September 5, 2012
The Harding Club's opening meeting of the new 2012-2013 season commenced at 7:00 pm, Sept. 5th at Greenbaum and
Gilhooley's at our regular gathering place, elevated one flight above the dining public.
For those keeping track, 2013 will mark the Harding Club's 90th year since its 1923 founding. Thus, it was with special solemnity that we recalled, as we do at every season's inaugural meeting, those many members that have passed on, over the years and during the past year.
The evening's
invocation was delivered by Rabbi Paul Golomb of Vassar Temple, who was also our keynote speaker - expounding on a theme of extreme relevance during this year's heated presidential election.
Where, he asked, do American Jews stand in relation to American politics? Are we still in the liberal camp even though economically we should have should have more in common with the Republican Party? Rabbi Golomb advanced the theory that because Jews are the consummate urban people their values will always be cosmopolitan and empathetic. This perhaps explains American Jews' traditional loyalty to the Democratic Party which claims to be more populist in outlook. In any event, anyone who has spent five minutes listening to the political banter at a H.C. meeting will come to the conclusion that these Jews, at least, are monolithic only in their diverse opinions.
Red Ticket: Gary Mayer, Blue Ticket: Paul Rashba
September 19, 2012
The meeting was called to order by Sergeant-at-Arms Martin Hochhauser.
When Martin had sufficiently quieted down the boisterous din into a respectful silence Steve Kirshon bestowed upon our
previous club president , Dan Ashley, a small token of gratitude - a gavel like implement - in recognition of Dan's fortitude
and long-suffering patience during his term of service to this club. The office of President is truly an honor one is privileged to
assume and happy to relinquish.
Our speaker for the evening was our brother club member Azzy Reckess. Azzy the leader of the H.C.'s Israeli contingent,
is a graduate of Israel's Bar-Ilan University and a veteran of the IDF. He is currently the owner of Paz Health Care
Management, which provides home care to the elderly and disabled and manages assisted living facilities, In addition to these distinctions Azzy is also currently the president of the Jewish Community Center of Dutchess County. As anyone following local Jewish activity is probably aware, the D.C.J.C.C. - long beset by financial problems and maintaining an aging
building in need of major repairs - has been in an ongoing discussion with the ChangePoint Church of Poughkeepsie, a
non-denominational Christian Church, for the sale of the property and the leasing of the Center building back to the D.C.J.C.C. in order to continue its current programs and services to the Jewish community. Azzy proceeded to inform H.C. members about the specifics of the deal between the J.C.C. and ChangePoint, which because of their sensitive nature will not be recounted here.
Finance Committee: Dick Schwed handed out copies of the H.C. balance sheet for 2012-2013. Dick noted that we have a current membership of 53 individuals. He also noted that the club had decided to subsidize the price of members' dinners at
G&G's so that each regular dinner will cost members $22. instead of the $26 it would have been in light of price increases at the restaurant.
Sunshine: Mazel Tov to President John Weisman who has two new granddaughters: Samantha and Gabriella
Turetzky is undergoing medical treatment. He is at home and would appreciate a note or a card.
President Weisman, boldly departing from established tradition asked Azzy to pick, not one but ten ( ! ) Red Tickets. In lieu of a cash prize, each winner received a Lotto ticket with a potential $13 million payoff. The (potential) winners were: Herb Stoller, Jack Gruberg, Marty Finkelstein, Eliot Hudes(twice, red and blue, so we messed up), John Weisman, Dick Schwed, Peter Albenda, Al Lemberger and Lou Newman. So far, there are no reported winners or they are keeping it a secret. More fun drawings are planned!
Blue Ticket; Rich Levine, who won the traditional $10 cash prize.
Respectfully Submitted; Peter Albenda