A Note from the President
K E E P I N G
CURRENT
A Note from the President
Hello everyone ,
I hope you are enjoying the pause that summer brings to Hamburg . Everything slows down , which offers me a perfect moment to reflect on where the club has been and where it is going .
YOU ’ VE BEEN DOING SO MUCH !
The first half of this year has been incredibly vibrant for the American Women ’ s Club of Hamburg . We are grateful to have so many members willing to share their diverse passions with the rest of us . I was struck by the beauty of this during a particularly memorable week in May :
Monday : I rowed in the rain with twenty other members who were enthusiastic about trying a new sport despite very challenging weather ! Thanks , Adrienne Bulow , for organizing this great event . Meanwhile , our club chorus , The Songbirds , were singing during their regular rehearsal at Nancy Tilitz ’ s art gallery .
Tuesday : A few of our members took advantage of the US Embassy ’ s one-day visit to Hamburg so they could receive passport services without traveling to Berlin . One of the benefits for American members is the club ’ s close relationship with the US Embassy and Consulate .
Wednesday : I met a delightful group of new members over coffee at Adrienne ’ s home . It was especially fun to meet Genevieve , who brought along her lively toddler and adorable little baby .
Thursday : The morning kicked off with the annual spring bagel sale — a beloved tradition for those who miss their favorite type of Brot ! Tracy Moede again coordinated the whole thing as a fundraiser for the club ’ s From the Heart Pillow Project , and it was a huge success .
In the afternoon , a group gathered on Großneumarkt to dedicate the Stolperstein of Lea Heymann . The small memorial stone was sponsored by the AWCH in 2019 , but the pandemic delayed a ceremony . In the meantime , Carol Harbers tirelessly researched the Heymann family and connected with descendants in the US , several of whom traveled to Hamburg for this moving remembrance . It was a moving experience that I will not soon forget . You can read Carol ’ s full account in this issue .
Finally , that night , dozens of the AWCH members and their families joyfully gathered at the Operettenhaus for USA Night at the musical Hamilton . Our partnership with the US Consulate means our club members were offered half-price tickets and invited to a special reception beforehand , which included a talk by actor Charles Simmons , who plays George Washington .
Friday : The Opera Club gathered for its monthly session at Elizabeth Reifke ’ s home , where they delved further into The Tales of Hoffman , part of a series of sessions preparing them for the live performance in June . This group has been meeting for years , and the members speak lovingly about the education they ’ ve received and
6 KEEPING CURRENT