Magyar News, 1991. szeptember-1992. augusztus (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-06-01 / 10. szám
THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION - MORE THAN INSURANCE One of the many truly important organizations within our Hungarian community is the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. To a large extent, our present community is the beneficiary of this organization’s involvement The Hungarian Reformed Federation is a “fraternal” organization. Simply put, this means that its purpose is to serve and meet people’s needs. The spirit of fratemalism is based upon the truly human quality of wanting to help. In this sense the Federation has been in the business of helping individuals and groups within the many Hungarian communities around the country since its founding late in the last century. Most people know the “federation,” as its commonly called, through its life insurance department. For many immigrant Hungarians, the Federation was the primary source of this needed service. Suspicious of and bewildered by the larger American insurance companies, these folks were drawn to the Federation because it literally, “Spoke their language.” It provided a friendly, secure place to do business. It also helped that many of the Federation’s branches were closely tied to Hungarian Reformed congregations. If there was a Hungarian Reformed church in a particular community, the chances were pretty good that there would also be a branch of the Federation ready to serve and help. But, what else do we mean when we say that the Federation is in the business of helping? Next to providing insurance, the Federation also provides another important service. Many of the present church buildings would not be standing if it weren’t for the financial assi stance that the Federation supplies through mortgages. Through the giving of these mortgages and loans, the Federation has assured that our people have places to worship and celebrate their heritage. The sanctuaries and halls in which we gather are testimonies to the philosophy of helping upon which the Federation is built. But, there is also a more personal side to the Federation’s work. Many young people today look to the Federation for help. When the time comes to buy a house, the Federation offers mortgages and loans to its members. Higher educational needs are helped through the COLLEGE CHORUS OF KOLOZSVÁR Palm Sunday, April 12,1992 was a very special day for hundreds of individuals living in the Bridgeport and surrounding area. Palm Sunday not only meant the first day of the Holy Week, the Commemorative of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem when palm branches were strewn before Him; but, in remembrance of that event, palm branches were handed out to all parishioners in Christian churches everywhere. Palm Sunday, April 12, 1992 will be long remembered by the almost five hundred persons who attended the Benefit Concert of the Hungarian College Chorus of Kolozsvár held at the First United Church of Christ. Under the able direction of Árpád Székely, Choir Director, forty-six well trained voices, twenty-six female, and twenty male voices filled the church edifice EUROPEAN NAIL SALON Judith Racz 16 Fiske St. Fairfield, CT 06430 Tel: 333-1468 with heavenly music. A spell-bound audience sat in complete silence, listening to Ancient Protestant Hymns and Transylvanian Folk songs. As an American Hungarian, I was elated by the perfect pitch and clear voicing of words by these well trained students. The Choir Master’s hands and fingers could be described only as a magic wand. To me Árpád Székely is a genius director. To control forty-six voices in tunc with the listeners joy is difficult to describe. Yes, Palm Sunday, April 12, 1992 will be a day I shall remember the rest of my life. It will remain an unforgettable day for many music lovers. I’m truly sorry more publicity of the College Chorus of Kolozsvár did not appear in the News Media before the event took place. In his closing remarks, József Székely, Headmaster of the Kolozsvár College expressed his thanks and gratitude to all who attended the performance, and to those who welcomed the students into their homes. He also emphasized his special thanks to the Rev. Doctor Alexander Havadtöy who left no stone unturned that these talented young men and women be able financially to come and have a successful sixteen city tour in the USA and Canada. The proceeds will be used to build a new Hungarian college for future Hungarian ministers and teachers in Transylvania. Margaret Fekete Csóványos numerous scholarships and awards that the Federation provides. In a world which seems to be more and more impersonal, it is good to know that the Federation is there to help its members, as well as others. Through its sponsorship of cultural events, like the recent Koloszvar Choir, the Federation makes it possible to bring us all closer to our Hungarian heritage. There are families enjoying the security of homes and peace of mind; there are pastors, doctors, lawyers, who are serving their communities because the Federation helped with their education. Yes, the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America is more than insurance. In a real sense, it is one of the pillars upon which our Hungarian community stands. Without it, we would not be able to appreciate our past, or look with confidence toward our future. Rev Anlhony Szilagyi The Branch Manager of the Hungarian ReformedFederalion of America who could be reached in our area is Louis Reszoly, 125 Harbor Avenue,Bridgeport,CT06605. Tel: 367-8835. OH! WHAT A KNIGHT! Everybody enjoyed the article in our May issue. Unfortunately for some confusion in the technical department, the name of the author was left out. We hereby let you know that the person who wrote this lovely article is our own Fr. RobertNcmeth. /Editor/ LOU STANDISH Is there anybody who doesn’t know this name? I doubt it. Unfortunately we don’t sec his name in the Magyar News. Not that he doesn’t help out, just that he does research work. His findings end up in many articles and we hope that one day he will grab a pen and paper and write things that we expect from him. Lou is the person who alerts people in the community about Hungarian movies in the area. Most of the time it is too late to get it into the News. He finds them in New York but the News is printed once a month so it gets into communication by word of mouth. Thanks, Lou. GRAMMY LIKES HUNGARIANS This time we are talking about the prestigious award that recording musicians receive. With more than 200 recordings with London Records, Sir George Solti, a Hungarian, received his 30th Grammy Award. The musical piece was Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chorus. He is five awards ahead of Quincy Jones, next in line.
