction with the occasion of Yom-Hashoah. The topic of her address to us concerned the role that memory plays in our approach to the Holocaust. This event, incomprehensible in its savagery and destruction, has become the inescapable prism through which Jews have viewed all subsequent events in their history. Surprisingly, Rabbi Blumenthal pointed out that the proliferation of Holocaust museums, as well in depth historical research about the events of that era, did not begin in earnest until the 1980's when the passage of time convinced Holocaust survivors they had a responsibility to testify about events that had previously been too painful to discuss. Conversely, young Germans began to question the actions of their parents and grandparents regarding the murder of European Jews

Thus, the question arises, how do we memorialize genocide against the Jewish People? Rabbi Blumenthal mentioned that Germans too have built memorials to the Holocaust, perhaps as a form of atonement, and that they are often purposely ugly and disturbing; "counter-monuments". For instance, the Hamburg "Monument Against Fascism, War & Violence" is located in a drab shopping area and invites people to scribble their names on it as a commitment to remain vigilant. It is meant to gradually sink into the ground. The Berlin "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe" is a vast graveyard of 2,711
concrete slabs containing the names of all known Holocaust victims. However, in a chilling and ironic twist that points out to the ambiguous nature of memorials, it was discovered that the Degussa Company, one of the low bidders on the project, was the very same "German Corporation for Pest Control" that was the main manufacturer and distributor of the chemical "Zyklon-B gas" used in the gas chambers of Nazi Germany. German Jews were outraged while German politicians were more concerned about keeping the project on budget and were loath to shop for a new contractor.

Club Business: Vice President John Weisman filled in for President Dan Ashley, who was in the hospital with a staph infection. We wish him a very speedy recovery. John also relayed greetings to club members from Gene Glanzberg, who is up and about after his surgery in Florida. Gene is playing cards and tooling around; albeit for the time being with a cane.

On a sad note: the Harding Club mourned the passing of former long-time member Lou Ritter who had passed away the preceding week. A moment of silence was observed by those assembled in his memory. Our condolences also go out to his family.

Red Ticket: Jack Gruberg was thrilled to win the club's bi-weekly raffle "for the first time in thirty years."

 Blue Ticket: Continuing his incredible run of luck, Jack went on to win the blue ticket as well.

Thus, disproving the adage about lightning striking twice.


Respectfully Submitted,

Peter Albenda



Harding Club Night Out at the Renegades

Hudson Valley Renegades vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

July 18th –
Picnic at 5:30 games starts at 7:05

This event is open to entire family so bring your kids and grandkids.

Prices is $22/person which includes picnic dinner and reserved seat.

We are limited in available seats so sign-up now so you are not shut out. Please email or call Rich Levine to make a reservation

(richlvn@optonline.net or call             845-462-1190      )

And make sure you get a check to him no later then June 13th.



KOSER Deli Night, Wednesday June 13 at
Locust Grove on Route 9

See flyer that arrived by mail on or about May 4 or send check for reservation to Gary Mayer, 31 Innsbruck Blvd, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

$23 per person until May 30

$30 per person after May 30

$40 per person “at the door”

Strictly Kosher 
Vegetarian choices as well

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