Fraternity-Testvériség, 2011 (89. évfolyam, 1. szám)
2011-01-01 / 1. szám
Spring 2011 The Meaning of Fraternalism to HRFA Members Kathy A. Megyeri F raternalism means something different to each HRFA member, so we queried some, and the responses were varied and insightful. We asked three questions: how long have you been an HRFA member, what fraternal HRFA activity has most impacted you, and to what extent has HRFA been part of your life? We share our members’ responses so you can see just how much fraternalism means to those in our organization. Rose Marie Gerzsenyi has been associated with HRFA for over twenty years, thanks to Director Joe Fabri’s invitation to sell Rose an annuity. Rose’s husband, Frank Ferenc Gerzsengyi was the comptroller of the McKeesport Hungarian Social Club, an all-male organization that played cards and socialized Sunday afternoons for years, but in 1976, he insisted that wives and ladies also be allowed to join. Thanks to that decision, the organization is still viable because four times a year, Rose holds fundraisers whereby kolbász and hurka is made and sold. In addition, she is active in the Hungarian Ethnic Club, organizes a Lilac Dance each May to celebrate Easter, holds a Valentine’s Day dinner dance in February, and of course, organizes the annual Kennywood Hungarian Days at Pittsburgh’s amusement park each August. The current President of the McKeesport Hungarian Social Club, Miklós Szabó, admits that the ‘56’ers gave new life and vitality to the club when they arrived in the area. The event used to attract hundreds but over the years, attendance has fallen because members are aging and the park now charges a $10 entrance fee. Attempts are being made to encourage the young to continue to participate such as entering a beauty pageant during which a Miss Rose Gerzsényi Magyar is crowned, decorating “mezas kolaches,” and getting involved in handpainting costumes instead of embroidering them as they did in previous years. Rose’s personal collection of over nine costumes from different regions of Hungary is still a draw for visitors. Treasurer of the McKeesport Hungarian Social Club, Rose says her activities make her feel good because she is keeping the heritage and traditions of the Hungarian community alive. HRFA’s mission to connect Hungarians is successful in the McKeesport/Pittsburgh area, thanks to people like Rose Gerzsenyi. Rev. Alexander Jalso, retired minister and at the present part-time pastor at the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead, Munhall, PA and also the branch manager of 126 and 226 of HRFA, has been a member since 1958. Not only he, but also all nine members of his family — wife, children, and grandchildren — are members of HRFA, a true testimony to loyalty and extended affiliation. Rev. Jalso most appreciates the attempts HRFA makes to keep alive the connection between, as he says, “our old and new countries.” He is also thankful that HRFA keeps up the Hungarian culture and traditions, encourages young people to follow their parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps, continues its charity work, offers support where help is needed, represents the Hungarians in the United States in Washington, DC, and publishes the Fraternity magazine through which its members can be reached and kept up-to-date concerning news and recent important events. All these efforts make members feel that they are an integrated part of a bigger fraternal family. Rev. Jalso has attended various activities sponsored by HRFA and felt it particularly uplifting when HRFA held the fiftieth memorial celebration in 2006 remembering the Hungarian uprising in 1956. He says, “Tributes to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for freedom nurtured the spirit of 1956 as a beacon for the future. Unfortunately, HRFA is experiencing the same problems that other fraternals are as well, namely, that our members are aging which makes it harder for them to travel and get together.” But he hopes that HRFA can continue to serve its members and remain a bridge or a connecting link as a healing agent. Businessman and HRFA Member Art (Attila) Tozer with homes in both northern Virginia and outside Budapest has been affiliated with HRFA for nine years and purchased policies for both his children. The most memorable HRFA activity for him and his family was the Christmas Party last year where they met a Santa Claus who spoke Hungarian and English, and they were surprised that so many other Hungarians were living in the area 6
