Meeting in Review - May 31, 2023
By Kelly BuchananTuesday, June 13, 2023
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On May 31, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting in person at the University Club of Washington, D.C. and via Zoom, and welcomed guest speaker Dr. Sheldon Goldberg, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), former Commander of Air Command Staff College and the Air War College. President Marilyn Nevy Cruz called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy Secretary Sofia DeMartino introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians.
Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Max Salas recognized birthdays and anniversaries for the week. Richard Pyle celebrated his 20-year anniversary and Susan Neely her 33-year anniversary. Mimi Kanda, Carl Reddel, and Mary Terrell all had birthdays that week.
President Nominee Bob Schott encouraged everyone to give to the Club’s Foundation. He urged the purchase of pink gin. There are seven cases left – so buy it up for summer parties – proceeds go to the Club’s Foundation.
President Elect Lisa Cohen reminded everyone of the upcoming Changing of the Guard event that will take place at her home on June 17 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 15. More details will be included in the Rotary Progress Newsletter.
President Marilyn explained that the Board voted for Peter Kyle to be the Zone 33 Member of the Nominating Committee for RI President. She asked for a vote of the membership to endorse Peter Kyle to be on the Nominating Committee for RI President. Members in attendance voted unanimously to confirm the Board’s vote.
President Marilyn inducted a new member.
President Marilyn reminded everyone of the Red Line Happy Hour being held that evening from 6-8 PM at the King Street Oyster Bar. Thirty-five people have signed up to attend, and the event is sponsored by the Du Pont Circle Rotary Club.
President Marilyn introduced our guest speaker Dr. Sheldon Goldberg, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.). LTC Goldberg has flown the C-124 Globemaster, the C-141 Star Lifter, and served as an F4 Pilot in Thailand. He has flown 254 combat missions, three over Vietnam. He is the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and seventeen air medals from 1970-1981.
In this 30 years of military service, LTC Goldberg served as the Commander of Air Command Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Air War College. After his retirement he went to the Institute of Defense Analysis and served in the Central Intelligence Agency until 2002. LTC Goldberg has a PhD in Modern European History from the University of Maryland.
In recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, LTC Goldberg’s presentation centered around the history of Jews in the military. In 1654, the first Jewish settlers arrived in the New World from Brazil, where they fled to avoid the Inquisition. These new settlers, however, found the governor in New Amsterdam to be extremely anti-Semitic.
During the Revolutionary War, Joseph Blumfeld served as the first Jewish career officer. In 1855, Uriah P. Levy served as the first medical squadron Commodore, though he faced much anti-Semitism in his role. Commodore Levy is responsible for ending corporal punishment in the Navy and for purchasing, restoring, and donating Monticello to the United States.
In the Civil War, 6,000-8,000 Jewish Americans fought for the Union Army and 2,000-3,000 fought for the Confederacy. Judah Benjamin served as both the Secretary of War and the Secretary of State in the Confederacy.
In 1862, Jewish Americans were allowed to become Chaplains. Also in 1862, five Jewish soldiers were recipients of the Medal of Honor. 1896 saw the formation of the Hebrew Union Veterans Association.
During World War I, 250,000 American Jews served, 3,500 were killed, and four received the Medal of Honor. In World War II, 42,000 Jews volunteered before the draft began, and 550,000 Jewish American served, including 300 Rabbis serving in uniform. After World War II, American stopped keeping count. Although some standouts in the Korean war were Kravitz and Reuben as well as Capt. Jack Jacobs in Vietnam. Since 9/11, it is estimated that 68 service men and women have died in combat.
After an animated question-and-answer session, President Marilyn presented Dr. Goldberg with a certificate for the planting of a tree under the Club’s Trees for the Capital program.
Sterling Hoffman conducted the Raffle with a very small pot of $15; the Ace of Spades was not drawn so the large pot for next week will be $721.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM. Pamela Stern-Green was the producer on Zoom, and Sarah Ross the producer in the room. Balraj Gupta provided hospitality.
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